Porsche 944 Levels Up With LS3 Power: Track Time Tuesday
In order to form a more perfect union, 1986 Porsche 944 Turbo gets a boost of LS.
We would be hard pressed to find an auto enthusiast who didn’t think that Porsche is an impossibly beautiful car. Porsche has been an industry leader in groundbreaking design and engineering. And let’s face it, they have built a reputation and a legacy on their signature performance, style, and luxury. Yeah, when it comes to Porsche, there’s not a lot that needs to be changed.
However…that doesn’t mean that Porsche couldn’t use a few upgrades.
Enter the LS3. The small block engine under the hood of the C6 Corvette delivers a haymaker of revving muscle.
Is pairing a luxury German sports car with American muscle work a meeting of the minds or is it an odd couple? And more importantly, can two makes share an car without driving each other crazy?
The Stuttgart Brute
The 1986 Porsche 944 Turbo behind the swap belongs to Will of Autodromo Racing and Development. His car was recently featured on Roads Untraveled.
First off, the 944 is an excellent candidate for a LS swap. When it was released, it housed a 2.5 L four-cylinder engine, producing 220 bhp. Sporty styling details such as a lush interior, slick aero lines, and pop-up headlights are standouts throughout the 944 Turbo. It is just a tasty 1980s decadent sports car, from its superior performance to its eyeglass-fogging looks. Plus–it’s a manual!
Enter The Dragon
Choosing the 6.2L LS3 from a 2010 C6 Corvette was very smart as both the ‘Vette and the Porsche are front-engined. Watching the clip, you can hear, see, and practically feel the difference. Power and performance are boosted, seeing gains of now 500 horsepower.
Host Marcus says the simple swap turns “this old 944 into an insane modern and capable driving experience that might even be better than the factory car.”
Big claims, but the LS meets the challenge, naturally.
Not only does the Porsche 944 Turbo (not turbo) increase the power and torque, it retains the weight distribution. Watching the video it sounds oh-so-good, and handles exceptionally.
Whether this LS Porsche 944 hits the race track or the highway, it is a vast improvement. Plus, the LS platform will ultimately prove easier and cheaper to maintain down the line.
As we are left with the footage of a classic 1980s Porsche 944 roaring down the road, it reminds us–yet again–LS swap everything.
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