Gen 5 L86/LT1 Swap in 88' 944

Hello All  

New to the forum, but not new to Porsches. In regards to a 944 forum though; I've had an 87' 944S for many years now. Originally wanted to swap an LS into it but ended up keeping it stock and wanting to preserve it.


Fast forward to today:

I recently I purchased a running and driving 88' 944S (twin spec to my 87' but paint has been changed at some point in its life) that was a barn find for $500 or so. Pulled from a barn on horse ranch. The body and everything is in really good condition but the interior was shot because the previous owner left the windows down and... yeah.. nasty and rusty interior around barn animals and trees. I originally purchased the vehicle for the engine and to be essentially a parts car for my 87' should I ever need anything.


A few months after that I ended up getting an amazing price on a 6.2L Gen 5 L86 (Same engine as LT1, just with different intake manifold for more torque.) So my plans changed for the new car. Still plan on keeping the engine for the 87', but now gutting out the barn find and trying to decide how far I take it on the race car spectrum (read: how much money to sink into it   )

I searched and searched but couldn't find anyone who had done this swap, or is currently doing this swap. No clue if I'm the first one, or perhaps there's a few others who are in the same stages as I am. Given that there's no info online, there was a lot of research on my end and working with various companies to figure out parts. I've gotten most things pieced together now and i'm currently in the process of pulling the Porsche engine.


I won't really know if things pieced together will work or not until I test fit the LT. Once it's in, there will be a lot more to figure out i'm sure.


Well, now that the intro is out of the way, I will post photos and updates. Hopefully my journey can help anyone else who will be tackling the LTx swap.

Good luck. I put on an oil cooler and power steering fluid cooler on my LT1 944. With limited space, it's good to try and keep things cool.

Hi jared, its george again, I tracked down your thread to here….. it’s been a while how you getting on?….
My mechanic finally fitted the 944 turbo gearbox to my tiptronic 968 and the car starts and drives….. very briefly it needed the 944 turbo bell housing and torque tube, the S2 clutch/flywheel and crank position sensor bracket, master and slave clutch cylinders, and the 968 manual gearbox mount crossmember….. and alot of bodging…. Anyway the car is ready to accept the LT1, and I’ve recently purchased a nearly complete LS to 944 conversion kit, you gotta love ebay…. Headers, motor mounts, 6 bolt LS flywheel, clutch plate (no clutch cover or throw out bearing sadly) 2 piece C5 bell housing with adapter for the 944 torque tube, power steering pump, alternator and even the modified sump!!….. I’m sure I’ve forgotten something, but as you can see it’s pretty much complete….. how you getting on, is yours fitted?! 🥳…any words of wisdom would be greatfully received…. Thanks in anticipation, george…..