996 GM LS Engine Conversion

Some people might now agree with my desire to build "Frankenstein" cars but I would really like to swap a GM LS engine into a 996 c4 or c2. The turbo car is a great machine and i would never tear into one of these, but I can get a c4/c2 that had an engine failure why not. I am competent in swaps and fabrication. When my e36 m3 let a valve spring go and did quite a bit of engine damage I refused to put it back it with 240hp. Considered a s54 from the e46 but too pricey for 100hp gain. Sourced an drive train from a 99 camero, a few months of slaving away every second of my spare time and the car is excellent. With the cam and long tubes about 450hp and torque every where. I would like to do a similar conversion to a 996 c4 or c2 but wondering what these drive lines can take for power. Are there any differences between the c4/c2 and t turbos transmissions other than a lsd? Are these transmissions considered strong when modifying the car? or is it common to upgrade them? One last question, what do you guys feel a fair price would be for a 996 c2/c4 with an engine failure. I am seeing running cars for 15k now. I know Renegade hybrids has a conversion kit for this, I plan to make everything my self other than the bell housing adapter. I have asked them these very questions but they don't have the hp in there shop car that I would like to have. I am shooting for 625hp at the crank. Thanks--Stephan

not so sure - but am interested in the project, so progress and pictures please?

haha, If I can narrow this chassis down as something that can take the power without costing me too much it will be a go. I am use to the world of e36 bmw where the max tire you can fit is a 255, so anything over 400hp just spins before parts break. If I dont do this swap I would like to do an e46 m3 with a similar engine, I find that the one of the best bmw's built.

I would not pay $15,000 for a 996 with a bad engine unless it was loaded and perfect otherwise, and probably not even then. Maybe $10,000.

humm why not simply buy a z06 each time I hear about GM v8 conversion I am thinking that the corvette must really suck if everybody is ready to go in SO much trouble to only keep the engine !

I have seen them done to a 944, there are conversion kits. Wish I had a link for ya. Never seen it on a 996 though. The LSX engines are very nice. I loved my last LS1. Would need a new trans, wiring kit, and programming to get it to work. With $$$$$ though anything is possible.

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A 996 with a blown engine (in otherwise pristine condition) would not get more than $8K max out of my pocket.

Do like ruf did and swap a Porsche v8 into it. Lighter and faster than a gt3.

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I sold my 996 w/ blown engine for under that...

I think it would be a fun project .Finding a clean 996 with a bad engine is difficult .Another alternative is a running one and sell the engine .There appears to be good demand for running motors .The one advantage of this approach is that you would know the platform and components work . A lot of folks would say if you do this you are married to the car for life because of resale .If a swap can be done wothout cutting the sheet metal or wiring harnesses there remains an opprortunity to recover $. Mechanically it looks like a fairly easy swap .Electronically I don't know how you interface the existing systems (Guages-HVAC-Traction Control-cruise control etc ) with the LS DME .

so how much does it cost as of today to replace an engine at the dealer ? I thought the engine cost at suncoast were $14k with a $4k core charge ? I mean if you buy the 996 with blown engine for $10k, plus a $10k new engine that gives you a $20k car with brand new engine, no ? I hope someone can chime in with the latest 2012 prices, as I see the price for new engine seem to go up every year

Its your $ and time so go for it. That being said, I couldnt imagine spending my time and $ on such a project. Like others have said, you will have a lot of components that will need replacing. Transmission able to cope with 625 HP, wiring, upgraded drivetrain etc etc. Since you say you've been down this road before you know better than most of us what it will take. My question is why not buy a 996 turbo and increase boost. You will get an awd car capable of handling the power and if you like you could even remove FWD and add LSD. Reversable if you sell the car. Plenty of guys are driving modified turbos with huge power. Also, you can de-tune when its time to sell. Good luck with the project, start a thread here for us to follow if it get off the ground.

If a good LS V8 kit was available, I think many 996 owner with blown engine could be tempted. So far a lot of talk, but I have not seen any of those V8 996 so far on rennlist, ever. The Renegade kit sounds like a legend at this point. I hope you can prove us all wrong.

https://rennlist.com/forums/996-gt2-...k-in-mods.html If I were looking for the 500-600 HP. This is what i would buy

You Tube The swap wouldn't require me to tear into the car at all. i dont think one thing has to be cut or removed other than some emissions equipment. I like the turbo's but the thing with them is the cost to tune them for 600hp. I could build a 600hp ls motor for 8k, and if i could find a chassis for 8k, i would do all the work myself so it would cost 20k tops, then transmission and suspension work if needed. I would need to find a 99-01 996 because those are pre canbus, if not i would need to adapt the stock coolant temp and crank position to to the gm engine to trick the 996 computer to thinking the factory engine was there. About the corvette's, I really like them, but I have too much time on my hands over winter. There ins't much to do in maine other than ski which i do some. But anyone can buy a corvette, the z06's are monsters but I want something different. I am not worried about resale, as long as i could get most of the money back i would be happy. I have about 13k into my e36 m3 with the ls1/t56 and they seem to sell for 15K. I know the market is different with the 996 but as long as i doing all the work myself the cost of these swaps doesn't get too pricey. I am a decent machinist and have access to the equipment as well as a TIG welder. I will keeep you guys posted, right now I am just trying to find more info on the transmissions.

why don't you post a couple of pics of your M3 v8 engine bay so we can have some eye candy while we wait BTW they mention a detail in the video -> converting the power steering to electric, I assume you will have to buy that from renegade, no ? BTW2: how much cost the renegade kit ? and why not using that one ?

http://ls1tech.com/forums/conversion...onversion.html http://www.lsxtv.com/news/swap-insan...ls-conversion/ http://www.renntech.org/forums/topic...ne-conversion/

I like the renegade kit but all the parts ad up fast, check out there site. The fact that the transmissions stays makes engine mounts alot easier. Fabrication is half the fun of the swap or me. Other than the bell housing converter i will need to buy the electric steering pump kit. Anyone that happens to stumble upon a blown 996 please let me know, I will even pay a small finders fee for the right car. There are not many 996's near me, so I am expecting quite a road trip to get one with a clean body. Oh and i will post some pics of the m3 in a few days, need to take a couple now that the engine bay is cleaned up.

Hey birdman, look at the post above. Where are you in Maine?

located in Poland but work in Portland, my brother works at the shipyard so I have been to Kittery often, I have deff seen a black 996 driving, must have been you

thought I had seen similar threads before: https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...ale-value.html https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...ap-option.html

Just do what I did. Buy a Z06 and a Carrera. The best of both worlds!!

I've gone few one of those threads and I have to say - that guy has build skills that I will never have. However, it looks like such a PITA to do any work on the motor once it's in the car - I couldn't imagine living day to day with it. The only win win scenario I can think of is lining up a buyer to take the thing off your hands once the project is over. The fun part seems like the build! Ben

As soon as my M96 sells I'm swapping my C2 to an LS1 car. Nick

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I'm a 1/2 mile from gate 2 at the shipyard on the back channel. Have a son moving to the Brunswick area shortly.

As the owner of a 02 Z06 and a 2001 996. I'd sai go for it! If the 996 lunched its motor, no question I would do the exact same thing. I love the Porsche engines but honestly, the GM LS engine are incredible power plants. Incredible power in a very light and dead reliable package. Not sure the trans would survive 600hp, especially with awd. Call California motorsports in AZ and ask them about the tranny. I guess it would depend on ow you drive the car. Overall I think it would be an encredible combo. If you do it, please do a build log here! David