Daily Slideshow: Chevy LS1 Power for the Porsche 944

The engine sucks

There’s really no soft way to put this. The powerplant sucks. Flooring it in a 944 is about as exciting as waiting in line at the DMV while you do your taxes. Swapping the LS is like skydiving with a stripper. This car was sort of like the 968s little brother. Although it is lighter it lacks the muscle to make it a properly thrilling machine.

>>Join the conversation about Putting Some LS1 Power in a Porsche 944 right here in the Rennlist Forum!

Money, Money, Money

If you’re reading this thinking “Well that sounds great but incredibly expensive” you’re wrong. It’s really not as much as you think. Used LS motors are abundant and easy to find and the guys at Renegade Hybrids have taken the guesswork out of this alluring power booster. Kits start at $2,200 and include most of the big ticket items you’ll need. You can add things like an aftermarket cooling system for ~$900 and high flow headers for $849. Cheap!

>>Join the conversation about Putting Some LS1 Power in a Porsche 944 right here in the Rennlist Forum!

Sleeper Status

Cruising on a late night or going to a track day you will be the most unassuming person on the planet. The sound might give it away, but the LS isn’t overbearing unless you want it to be. A simple camshaft and cylinder head swap on these engines can net huge horsepower gains making it easy to burn guys in more expensive cars. Few things are more enjoyable in life!

>>Join the conversation about Putting Some LS1 Power in a Porsche 944 right here in the Rennlist Forum!

Reliability

Sure, you can turbocharge the OEM 4 cylinder and make it faster. You’re going to need an ECU, time to dyno test and tune the car, upgraded parts depending on power levels and someone who can install everything. Or, you can throw an LS in and make the same power and do it all day without worrying about a rebuild for thousands and thousands of miles.

>>Join the conversation about Putting Some LS1 Power in a Porsche 944 right here in the Rennlist Forum!

Cool Factor

968s are fun cars in a very 90s kind of way. V8 swapping a 944 is like having a cheaper version of the 968 with a manual transmission. It’s the best of everything: German engineering with American muscle. While LS swaps are common on the internets and hated by some there is no denying they are cool.

>>Join the conversation about Putting Some LS1 Power in a Porsche 944 right here in the Rennlist Forum!

For help with maintenance and repair projects, please visit our how-to section this forum.