blasphemy- which v8 conversion is best?

[aftermath]

Since I dont have a motor\transaxle Im going V8, sorry, got a 380HP awesome block from someone.

To keep the thread informative please no comments about dont do it

Which is better the renegade or porchev conversion?
There are two things to determine here, any advice is appreciated. They both seem like very respecable places. Horror stories anyone?

1) Quality\strength\weight of the conversion of the engine adapter parts. Seems like porchev has stronger stuff
here are the specs on the web...porchev is a wee bit cheaper

-ADAPTER PLATE
-renegade Machined from 6061 T6,aircraft grade billet aluminum
-porchev Machined from 7075 T-6 aluminum plate and anodized

- FLYWHEEL:
-renegade Machined from 4130 chromemoly of 0.750 thickness
-porchev Machined from heat treated 4340 steel

-MOTOR MOUNT
-renegade One piece welded steel construction ,alternator bracket machined from aluminum
-porchev Machined from 7075 T-6 aluminum plate and anodized. They include the coolant pump mount on one side and the alternator mount on the other side with alternator brace.

2) Quality\value\ability to cool of cooling system.
Renegade requires a change in the tank ( adds a lot of cost ) and they vent down ( told there is a low pressure area when down and it helps pull the air through)
- renegade $1100 radiator, $850 tank
- porchev ( apparantly vents out the fenders somewhere), radiator $890, weaken the chasis? work as well as renegade?
Do both cool fine if you follow the directions?

Does anyone have pictures of porchev radiator\venting?

btw, 77 911 with some rust, getting 74 rsr widebody

[ckissick]

Don't do it!

[ianc]

None of them.

ianc

[VincentVega]

For all the cost, why not just pick up a used 2.7 or 3l?

[aftermath]

I was going to get a 3.2, instead I can have a 380hp v8 new with warranty for less, thats why :0

[KCPSG]

Still Don't Do It

[pa911]

Do what you want it's your car and your money. y1der has a nice example I think he used the renegade kit .

[jluetjen]

This one!!!!

[ianc]

instead I can have a 380hp v8 new with warranty for less

By the time you get done paying for the conversion kit, motor, labor and hassle of installing it, and decreased resale from cutting up or modifying the car, you'll probably be in the hole...

ianc

[GJF]

I did a conversion. I choose the Simpson kit because the machine quality is superior to the cast adapter Renegade fabricates. I'll take 7075 any day over cast. I did alot of custom fabrication as well as a custom fuel tank. I did however use the Ron Davis radiator sold by Renegade as it is a very quality piece. Of course anything Ron Davis makes is quailty. I did a modified version of my own when I did the cooling system and ducting.

[RarlyL8]

There are some really well done V8 conversions out there.

I've spoken with Rod Simpson off and on sinse the 70's. He originated and perfected the Porchev conversion. Renegade Hybrids ripped him off. The way I understand it they were employees that stole his ideas and started their own business. True, they have expanded on his idea, but bad form none the less. Rod is a great guy who will talk at length with anyone about his conversions.

The archives may contain an old thread of mine on the subject back in 2000. I needed power, lots of power, and had a lot of small block chevy knowledge. About one week before I pulled the V8 trigger I got a call from a 930 tuner who had a lead on a good motor for a great price.
Right. There is no free lunch.
So I can play Devil's advocate.
Be it V8 or 930 power you gotta pay big bux to do it right. I guarantee you will pay FAR bigger bux for Porsche horsepower at that level, even when conversion costs are figured.
Want proof? Who wants to pay me $50,000 for my 930 powered SC? That's what it'll cost you at that level. So you loose money no matter what drivetrain runs your monster.

As for ruining a 911, who cares. It's only a car. Nothing is done that can't be reversed anyway. I've seen sooooooo many 911s on this forum that are butchered with holes cut in them, gutted this, cut out that, modded this, added that engine but had to cut out a bunch of stuff to make it fit. Hell look at Jacky O's car. Black Beauty. It's gorgeous, sexy, powerful, tastefully done ...... and butchered beyond recognision. It CANNOT be put back to stock. But it has a 911 engine so that's OK.

There's not a person on this forum who has MADE MONEY modding their 911 with pure Porsche parts. Not one.

[ianc]

As for ruining a 911, who cares. It's only a car.

Oh Christ Rarly, I can't believe you just said that.

