944-LT1 LS3 Conversion

Nope. Well... its a 6.2 liter engine.

This threads "issues" are just things that one has to solve when NOT using a "kit". I sold most of the RH kit away and bought the parts that are necessary off-the-shelf. The only thing that I am re-using from the RH LT kit is the uprights.

If you have an LS kit, you probably wont see any of these issues. But I didnt want anymore RH kits; didnt want to pay that premium.

Cool! Thanks for the clarification.

I've got my car gutted to the bone so I was just going to go the LS3 crate with factory controller route. I suppose I'll just make my own headers and use my RH kit for the rest.

Started with a 1987 944 and converted it to LT1 power in July of 2003. Performed a widebody conversion in 2005 and then sold the engine in 2009 and bought a 2009 LS3 engine which is currently being installed nearing completion.

Body includes:
Kokeln GTR front bumper/spoiler
GTRacing widebody front fenders +2"
GTRacing widebody quarter panels +2"
GTRacing Fiberglass hood
GTRacing rocker panels converted to widebody
GTRacing front bucket lights modified
Painted myself using Dupont Paints


Interior:
Pretty much stock interior however a conversion is taking place inside! TBA

Transmission:
Stock 944 NA transaxle. Love it.

Brakes:
993TT Front Brake conversion
944T rear brakes

Current LT1 to LS3 conversion list: part numbers, prices, and source:
Clutch master reservoir: Wilwood Disc Brakes 260-10500
Fuel regulator fitting snap-lock to AN Adapter: Russell 640940
Throttle position sensor connector: ACDelco # PT1558 or GM# 88988944
Headers: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] stahl headers bending mistakes box
Thermostat: 54mm early GM
Brake master cylinder: Wilwood #260-7563 $120
Fuel Rail Fitting Adapter: Russell 640850
Fuel fittings and hose: Various/Summit
Head bolt kit: GM# 17800568 $25
Motor mount isolators: Prothane Motion Control 7-504 $56
Brake master cylinder plate/pushrod: Trade
Flywheel Bolts: GM# 11569956 [ARP part #330-2802] 11 x 1.5 x 23.5mm 7mm head Free
Oil Cap: GM# 12573340 or 12577268 ACDELCO Part # FC209 $16
Fuse panel and relays for LS3 harness: Dorman 85668 $13.58
Oil Dipstick and Tube: Tube GM# 12570787 Dipstick GM# 12570788 ebay- 120501524654 $45.54
Rod Bolts: GM# 11570662 ebay -150402162814 $47
Harmonic Balancer Bolt: GM# 12557840 $5.42
Rod Bearings: GM# 89017573 $18.80
Head Gaskets: GM# 12610046 $39.88
Bellhousing adapter plate: XSchop paid 300.00
Bellhousing: GM 12554980 $100
Throwout bearing assy. : GM 89059282 $100.00
Flywheel: GM 12571611 120496901 $275.00
Pressure Plate: GM 24248985 24238412 actual used is 24233085 paid above
Clutch disc: LuK South Bend Clutch
Pilot bearing adapter: Value Tool Free
Oil pan: Moroso 20140 $219.95
Oil pan modification: Free/myself
Thermostat housing: 170-911LS1C $39.99 SummitRacing
Billet drop down spacers: McMaster Carr 6061 aluminum 30.00
Remote oil filter and hoses: paid 153.10
Clutch adapter/hose/fittings/speed bleeder: paid 107.45….90° 12mm to 3AN russells PN# R4054C
Regulator/filter: NAPA# FIL3737 or GM 10299146 new number 19239926 or Wix 33737 or AC Delco GF822 $39.00
Oil Pump pickup: Milodon 18290 $73
½” to -10AN oil fitting: AER-FBM2039 13.00
Harmonic balancer: GM 12620556 LS3 vette 12601402 bought 12598831
Harness modification: Myself = Free!

It should be noted that almost all of the above was not required but sourced for a clean install.

Pictures at [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

As with the harness modification, I was internally convinced that I could not do this mod myself and was anguishing over how much it would cost to have done and who would do it.... but then Greg did it and so I gained a bit of ball mass and went for it. Thanks Greg...the more you post, the more they start to outgrow my shorts....

