Open-Source LSx (or Whatever Swap)

My engine works, but I am always curious and wanting to increase knowledge. Purists, please read no further. Watching random YT videos and browsing forum posts, I got to wondering, what would be the lowest cost to DIY an LS (or other engine) swap? I got a parts list from Chavis Performance, so there is a good source document. I know about Renegade Hybrids and there are various other avenues one could go down. My question is, assuming we don't worry about Porsche Dash Integration and use an aftermarket cluster, what is the bare-minimum that would be required and still give us: ABS Power Steering Air Conditioning Cruise Control Eventually all engines can fail, and I know that there are many IMS Bearing fixes and M96 rebuild options, but let's get the creative juices flowing, get the information organized, and help each other out.

Might also look at cost for the Audi 2.7T kit. Less chopping and transfiguring to my eye.

When I look at RND engines for $30K and I see stuff like this: Engine for 2003 Porsche 911 996 3.6 Carrera M96.03 M96 96.03 320 - 345HP | eBay at less than half the price, I'm surprised that no one has ever posted here about one of these. With the $800 delivery charge plus 3000 Euro core charge, which could be offset by selling the core locally versus shipping to europe, still seems much more financially palatable. I am a believer in LN Engineering and their ability to keep the M96 running (I had the solution installed and didn't even question the cost), but when an engine costs the same as a running/driving car, it stops making sense for a car that was so mass produced as the 996.

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I think these are both valid options, the main focus was to get a quick(ish) easy to access list for folks that want to explore alternative options. I would prefer a no-cutting option, maybe that would be a criteria that can be included.

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Slakker is now on the market with an interesting alternative to the RND rebuilds. Worth checking out.

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Depends. If the shop offering the engine knows what they�re doing, and the longevity upgrades are there, yes. If you have a good core, all the better. A shop r/r will run north of $4,500. Then you have a stock output M96 with no breathing upgrades for ballpark $18,000. If one�s donor engine isn�t horribly broken, why shouldn�t one want to send the block to Slakker for the Hartech treatment and the heads to Hoffheads? For $11-13,000 (my numbers may be a tad dated) you could have a nicely sleeved and bored hi-po engine. Add UAOS and a big sump, upgraded exhaust, GT3 tb and bigger plenum. That�s another $6,000. Use the FSI engine tutorial spending 40-50 hours putting it all together and bam! Call it $20,000 with sweat equity and you have a supremely capable and durable M96 system. That�s why, personally, I�d struggle deciding between the 2.7T vs the above option. Right now I�d probably go the M96 route, mostly because I already have the breathing upgrades. But I�d spend getting better cams and such.

The 2.7T is a cheaper way to achieve 500hp+.

I think this has the potential to be an ever-evolving thread. Maybe when we suggest options, we should provide a somewhat realistic parts/price breakdown, for example: LSx (or equivalent) Swap: Motor - LS1 - https://www.ebay.com/itm/397382209715 - $2975 CPE 986/987/996/997 Power Steering Package - $1,350.00 CPE 986/987/996/997/991 -> LSx Flywheel (Non-Turbo/GT) - $1,249.00 CPE 996/997 -> LSx Powertrain Mounting Package - $2,550.00 CPE 996/997 Air Conditioning Package - $850.00 CPE 996/997 Cooling Package - $850.00 CPE 996/997 Induction Package - $425.00 CPE 996/997 LSx Oiling Package - $925.00 CPE 996/997->GM E38 Plug N' Play Engine Harness (Non-Turbo/GT) - $3,200.00 CPE 996/997->LSX Battery Cable Set - $50.00 CPE 996/997.1 PTFE SS Clutch Line - $285.00 General Motors E38 PCM (Re-Certified) - $250.00 South Bend Stage 2+ Clutch Kit - $1,733.37 Total - Engine from Ebay and everything else from Chavis Performance - $16,692.37 No Cruise, but maybe in 2026. Unsure if there is any frame modification required.

Thats alot of money not counting headaches. Does that price include labor, or is it all DIY?

$22,000 - $38,855

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what even is that? They rebuilt it? Maybe they could f�ing say that?

