83' Porsche 944 LM7 Build

Hey Everyone,

Just picked up a 83' Porsche 944 with 76k miles for a steal
I have a bare LM7 5.3 block ready to go to the machine shop
I am in the process of removing the old Porsche motor as well as cleaning up the body
Interior is almost perfect besides rip in the drivers seat and some cracks on the dash
This is my first ever project car so I am new to the swap and Porsche world

Pics to come...

Welcome and good luck with the build!

Here is some pictures from when I first picked up the car...

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Good luck with your new swap.

And my first thought was, "Wow his paint looks as bad as my 928 was when I started!".  Not banging on your car, just making a comparison.  The good news is that I am in the middle of bringing my paint back to life, and the car actually passes the 10' test.  Lots of work with a clay bar and then a medium grade cutting compound (by hand in my case), but at least now it is all the same color and looks like (mildly aged) factory paint again. I still have fine cutting and polish left to complete before I'm ready to call my attempt at paint recovery finished. At least until it's time for some PDR work and real touch-up in the places that need it.

I guess all of that was to say, even if your car is really badly faded, there may still be hope for your paint.  You may want to try saving it before you go straight for new paint.  One downside is that once the car is back to shiny, all of the little flaws the faded paint was hiding will pop out.  Still, a full touch-up would probably be more economical than a full respray.

Looks like a great project.

Erioshi,

Yeah the paint is really dry and faded. I plan to try and bring as much of it back to life as possible so we will see how it turns out. I will make sure to post some more pictures along the way.

Thanks

Little update...

After a little research and discussion with a friend I have decided to go with a turbocharged 5.3 hooked up to a C5 corvette torque tube and transmission.

I know it is a huge undertaking from what I have seen and read but I don't have much of a timeline so time is not much of a factor.

Is there anyone on here who has attempted this transplant who can give me some guidance on the modifications needed to make this transmission change. I have seen some small builds but I haven't found any detailed builds. If there is no step by step detailed builds I will make sure to document everything to help the next guy but it would be nice if it was already available.

Thanks for all the help I am looking forward to this build.

I can't provide any insight on C5 transmissions in a 944, but in the 928 world these conversions are just now starting to gain attention.  Between here, rennlist and pelican, I think there is only one currently documented swap with both an LS engine and C5 transmission.  There is now a 928 kit available to put the C5 torque tube and transmission into a 928 with the Porsche engine, however.  I'm also pretty sure that xchop (a member and vendor here) has a thread or two about doing the C5 transmission conversion on a 928 as well.

From what I remember, the swap is somewhat involved.  The transmission cradle (subframe? .. not sure of the correct Porsche part nomenclature) needs to be cut and part of that component is replaced with a fabricated section.  I think the there may also be some modification to the front of the C5 transmission.  I do not believe any of the suspension mounting points get moved, but I have not verified that with the vendors.  Custom axles are also required.

As far as paint goes, I ended up doing some research into the OE Porsche paint used on my car.  I have what I found out along with some manufacturer and color matching info in my most recent post to my own swap thread.  Check out what is currently the bottom of page three for more info.

Here's a link to my thread: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

The LM7 is a great engine for the swap. An extra 75lbs over the LS1 block though, but high speed runs and the front end doesn't float easily. In the 928 it guarantees you don't have to cut or change front springs. And Yes, with a sawzall, welder and custom axles the C5 6speed will fit the 944, even easier on the 928. One of my side projects I'm working on is a full swap kit for the 928 that will come with the rear modified trans Xmember. About to have the first one done as I built a jig for it.

Welcome, go to my build thread and you can see what it takes to do the trans swap. I am in the process as we speak installing an LS3 mated to the C5 6 speed. Its not as bad as it looks to do. Time is more the factor. This combination fits like a glove.

Very Impressive!

I must say after going through your build kevin924kevin it has really got me wanting to leave work early and get to working on the car haha. The amount of pictures you provided when modifying the torque tube tunnel will definitely come in handy so I appreciate you doing such a detailed build.

Like I mentioned previously time is not really a factor so I have as long as needed to finish the project.

All of the pictures and measurements provided by xschop are very helpful regarding the corvette TT compared to the stock transmission.

xschop what parts do you manufacture or have available for these swaps. If you could PM me a list with pricing that would be great?

Thanks for all of the help I am sure I will have more questions.

I will update with pics as much as possible.

Working on the 928-LS 6speed kit with Dinsdale. If he gets a 944 to swap in his shop I can make the axle conversion for it as well. I personally would like to see a 930 outboard stubshaft upgrade. Then the 951 boxes can get 930 axle upgrades themselves.

Potentially a bit of encouragement when it comes to dealing with your paint.  I have some pictures on the results of my paint rescue attempt in the link below.

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Hopefully your paint can be brought back without too much work as well.

Wow that came out a lot better than I was thinking. I will attempt some of the same treatment this upcoming week depending on the weather.

I'll make sure to post some good after pics as well.

Thanks for the link much appreciated!

I'm probably just as surprised at the outcome as you are. Another point worth noting is that this is the first time I have ever attempted something like this. I've always been a gas, go, and automated carwash kind of guy. A friend who pulled off a similar recovery with the paint on his MR2 a couple of years ago was the inspiration for my attempt at a paint rescue.

