Anybody See this? V8 conversion into a 996
 

Check this out:

These guys have V8 conversion kits for Porsches...

Renegade Hybrids

Heres the youtube video:
996 V8 by Renegade Hybrids - YouTube

Not sure how I feel about it. Point of the Porsche is the engine for me. I love the sounds and feel of the thing..... However, if your stranded with no engine this is an interesting why to have some fun with the left over parts.

In Progress

2003 Porsche 996 C4S, LS3 Conversion - LS1TECH

I know how I feel about it, If I don't love the heart & soul of a pleasure vehicle I don't have enough room in my garage to adopt it. :confused:

There are proper engines around & I am not opposed to improving them:


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1365008897.jpg

++1 I agree.

When I first read it I was a little iffy about it. After a great drive over the weekend I realized thats there no-way I would do this.

Also, despite spending way to much time on 5 or 6 Boxster/ 996 forums I have never heard of anyone enjoying one of these engine conversions. Starting the project yes, enjoying the final result, never.

Just Curious, How many of these cars do YOU think have been done? How long has this kit from Renegade been available? What seems to be Their main complaint about this Mod? This is my first Porsche experience and after 100's of other engine rebuilds and seeing how other engines are designed, I think I'll sleep and feel much better driving long distances with an LS3 480hp engine installed. Just my UNPROFESSIONAL opinion.

PS: I learned along time ago NEVER say NEVER!

I have read a little about 4 or 5 986 & 996 conversion projects. I am sure more exist but since I have to be really bored to read the threads I am not aware of any. What I have done is worked at Saleen, Shelby & Metalcrafters, probably the 3 most successful aftermarket automotive manufacturers in the USA. I have seen how expensive & time consuming it is to perfect the package & I have suffered the inevitable bankruptcy's & layoffs at all 3. The better the car is that you start with, the harder & more expensive it will be to improve it. If you aren't buying a Porsche for the handling, you are probably overspending.

So your opinion on these project owners being satisfied with the results is based on ? My studies on these have been:
1. Less then 10 have been documented
2.The LS motors weigh the same as the M96 and 80lbs less then the Turbos, so handling should NOT be affected.
3. I believe the first "Renegade Hybrids 996 car" wasn't built till last November and I think they've built 3 more since and are now working on Boxsters and Caymens.
4. In MY opinion the design of the M96 motor, to install a sealed, isolated, ball bearing in a crankcase environment is ludicrous and to expect a person to install a new bearing every 30k or watch an idiot light that might indicate a doomed bearing on a $100k car is even crazier. How can anybody think of driving somewhere without wondering if it could end in a bad motor.
5 An LS3 is a win win cure for an otherwise great car and as more people do this pretty easy swap, I think you'll see


Just MY 2 Cents
Michael

While I am not a fan of the v8 conversion, Renegade has been doing v8 swaps on 914s and air cooled 911s for more than a decade. It is what they do and they do it pretty well.

As for tte remark about them being $100k cars? You are joking right? You can buy a Boxster with a popped motor for less than $5k. A popped 996 car is $10k and a good running one is $20-30k. These aren't 935s and 2.7 RSes they are converting. There is no great sin against the ghost of Ferry being committed here.

Like I said, not something that appeals to me in the least but let's keep things in perspective here.

The original owner of my 2003 C4S payed around $100k for it. Was it worth it with the M96 motor design, NOT!!

We had one of their LS1 944s in our for some work. It was a pretty well done conversion. We will also be seeing one of their first Boxster conversions, this one with a LS7....

I think like Matt and agree these are not my thing, but their work is pretty well thought out and executed. I think they have been doing coversions for 30 years.....

Cheers

A well running 996 can be had for $10K now. Check out this thread: http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-996-997-forum/744063-996-prices-bottomed-out.html

1 score does not the market standard make.

My LS1 '99 C2

LS1 into 996

Would your car not have been eligible under the class action law suit for the IMS failure? Not sure if you would be eligible for compensation now though.

IMS Class Action Suit 2001-2005 owners win. Update Mar 12 - Rennlist Discussion Forums

I bought the car from a co-worker (original Owner) 7 weeks prior to the law suit and removed and sold original engine 2 weeks prior to the law suit. I would not want to install another M96 anyway. This LS3 will be so much better and unique, not just another 996 time bomb, now I just need the time to get it all together.

Fly,
I contacted Renegade to ask about their conversions. I have a Tiptronic, and I want to keep it automatic (because I'm old and tired of pretending I'm a race car driver on city streets).
They said their conversions are only for manual trannies.
I'm thinking that the position of the engine is no different in auto vs manual, so the adapter plate would be the only modification that would have to be made. Do you have any insight?

You would need to figure out how to mount the G96 torque converter to the flexplate of the LSx.