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Sorry. My assumption was all DIY.

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I haven't recently priced M96 rebuild parts from LN for a DIY project, but I suspect the parts cost is very similar. The big jump in any project like this is labor hours which add huge costs. For sure, after 25 years of the M96, we know exactly how to bullet proof the engine with the right parts for high performance driving. I am not a Chevy guy, so I dont know if that list of parts addresses the starvation issues that we all hear about with running a backward chevy engine in a 996. Costs may or may not be higher. Which hopefully will be outlined by participants in the thread. Same can be said for dropping in a Audi 2.7 Turbo or Audi 4.2. You can find plenty of threads here on Rennlist with guys that have gone thru the exercise of swaping one of the above mentioned engines. Good luck with the project!

I hate to admit it, but I put an LS3 in my car rather than getting the M96 rebuilt. I used mostly CPE parts. I didn't keep track of costs, but I'm confident I spent as much as a quality M96 rebuild would have cost. You won't save much money buying from CPE, or probably Renegade Hybrids either, the savings are there if you can fabricate your own mounts, wiring, etc. Would I still do it again? Yes, because a pushrod V8 is simple enough even a parts replacer like myself can work on it, and I think I'll be able to enjoy the car longer with less stress than with an M96. Obviously a lot of guys here have put a lot of miles on their M96's, I'm in no way trying to say they aren't reliable when taken care of. The oil starvation issues that I'm aware of with the LS are if you use a stock oil pan, CPE uses a Moroso front sump pan to address this.

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Did you have to cut or modify the frame with the CPE parts?

Sorry I didn't see this earlier. There is some cutting involved, CPE says the piece that gets trimmed can be purchased new from Porsche and be replaced to factory condition, I never verified that. I have some blurry pictures showing the piece before and after trimming.

It appears to be this piece that is replaceable, I think. https://porsche.oempartsonline.com/o...99650197301grv Still just gathering info. I wonder which swaps don't require modification to the body/frame?

Continuing on, is the DME required for: ABS Airbag Alarm any other potential system that would make the car not function I know that we can piggy back on the DME, but replacing completely would eliminate some points of failure, I would think.

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This is not even in the same Universe as a LN RND engine, its not even a rebuilt engine, read the fine print. This is a used engine maybe pressure washed at best. Maybe a Frankenstein engine at worst. Some have over 120,000 miles some have under that, so the ad says. Ad also says Engine warranty time frame correlates to the engine mileage.. With all the inherent catastrophic faults with a high mile m96 engine, out of all the used engines you could ever get, the m96 must be the worst gamble of them all... Was just a thread here about a used m96 engine purchase that was suppose to be a great running engine. When the sump plate/oil filter came off it showed oil/coolant intermix milkshake.

Just a side note,, I recently put a LS motor in my 1994 Jeep Wrangler.. I bought a new reman long block through Jegs, Its a specific engine, the L33 from the early 2000's Its a all aluminum engine, has nice heads factory a unique camshaft that produces a amazing clean power band. Its over 100 lbs lighter than any iron block LS. Engine produces 320HP stock, with the right TSP cm it will make 400+. Then to make it easy ,, just run C6 Center pipe exhaust manifolds, they let the Corvette easily hit 150 and no headachs with headers. Another option, that folk have not picked up on,, do a Gen5 43 liter GM V6 ,,, same show, its all aluminum engine, its smaller than the V8 lighter than the 911 engine package and makes Just at 300HP stock. CHEAP in wrecking yards, lot of nice low mile ones out there.. pop a small supercharger on it and your going to be in the 500HP zone.. wouldn't require as much cutting as the V8 setup. All the mounts and such for the LS v8 would work with it, and leave you more engine bay room.

What did you end up doing?

Nothing yet, still gathering info for a potential failure.

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It doesn't hurt to be prepared .... I have a rebuilt 5 chain M96/01 still sitting on the engine stand for 17 years....lol... Just waiting for my high mileage M96 to fail...

I truly am enjoying my LS3 997. If you ever want to chat let me know. I also kept receipts for everything and will post a detailed list for folks who are interested once back from vacation. Good luck in your quest!