V2Rocket

howabout a 5.3 vortec rated at 300-325HP for $450 from the junkyard with a warranty...another $400 for a cam to gain almost 100HP...

hacker-pschorr

I'm sure there are cheaper ways to do everything, but I'm very conservative when it comes to recommended where people should spend their money building race engines. Especially when I have to support them track side.

I've see far too many high HP LS engines made by "big name" builders prematurely fail to take this lightly. One didn't even last the first weekend. Call to the shop we were told: "you signed the document agreeing it was a no warranty race engine".
The engines we've had built since by a relatively unknown builder (to the LS world) have been stellar, but they are not cheap either.

If we could get this builder to do a bulk built for 40% less than one of Greg's engines, we would stockpile them.

SQLGuy

And how much more for the adapter plate, and other retrofit pieces?

For the high power engines that are going to compete with 928 strokers, I can definitely see the LS engines being very interesting, but I'm not convinced a Chevy conversion is that much cheaper (if at all) when trying to save a TBF car, for example.

By the way, does PCA still bar these converted cars from events? I remember reading the rules back in the late '90's that said something like "A Porsche body with a Porsche engine, or an engine originally installed by Porsche into that body" (the latter part to cover the Audi 100 engines in the 924's, I guess - they didn't have the VW Cayennes at that time.)

ubercooper

thats why I kept mine under 600hp and used a tried and true iron block with components I know will not fail... also if the motor does let go, it will take you 1/4 of the time to tear it down and get it back up to snuff because there is 3x more space in the engine bay. I can tear my motor down to the block in less than an hour... You would need 8 hands and a mountain of cocaine to do that with the factory motor



From Club racing, yes... from DE no

NASA and SCCA are the only options for chevy powered cars..

If you are even considering the conversion be prepared for a good amount of wrench time... also there is no need to use an LS block... the iron ones are much more affordable/reliable and keep the weight distribution on target... If you remove 200lbs (lsx motor) instead of ~120lbs (iron block) you will have to do some serious suspension testing and tuning to get the car to handle properly

xschop

5.3l with a $200 Z06 cam = $900 Vette spanker.

Drewster67

I like the idea and when the 4.7 Euro folds in my track car - I'm going Chevy powered.

pcar928fan

^^^^^^
That same thought has crossed my mind several times... But then I couldn't race in PCA...not that I have done any racing in quite some time, but still...hate to lose that option. That is why I bought an '85 5.0L engine recently.

Imo000

Don't kid yourself, if your motor lets go, you'll have to pull it just like everyone else.

Waynegs3

Good stuff fellas.
The boys over at the power block tv got me itching for an LM7 5.3. So... $500 later, I have an 03 with 120k miles out of a tahoe.
Its going in a 90 TBF car.
Wayne

ubercooper

no ****... so add another 15 min to hoist it out and its a grand total of 1:30 max to do an entire engine removal and teardown. How long would that take on a factory motor?

Good stuff... Those motors are easy as pie to fix and pretty much bulletproof... My friend has one with 250k and counting.
With a decent exhaust and cam you should hit 400whp no problem

fbarnhill

Guys, I love this thread also. The chev conversion sounds solid to me too. For some reason a $35.00 water pump just seems like something worth while for mucho street use. What 45.00 for an alternater that you can pick up at virtually any auto parts store. Not to mention that this engine is so popular that parts will be available easily for the next 20 years. However, I have my s3 now just the way I like a car. She will burn the tires (auto) just about any time I choose, (1st gear) and she accelerates like a bullit. Best 928 I have had yet. Now, I just rebuilt the engine and spent as much as a conversion would have cost. Now, I didn't know that at first. I had an ls3 engine picked out for 3k and then around another 3500 for the hybrid kit I think. I just over spent on while you are in there jobs. However, I did get 370k easy miles on a 4.7 running the **** out of it every weekend. I have seen my share of small block chevy's drop valves, spin bearings etc. However, it is an easy fix. He is right, it is a few hours of work instead of the months it took me. Now it took me that long because I am disabled, in pain and I also spent hours and hours cleaning the pretty aluminum...

I will point out the the supercharger systems for these cars are still in the thousands and aren't much cheaper than for the 928.

Good luck, Keep the ideas and picks comming.

IcemanG17

I pickup the LS2 tomorrow.......its quoted at 520hp-475ftlbs.....and 100+ lbs lighter.... Sean and I haven't decided which car (51-52) to install it in.....or if we are even going to keep it, since its attractive to make some $$$ and sell it...

Knowing my life....I would sell it, make a small profit & then next track day BLOW the engine thats in my car...... vs if I keep the LS2....the engine in my car & Seans will run FOREVER....

soupcan

Close to me.

Imo000

Save the attitude, this "ain't" highschool. You'd be suprised how much one can do in an hour and a hald on race prepped, stripped down, 928 engine. After all, we are comparing apples to apples, right?

genikz

Good stuff, Waynegs3. Are you sourcing your conversion parts from Renegade, or doing it all yourself?

I'm looking to do the same swap and am curious how it goes with Renegade's stuff.