Porsche 944 (or 924) engine swap?

[chuckle-bus-tom]

I have become a little obsessed with the notion of shoehorning a 2.5 or 3.0 porsche 944 engine in my van to replac the 1.9 DG but exstensive googling is still drawing some blanks. I know this will spoil my engine hatch, and will need some bracketry, but there is space and scope for this. However, I can't find out

1. The actual dimensions of the Porsche lump
2. The gearbox requirement (whether I need to buy a full donor car)
3. Cooling requirements
4. How to do it!

I've seen german youtubeage of porsche T25s, and there were factory show vans, so I guess it can be done. I generally want a big powerful van, but Want to stay german as I feel sick at the idea of sticking a japaneese engine in it. T25 with meaningful Porsche badges on equals very cool in my world.

[poshbuggers]

The 924/44 uses an Audi pattern bellhousing as originally the 924 was designed by Porsche for Audi to produce.

You should be able to bolt a 924/44 engine to a South African bellhousing but I believe there are issues related to the starter motor position.

[chuckle-bus-tom]

Thanks for the reply, I'll look into that. I knew the 924 was predominately made of VAG parts, but have read the 944 is more of a Porsche engineered lump. Either way, the Audi bellhousing info corresponds to the few other bits of info I have found.

With regards to the starter motor position, surely it can tuck in somewhere? Especially as I'll have to fashion an extension tower for the engine hatch?

[Damien]

944 engines vary with age started off with a audi made lump then went porshe powered.

[poshbuggers]

The 924/924 Turbo engines were extensively developed versions of the VW/Audi 2.0l LT derived block.

The later 924S/944/944 Turbo engines were completely re-engineered 2.5 and 3.0l units with twin cam heads, depending on the model. These are a true Porsche engine as opposed to a 'development'.

All of the 24/44 series engines are strong and reliable if looked after, regardless of heritage.

[chuckle-bus-tom]

Hence why I put 924 in brackets at the top! I'd like a 944 lump so I can swap my VW badges for Porsche ones! Looking for a donor car now, which seem to be cheaper than a 'new' WBX from elite! Should be able to recoup costs by breaking the rest of the car too, as harsh as that is.

[eatcustard]

If you want power, why not a turbo scooby?

Would it not be much eaiser and more powerful?

[waltraud]

A 'new' one from Elite will only be new to you, several other owners will have had bits of your engine before you but it will be painted nicely. Surely cheaper and possibly easier to do something like a (German) 2ltr 8v gti engine- torque and speed? Tim

[poshbuggers]

Engine information for the 944:

http://www.porschepassion.com/944.htm

[faggie]

there used to be one in leeds a few years ago with a 944 engine fitted he used to break t3 vans

[silverbullet]

Jumping across from another topic to rejoin the conversation...you're welcome to look around my 2.6 SA anytime to help decide what engine you should really be considering

[chuckle-bus-tom]

Cheers mate. Up and down the A3 now and again as Guildford is my hometown and my parents now live in Godalming. I also get tattood by John Nott at Trollspeil in stoughton.

A friends brother is selling an 87 944 that's just had an engine rebuild, so thinking about that. It's got origional Fuchs alloys which polished and sold on would raise alot of funds for the rebuild! I only want the mechanics, looms, steering wheel and badges. Seems a shame breaking a car like that, but I'm sure I'll sleep at night!

Failing that, eyes peeled for a boxster.