engine swapping

[m.zantides]

Hey guys!!

I'm currently really unhappy [] had my engine die the other day, hydraulic lifters valves and cylinder four died.

So I have a quick question has any body done an engine swap on a 86 944 from the 8 valve to 16 valve S engine, and if so what the heck do I need to make sure I get.

Or is their some where were I can find full instruction guide on how to do it?

I mean i have been looking it over and I currently don't believe that its worth the cost rebuilding my engine due to the cost for the parts.

I'm really deep in it this time and its depressing the life out of me, I want my baby back.

So guys any little bit of info that you can share with me will make my life so much better.


Thanks guys for all your help.

 

[os951]

It's more or less bolt on swap. Difficulties are mainly with spark controller unit which is only with 16V engines, so 8V engine room wiring harness does not have wires for it. You also need to have complete 16 V clutch & starter motor, 8V starter motor won't work.

 

[m.zantides]

Hey thanks Olli

Do you know any where were I can find a list of every thing that I am going to need?

Also do you know any where I can find a wiring diagram for this conversion?

Or do I need to do it the old fashion way can compare both the diagrams and find whats missing and add them.

Do you know if I will need to upgrade the breaking system as well?

Thanks for your insight so far.

[]

 

[nicksonmsport]

i have a complete s2 im breaking, it is coming apart tomorrow so i will have everything! needed for a conversion. let me know if your interested. the car has full porsche service history and 160k miles. thanks

 

[zcacogp]

Erm - advice: don't. If you want an S, buy an S. If you want an S2, buy an S2.

If the 8v engine in your lux has gone pop then put another 8v engine in it.

Never build what you can buy.


Oli.

 

[m.zantides]

Well I can't argue with your point of view Zcacogp, but I really really want to give my baby a heart transplant.

And I feel that the car should have the S upgrade.

However in the end I will probably end up rebuilding the engine.


Thanks guys for all your advice.


PS: Still waiting on some ones input on the wiring diagram for the conversion from 8v to 16v. [8D]

 

[Diver944]

Is this because engines are in short supply in Cyprus but you can get hold of a 16v easily?

If not then I would definately stick with the 8v you already have. There should be a reasonable supply of S/H engines over here, which would be the cheapest way to get your car going again. A rebuild will give you peace of mind for the next 20 years but it will be the most costly solution []

Really sorry to hear of your predicament

 

[Peter Empson]

In the UK I'd probably suggest that the insurance hassle would be a PITA and not to bother, but perhaps it's not such a worry where you are?

Do have a drive of an S before doing it though, it is quite a different engine in the way it delivers power and is not for everyone - I really like it on flowing A roads and the like, but it's not as good around town, so overall I wouldn't say it was better, just different. If you're keeping the standard 8v gearbox then I think that will help as the ratios are shorter than the S one (just remember that the 8v box can be a little fragile).

The 16v engines tend to lose power quite noticeably with age too, so probably worth budgeting for a top end refresh too.

 

[tom_babbs]

I have just finished putting a s2 engine into my 83 944 and it was a bit of a fiddle to do, the wiring was fairly straightforward, i spent a lot of time reading wiring diagrams for both the engine and the car and eventualy realized that the colours of most of the wires simply matched up.
There is not as much room around the engine and i still have to figure out how to connect a reasonable air filter up.
I had a horrible vibration coming through the steering wheel as the exhaust manifold was touching the steering column, i packed up one of the engine mounts to increase clearance which has cured this.
I have managed to get all of the standard guages to work apart from the fuel economy one (i could never see the point in that anyway)
The heater valve on my car will not turn the heater to cold which i need to sort out (not enough room between the engine and the bulkhead for full movement of the valve i could of choosen to have cold to medium or hot to medium)
The exhaust manifold flat mating surface was rotated so i had to cut the exhaust, turn it and weld it back together.
I purchased an engine with ecu and all of the wiring harness, air flow meter etc all from the s2, i also bought a brake servo from an s2 as it can sometimes touch the bigger engine (but i havent needed to change it)
I have not changed the gear box but i am considering this as a later upgrade.
I have probably missed several other difficulties out it is amazing how quickly the bad stuff faded when the car started up!
Most of these problems will not effect you as i believe the cars after 85 were different/more similar to the s2.

Dont be put off it can be done by an amateur with limited equipment and space, in the evenings and weekends (lots of them!) and boy does my car feel alive with the extra grunt!

Good luck which ever root you go down. Tom

 

[Jonny944CS]

Nice work Tom.

Will you be furnishing the original thread with some photos and info?

Would love to know how you got the rev counter working []