944s V8 swap incoming!

[lukegoode8]

Hey guys, gonna be taking out my 2.5L for something a little more American to finish building my dream car. I know to some that sounds like heresy, and I want to clarify that I've loved the 2.5 but would also love for this car to have some nice power.

That out of the way, I'm looking at 5.3s as they are usually the best bang for buck while also being pretty reliable. I'll be starting this project in about a month, and I'd love to hear any advice for doing the swap. Might document it on this thread as I go.

[blueline]

Hey guys, gonna be taking out my 2.5L for something a little more American to finish building my dream car. I know to some that sounds like heresy, and I want to clarify that I've loved the 2.5 but would also love for this car to have some nice power.

That out of the way, I'm looking at 5.3s as they are usually the best bang for buck while also being pretty reliable. I'll be starting this project in about a month, and I'd love to hear any advice for doing the swap. Might document it on this thread as I go.

Go with an LS !!

That will be a BIG project, but one that will have its own set of rewards I'm sure. Are you planning this as a purely street-driven car?

And yes, a dedicated thread that you can update periodically would be fantastic! Please do it!

[lukegoode8]

I'm aiming at LM7s and those early ones just for the sake of price and how common they are. Looking at a built one for $3500 that I might bite on.

I'd keep it as a street car for sure but have some fun on the track every once in a while.

I've seen some numbers, but does anyone know how much the 944s transaxle can hold power wise?

[lukegoode8]

The swap is official! Bought this 5.3 pushing about 400ish today. It'll be shipped to me hopefully Monday.

Hearts pounding a bit, this will be a JOB for sure. Mechanically speaking I feel okay, wiring? we'll see.

That being said, anyone want a good running 110k mile, 2.5 16v?

[lukegoode8]

20240305_190111.jpg (6.17 MiB) Viewed 267 times

Well after each and every delay I can think of, I finally officially started the swap! I got a few hours in today so I took the hood off, pulled some wires, and started getting the front end stuff out. Any recommendations for getting things out would be appreciated.

I haven't bought any parts for the conversion yet. Got a guy across the street that has done the same swap on his 944 who has some parts for me, so I wanna see what I can save before I start beating my wallet up.

I gotta get moving, was hoping to have this done by now.

[996C438]

Looking forward to your progress . I have heard the NA transaxle can easily handle 300 hp and the 951 transaxle easily 400 . I think as long as you are not dropping the clutch to do burnouts you will be OK.

The biggest challenge I have read about on these V8 conversions is the brake booster and steering column linkage . There is at least one well known conversion company in Texas that you can work with .

Good luck and keep posting updates .

[CEW]

I may be interested in some of the 2.5 parts if you would be willing to split it up.
Complete head
Alternator
Starter
Timing belt tensioner

[lukegoode8]

Looking forward to your progress . I have heard the NA transaxle can easily handle 300 hp and the 951 transaxle easily 400 . I think as long as you are not dropping the clutch to do burnouts you will be OK.

The biggest challenge I have read about on these V8 conversions is the brake booster and steering column linkage . There is at least one well known conversion company in Texas that you can work with .

Good luck and keep posting updates .

Yeah I'll be going to Texas Performance Concepts for the parts I can't source myself, they're super spendy for certain things including their brake booster which is like $200 over the part its modified from. The S trans looks like it holds a little more than the base NA and the guy across the street runs about the same number on his so as long as I can keep it to rolls and no burnouts I should be fine.

[Carmagic]

I did a LS1 swap a few years back. The biggest pain was to figure out basically everything. I got the conversion parts from that company, and you would think that they would provide an good guide with so many conversion kits they sold. It was like it was never done before, and on their forum, every one who posted their work is different.

It was a fun car, but I would never do it again.

Here is the complete build, it may help you for some details.
https://dorkiphus.net/porsche/showthread.php?t=38556

20191227_113851.jpg (4.16 MiB) Viewed 234 times

Cheers
Engelbert

[ROB III]

I did a LS1 swap a few years back. The biggest pain was to figure out basically everything. I got the conversion parts from that company, and you would think that they would provide an good guide with so many conversion kits they sold. It was like it was never done before, and on their forum, every one who posted their work is different.

It was a fun car, but I would never do it again.

Here is the complete build, it may help you for some details.
https://dorkiphus.net/porsche/showthread.php?t=38556

20191227_113851.jpg

Cheers
Engelbert

So you say you would never do it again....I'm curious as to why...time?...expense?...final result?...not meeting expectation?....driving experience once complete?....more trouble than its worth?...all of the above?