Reality Check Please

Hello everyone. New guy, first post.

First, let me say that this is a great site. Some very creative folks on here.

Now, on to my project. I've got an '88 924S that I'm planning to drop an LT1 into sometime in the next year or so. I've chosen the LT1 because they're cheap, plentiful, and make plenty of power for what I'm looking for (hoping for 350ish HP with a strong mid-range). I also don't want to deal with that pesky header problem on the LS.

My question is this: Can this conversion be done correctly on a $5000 budget? I'm not counting suspension upgrades (I've already got konis all around, 25.5 torsions, 250lb coilovers up front and 26.8/20 sways), brakes (a 951 brake upgrade will come later), wheels/tires (I've got 16X7&8 sewer lids with a 245 tire in back), or transaxle (I'll put a 951 trans in when the na box blows up). I can do all the labor myself, short of welding and machine work.

This is how I'm breaking it down:
944v8s kit - $1750
rebuildable LT1 core - $500
parts to rebuild LT1 - $1000
clutch and brake parts - $500
exhaust fabrication - $500
misc extras - $750

Is this a reasonable estimate? Am I missing something? I don't need a show quality install, but I want it to be reliable, and I want it to look like it's supposed to be there.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

What do you plan to do for engine management?
Also, make a plan to deal with hydro boost or manual brakes, decide what system will fit your goals.

That looks like a reasonable price break down, some cost will be more and some less. The kit is a good starting place. Talk to Greg and see what parts that you can source your self and you might save a few penny's.
I have an LT1 on my car and basically built everything my self and the cost was way down on the budget end.
Oh, WELCOME.
Admin

$5K may be squeezin' the lemon a bit...
But, it's definitely possible.

I'm ~$4K into mine, and still have exhaust, misc. electrical, and many "minor" specifics still ahead of me. Exhaust should be relatively cheap if you can fit pipe and spark-up some wire. Also note that some of my custom parts were trade-outs for other parts or services.

I have most of the custom-fab parts in stock now. The exceptions are the modified oil pan and C5 adapter plate. I will cut and weld SBC / LT1 pans per-kit only, due to the lack of demand presently. All fab and Kit assembly time should be well within the site's 4-6 week time frame. Check here for a partial parts listing ([You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]). The (944V8) Manual is a good source for parts listings also.

All parts in the SBC / LT1 Kit may be sourced individually...
I just haven't spent the time necessary to list them individually on the site.

Email me with any special requests, and I'll try to accommodate you.
My (Android OS) "gadget-phone" is giving me a chair break already,
but I stay close to my GMail shortcut...

well, i have less than 4k in my swap, most of that was in the engine though...so yes it is feasible. I however built my own motor mounts, oil pan, and exhaust, so i saved some money there...i think it's possible to do...it will be nice for you having suspension done already, because i still need to do that...but make sure you buy the ABSOLUTELY necessary stuff first, i found out that little problem with my swap, i spent too much on the engine early on, and i had to scrounge and try to build my own stuff and find cheap/used parts for the rest of the swap.