944 07K Turbo Swap

Okay, not my current project - but if our dollar can recover a bit in the future, maybe... So as the owner of a 944 after many years of A/C 911s, the one thing I can't reconcile is the 4cyl engine noise - it's very "meh".  I wouldn't mess with the original S2 I have, but there are plenty of 944 hacks about that could make awesome resto-mods with an engine upgrade (and I mean something more interesting than the ubiquitous LS conversion) Boost Brothers over in the US are just backyard hacks like me, but they have done a genuinely nice job of making a kit to use the very sweet VW 07K 5cyl engine in a 944, either NA or Turbo.  This engine is literally "one half" of the Lambo V10 engine and has that really sweet 5cyl noise and a bunch of tuning advantages opportunities.  Anyway, I've no affiliation but thought I'd post this stuff up in case it's of interest to anyone looking to build something different...  PS I've done some quick sums and it would be around a $15k proposition at the moment. https://www.boostbrothersgarage.com/product-page/944-07k-swap-full-kit

The noise they make just while starting up is awful.  A mate had a 968 with a fruity exhaust that actually didn’t sound too bad when on the go. I suspect it just had one small free flowing muffler.

That'd be fun

This is what i would do as well if i was modding a 944, put the relo's engine in

https://rennlist.com/forums/944-turbo-and-turbo-s-forum/803341-vw-audi-07k-2-5l-20v-i5-swap-thread.html

What I liked about this swap was that these guys have done a lot of the hard work and are providing the kit - which if you don't have access to fabrication gear (or the skills) makes life a whole lot more fun!  Then there is the similar advantage to the LS in that parts are accessible and reasonably cheap.

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Yep - the 944s and 968s sound just like my Hilux when starting up. The VW/Audi 07K donk sounds infinitely better when cranking, and when revved is on a different planet altogether. Ask me how I know...

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Audi RS powered 944... What's not to love?  Best of both worlds... Yep, pretty uninspiring.  But they do start to sing a bit above 5k

Sweet, 360 whp and that 5 cylinder sound and more to come.  What’s not to like 👌🏻

The Boost Bros talk about how cheap these used motors are in the US. I wonder what they sell for in Oz? Going by memory I think the B bros complete parts kit is in neighbourhood of $7k US. Plus a bit of time.

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$2,200 and within a stone throw of you https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/VW-Jetta-2005-07-Beetle-2006-11-Golf-MKV-2006-NEW-OEM-Engine-BGP-2-5-Litre-5-cyl/383473798275?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

I have a strong hankering for an engine swap sleeper for my next P project A 924, 944 or Boxster V8 is the desire- LS swap would be great but am also thinking about an Audi V8 to keep it in the VAG family..... This would be much easier to achieve in the US with parts and kits though...

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Ditto - except Lambo Espada with a mopar 440... Ps. 944 turbo running gear into a crap looking 924 would be fun too.

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Pretty sure there is a US mob doing an Audi V8 to Boxster swap.

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Funnier when your passenger begins to squeal There is the 924/v6 That’s been sitting on gumtree quite a long time now p.S would a C5 RS6 biturbo motor be of interest ?

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I perused the 924 - too much has been done to make it worth registering again... You'd be better off beginning with a rolling 944 (of which a few seem to still pop up). The Audi 4.2 is a cracker of an engine, but there are already bolt-in kits for LS engines for those wanting the V8 music which I think make more sense.  But I would like to know if the gearbox pattern is the same as the 07K as then you could look at the Boost Brothers bell housing.  The attraction of the 07K is that someone is offering a complete kit for shoe-horning it into a 944 (Boost Brothers) keeping power steering and A/C.  In NA form it's a *cheap swap for a little more Hp and torque than an original Turbo and you get that badass 5cyl note, and the engines themselves aren't too hard to find.  If you're boost junkie then I think that's where the conversion shines as there is a lot of info and options, plus "bits" from the Audi TTRS that can be incorporated. *relatively speaking

Wondering about how the RHD steering shaft would play with the Boost Bros kit?

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-engine-conversion-tech-forum/941956-audi-v8-924-a.html .. wondering what happened to the guy who started in HK to install a4.2’v8 in a 356?

@michel - you have the perfect 924 to start a V8 build 👍

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...pandering  to your Peccadillos and perversions

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Yeah, I think that's the money question for a right hooker... If you have to custom fabricate a RHD solution, the kit kinda loses it's effectiveness.  I actually messaged them and they offered to send the mounts out for free testing.  They even offered to subsidise the first punter prepared to take on a RHD project.  If I was still in Brisbane and had access to "Stuff and people" I might be keen.  But sleepy Port Mac makes experimenting just too hard.

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" Wondering about how the RHD steering shaft would play with the Boost Bros kit?" Watching there videos I don't think it would be an insurmountable issue. Very easy to say from the comfort of an armchair. The video showing the fitting of the Lambo exhaust manifold has them installing the exhaust manifold back to front so manifold is feeding the turbo in front of the motor. Looks like lots of room for the steering shaft, at least from my arm chair. They have his race car venting the exhaust out in FRONT of the front wheel. Anyone interested in starting a Brisbane/SE Qld consortium. A 944 shell would be a good place to start. @Rob has a big shed, hoist & a new dog offsider.

