Engine reccomendation

As I mentioned in my post yesterday, I am considering an LS swap into my 944 Turbo race car. I'd love to find someone with significant experience with these to consult me, and am more than happy to pay them for their time, so please reach out to me if that's you!

But in the meantime, I've been looking at used LS motors on car-part.com and am wondering if anyone has a strong opinion on which is best. Specifically, is there any reason to shy away from the Gen V L83? I am thinking about a 350hp motor, not a beast. And I'd like it to be all aluminum for weight considerations. So the Gen V L83 seems ideal because it is the newest and most advanced (presumably) which being relatively sedate and aluminum. I assume the TPG kit works on this motor. Any reason to go with an earlier motor?

riccardogale wrote:As I mentioned in my post yesterday, I am considering an LS swap into my 944 Turbo race car.  I'd love to find someone with significant experience with these to consult me, and am more than happy to pay them for their time, so please reach out to me if that's you!

But in the meantime, I've been looking at used LS motors on car-part.com and am wondering if anyone has a strong opinion on which is best.  Specifically, is there any reason to shy away from the Gen V L83?  I am thinking about a 350hp motor, not a beast.  And I'd like it to be all aluminum for weight considerations.  So the Gen V L83 seems ideal because it is the newest and most advanced (presumably) which being relatively sedate and aluminum.  I assume the TPG kit works on this motor.  Any reason to go with an earlier motor?

I don't recommend the late engines at all. Too many bells and whistles as such. Stick with an early LS. Specifically the 03-08 5.3 liters. LM4 and L33 are both aluminum blocks and heads. They are still reasonable to buy and are plentiful. With minor mods they will make 350hp easily and very reliably.
You can still find LS1 and LS6 engines, but they demand a high price.
Almost every engine I buy comes from eBay. I've found the sellers there to be more reliable than salvage yards. I just recently bought a 30k mile 5.3 for a little over $1200. Resealed it completely. Had it tuned and it made 301hp and 326tq at the rear wheels in a 944 with an LS1 intake and throttle body. An aftermarket cam would have put it to 350hp.

As far as the L83, no the TPC kit will not work on it. Subtle differences, but enough to not work. Plus the L83 has variable valve timing, Air flow management (cylinder delete), and direct injection. More complicated software tuning. And the engine is quite a bit taller, so hood won't clear.

Thank you Bob! That is great intel. I had just assumed that a newer and more advanced motor would be preferable, but you know what they say about assuming.

I'll start checking EBay listings.