FBIII

Go for broke and buy the new Z06 Corvette LS7 engine. Don't worry no one else will have one. Over 500hp 475lbs of torque, 427 cubic inch, dry sumped, titanium rods will spin 7K and only around 13K. As for DWFX I guess he would turn down every: Old Ford GT 40, Shelby Cobra 289 or 427, Detomaso Mangusta or Pantera, 289 Griffith, Devon, Scarab, McClaren, Bizzarrini or Cheetah because they are all powered by lowly Detroit V8's.

Malibu310

We are probably more qualified than anyone to recommend the small block Chevy, as we have two of these vehicles.

After spending a totally reliable summer with my 383 Stroker motor that Dyno'd (crank) 410 HP and 456 Lbs Torque, using NO oil (about 5,000 hard driven miles) I can attest that there is little to fear from a proper installation with agood motor.

I decided to go with a race engine (there by the way, other than the reworked block, no "chevy" parts in our "chevy" engines). All components are race engine parts made to a much higher standard.

The 383 Engine is carburated not fuel injected. Unless you have a shop that can do a modified engine with the computer and softawre know-how to set up an injected race engine DONT DO IT. That said, a crate engine compete with computers is a good way to go.... I've seen the new C6 engine with a factory warranty for only $5,500... about what I paid to build my engine. The injected engine will clear the factory hood, the carb engines won't. The carb engine is very tempermental unit it warms up which takes about two minutes, after that it's very smooth. Race engines can have that irritating "lope", both of our cars are cammed to idle smooth.

All systems work, the A/C blows cold air, and the heat works great... no cooling problems even on days approaching 100 degrees this summer. As far as the "look", well see the pictures below... the car attracts a crowd where ever we go, and many think it's some new car that just came out. The new paint and 18" wheels help to update the look.

That said, the 600HP (we ecently reworked the engine to gain some power) 550 Lbs Torque Blower setup is not for daily driving. It is a blast to drive on occaision. Since there is no A/C (or room to install the system) it's an open window driver. There is no heat also.

The engine runs very hot. We have a handle on it, but heat means no longevity. Since we will drive it just a few tousand miles a year, it will probably go 10 years between rebuilds anyway. At 60 MPH we can floor the car and smoke the tires... try that on any Porsche engined 928. The low gearing of the 1982 Automatic helps, as opposed to the taller geared 1987.

Both cars handle great. If anything the 200 lb lighter engine on the 410HP car creates a bit of lightness in the front end on hard turns.

Here is my current view.

At first I questioned myself the rationalization of the pain and expense of getting me car converted over vs. a supercharged or turbo 928 engine.

Recently I've driven a few great condition stock 928's after being used to my power-band. A stock 928 feels is if there is no power, almost like there is something wrong with the engines now that I'm used to my power. We have taken other 928 owners in both of our cars and I let 928 owners drive my car, an invitation to all of you who say bad things about the "Chevy" installations. Keep in mind these installs are all professionally done, which I'm sure makes a big difference. Please don't "poo-poo" these installs until you've had a chance to drive a good conversion yourself.

Given a chance with some good experience, I'd build a third car (if my wife wouldn't kill me) with a C6 or Z06 (505HP) engine.

If your in the area (Minneapolis) and the weather is good, contact me by E-Mail and take the car out... see for your self, then judge!

Malibu310@aol.com
Rick Harrison

Jim bailey - 928 International

Rick what a nicely worded well thought out reply ...

trumperZ06

Left out an IMPORTANT reason for getting a Chebby small block...



LOTS of HORSE-POWER in a light weight package !!

Dave Howerdel

...OVERRULED

sublimate

Dave what a nicely worded well thought out reply.
Not.

Wild Bill

Lots of hypothetical, NON options being discussed here as far as engine swaps for a 928. I guess anything is possible given enough resources and determined re-engineering, but as I understand it the engine block/oil pan config on the latest generation of bowties does not get along with a Shark. Check with Renegade Hybrids, but last time I asked they said it could not be done.

In the end, my decision was to stay original instead of building a hybrid. It may not be big HP and it may not be inexpenive to maintain or to hot rod, but it is way cooler than any plain jane push rod chebbie lump. If you purchased a 928 to have the cheapest and fastest car on the road, you picked the wrong animal IMHO.

Regards,
Bill

Dave Howerdel

Yeah, was a "My Cousin Vinny" snippet. Jim' s comment seemed to beg for it.

I'm all for customizing a car or any vehicle for that matter. There is something about creating/modifying that which was never designed to be that I find both challenging and rewarding.

Have I thought of modifying my own cars. You bet! Some ideas I've had could even be called off the wall. That's why I admire Porken for the courage to take chances and think outside the box...even if he catches slack for some of his ideas.

Remember, we're not dealing with fresh from the factory cars here. Most of them will continue to depreciate whether you transplant a factory fresh stock motor or a chevy sb.

I would always keep at least 1 928 stock though as there is just something about it from an historic point of view.

FBIII

I think the 928 is one of best balanced GT's ever manufactured and it will probably always be my favorite affordable sportscar. However the engine never was or never will be one of the great engine designs of the 20th century. It is extremely heavy, can't be spun reliably over 6,000 RPM, has the dreaded timing belt issues and doesn't make that much horsepower. For the life of me I can't understand this holier than thou position that a change in powerplants ruins the car. I would just love to have an early car with the new LS7 stuffed in it. And if I had one I wouldn't be embarrassed
to pop the hood.

Randy V

Who dragged this dinosaur thread outta the tarpits?

Jim bailey - 928 International

Dave perhaps worth noting that while I did not state that I agreed with anything Rick said I did feel that his response to a number of less than positive comments was refreshingly candid and his open invitation to come drive the car was quite generous. Everyone is entitled to having their own opinion and whether I agree with it or not I respect that right and admire a thoughtful none confrontational response. Something other than the " Mine is bigger than yours " or "Your kid is ugly" ... I would also point out that ANYONE who spends $30,000 plus restoring ANY car with ANY engine is a car enthusiast whether they know what a 928 is or not.

m21sniper

"It may not be big HP and it may not be inexpenive to maintain or to hot rod, but it is way cooler than any plain jane push rod chebbie lump."

Yeah, you keep telling yourself that the next time some chevy lump is blowing your doors off.

LOL...

m21sniper

"and his open invitation to come drive the car was quite generous."

I get the distinct feeling that a lot of the posters here would STFU in a big hurry after that ride.

400hp is 400hp, i don't care what companys name is on the valve covers.

m21sniper

" Most of them will continue to depreciate whether you transplant a factory fresh stock motor or a chevy sb."

I think the days of 928 depreciation for the older cars are over, and we've entered the lovely world of Appreciation.

m21sniper

"(the 928 motor) can't be spun reliably over 6,000 RPM"

Hmmmmmmmm...........