What did your conv cost?

[hightuned]

Ive alvway been a v8 fan, and owned a series of trans am's with small and bigblocks. Ive always wanted a Porsche as the handeling anfd weight of musclecars leaves alot to be desired unless you build a pro tourer. Well 5 years ago i finnaly bought a 911, the v8 conversion was always in tha back of my mind as in my view is the best of two worlds. To make a long story short im now rebuilding my 915 tranny and my 2,7 engine for which i intend to supercharge. Rebuildning the engine is a nightmare as im used to work on chevy v8s, $1000 for a oilpump, $700 for bearings, $3000 for pistons/cyllinders, its just ridicoulus! So im starting to think a ls v8 is the way to even if it will effect the value of my car(which i have no intention on selling). Ive alread been in touch with renegade to supplie a ls conversion kit, but ill like some opinions from ppl who has made the swap to chevy power?

Fredrik

[Mitch Leland]

Fredrik,

I'm doing a Renegade swap using a LS3 engine on my 996. I can tell you that it will be more expensive, take more time, and as Renegade has reminded me on several occasions when I've asked too many questions, we're use to dealing with professionals... Ouch!

[Logdigital]

Hi Fredrik,
I just purchased a Renegade converted '79 SC with a standard SBC 350 and it is a great combination of inexpensive speed, reliability, and the beautiful Porsche body/suspension. If you are going to embark on this project make sure to speak with multiple V8 conversion companies such as Renegade, Toy-Jet, and Rod Simpson about cooling that engine and come up with a good plan of attack from the start. My biggest frustration has been keeping the engine below 220dg with the Renegade radiator & water pump & hoses, its not their fault, it just really needs to be dialed in by a pro to keep things cool and I'm not experienced in this sort of work.

[Bigbadal]

Hey LD
I'm just starting a 911 SC to Chevy SBC and expect to complete in about a year or so as I have to go over the entire car including wide body, motor rebuild, paint, Targa to soft, interior and finally paint. I am interested to know of suspension upgrades including largest recommended wheel sizes explored. Do I really have to go wild with coilovers on all four or just torsion an sway upgrade with sport shocks of accommodate the added horsepower. I'm just looking for suggestions based on experience rather than hearsay.

If anyone have pics to share please do, thanks.

[Yan2947]

Logdigital, Do you have any photos of your purchase? I have been having issues with my rear mounted radiator. It works perfect but the temps can climb at rpm's above 3000 very easily. I can't quite afford new gearing yet but if anyone does one of these conversions I really think you should at least swap out the 5th gear. If you have the tranny out of the car it is apparently not a very difficult swap. The other gears - quite a bit more effort from what I understand. A really tall 5th gear would really quiet the car down and lower the rpm's. My timing advance on my ls1 has been modified by Renegade to exceed 43 degrees with just a little gas. I think it may be my main issue with overheating. I go to the dyno tuner on Friday and we shall see the results. I purchased one of those cheap Elm327 wifi obd2 devices to give info to my iphone. It shows all the sensors and timing advance is one of them. You also need an app - I use Rev2 from the itunes store. Gives me timing advance, rpm's and a bunch of other sensors including another reading for my coolant temp. My radiator is large (nicly designed toy-jet) radiator and wing. Not all electric fans are the same. CFM really means nothing. You need to have a lot of amps. The 16" Spal fan pull over 20 amps. You need that sucking power. I had a cheaper fan originally on the newer setup and it just seemed weak. It was. Lets see some build photos!

[rhardy252]

I've probably got 2k into my swap so far. I got my motor really cheap tho and that figure includes a welder and plasma cutter. I buy everything I can off ebay, Craigs list, or from the junkyard to keep costs down. I wanted to keep the flat six sound do I'm putting a ez30 Subaru in the car. I'm learning a lot and loving the process even when I hate the process

[911JeffS]

If you go for it just do it right. Or the way you believe it to be right. If you start with a great car it may be less to convert, on the other hand you've laid out more initially. I chose the alternative, an inexpensive car with a great body. Most all systems or components on my car are new or rebuilt. I now have a baseline for on going maintenance. This is not a money making opportunity except for renegade. That's OK with me because vendors like them are providing a product that we all like. There are other vendors and options to consider its up to you. All of us here realize its more valuable to restore to original specs, (yawn ho hum) we just want more performance. A wolf (on steroids) in sheeps clothing if you will, or a plain old sleeper. Its you car do it your way, most of all enjoy the ride...