I think the biggest price variation will come from where and how much you pay for your LS1/x engine, that's what really going to determine how much you are going to spend + if you try to do the swap yourself or have a shop do it

LS1/x engines are all over the place, depending on what you want to go with it might cost you quiet a bit more

What will be the final weight difference? Will it upset the balance of the car?

Squire's Autowerke is building the highest quality turn-key, LSx conversions. If you call him, he'll tell you exactly.

Here's one of his builds:

https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...ferrerid=16485

Yeah, that's what I would be wondering about

IIRC, the weight difference is neglible....a hundred pounds or so, and has no effect on the end result.

Balance
 

I have built 9 of these conversion so far and have yet to detect any balance change. One of the 951 based track cars I did actually lost 40 lbs off the front end. The LT1 conversion will gain around 60 lbs due to the weight of the iron block but the LS1 cars end up close to the same front to rear weight. I am sure Tony and others can confirm my experience as well.

LS1 weighs over 50 lbs less than the stock 951 motor. So balance isn't effected, it anything it's better.

When I was looking around for rebuilt stock motors, I couldn't find any for less than $4000. Where can you get a completely assembled, rebuilt short block for $2000 or less?

As I said, price on the conversions is very dependent on how much you spend on the motor, what the labor rate is and how you decide to build the car.

Tony, I'll drop you a note, I have some questions for ya...

More progress made, stock motor is out.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...4motorout1.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...4motorout2.jpg

Lindsey for one:

944T 2.5L REBUILD "SHORT BLOCK"
Code: LRA-ENG-951-25L-SB
Price: $1,999.00
Click for Product & Pricing Detail
Quantity in Basket: none

http://www.lindseyracing.com/LR/Parts/ENGINES944T.html

Locally there is Stuttgart Motors in Williamsburg that will rebuild for $1600-$2200 based on condition and upgrades. That includes bolting up YOUR head/cam tower assem., etc...to make it a long block.

If you read the Lindsey website, you'll see that they do *not* include assembly for that price. Once you add assembly and shipping, it isn't such a bargain.

could probably save a few $$$ by using the truck motors, they're significantly cheaper than the aluminum blocks. Heavier obviously... but the additional weight is probably not noticed under most circumstances due to the amount of torque the v8's produce.

WOW....I didn't notice that. Why in the world would someone claim 'engine rebuild' but exclude re-assembly??? Very misleading IMO.

Sorry Doc.

My car sits noticeably higher in the front since doing the swap, so I would agree that the LS1 is lighter than 951 motor with turbo, etc. However, I also converted to manual steering, so it's a little bit "extra lighter" without the PS stuff. Wish I had a big scale to weigh both engines when I had them sitting together. That's the most common question that I am asked now... "did you have to change the suspension to compensate for the extra weight?" People are always really surprised at the answer. Good luck with the swap. You're gonna love it.

Bear in mind you are comparing a used motor (LS1) to the cost of a rebuilt 951 shortblock. Now the LS should last a good while but some have piston slap problems and I would be concerned about that and only buy a runner that I could fire up dead cold before money changed hands.

All in all I think one day (possibly now) the LSx will be the way to go for serious power in a 944/968 but it's still not cheap and I am still wondering how it all comes together with AC, power brakes, conversion parts quality, etc.

If I was not committed to open-air motoring I'd just buy a 928 GT and if I got bored, add a blower. If you want to take the top off, that complicates things. I wish I liked Corvettes, life would be so easy.

-Joel.

Yeah, but I can buy a complete, brand new crate motor with a warranty (long block) from GM for $3200. That's the same amount of money a rebuilt short block 2.5l costs and that's from the cheap place. A rebuilt Chris White 2.5 is way more.

The truck motors are dirt cheap, like $700 cheap. However, they're a 5.3l vs the LS 5.7 and they weigh something like 100 lbs more. They make good power though and it's a really inexpensive way to get a V8.

CPR, yeah I think it's really disingenuous pricing as well. I was all set to order a 2.5 short block from them until I read the description again and noticed that assembly is another $1200+. At that point it wasn't a particularly good deal and was kind of a WTF moment.