LS1 996...

... featured in the Grassroots Motorsports that greeted me at home. I just skimmed the article. I wonder if it really is that much less in the long run than a turbo?

bastered porsche...

Here you go 25K nicely outfitted smog legal.... http://www.renegadehybrids.com/

V8 grumble in a 911... weird... it's just wrong. Then again, if a 996 engine blows up...

I was considering doing this to my 944 when I had it because the S2 engine isn't something people write home about. But on the 996 I feel it would take too much away from the car's personality by ripping out the flat-six. There's no denying the allure of extra power at a decent cost is tempting, but I think on this car the M96 has to stay.

I agree with you completely that it is intriguing but would perhaps "ruin" the character of the 996 (not to mention what little resale might be left on our 996's). HOWEVER, when the time comes for ME to look at replacing a blown engine in my 996, the $8,000 vs $25,000 dollar decision might be different. And I have the added "fun factor" of possibly then having the same 6.2L in my Porsche as the 6.2L in my Donzi. Probably one of only less than 10 people in North America who might have that happy coincidence. Too bad the 996 can't tow the Donzi... even with the V8 in it. Boat is way too big... LOL! Boat and trailer together weigh in at 5400 lbs. Now that Christmas is approaching a thought comes to mind of using multiple Porsche 996's... like Santa's reindeer.

I'm doing it if my m96 goes...

have you seen Jake's engines? Why bother with a V-8?

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Response - $

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Due to my laziness, care to elaborate?

I think he means that Jake's engines are strong and robust, but cost more than a Corvette engine.

yeah, but what a hassle...

So, maybe I should pull my engine and sell it, then use the funds to get the Renegade conversion and never worry about the IMS bearing again!

Just add this: http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/n...698933563.html

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If the IMS bearing is your only concern, then the real answer is just do the LN Engineering IMS bearing upgrade. However, you will still not have resolved any of the other 23 potential engine blower issues Jake has discussed. Jakes engines are awesome. His advice is golden. My wallet is tin. Cheaper to follow Jakes preventative measures than worry about a blown engine. Call Jake and he will resolve it for you. My plan is to wait until the clutch needs replacement, then do the LNE upgrade at the same time. I won't have resolved the cam tensioner chain follower D-chunk intermix problems but I will have done SOMETHING. If the engine blows, then I'll park it until I decide what to do about it. The LS3 conversion is not my first choice. But it might look cool with the plastic GTO engine covers. Perfect donor car: 2006, rear end collision, total/salvage, red, under $10,000. Sobering thought.

And the LS motor has room to grow, gets better fuel mileage, has way more torque and with the engine cover closed no one will know. Actually, even with the engine cover open most people wouldn't know.

look at the pics of the conversion, the LS motor might even be easier to work on. It uses the same mufflers. Want to really upgrade it, get the dry-sume Z06 motor, and if that's not over the top enough go for the new dry-sump, supercharged ZR1 motor.

I like my motor, and when it's clutch time I'll probably upgrade the IMS bearing but conversions sure do look tempting, especially for a car with a blown motor.

better fuel mileage? does it make the air cleaner too?

I wonder how it might handle differently?

Massive oversteer when the back-end breaks loose from the V8 torque/horsepower. The video indicated the V8 engine has similar weight and distribution as a stock 996 engine so shouldn't be that much different.

LSX engines are great engines. I know this from personal experience.

If you go with a V8 then what's the best is you can tell you smug Prius friends you're driving a "hybrid" too!

I think it's interesting -- esp. if you have a blown motor. However: Handling -- the center of gravity will be higher (it's important not to underestimate the impact of this). He was quick to give you numbers for hp, but glossed over the weight difference. Who knows what "nearly the same weight" is in his eyes -- if they ever actually weighed the car. The driving in the video was more what an 18 y/o would do -- down a straight road or squealing tires in a parking lot. So, expect the car to have more 70's or 80's handling (a bit more tail-happy). If you combine this with increased power which can be used to steer the car, it could be more entertaining than a stock na 996...but may be slower due to its handling. Testimonials - I read through the testimonials on the site and couldn't find any 996 ones. I also did a number of google searches, checked 6-speed, Pelican, etc. -- and could not find a single post by anyone who said, I've done the Renegade conversion to my 996 and it's great (or here are the best parts, here's where it can be improved). So, at $27-30k (if you have them do the conversion), unknown handling and questionable resale value of your car -- it could be great entertainment....or.... (better for them than you). It would seem in their best interest to get their 996 customers to post on some of the major forums. If your car is in good shape and you got a good price for your na 996, would $27-30k get you into a factory turbo with a known value, handling and resale market? Doing the conversion yourself would change the cost equation, but not handling or resale. It still is interesting.

So you guys are serious about replacing the Porsche engine for a Chevy? Granted the IMS problem makes the flat 6 a real POS, it just wouldnt be the same car with a Chevy in it.

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I think it's a valid option. Given what our cars are worth and the cost to replace the engine I'm sure if many of us were staring at a seven-figure repair bill we'd at least evaluate all of the options. The 996 is never going to be considered a classic so if you're just a plain old gearhead why not?

Well, my next comment ought to draw some real hate mail... Think hard about this... How many Corvette guys are itching to put a Porsche motor in their car? ANY Porsche motor. None? Is that because they believe they already have the stronger and more reliable motor in their car? As for the handling of the 996 with the Aluminum block V-8, I would think it would handle just like a 996 GT2. Two wheel drive, perhaps way too much power for the size of car for street use, and a very tender throttle control situation. Look back at your old EXCELLENCE magazines and see what the comments were about the GT2's and also the early 930's. Or just take all your V8 engine swap/996 engine replacement money and buy this: http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false Just sayin'

no thanks.

My feeling as well. I think the car is fugly. Just making conversation, since we are talking about stuff that anyone reading this thread in this Forum on this website is unlikely to do anyway.

All their billet parts and conversion parts come out to around $6500. And a brand new crate LS1 would probably run about $5k. And since its an LS1 I would probably go used for under $3k. So in the long run, I'm looking at under $9-$12k in parts. Most likely I will do the labor myself, or as much of it as I can, and call it a day. Works for me but maybe not for you. Either way I'm happy.

If mine went this would have been my route!

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According to the gm performance parts website, an LS6 from a 2004 Z06 weighs in at 464 lbs., and makes 405 hp. The later LS weights are not listed. Should be "similar"...

Fwiw, if a conversion starts at just north of $8k, then a LS 996 that recently sold under $11k on fleabay seemed like a steal. Also to note, an older 911(964?) with LS conversion also sold for a little over $10k recently. Somebody mentioned resale earlier and I thought this point was interesting.