Twisted 944S

[Warwood]

Good, I have your attention. A good friend of mine called me a few months ago to tell me some guy wanted to do a V8 Cheby swap into his 944S. Well, I have heard this kind of plan before and had made them myself, but never acted on them. So I was pleased when I had a chance to see one of these being converted myself.

To disguise my intrigue over this project I say, "Kw-el, but why does he want to dump the 16V engine?" Ok so to make a long story short, it turns out that this particular 944 16V has had a problem eating cams and destroying heads. So the owner (we will refer to him as Mr. Smith) decided that it was time to stop messing around. So Mr. Smith bought an LT1 Corvette engine and rebuilt it to LT4 specs.



Specification LT4
Block, construction Cast Iron
Bore, inches 4.00
Compression ratio 10.8:1
Connecting Rods Powdered metal
Crankshaft Cast iron with undercut and rolled fillets
Cylinder Heads Cast Aluminum, 2 valves/cylinder
Displacement 350ci (5733cc)
Fuel system Fuel Injection, Electronic sequential port
Horsepower, factory rating 330 @ 5800 RPM
Main Bearings 4-bolt centers, 2-bolt ends
Pistons Eutectic aluminum/silicon alloy
Redline, factory rating 6300 RPM
Rocker Arms Conventional, forged aluminum, 1.6:1 ratio
Stroke, inches 3.48
Timing Chain Roller chain, steel sprockets
Torque, factory rating 340 @ 4500 RPM
Torsional Damper Dual mass
Valve Diameter, inches 2.00 intake, 1.55 exhaust
Valve Duration 282 intake, 277 exhaust
Valve Lift, degrees .476 intake, .479 exhaust
Valve Overlap, degrees 46
(I have been told that the cam shaft in this engine is larger than stock.)
Valve Springs Oval section, higher closing force

The expected output is reported to be about 415Hp.

I when I saw the car for the first time, it was preped and ready to start.



Putting the engine into the car, wasn't as easy as the kit maker would like you to think. The first fitting left the engine sitting to high and interfered with closing the hood. But after readjusting the mounts the engine dropped down and now the hood closes.



The clutch is uses a well engineered slave cylinder, and came with a steel braded line.



The alternater bracket had to be cut and welded, making it shorter required clear the hood. But this meant the alternater is very close to the power sterring pump. In this case it actually rubs.



Where the cross member is well made we had a problem; for some reason it didn't fit very well on this '87 944S. As you can see the bolt holes had to reamed out to fit frame.



The power sterring rack pressure inlet line had to modified to changed to accept the SAE line from the GM power sterring pump.



As you are wondering about exhaust I am sure you will agree that the stock single 2 1/4 inch pipe will not flow enough exhaust to make 415 Hp. But I am told that the new custom exhaust will take care of that!



That's all for now, as I get more pictures and info I will keep you informed.

Have a good one,

[ae1969]

The beauty of cubic inches.

Definitely keep us posted with some pics.

[PhillysMostWntd]

makes me sad to see the a 944S lose its heritage, but it also makes me happy to see what you can do with a little time an money, that thing is going to be a monster.

[Brando]

Will it pass smog?

[Warwood]

Originally posted by Brando
Will it pass smog?

I don't why not, it may require a refferee to decide bless it. But there is no reason it shouldn't pass the sniff test if my friend and Mr. Smith install cats.

[speedracing944]

What is funny is I am also named Mr. Smith and I have a 87 944S that has motor issues. I laughed when I read this post.

[Dougster]

Very interesting swap...
Keep us posted...

I currently have a 89 Nissan 240 SX with a Chevy 350 V8 swap...Not pushing those kinda HP numbers, but fun all the same...

I am looking at a 87 944S...Bad idea?

I have heard all the issues...and it needs the full belt service too...So, I am unsure if I want to pay a decent price AND have to pay for the full service too...

[PhillysMostWntd]

use the belt issue to give you lee-way on lowering the price

[Warwood]

This particual 944S's engine failed due to cam chain failure. Which took out the cam shafts and the head. Bad news.

The 928S4 and 944S, S2 all had problems with their timing chains.

[Warwood]

oh yeah by timing chains I meant cam chains

[Dougster]

Yes, thats what I was thinking Philly's...

[racecar866]

let me know if you want to sell the 944S block, I understand the head is trash, but did the block and lower end survive.