944 LS prospective project thread
Discussion
Has anyone in the UK done an LS into 944 swap that they can tell me about?
The 944 shape is perfect, and I have a lovely early one in GP White. The 2.5 is not perfect. I don't want a turbo or a 968.
I can see that the Renegade or Texas Performance kits aren't too pricey. I can also see that a (gulp) 420 bhp LS3 isn't too pricey off a crate. I am fairly good with mechanicals, and realise I'll probably need some help to rebuild the box to take the torque, along with some better brakes.
Costs, complications, helpful specialists and all advice will be received with gratitude.
The 944 shape is perfect, and I have a lovely early one in GP White. The 2.5 is not perfect. I don't want a turbo or a 968.
I can see that the Renegade or Texas Performance kits aren't too pricey. I can also see that a (gulp) 420 bhp LS3 isn't too pricey off a crate. I am fairly good with mechanicals, and realise I'll probably need some help to rebuild the box to take the torque, along with some better brakes.
Costs, complications, helpful specialists and all advice will be received with gratitude.
usually sink without trace when it's realised what it will cost to do it properly. Save yourself the hassle and just buy a Monaro.You might want to contact a 944 specialist like RPM. I'd have thought that the tight packaging of the LS plus using stock or at least block-hugging headers wouldn't pose too many isues for RHD. It would be great to see one of these in the UK but as Blade rightly pointed out, an LS conversion or a quality turbo enhancement is an expensive labour of love.
That's viable, but I'm fond of my 44, and the LS should drop in fairly well, as its been done a few times before.
Clearly a project like this isn't either cheap or sensible, and there are many other ways to spend the cash. A rebuild TVR would at least hold its value, where as a home built 944 will be worth very little.
Clearly a project like this isn't either cheap or sensible, and there are many other ways to spend the cash. A rebuild TVR would at least hold its value, where as a home built 944 will be worth very little.
Penguinracer said:
You might want to contact a 944 specialist like RPM. I'd have thought that the tight packaging of the LS plus using stock or at least block-hugging headers wouldn't pose too many isues for RHD. It would be great to see one of these in the UK but as Blade rightly pointed out, an LS conversion or a quality turbo enhancement is an expensive labour of love.
I have my eyes open on this one, and want to price it up before diving in.I spoke to a specialist nearby and they were convinced that a VR6 build was the way forward. I'm not that interested though. If I'm going non-Porsche, it might as well be a full V8 job.
LS3s are more expensive off the crate than an old VW engine, which is why I think going down the Americana route might free up an LS1/2/6 with dressings from a donor.
richardalanlee said:
pauljmcnulty said:
From memory the figure of £20K was suggested, not counting the cost of the donor car. That's at indie rates, of course, for the labour. A lot to throw at a 944, you could buy a race car and a season's competition!
That's more than I had in mind!Bear in mind that after spending that 20k, you may need to spend more again on the interior, seats, chassis etc
If I wanted to stick an LS lump into something, I'd talk to this guy http://www.dynotorque.co.uk/. Craig has dropped them into TVR, BMW, Mazda and probably some others I haven't seen.
V8KSN said:
A while back I was looking at putting in an LS engine into a TVT T350 chassis, I was quoted around the £20k mark as there is a lot of work to do.
Bear in mind that after spending that 20k, you may need to spend more again on the interior, seats, chassis etc
Ok, well 20k is too much although there are bolt-in kits for not much cash in the states, so I'm sure it won't be that much. I'll keep asking and see if some one has the mojo to price it up for me.Bear in mind that after spending that 20k, you may need to spend more again on the interior, seats, chassis etc
The 944, great though it is, needs a bit more spice to be entertaining enough as a daily driver (for me). Maybe I take things one step at a time and go 3.0?
Magic919 said:
If I wanted to stick an LS lump into something, I'd talk to this guy http://www.dynotorque.co.uk/. Craig has dropped them into TVR, BMW, Mazda and probably some others I haven't seen.
Looks promising.... They're on the short list!richardalanlee said:
Looks promising.... They're on the short list!
Craig's your man,He has done stacks of Ls conversions 2 for me with a third on the go RX8 turbo Ls.
He did our Sagari
He knows his stuff on conversion and has done a twin turbo 7.0ltr in his own car with over 1100 bhp making all his own inter coolers , headers ect, he even built the engine his self.
cwin said:
Craig's your man,
He has done stacks of Ls conversions 2 for me with a third on the go RX8 turbo Ls.
He did our Sagari
He knows his stuff on conversion and has done a twin turbo 7.0ltr in his own car with over 1100 bhp making all his own inter coolers , headers ect, he even built the engine his self.
Oh my god, what a great pic!He has done stacks of Ls conversions 2 for me with a third on the go RX8 turbo Ls.
He did our Sagari
He knows his stuff on conversion and has done a twin turbo 7.0ltr in his own car with over 1100 bhp making all his own inter coolers , headers ect, he even built the engine his self.
dom9 said:
If you do get this project started, please post up the build thread!
An LSx 944 would be a great car IMHO!
http://www.texasperformanceconcepts.com/LS1-Basic-Installation-Kit.htmlAn LSx 944 would be a great car IMHO!
It's been done many times and the total build cost to do it in USA is about half what's been mentioned on this thread so far. For 10k I'd be at it tomorrow, but 20 is a bit strong.
Will let you know how I get on with quotes. In the mean time, the old girl is serving me very well as a commuter.
Happy to take other suggestions for cars to fill the role... I have a bucket list, but keep getting stuck on things I like!
At some point I want a V8 in my life, and I need to have a project on the go at all times, which is why the LS appeals.
At some point our MR2 will get upgraded to a 986 or 7 Boxster. Perhaps that should be next on the list.
The Berlingo is staying for the time being (not least because I'm driving it to Italy tomorrow).
The 996 will never go!
That £20K was fully-built, I'm guessing you would want to do some of the work yourself? Speak to Promax, they are 944 and Holden specialists, so do know their stuff.
I believe the problem is around some of the RHD parts, like the braking system and steering, making it a lot more involved than the more strightforward LHD cars that have been converted. Anything's possible, just adds to the cost of course.
I believe the problem is around some of the RHD parts, like the braking system and steering, making it a lot more involved than the more strightforward LHD cars that have been converted. Anything's possible, just adds to the cost of course.
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