odonnell

Having spent considerable time around a friend's LT1 swapped 944, it's a different beast entirely. It's insane... even at idle it probably makes more torque than my built 2.5 makes at 3800. It has the power to match the look.

You just need to convince yourself that the optisparc headache is more tolerable than the timing belt headache

86 951 Driver

I understand that, but it appears to be a clean conversion. He daily drove the car for 2 + years. It has mostly renegade conversion kit stuff on it. He drove it with the 951 radiator for a while, then upgraded to the bigger Renegade one. It has a conversion harness from Renegade and I'm assuming the mounts and bellhousing are from them as well.

Optispark is fine as long as the waterpump doesn't leak. From what I understand.

Lemming

If it's a good swap, have at it! It will likely be the first time you have ever parked a 944 and not had oil dripping out of it

Copilot

But then I would have to start using the dipstick to check if the car has oil!!

admiralkhole

I have an lt1 swapped car, if you have any questions feel free to ask. I've driven na cars, turbos, and v8 swapped cars so I can give you comparisons if that's what you're after.

86 951 Driver

How are the vibrations in the cabin compared to a good running 944?

admiralkhole

I have solid mounts, so it's night and day difference...things will rattle if not fastened down correctly. It won't jar any filings loose, but there is that v8 rumble connected throughout the car....I enjoy it, I have everything buttoned down pretty well though....you can feel the power waiting to be unleashed. You get used to it, it becomes part of driving the car. I just made a short video of the cabin noise for a guy in another forum, I can pm you the link...it should give you an idea.

xschop

You can always drop in the LS alloy blocks later, just need 1" pilot adapter, wiring harness and headers. Look at an LM4 or L33 engine with a cam too.

admiralkhole

So the uprights are the same? What about the bellhousing/clutch setup?

xschop

Dump the Grenade hybrids mounts, get some TPC LS mounts. The clutch is a Vette or camaro LS clutch with a 11" 1x23 spline disc. If you want a new C5 BH adapter hit me up I still have a few on hand.

944Ross

Nothing wrong with LTx's, but LSx's are no question later technology. Optispark isn't the issue it was in the late 90's. MSD makes a replacement. Basically after the '94's (IIRC) GM fixed it by venting the unit.

docwyte

Not really a fan of the LT1. I like the LSx motors much more, I love my LS1 swapped 951...

86 951 Driver

Are you running Renegade mounts? Are all of them solid mounts?

It sounds like it would be basically doing another swap again. How much roughly would those parts cost?

I assume this would only be recommended if I was switching to an LS motor.

MAGK944

This would be my concern too. I've seen maybe a couple of good ones and quite a few more that we're just thrown together. The good ones like this one RUF did fetch ok money, the others I wouldn't pay na money for. RUF Porsche 951V8

admiralkhole

I'm running modified renegade uprights and Moroso solid mounts. I don't know what others are using, hopefully someone will chime in.