LS1 Engine

Well I am going to jump in. This might sound stupid but I need to ask what I need to look for now that I am going to search for a LS1 for my conversion. I want a low mileage (under 50k) LS1 for the conversion in my 90 944S2. I don't want to make a bonzai beast so nothing more then a stock LS1 will do me just fine. What years out of what cars should I be looking at? Also what would be a fair price to pay? I have seen them from $1.5K (higher mileage) all the way up to $6K. Most of them in the 50k mile or less are around $3k.

My car is a very nice stock 50k mile car that has been taken care of it's whole life but I am looking for a little more kick in the but without dumping money into the 3.0 Porsche engine for menial results. I was planning to have it done but the cost I was quoted for a turn key install just didn't sit well so I kept putting it off. This started about 2 years ago. Myself and a couple of buddies were talking about it and now we think were are going to make a project of it. I appreciate any help!

You want the youngest motor you can find. So look for one from a 2002, which happens to come with the LS6 intake manifold and no egr system. The lower the mileage the better. You want a complete motor, with engine wiring harness, all accessories and the ECU from an F body (camaro/firebird).

I paid $2800 for mine '02 Camaro SS motor, which included everything and had 60k miles on it.

What Doc said. I had a 75K motor from a 2001 SS with all accessories, harness and computer. I got a good deal at $1,500.

Good luck on the build.

'01 - '02 LS1's from the F-body cars are the simplest to put into the 944's and have the best combination of parts. The LS1's from the GTO's will be newer, but you might have more difficulty fitting the accessory package into the 944's shell.

I have to say though, it seems like a bad idea to cut up such a low mileage S2 for this swap. Why not pick up a second car for the project? Even if you were to get an n/a and put a 951 bumper on the front, then upgrade the rest of the suspension.
Just my .02. I have a 1990 S2 as well, but mine was nearing 200k on the chassis when i picked it up.

I agree LS engines from a GTO require a few more parts, if you want A/C, you need an F-body compressor, the GTO alternator is killer, high amps, the P/S pump is from a GM truck, I recommend you lose it, get an F-body P/S mount (25 bucks new) and use a Turn One pump or use an F-body pump you modify. Good things are, LS6 intake, heads, stout block, and you can find them reasonable priced because some one hit a tree. It takes a little work to seperate the body control module wiring from the main harness, but it is not that hard.

does it have to be a ls1? what about a 5.3? they are cheaper at the salvage yards. my brother was selling his ls1 (with forged pistons) for 800 just to get rid of it cuz it was taking up space so i got a deal on it for 500. but im gonna go thru it so its gonna cost a lil extra. Deals are out there just keep looking. You mite even consider buying a wrecked car (ridesafely.com or like) yank what u need out of it and part the rest out to recoup your money.

If you can find just a short block then find stock heads from a zo6 (smaller cc chambers) or go with the escalade heads (bigger 71cc chambers) and they're cheap. A lot of parts can be had from salvage yards tho if ur persistant and keep checking.

Thank's guy's. I really don't want to piece an engine together. I just want to purchase one complete and ready to go without tearing it down. Also it would be nice to match the mileage with what's on my car or at least get close. May I ask about the LS1 that comes in the C5 Corvette? So far I see my best bet is what comes in the old F body cars.

Porch - It doesn't bother me to do the swap on such a low mileage car. We love these little cars but one thing they will never be is a high dollar collector vehicle. Good examples will appreciate in value but just slightly or if you are holding on to a 924 Carrera, 968 Turbo RS they will command top dollar. Our little cars are looked on like a red headed step child in the Porsche world. I will get more enjoyment embarrassing the rear engine crowd then any monetary gain from long term increase in value for leaving my ride in stock form. Besides my car is in great shape and nothing else needs attention except for the basic swap!

Thank's again guy's and wish me luck!!!!!!

The accessories on the C5 Corvette motor won't fit. You'd have to replace them with the ones and brackets from an F body. At that point it doesn't make sense...

Best of luck, jws. I'll echo what other's have said that the 01-02 F-body is your best bet. I've gone with a '99 as the '99-'00 F-body are a close second. You get an older style intake manifold with EGR to bypass and a different PCV layout but it's all fine. But stay away from the '98 f-body, the wiring and PCM differ and are quite a bit harder to deal with.

Rich

...value of the cars...

I was going to argue against you on the one hand, then I take it back. You are right.

Look at the 968 turbo replica (500hp) value. $200k in construction costs, ~$50k. ouch. If that doesn't show the love, nothing will. There are companies that are making 911RS replica's and turning a profit....not many, but one or two at least.

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scroll down to the 944/968 section

The 00-02 F-body will be a little easier to install, but they're older. I went with the 04 GTO motor.. a little newer, easier to find lower mileage examples and the price is similar to the F-bodies.

Good deal!
You'll probably end up replacing a few of the accessories anyways--like you'll need a Turn One p/s pump to get the rack feeling right. The GTO will have drive-by-wire, which can be kind of nice too.

I can see my best bet is a 00-02 F body engine. Let me ask one more question and I will bow out. I have a manual rack and steering shaft that I aquired from a low mileage wrecked car. I know in the parking lot it will take a little more arm to steer the car but would it be better to run the manual rack? I have had cars over the years that didn't have power steering, mostly old muscle cars but on the road there were no problems with the steering to heavy just in parking situations and that is not that big of a deal.

You can read about my decision to go manual for my track car on page 5 of my build thread:

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Rich

I have manual steering and a 2004 GTO motor. The only time I notice it is with backing out of a downhill parking space. Tires make a huge difference. When I had worn out 16 in wheels it made me question the decision. With 17 in 225/45 FR and 255/40 R it is very nice and it keeps my wife from wanting to drive it.

I love having power steering. I wouldn't want to go to manual steering. I need a power steering pump for my hydroboosted brakes anyways.

+1 to what docwyte said!

My car is a DD, and I love the power steering.

As a greener than green newbie..this thread is excellent info on what kind of LSI and accessories to get ..a big thank you..

I agree with you Andrew, I would like to say I am a green one when it comes to the V8 swap, but I have had my car for many years and I do all the maintenance on it. It's nice to have a place to go and get answers from people that are doing it! The main thing that is hovering over my head right now is wiring the LS into the cars wiring but I will tackle that after I find the engine I'm going to use. Thank's again everyone for all the help!!!!!

@andrew, there really is too much to cover in a single post...check out the Wiki (top left corner) and then start a thread if you have more detailed questions!

Porch, THANK YOU!!! I didn't even know about the wiki in the top left corner and I have been snooping around here since the first part of last year. I am 50 and I'm going to blame it on the beginning stages of becoming senile! I clicked on that and it was like winning the lottery. This will save me from asking so many questions!!!!!

If you don't already know, when you search use the advanced search then click the google search button to get better results.