I bought the Moroso 20140 steel pan from summitracing. With the manual steering rack, I found that the required notch to be made was less than the power steering cars due to the fluid lines. I used a piece of 16 guage steel sheet from Lowes ($12) and 75:25 CO2/Argon to MIG the notch. To form the notch piece, I used a C-clamp and two pieces of 2x4 as a make-shift brake. After welding the piece in, I turned the pan over and welded it from the inside of the pan for added insurance against leaks. Finally, I ground down the welds on the outside and decided that stripping the pan to have it re-zinced was silly and so simply hit it with chassis-saver (por15) and then a quick shot of silver topcoat. For a show car, a re-zinc would be nice but this car is NOT a show car!

NOTE: Make sure to bolt the pan down in all 4 corners to prevent warping under heat. I did not so this and the pan had a 1/4" warp in it afterwards. I had to heat the pan up with oxy-acetylene and bolt it down to regain flatness; which worked nicely but would not be necessary if I had simply bolted it down prior to welding.

The entire process from first cut to topcoat of silver took only roughly an hour and a half including re-flattening it and making TWO notch pieces (first piece was too short-I didnt account for the bend radius initially-silly me). So dont be affraid to do this yourself. I am by no means a good welder or metal working type....but its easier than one may think.

However, if you do not own a welder or just dont want to or have the time, I have recently found out that 944v8s.com sells the pan WITH the notch already done!!! Not sure if 944v8s' pans are re-zinced or what though...good question. Regardless, I had already ordered the pan before finding this out... C'est la vie!! I believe that I am doomed in that every time I need something, after I get it and modify it, someone offers it already done. Moreover, Greg has informed me-in a manner that made me feel like I was an idiot for not intuitivy knowing already-that his pans are all bolted to a jig to prevent warping. So, youll know that when your pan arrives, uncharateristically to that of RH quality (PORH), it will be flat, true, and with at most ONE dipstick hole. (if you dont know to what Im referring, this was seen on PHB in that RH commonly sent out warped, sieve-like pans and in atleast one occurance a pan with a dipstick provision on both sides of the pan.

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Those details will help cut down on the parts searching time.

Glad to help Arthropraxis. Thats exactly why I posted it. I spent sooooo much time searching for the right part at the right price that I decided to try and spare others the pain. But, I believe this can all be avoided by checking out our boards saving grace, 944v8s.com, and its full kit. The price is perfect and alot lower than RH and dare I say....better quality and a HUGE customer service program!

I already orderred most of my kit from 944V8s. That list will help with the odds and ends like fuel fittings and such. Most of those items I don't even know the correct name for so I spend hours searching here, the old site and LS1tech. I have learned a lot, but still so much more I don't know.

Well, if you have problems, let me know.

Just wanted to show y'all what happened to my LT1 after selling it.



This is a 1966 Corvette. Thats an intank fuel pump that my uncle designed and built just for this application. Pretty sweet.

.....and he did it in Dockers! .......and they're not dirty!!! Man! He's good!!

He loves dockers

Hey,

Looks good, I'm about to do my oil pan too so those are encouraging words! From a vette to a 944 back to a vette, that engine's had a pretty good life.

Yeah, it's been around the block a few times.....
I've always liked the way the LT1 intake looks in any car/swap

Very Nice!....

When will I see a vid of the LS3 running???

As with the rest of you guys, I have more than one car and so have spent 2010 (so far) going from this....[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

to this......
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I know you love the MKII's Paul!

i know i see a 944 under that tarp

Yup. Shes napping under there. Soon to be raised though!

also i forgot, love the oil pan, plan to make my own, only question i have for you is why didnt you go with a pickup and oil pump? it like 520 on ebay

I bought a custom pickup from moroso and the oil pump is new. This LS3 had 2000 miles on it when I bought it. LS oil pumps are not like LT or pre LT oil pumps.

Yes I do like me some MGA, very nice BTW. I also have a soft spot for some AH 3000 MKIII....

Ha ha. I do too.

.....more updates soon.....I hope.

any updates?

Well, Im working on what seems like everything at once which makes it quite complex.

Drivers side header...looks like its hitting but not.
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Wilwood MC
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My Nephew and my drivers side header. Still need to clean up the welds, weld on the collector and send it off for coating.
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Im missing alot of pictures. Wiring is done but need to send off the computer to frost for VATS delete and other mods.

Looks great! Keep going

just curious, on the manual brake setup. How much of a difference does using the wilwood master have on the performance of the brakes compared to just running a stock master?