Whenever a car with a bad or missing engine is featured here on Barn Finds, the conversation inevitably turns to LS swapability. Normally it’s a bad idea but we may have found a car where the swap could make sense. This 1984 Porsche 944 is missing its engine and finding a replacement could be tricky so why not? Find this LS candidate here on Facebook Marketplace out of Boise, Idaho (BF’s Hometown) where it’s listed for $3,000.
First off, what the heck is an LS swap? For anyone new to the concept, it involves removing a vehicle’s original engine and replacing it with a GM LS-Series V8 engine. This modification is popular because the engines are plentiful, typically cheap, and easy to upgrade. It’s an easy way to add modern fuel injection and air-conditioning to an old car. Sounds like a good idea, right?
Well, sometimes. Other times it can be a nightmare. Some swaps require firewall modifications or custom motor mounts. Wiring can be a huge challenge too. For every nicely done swap, there’s a dozen unfinished ones bound for the scraper. We have seem many good cars get ruined by these big LS dreams. So we typically advise against it.
This one feels different though. The engine is already missing and it won’t be easy to find a good replacement. The body and interior appear to be in good shape too so you wouldn’t be spending all you time there. It’s rear wheel drive and there are kits available to make the job easier. I have a feeling the swap could make an already good handling car even more fun. What do you think – LS swap it?
I have owned several 944’s. Great driving and under-respected cars. As for the v8 swap, there are plenty of “project” 944’s around for cheap. This car looks pretty clean and straight. I think I would pick up a rough project and put the motor back into this one to keep it stock. The extra parts left over could sell on Ebay and maybe recoup 1/2 the cost of the parts car. These early “square-dash” 944’s have pretty good resale value. That’s my 2 cents worth!
Good call. An LS might be a good swap for a 924 but as 914Shifter said this one would be worth keeping somewhat original along with the original engine if so inclined.
And then again, summ cuique..
LS, Smallest. How about a Coyote swap. Lets make it really interesting
I’ve seen a few V8 swapped 924’s. If an LS swap is feasible, if it’s a keeper, always start with the best car you can find. Leave the rough project cars to someone looking to build a beater.
Steve R
why waste an LS. fix what’s there if possible and move down the road.
Honda k24 swap. Why pack a big v8 when you can make v8 power with an aluminum 4 banger? Plus better on fuel and less weight over front end.
Agreed. Better balance and more interesting. Obviously better than an Audi/Gremlin four cylinder! I can not imagine trying to work on a V8 in that small space. Of note, a Mopar friend (I know, I feel bad for him to) has put slant sixes in a lot of interesting small cars. Really nice, actually. Good low end pull and that is where you feel it. Also a lot of room around them to work on things. He laughed that if he could afford a 308/328, he would do that for a more reliable and driveable car.
The first question I would ask is why this car was being used as an engine donor car for something else in the first place.
I’d put a buick or olds aluminum 215 v8 in it with a 5 speed
LS swap may be a nightmare due to the rear transaxle and IRS.
I’d think not for the faint of heart.
Just pick up a new engine from Mike @ Plyhammer’s Parts. You don’t have to drop in an LS.
Renegade Hybrids has a complete conversion for the LS. The LS1 is 63 lbs heaver than the 944 NA engine, but slightly lighter than the turbo variant, so it should not upset handling However, I also would just look for a replacement 944 engine. It won’t be fast, but it was the handling and steering feedback that I liked most about my 944 Turbo.
Put in a later C series engine. Enough power to keep anybody happy while not screwing up the balance of the chassis.
I think it would make a well-handling car dangerous. The American mentality of breezy engine swaps comes from decades-gone-by, when economy sixes could easily be swapped for fire breathing V-8s. The basic platforms were much the same, the engine conversions did not affect handling much as essentially the same cars were available from the manufacturer with anything from an econo-six, in the case of Mopar, for example, to pavement-pounding hemi V-8s. HOWEVER, that mentality GOES OUT THE WINDOW with small sports cars. Try, for example, “dropping” a V-8 into a Sunbeam Alpine, thinking that in an afternoon you will have yourself a Tiger. It took a good part of the Shelby American team MONTHS to finally engineer a reasonably safe performer…and even then, there were and still are, criticisms of the cars being under-braked as well as “scary” at speed. Your afternoon “Tiger” will be kamikazee-dangerous without serious professional oversight, as a small sports car needs to be carefully balanced and have an automotive ENGINEERING TEAM go through EVERYTHING, so that they will be safe. The extra power, torque, heat and vibration has to be matched by much stronger underpinnings with adequate
wheels/tyres, suspension, reinforcements, etc. Then the whole thing requires LOTS of professional road-testing…so unless you are an automotive engineer with LOTS of time on your hands, forget about creating a Ferrari-beater in your back yard with an “LS swap”. The reality of creating a dangerous coffin on wheels, unless undertaken by an experienced engineering team, is the rule rather than the exception. If it seems too good to be true, it usually is.
These have a transaxle, I think; Audi / VW / Porsche motors in various specs are easily available and would give less grief.
I’d go for the 5-cylinder turbo if I could.
LS swap is fine but best you also add in finding a 944 turbo transmission to take all that extra power. And then the clutch too, nothing fun is free.
Jesse, you guys @ BF should do a swap like you mention. This kind of car is right up your alley, and it would be fun to follow along with the project. Not exactly a BF type of thing, but would be an interesting detour.
WASH THE CAR! Then post.