Hi folks, long time listener, first time poster, and keen to connect and learn from those in the forum. I have been rather fascinated with this boost brothers swap - particularly the irony of circling back to a high volume VW/Audi derived engine, after the mixed reviews of the original 924 2.0L donk. I had even noticed that NOS 07k near Brisbane (what are the chances?). I also have recently picked up a ‘79 924, live in Brisbane, and think a consortium is a great idea - particularly as you’d need to import the longblock, why not two or three and get some economies of scale with shipping/spares? Obviously it’s fairly well established that it’s not recommended to start with a 924 2.0NA platform, for very good reasons. But it’s possibly not insurmountable - particularly if one was already contemplating a 5lug conversion, and an upgrade from the existing 4 speed transaxle. Others haaaave modified the 924 LHD crossmember to accept the later 2.5L engine mounts - and that part (at least) doesn’t seem overly tricky. Looking at mine I think it likely would still foul with the way the steering assembly comes “over” the crossmember. The steering assembly on a 924 turbo RHD crossmember comes “through”, so could free up some space, might be an option. Then it would be 944 torque tube (and linkages/etc) , transaxle, 5 lug conversion etc. Hydraulic clutch conversion. Fairly massive undertaking, no doubt. Haven’t looked into the electrical interfacing though, interested in if there were any showstoppers there. Anyway, keen to know if others were still interested, and talk (or type?) it over.

Colibri G Would it be easier to get an early model 944, perhaps a lowly unwanted auto to swap out? Have you tried posting on any other Australian fb sites to see if there is any more interest?

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Hi Brian, Very true, the 944 basis is a lot more logical and easy (relatively speaking). Thing is they are circa $20k, and importing a 924S is similar. The appeal of a sleeper/restomod 924 with clean lines and retro chrome trim has gotten to me, unfortunately. Good question- haven’t posted on any FB pages, I did follow the boost brothers page, they noted the next batch of orders closed in August. Any good pages you recommend?

Is your 924 running? Have you costed out an engine swap like the 07k and Boost Bros kit? The numbers start adding up very quickly even if you can do everything yourself. Start adding freight, exchange rates, maybe gst. The price of your car will be the cheapest thing to buy. Lots of Porsche fb pages but they are mainly 911 centric. ”Porsche  944 downunder (Australia & NewZealand)” is ok.

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Nope. It sat over COVID at the previous owner’s. Got a new fuel pump in hand, fitting it shortly. Thinking will run it stock for a year or so before making any rash decisions. Also interested how people have gone with modifications and the special vehicle registration? Indeed. Sounds like Fishcop was very on the money (pun intended) with his initial $15k AUD proposition comment, assuming that excludes the base vehicle. Perhaps closer to 20 with the 924 hassle factor?

I think if I was going with a 924, I'd be more inclined to look at the Audi 1.8T engine - less engineering issues and known to fit the 924...

That’s a good point. The readily available nature of 1.8t engines in Aus is very appealing - did a bit more research and noticed a clean bell housing solutions by a “coalition of the willing” - https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread/217183/porsche-20vt-conversion-bellhousing-group Interested in your thoughts Fishcop on the Honda k20/k24’s? Seems only a handful worldwide are attempting it in a 924/944, though massive in lots of other platforms (eg K power industries). K24A3’s are similarly ubiquitous in Aus wreckers. Though as you said quite well in the initial post, sound is a big factor. And a 5 pot sound is quite iconic.

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The 924/44 chassis is superb - manly because of the 50/50 weight distribution (and the sweet looks).  The 944 benefits from some reasonably major brake and suspension upgrades and that's why I think it gets the fruitier engines from the LS to the 07K.  But the 924 is a touch more "delicate", so for me I'd be okay with the turbo 4-banger - I personally like the Audi because, essentially, the 924 IS an Audi I have driven a mate's K24 home-built 'Clubman' which is frankly the most frighteningly fast and visceral car I've driven, and fully appreciate the attraction!

I’m with mr Fishcop on the 1.8t swap I’ve been chatting with a guy in Canada, who is doing the conversion ( pro fabricator /mechanic) and been waiting (too long)  for a list of parts he can supply https://instagram.com/audische?utm_medium=copy_link Think  Motor Werks Racing for all out, all in $$$ high end  solitons. They build wildly beautiful cars .. $$$$ http://www.motorwerksracing.com/

Quite a lot of Audi RSQ3's being wrecked at the moment, anyone know if that motor is suitable for the swap?

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Same 07K engine - VAG product and half a Huracan

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That would be the dream, with the light alloy block. Though I remember reading somewhere (perhaps in the original rennlist thread) that the direct injection head is a little too tall for the 924/944. I’ve been curious if anyone has swapped the older port injection head onto a newer alloy 07k block, I believe someone has (or is in the process of) on an old Audi build.

I love that video, Fishcop. Shame that Iroz character isn’t doing longitudinal 07k builds anymore, with the exception that he’s building Scotto’s (and Ken Block’s?!) which will be ready for Sema in the next few days- Also- in case 07k’s couldn’t get any more “it” with automotive tastemakers, James Pumphrey (of Donut Media fame) got his early Golf “07k swapped”. Back to transaxles, has everyone seen this outrageously cool build from Mike, particularly his latest vid?

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A subtle power bulge, done tastefully would never go astray.

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Speak to Jeff 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣

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@Fishcop - It sounds really good from the 8 min mark onwards! Shame the Boost Brothers Garage haven't done any more vids on their friend's 07K swapped 944 Turbo.