Which engine version is easier to install and to get working

Im beginning the 944 conversion and want to buy the engine but not sure which engine i should get. I know the LS1 is aluminum and light with a bit more horsepower and the LT engines are cast iron more weight. I have a regular N/A 944 1988 so suspension wise does it matter with my car which i pick? Another question i have is will a full crate engine be a good investment or should i build the engine from the block up? I have seen alot of guys say they wish they would of built the engine themselves if they could of turned back time. And my final question is just from what you guys know since you are the SME's (Subject Matter Experts) what version of the engine is just right and what is overkill i.e LT1 LT4 LS1 LS2 LS3......Ect. Thank you very much i bought the manual and im waiting for it to arrive.........I have plenty of time to figure things out do to im in Afghanistan for a few more months with the Army.

I installed the LT1 in my car and love it. The LS breathes better so it produces a bit more power and is lighter. You can't really go wrong with either motor. You can buy better parts if you rebuild the motor yourself. When my motor gets tired I'm buying the rebuild kit and sending the block off to a machine shop and reassembling it myself. It will be about the same cost as a crate motor, but it will live longer and have more power.

Thanks Dawgz......did you buy new or how many miles did your LT1 have on it.

It had 36000 miles on it when I bought it. I've had the heads off twice now and you can still see the hone marks in the cylinder walls and was pretty smooth.

You can't go wrong either way. It's all about how much you want to spend.

Im leaning toward the LS side. I did find an LT1 out of a 97 camaro WS6 SS its 1300 complete. It says it only reads 285 HP on the dyno but hopefully being rebuilt and modding it could push 360 or close.

Why bother buying something that needs a rebuild? Get something with low mileage and go from there, unless you get a really smoking deal on something that's worn out.

To answer your question, the easiest motor to install is the one that does not need to be installed. LS or LT will require the same steps to install, although the LT with a non slave/throw out bearing combo is the easiest (Old style with the external slave)

Thanks everyone for the info if you have any other info for starters that would be much appreciated.

I just bought a LT1 rebuilt with the following: ENGINE HAS THE ROLLER CAM AND ALL THE PARTS TO PUT IN A STREET ROD OR BACK IN A VETTE OR CAMARO. IT HAS BEEN BORED ......030 WITH HYPERTECH PISTONS--A REGROUND CRANKSHAFT--NEW OILPUMP-TIMING CHAIN---GEARS-- COMPLETE VALVE JOB-AND ALL OTHER PARTS TO MAKE CHANGEOVER--INCLUDED IS MOUNTING BRACKETS FOR THE AC -PS PUMP ---PS PUMP---AIR-CONDITION COMPRESSOR WITH LINES---OIL COILER LINES---EXHAUST MANIFOLDS WITH EGR VALVE AND ALL HOSES AND FENDER MOUNT ACCESSORIES---MOUNT BRACKET FOR THE ECM-COMPUTOR---WITH COMPLETE WIRING HARNESS WITH FUSE BOX AND WIRING TO FIREWALL---NO CUTS OR SPLICES IN IT--FLYWHEEL---PS RESERVOIR--IDLER PULLEYS--BRACKETS--VACUUM LINES AND HOSES--DISTRIBUTOR---WATERPUMP ON ENGINE PLUS 2 EXTRA--SP WIRES

i have a feeling you will be happy with that purchase...it will be easy to pick through the items that come with the engine and figure out what you don't need, unlike what i went through not buying a complete engine like that...i had to piece it together with ebay and craigslist parts etc. That was probably the most difficult part of my swap! LS1 vs. LT1 i really have no preference...i would like to get an LS motor in my car one day, just because they have a bit more power stock...but i have a feeling my engine will last long enough that i could have pretty much any other engine ready to go in when my LT1 needs a rebuild.

The one thing that you might want to keep spares of is the optispark distributor...if you can find one at a local junkyard when you get back from overseas it might spare you significant headache if the one on the engine you've bought has been corrupted by water/dirt or if it is an ebay special...i bought an ebay unit and within 5 months it was acting up...not starting occasionally, dying intermittently...finally it gave up the ghost and decided to completely call it quits. I found one in a local junkyard for 24 bucks and it saved me a lot of money.

Headers are also pretty much plug and play with the LT swap, you can buy patriot tight tucks, or various other headers like those made by sanderson. I would suggest you contact the admin (Texas Performance Concepts) about the new tubular crossmember he has developed...it will help quite a lot with mounting the engine for you.

Please, feel free to ask any other questions! we live for this stuff!
Ethan Cooper

Thanks Ethan i appreciate that info and it will be used as well if anyone knows good sites for parts...Man i cant wait to tear that 4 banger out and start preping the body for the LT1. This is a great forum i am very impressed thanks for all the help.