Alright all you Chevy fans....


http://saltlakecity.craigslist.org/car/615321616.html

 

I know someone who had a GM 350 in a '78 turbo look targa. Frankenstein was pretty fast from the line. I don't think I'd own one though.

 

Wow!

 

It would probably be fun to drive, but would the 915 transmission hold up? I think I would miss the Porsche sound.........part of the main reason to drive one.

 

+1 on missing the Porsche sound.

What am I missing here? I'm sure it's somewhat quick but I just don't get it. It's just not a Porsche to me anymore.... it's just a kit car.

 

cheaper engine rebuilds!

 

To me, the most enjoyable things about a 911 are destroyed by these conversions. One loses the fine balance of power, handling, and braking that make a Porsche unique, as well as the brilliant engineering of a design that has evolved over three decades. The conversion changes a scalpel into an axe.

 

UGH! That's all I have to say.

 

I've seen one of the 'conversions' up close. The owner brought it to a local show and spent the entire time revving the engine every 10 minutes. We finally told him to stop or leave.

My wrench later had it in his shop with a multitude of issues. After a lot of frustration he finally told the owner to come and get it.

IMHO if it comes down to putting one of these conversion in or scrapping the car ... scrap the car. It will save yourself and future owners a lot of money and frustration.

 

I can't really understand this obsession with stuffing a V8 where ever possible (or not). I really hate to see the Porsche's fine balance destroyed by this contraption. It isn't that I don't like the century-old American V8 (which I don't and find rather archaic at best), but if one is to swap an engine, it should be to improve the car; hardly the case here.

I will say, however, that I’ve seen one engine swap, which I found rather interesting and something that, to say the least, provided the car with much needed power and kept the right balance. I’m referring to the Subaru 3.3 boxer engine into a mid-80s 911. Most of you have probably seen this, what do you think?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4cVM...eature=related

 

15 minute plug changes

 

You know, a nice 400hp aluminum V8 could be just the ticket for a 996 with a blown engine. I bet you could pick up a '99 996 roller for $10-15k. Already has the radiators...

 

While not normally my cup of tea, I have seen a couple of conversions done right. One was a 914 with a 500hp Chevy V8 that I got to ride in at Watkins Glen. Car was unholy fast...driver wasn't even trying hard and ran 2:02s. That was a pretty darn cool car.

 

+1...I have a friend who did the same thing and the result was pretty amazing. He did have to add rear fender flares and some massive rubber to get the thing to hook up, but once he got it dialed in, it ran like a scalded dog and handled like it was on rails. The trick was the fact that he was able to maintain the mid-engine set-up with just a little more weight but added a ton more power...

Terry

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJLKT...eature=related