Hello all,

I am new to this forum due to a lack of Porsche for several years. Back in 1988 I owned a new Porsche 944T for three years, my first Porsche, and an experience that I have never forgotten - fantastic! Due to a growing family I changed to BMW's until now.

I have a project, a 1987 944T bought from a work colleague who managed to blow the engine. The car is in very good shape otherwise and has only covered 62k miles. He was going to rebuild it, that was over two years ago, but decided he had too much on this plate.

The belts went on the engine, it has bent valves, a cracked head and badly scored block - an engine write off basically. Now here is what I need help with. I could either:

1. Purchase a new or rebuilt engine (Expensive)
2. Purchase a used engine and hope for the best
3. Be stupid and fit a LS-1 V8 (Colleagues suggestion)
4. Do something radical

I figured that if I purchase a new, rebuilt or used engine, it wouldn't be long before I was looking for more power and probably spending the same again for various upgrades. Plus, squeezing the last ounce of power from a four-pot does not give me confidence in its reliability. So I looked around for something else that would give me higher normally-aspirated power from the start.

I am thinking 928 V8 and have found a couple of pictures on the internet of this engine in a 944 (attached). The first conversion is a complete new front end space frame, not my idea of an easy fit. The second picture I found looked less complicated.

What I would like to know is if anyone has done this conversion, or knows who can do it. I really like the idea of 'keeping it Porsche' and starting off with good na bhp before any upgrades. Plus I have seen a lot of well designed upgrades for this engine at www.928motorsports.com and other sites, so future power is available should I need it.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks

Thomakis

 

Welcome to Rennlist!

There seem to be at least a few 951s being parted and would think that a good engine can be found. I can't see putting in a replacement 951 engine being more expensive than fitting anything else. That would be my vote.

You can start here: Short block 4 sale
and here: Parts cars

I don't recall seeing any 928 motors in 944 bodies, but may be proved wrong.

 

A 928 engine will not fit in a 944 chassis. The frame rails are too close. The above cars are semi-tube frame cars for that reason.

My advice is to aquire a used 951 engine and rebuilt that yourself. Rebuilding a 944 engine is not that hard and the blocks are such that as long they are not scored from a previous problem the don't wear much. So an 140k block is still good for many many miles.

You will want to tear a part redo the seals/gaskets, bearings, and freshen the head.

Do this and you will have a very nice car for many years.

 

Thanks for the advise, I still like the idea of a Porsche v8 in a 944 but needed to be told otherwise so I can concentrate on getting the car back on the road. Used 944 Turbo it is, and I shall try and rebuild it myself, so expect further posts for advise.

Thanks again

 

I will second M758's comments and advice. Where are you located? There may be some listers located nearby that can help out some.

 

Kelly-Moss has a 928 powered 951.
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I am in Palm Beach, FL, have a contact for parts with Ian at www.944online.com in Ft. Lauderdale.

That Kelly Moss 951 is a beast, what next, twin-turbo version, 1000+ hp?

Thanks everyone.

 

What was done to fit it?

 

Throw in a 968 powertrain if you're doing an engine swap. Turbo power, torque of a 3.0, NA level of maintenance. A hydraulic T-belt tensioner is a good idea as well. That would be my dream project if someone gave me the budget and time to do it.

 

It's the second car pictured above. They have a link to the project ('944GTR') via their website.

 

clearly you've never been in a modded 951...

 

Irony? Most people remove the hydraulic tensioners when doing big buildups
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