Here are some updated pics from tear down and starting to clean up the engine bay...

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Almost done cleaning up the engine bay and then its time for some paint

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So I am currently in the process of changing over my 83 944 N/A to install a C5 T56 trans.

I have seen people use the S2 torsion tube and trailing arms for use with the T56 trans.

Am I able to install the custom (cut in half) S2 torsion tube and trailing arms onto my 83 944 N/A.

Trying to figure out ahead of time how what I will need to do for axles.

If anyone has any advice on what I should do as a setup in the rear I am all ears.

All help is much appreciated.

Thanks

You can run any of the 944 rear suspension. The only thing that changes is the offset. My car is a 78 924 and has 91 S2 suspension complete.

Yeah that is what I have seen having doing some more research just wanted another opinion.

Since you are doing the T56 trans install as well are you happy with the way everything fits with the 91 S2 full rear suspension?

Besides cutting the torsion tube in half was any other minor/major modifications required?

I have read that the offset from the 85.5-86 are different than the 87 on up so I am assuming the spline count for the axles change as well. Regardless I am assuming I will need custom axles anyway just want to make sure I purchase the best rear suspension (torsion tube, trailing arms, etc.) the first time.

Thanks for the help and can't wait to see your build all finished up!

Hello, i am very pleased with the way the T56 fits. Its like it was meant to be. The only major issue in my opinion is the axles. I have purchased Emphi 930 CVs for the outboard end and will have matching CVs made for the vette side that will use the same 930 CVs . After that its just measure and have them made. The cross member can be done cheaper than what i am doing. I chose to build a custom unit that will tie in my cage and support between the rear shock towers. There are many ways to support the trans. I have look at multiple ideas and just need to decide which i want to do. Some times i find my self over thinking the issues, but thats just me. I want a good clean and safe swap, and if that costs me a bit more money, i am good with that. Keep us posted, and look forward to your build. You no where to find me if you have more questionsm always happy to help.

I have been doing some reading and I am trying to confirm the spline count on my current 1983 944 N/A. Can anyone tell me what the spline count is for the stub axle on my 944? What would be the harm in having custom axles made where the trans side is for stock T56 spline count and the outer side is custom made to fit the spline count of my current 83 944? Would the outer side of the axle be prone to break pretty easy or what? I am assuming this would save me from changing to much on my current trailing arms as well so I could keep everything the same in the rear besides t56 trans and custom axles.

Not even sure if this is possible but any advice would be very helpful.

So little update...Have not had much time at all to work on the car as I started a new job last week but I have been collecting a ton of the major parts needed when I have had some time.

I drove couple of hours to middle of KY couple of weekends ago and picked up a complete rear subframe (with just about everything included), complete transmission wiring harness, manual torque tube with shifter and bell housing. Everything came out of a wrecked 2004 Corvette Z06 with roughly 41k miles.

I also picked up a T56 from a buddy who was doing a Datsun 280z build and then lost interest. I plan on getting it rebuilt by a friend who owns a local shop but it was so cheap I could not pass it up.

Really the last component I still need to start getting everything mocked up is the rear differential and motor mounts from TPC.

Moving kind of slow at the moment but I figure once I get a lot of the parts in I can start getting this project moving along. I also built a couple of work benches and shelves to store a lot of the parts.

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i myself have been undergoing the 944 lm7 route. i thought of doing the c5 transaxle myself but figured a turbo box and a reinforcement plate was good. with a stock lm7 5.3l and teen spirited driving i haven't broke anything. mine is being stripped down now for upgrades and repairs. highly reccomend thought doing the Ls430 brakes, ive been reading and using alot of xshops info. so farm mine are going really smooth.

Yeah I have not really thought to much into the brakes yet. I currently have all 04 C5 brakes in the rear and just 944 N/A brakes up front. I will definitely need to look into that more when time is right because I would like to occasionally track my car when possible.

I would like some peoples opinion on the interior though. I just tore out the entire dash and wiring harness last night and was trying to decide where to take the interior once I was finished. I was surprised when I pulled up the carpet to find some rust around the pedal area on the drivers side (Picture Below) that I will need to cut out any replace with a new floor pan. I really like the look of no carpet when it is cleaned up really nice and painted.

This car is strictly a weekend toy to take to the track or have some fun during the week on my way to work. My question is what is the best way people have used to get the interior clean enough for paint. Once I pulled up my carpet it is covered in glue and everything else after I pulled up the or tar looking matting. Any suggestions is appreciated.

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i myself had rust around the accelerator pedal. i think that area is just flimsy in the first place because the floor pan plug was also leaking so i'm in the process of cutting out the whole floor pan and fabricating a new one that's thicker and can mount a pedal box for manual brakes.

as for getting the clue off there's a few ways i myself have tried.
1. goof-off a glue remover you can get at menards with a wire brush and a little elbow grease takes semi quick work of glue and that fiber insulator.
2. wire wheels period and a little heat with scrappers.
3. my personal favorite dry ice for the large tar areas. place a brick or two down on top of it. grab a soft rubber mallet and with the right amount of force it breaks up in chunks, don't pound too hard or with a hard hammer you'll just punch holes.