I may have to do it...V8 for the 944

the new LS fit a few kits out there for the swap
the stand alone Gm wiring harness with ecu is great for it
the transaxle and half shafts are weak link though, a 951 trans can be built for it, with LSD is the one to get, but they are getting harder to find now

 

Lol! I started this exact project a few years ago but haven't had time/money to finish.

I'm shooting for a modern day 944 RS (Scuderia) type car. I completely stripped my 944 down to the shell and I'm in the process of flaring the fenders and shaving all the superfluous elements.

I haven't bought the motor but I did get the Renegade Hybrids kit. I also have a conversin "manual" that was put together by a hobbyist. If I had that manual earlier I would have never bought the conversion kit. The LS 3 will fit but the same brake problem exists with all of the LS engines.

I also have a set of Clubsport Motons ready to go.

 

There was a Porsche specialist down here named Mike Gokey who used to build 924's and 944's with Corvette engines for his clients. I am sure he can give you whatever guidance you need. He's a really nice guy

Gokey Performance
Mike Gokey
740 NW 57th Street
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309
954-772-6272

 

Renegade Hybrids

 

I would probably bolt the LS-1 to a T56, and then have a driveshaft made.
I would think that there's room in there.

But I haven't done it!

 

Hey man!

Definitely do the LS3... Its the new way to go. Or do a LS7 if you really want serious. Both have been done many times. My LS1 seems to be "old skool" now... Like me.

When you get serious go here:

944hybrids Forum: V8 Conversions

BTW.. My opinion is to keep the factory gearbox. I upgraded to a 951 box, then put a Quaife diff in it, then I got some Sherman Tank axles (built by GKN Motorsports). That has put up with YEARS of track use, street use, and even drag racing. Just don't sidestep the clutch more then necessary. The tires are the weak link anyhow. They just spin under throttle (even my 295/30 soft compounds). You would have to be abusive to break hard-parts.

I fashioned my car to have the performance of a GT3 (like the one I owned) and ended up exceeding it by all measures. The GT3 is gone, but the 944 Hybrid remains.
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Very good.

Here is a list of my build - so you can get an idea.

1987 Porsche 944 LS1 hybrid project upgrades
Engine:

2002 GM / Pontiac 5.7 liter all aluminum LS1
Custom big tube header kit
SLP Performance Mass Air Flow sensor
Aluminum flywheel - minus 12 lbs
Performance ECU tune
Full custom aluminum NASCAR style radiator
Remote oil filter with Mobil-1 lubricants
Bosch “044" Turbo high PSI fuel pump
MSD 8.5mm sparkplug cables
Custom 3 inch exhaust system with Magnaflow muffler
Eaton Magnacharger roots style supercharger with intercooler

Transmission:

Porsche 944 Turbo gear box
Porsche factory transmission cooler
Quaife torque biasing limited slip differential
GKN Motorsports performance axle & CV joint set
.73 fifth gear ratio for 200 MPH top speed @ 6500 RPM
SPEC Kevlar Stage 2+ Clutch disc & Alum pressure plate - minus 6 lbs

Interior:

Adjustable race seats left & right
Upgraded dash cluster with OBD2 diagnostic indicator
DIN mount three gauge panel with Boost Lbs/Fuel PSI/Oil temp
6 point bolt-in roll cage

Suspension:

Weltmeister adjustable camber plates
Bilstein Escort Race Series coil-over front struts valved 600/190.
Hypercoil 2.50 / 450 lb. front springs
Bilstein Escort Race Series coil-over rear shocks valved 565/218.
Hypercoil 2.25 / 500 lb. rear springs
Porsche 944 Turbo M030 - 30 mm front anti-sway bar
Porsche 944 Turbo M030 - 19 mm adjustable rear anti-sway bar
Aurora custom adjustable rear anti-sway bar end links
Racers Edge custom lower control arms
Porsche 944 Turbo M030 front spindles / uprights
Porsche 944 Turbo M030 front wheel hubs

Brakes:

Porsche 944 Turbo M030 fully vented front rotors
Porsche 993 Big Black front four piston caliper set
Porsche 944 Turbo rear four piston caliper set
Porsche 944 Turbo large vented rear rotors
Stainless braided brake lines

Body:

Custom fiberglass hood
Brake ducts through fog light holes
996 GT3 front splitter

Wheels & tires:

Forgeline WC3 polished alloy 8.5 & 10.5 x 18 three piece wheels
235/35/18 & 295/30/18 R compound tires

Approximate cost highlights / circa 2004:
LS1 used engine $2200
Turbo 951 transmission $700
Turbo trans oil pump gear $400
Forgeline wheels $2400
Exhaust $450
Renegade Hybrid kit $5000
Race seats $150
Quaife Dif $750
Roll cage $400
Camber plates $150
Escort suspension $1000
Springs $200
Anti sway bars $400
End links $50
GKN Mtrspt Axles $600
Alloy flywheel $450
993 front brake calipers $650
Porsche Turbo rear brakes $250
Magnacharger system $5300
Fiberglass hood $800
Race control arms $1500
M030 front spindles/hubs/rotors $1000
Three gauge panel $150
Paint & body $1000
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the price difference is the draw back to a LS7 IMO, if cost isn't a concern than it's got the power for sure, but the torque is huge too, which will kill a transaxle, even the 951 or S2 variants

 

being a rear mounted transaxle, there really isnt the room, unless you want to start cutting out sheet metal and making an enlarged central tunnel

Michael Bs formula is pretty cool, and a great guide ...it sounds easy, my Jag XJS LT1 V8 conversion seemed so too, but the costs add up really fast once you're into it, so preplanning down to the "bolt" really helps

 

924 Turbo gearbox is only one that was made by Porsche and is the strongest of all of 24/44/68 gearboxes with pieces of 930 box innit. If you can find one go for it. 944/951 gearboxes where audis gearboxes, good but not the best and '68 was Japan made if I remember correct. Swiss import S2 box has longer rations so that is good for over 200mph.

I would go with V8 Miata instead, cheaper and way easier, but V8 transplant in anything makes it better so go for it.

 

I think Randy (screenname Schatten) has a track car with a similar setup...

 

his is a 928, IIRC (?)

 

They all look the same to me... I'm not fluent in porsh

 

Need some of that V8!

 

OkeeDokee
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second pic-Blackhawk Farms?

 

Autobahn Country Club. It was several years ago (I have been driving this thing for years I tell you. With no failures). Here's the vid:

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVgYadqeER0&list=UU7rc9Vo1R5_LmTAeBxSURyQ&index=6[/ame]

 

ah, knew it looked familiar.

fun track

 

Simply awesome!

If I get my project back on track and love to get your input sometime.

 

Most certainly. Happy to offer suggestions at no charge.

After seven or so years, lots of miles, and many many updates / revisions. I can say that it has been a worthwhile venture.

All of the conversions I have lent a hand with (944s, RX7/LS7, Miata 5.0, Wrangler supercharged Hemi, RX7/LS3, etc., etc) have been matches made in heaven.
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