bulldawg

I waffle back and forth between: 1) Yeah! I have an awesome and unique flat 6 engine that sounds phenomenal, and 2) Oh no... I have a ticking time bomb engine that is unique and difficult (sometimes impossible) to repair.

So that being said, given some of the prices I have seen recently (check out the Hoovie post), does it make any sense to preemptively swap out a perfectly fine 3.6 (or 3.4) Porsche engine for a V8 LS engine? Here are the numbers...

Renegade Hybrids 996 conversion kit: $3,895
Renegade Hybrids Electric water pump kit: $1,195
Used but good condition LS Engine: $5,000
Labor for install (guessing): $2,500
Total cost: $12,590

SELL Used and good condition 3.6 Porsche Engine: $8,500?

NET COST: $4,090

More power sounds nice. Better reliability sounds great. V8 rumble is a decent alternative to H6 scream. I wonder how long the clutch will last with the greater power... Inexpensive oil changes sounds good too.

I think I'll stick with my Porsche engine for now... but what would you do? (feel free to correct any of my numbers/assumptions!)



Swap Source: http://www.renegadehybrids.com/

jaetee

I think its a great idea, and I hope lots and lots of 996 owners do this!!!

Just not me. I'm hoping that 996's will be converted to LS swaps with the same fervor that Jaguar owners made GM swaps back in the 80's and 90's. That way, "original" cars like mine might go up in value more and quicker.

Splitting Atoms

I watched multiple videos related to 911, Boxster, and Cayman LS swaps. Based on what I saw, you will want some of the additional renegade conversion components, more than you have listed (almost everything in the three lists). I totaled about $7500 worth. I think $2500 is too low for labor. Most of the DYI installers I saw spent a lot of time on it (months), particularly with sorting electrical components. I think your net cost will be closer to 10k, assuming you source a used LS motor. $8500 may be a little high for what you would net out of your 3.6, but if you can get it, that would get you the overall net 10k.

I think my 911 will always retain a flat six. I would love to do a Cayman S LS conversion though.

Mark Wilson

Or you could just do the IMS and regular maintenance on the Porsche motor and enjoy what it is.

Hotrodaxel1976

I think that a V8 is going backwards in engineering and what the cars built for is curves, handling and not straight line racing, the power curve for that V8 will be abruptly in your face, not sure how that will work around curves in a Porsche. This is my opinion only.

bulldawg

I already have an LN IMS and a preemptively replaced RMS and do the maintenance myself. But reading recent stories about coolant intermix (cracked head) and oil consumption (scored cylinder) got me to thinking...

Hotrodaxel1976

I understand where your coming from, is this your daily driver, If yes then I guess the utmost reliability would be a concern. I can't really tell you much, but My opinion only is that your going backwards in engineering and that V8 is kinda caveman Barney rubble to me in a Porsche, it probably would be better to cut a big hole out the bottom and self propel yourself like Fred Flintstone instead of a V8. I out grew that ***** hanging hot rod cam bumping good gas high compression V8 days, those days was fun when I was young, but now it's about the refinement of excellence and not ***** out American Muscle

Gonzo911

Refreshing topic...

bulldawg

Hotrod: I drive the 996 approximately 3x per week, so ultimate reliability is not essential. (I have an Infiniti G37xS sedan for inclement days.) But, getting suck with a 5-digit repair bill does have the potential to keep me up at night!

Hotrodaxel1976

I know where your coming from, I stepped out on a limb with my 996 and that limb was tiny in the beginning. But As I've addressed and maintained and replaced worn, broken , not my styles parts, The limb is now large and growing, once I address the engine point failures and bulletproof them as with anything, that limb I'm standing on now feels rock solid, after the suspension then It's a solid reliable limb to stand on.

Hotrodaxel1976

As with anything mechanical, when it fails catastrophic it's going to cost money no mater if it's a ls1 or a flat Six

Hotrodaxel1976

I've had 4 vetts, from crossfire injection to Supercharged Lt1, to the ls1 and beyond, they do come apart just like any other engine will if not run and maintain properly , but it's that Ls1 sounds that will be redonkulous coming from a Porsche

Elephanthead

Sell me the 996 and buy a corvette.

Hotrodaxel1976

That would be something to consider instead of the hack job, you can pick up a ls1 Bette cheap

Mark Wilson

Drive the car and quit reading forums.