I need to go smash something (not made in Germany) with my rubber mallet now...

ianc

[N11Porsche]

GJF, That's a great-looking conversion. It may not be my cup of tea but I can give credit where it is due! Let's see some full view pics of your Porsche.

Rarely you hit the nail on the head. We board members sure are quick to knock somebody else's Porsche.

Some guys on this board take hole saws to the rear of their cars to give them the "race" look. Others put Carrera decals on the sides of their Non-Carrera Porsches'. Some make cabs out of Targas. Heck one member turned his cab into a coupe. Some members put Porsche crest on the steering wheels, floor mats, rims, fenders, seats, etc. As if the Porsche needs more crest, so others are sure to know its a Porsche. Juan turned his 911 into a fire-breathing drag car and did an awesome job of it. Everyone has an idea of what they want to do with their Porsche, why be so critical (as if others really want to read our negative thoughts about their car. The poster to this threat asked us to NOT to be critical of his decision, he has already decided he wants a V-8...........ymmv

[Ray 911s]

GJF, which gearbox did you use? That is the point where the financial scales tipped for me. From all information I could find, a rebuilt short (or shortened) 930 four speed is about $6500. And most agree that the 915 won't hold up to the torque.

Just curious which solution you used and if you are happy with it.

[efhughes3]

Why would you post this kind of question on a board 99.9% populated with air-cooled engine nuts? Besides the obviously biased opinions, what kind of experience do you think we'll have? Sure a couple of guys will chime in, but there must be another forum you can go to for better feedback?

[unclebilly]

Guys,

Aftermath is from Edmonton... Just be satisfied he isn't planning to drop a Chrysler big block in there... Oh yah, he'll probably paint flames on it too and install an 8-Ball on the shifter...

I just had to get that dig in since I'm from Calgary...

The one V8 conversion I like is that flat black outlaw conversion... that doozer is doing

http://hypertec.ws/todd_porsche/photos/


Scott.

[asphaltgambler]

The best V-8 conversion is the S-10 Chevy

[TRE Cup]

We've had a few conversions pass thru our shop. Some were (like some "pure" 911s) ratty and some nice. The term V8 conversion does not automatically mean a p.o.s. The 911 shown above has some very nice details on it. It looks like the owner spent a lot of time thinking of and then executing the install.
Rod Simpson's initial kit suggested cutting out the wheel well arches to allow radiator exhaust on each side- this severely weakened (we know- we failed a 914-8 that came in for track tech) the front end unless reinforcements were effected. So there are lots of obstacles to overcome when building a hybrid and i applaud the well executed efforts.
Afterall, a lot of these people are taking cars that would have otherwise been lost to the crusher and having them live another (hopefully) brighter day

[aftermath]

This car would have ended up in the scrap yard....But Im gonna save it.
Just so you know, I dreamed of a flat 6 however, here are the facts.

Kit $4000 ( cooler, adapters, kevlar clutch, better pressure plate, fix gauges )
Motor $3500 @ 350HP ( My friend can polish the heads and bring it to 380HP and get me a GM discount ).
I needed a transaxle anyways so buying a 930 instead of a 915 to add another $1000\1500 to the bill.

There is no way I can buy a motor\transaxle with this much performance for the money. Plus my friends can do anything to a v8. I will even have a warranty from GM on this new motor.

Im replacing the stock suspention anyways.....

I can appreciate that some dont want me to do it, however thats not up for debate, this is a wonderful forum, I read pelican every day for months now and I drool over what some of you have done. Im just asking for some advice on something the purists dont like.

Ive sort of come to the consulsion ( thanks TRE for the bit about the fender venting ) that Rod makes a better product, however renegade has the better cooling system. Which is what my two questions at the start of this thread are about.

Has anyone done Rod's cooling system in a 911?

[look 171]

Originally posted by efhughes3
Why would you post this kind of question on a board 99.9% populated with air-cooled engine nuts? Besides the obviously biased opinions, what kind of experience do you think we'll have? Sure a couple of guys will chime in, but there must be another forum you can go to for better feedback?

Maybe he doesn't know. Are there any chat places out there that you know of? If you do, please let him know. If not, don't say anything. He just wanted info, and he know he might have a chance to get it here. If you don't like the thread, don't read it.

I think you should go ahead with the V8 thing. I think it will be fun. I build many custom, funky things for a living. Building and completing something unique is a hell of a lot of fun. Some people may never know what that's like. Follow the book, follow the book, following someone is never fun. When I have the knowledge and the time, I like to do that one day.

Jeff