1985 Porsche 944 V8

[Rally Pat]

This has been in the works for a while, but things have been on hold while I deal with the Legacy. Thats about to be wrapped up soon and up for sale. I won't really dive in to it full on until the Legacy is sold, though.

 

Bit of history, for a hot second my dad was in to Porsche 924's and 944's. He had come in to possession of a Porsche 924S (924 with a 944 engine). He had intention of turning it in to a rally car, because obviously, but never got there. He was working on a family friend's fleet of Porsche's at the time as he was the local German car expert. Then he got sick and I don't really remember what we did with it, but eventually he passed away.

 

At the same time my dad had VW's, Audi's, and Porsche's, we always had Chevy pickups and vans for tow vehicles. I wanted something that was kind of a combination of all the vehicles we had when I was a kid.

 

I had been shopping for a 944 for a while, but for some reason didn't look in the most obvious place, which is Sean's shop, owned by Porsche and VW enthusiasts. They had this one which had a snapped timing belt and they had been pulling parts off of. I agreed to buy it and give them the engine for a few more dollhairs off.

 

Interior is pretty decent too minus the dash cracks which they all have it seems.

 

[Rally Pat]

The Plan:

 

Build a bulletproof reliable warm weather toy for a little money as possible.

 

Basically something that I can roll to Cars and Coffee, then go to an autocross and hopefully some track days.

 

The Swap:

 

More than likely a truck LS of some kind. I am not even opposed to LT1's (with LS coils obviously, opti lol) but the swap kits are a little harder to come by.

 

I am going to buy a complete Texas Performance Concepts swap kit. This includes adapters to make the 944 torque tube adapt to a C6 bell housing with appropriate clutch components, oil pan, mounts, everything. I have to wire and plumb it myself obviously, and will probably use one of the 2893129038 services that strips down truck harnesses.

 

I want comfort too, so I am going to do everything I can to make the AC work.

 

I will probably be asking for advice from guys here a lot. Murica stuff is fairly new to me, which I am excited about learning new things, but will need pointed in the right direction here and there.

Edited December 31, 2017 by Rally Pat

[Aaron]

Cool project, good luck! I'd try to work the LSX into it over the LT1 obviously, but after some hard work that should be a fun car.

[Rally Pat]

Thanks! I am excited to tackle something like this. I wouldn't say I am bored of Subarus, but I just want to try something else for a while.

 

I don't know if there is like a hot place to find engines/harnesses/computers, but if anyone has suggestions I am all ears.

[Geeto67]

This is a really cool project.

 

The only thing I can add here is the 944's strongest attribute is its balance, the car was almost a perfect 50/50 weight distribution from Porsche. You may want to consider an alloy block v8 to help keep close to that number.

[Rally Pat]

This is a really cool project.

 

The only thing I can add here is the 944's strongest attribute is its balance, the car was almost a perfect 50/50 weight distribution from Porsche. You may want to consider an alloy block v8 to help keep close to that number.

 

I hope to, but honestly its going to come down to whats accessible and affordable.

[2 Sweet]

Hell yeah! Very cool :thumbup:

[cstmg8]

Awesome project. I was considering the same thing and you actually beat me to this car by a day or two when I was texting Sean!

Can't wait to see your progress.

 

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

[944s2]

My S2's dash has 0 Cracks... I got lucky. ;^)

[Green Bastard]

Check out http://www.car-part.com and see if you can find a good deal on a motor. If you find one that needs shipped just have it sent to work, it would be cheaper (I can give you names of people that can help with shipping if you need).

[Cordell]

I know they've put LT1s in them, so putting an LS1 in should be pretty easy. The engines are fairly close and the aftermarket has a gazillion adaptors for putting LS engines where older small blocks sit (aka LT1). Between some of the tuning software and some time with the harness wiring it shouldn't really cost any extra. I like the plan so far and I look forward to seeign this come together.

[AudiOn19s]

Buy a wrecked truck with an LS in it. Strip the motor harness etc out of it, scrap the truck and then sell the tranny since you won't need it either. Used 4L60 won't be worth much but every bit counts.

 

Buddy did this last year for an LS swap into a '64 caddy. Wrecked truck was $750 and after it was stripped he still got like $250 for scrap value. Takes some effort but it's the cheapest way to source the motor and harness

[craig71188]

Buy a wrecked truck with an LS in it. Strip the motor harness etc out of it, scrap the truck and then sell the tranny since you won't need it either. Used 4L60 won't be worth much but every bit counts.

 

Buddy did this last year for an LS swap into a '64 caddy. Wrecked truck was $750 and after it was stripped he still got like $250 for scrap value. Takes some effort but it's the cheapest way to source the motor and harness

 

And the PCM, and the accessories and brackets and.......

[BStowers023]

I love LSX 944s. I mean, I love LSX everything haha. This is a cool project. Definitely post pics once completed!:pics::thumbup:

[-Alex-]

Looking forward to following this. My grandpa has had a ton of cars in my lifetime, but one that always sticks out to me is a burgundy 944 with Fuchs and tan interior. He only kept it for a couple years, but I think what set it apart for me is it was one of the first cars that I remember spending a lot of time in joyriding with just the two of us. As a kid, hearing it wind out and seeing him grabbing gears felt like I was in a rocket ship, but I'm sure it was a turd. Lol

[RyM3rC]

You're going to want an LSD rear transaxle, they're on rennlist every now and then for $1500ish

[Geeto67]

You're going to want an LSD rear transaxle, they're on rennlist every now and then for $1500ish

 

How did every 944 not come with it to begin with?

[Aaron]

944? Most 911s don't even have them...

[Geeto67]

Germans are weird.

[Rally Pat]

You're going to want an LSD rear transaxle, they're on rennlist every now and then for $1500ish

 

Its on the list, there are companies that just sell the LSD to install as well. Nothing is off the table.

 

Priority 1 is making the car run. The transaxles are super quick to change so thats not going to be a problem when the time comes.

[AudiOn19s]

944? Most 911s don't even have them...

 

that's cause most 911's don't need them :-)

[Aaron]

that's cause most 911's don't need them :-)

 

I don't claim to know 911s very well, but I simply do not accept this statement.

 

I'm not aware of a car where a LSD wouldn't make it better. Not necessarily faster, but more fun?

 

I'm listening...

[hzack801]

Very nice. Always had a thing for 944s. Maybe cause I don't like Beetles...

[iwashmycar]

..... for some reason didn't look in the most obvious place, which is Sean's shop, owned by Porsche and VW enthusiasts.

 

You can see it in the satellite photo lol

[Rally Pat]

You can see it in the satellite photo lol

 

lol and on the streetview.

 

Peek a boo.