This 1985.5 Porsche 944 is no longer powered by the factory 2.5 L M44/40 inline-four. The owner swapped it for a built 2.2 L L61 Ecotec inline-four. The new engine features ported head, stainless valves, Supertech 94 lb springs, Eagle rods, Wiseco pistons, Comp XE246THR-13 camshafts, modified LNF intake manifold, Synapse turbo manifold, and Level Zero balance shaft delete kit. It makes 414 horsepower to the wheels on 18 psi from a BorgWarner EFR 7670 turbocharger and Microtech LT-9c ECU. The engine uses an Exedy flywheel and Spec pressure plate made for the Ecotec with a modified Porsche 944 clutch disc. That fits into a Quicktime Ecotec-to-T56 bellhousing with a custom adapter plate to connect to the torque tube. View more photos of the car in the build album.
Source: Steve T
Thanks for sharing my project, i was quite surprised to see it on my news feed. i have a full album of the swap, as well as all the suspension upgrades and everything else ive done with the car.
https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPXeYI2nyO85zn9AYwN8eX0i8XmnWht7QThjq8hZNE1UU2CwfyrUX6ml0E41CnlYg?key=TlA0ZHhGak8tcmJKMURqTW1ZLUVhT0F2S3NDZXZB
Thanks for sharing the build album. I am really enjoying going through it and seeing all the work. Great project!
I added some photos from your build album to the article.
I have to ask, why would you choose an ecotec motor? I am not very familiar with them.
mainly because i had a built one left over from a friends project. they are a very good performance engine, the factory turbo ones will make over 400 whp without opening them up. this one being the bottom of the line n/a engine needed a set of aftermarket rods and pistons, but they are happy supporting around 450 whp, past that a girdled block is needed. the girdled blocks have supported 900 whp with no issues, and gm ran these is the factory backed pro fwd and rwd drag cars at around 1400hp. currently the ecotec is the fastest 4 cylinder engine in the 1/4 mile, running a 6.29 at 223mph.
they are mostly overlooked, but really a strong, light 4 cylinder
Steve,
Beautiful job ! I’m obviously thinking about doing this myself, as that’s how I found the this page. I became enamored with the Ecotec platform after swapping out my 8 year old LAF 2.4 with 209k miles on it, for an LEA out of a wreck that only had 12k miles on it. Before that I was considering a rebuild and I watched several teardown videos and got to see the internal design. I was impressed by how far GM 4 cylinder design had progressed. My LAF was still running when I pulled it, and I think I probably could have gotten away with a valve job, timing chain and new rings to squeeze another 100k+ out of it. I felt that the Ecotec seems like such a natural replacement for this Porsche engine since I think it preserves, or may improve, the handling characteristics because of its weight. I’d like to get an update on your driving experience, and read more about the transmission. Anyway, I’ll look through your album.
Did you have the parts made or is there somewhere they can be purchased?
All the parts were custom made, although a few things i did have water jet cut so i do have CAD drawing for a few things. i didnt think there would be anyone else doing this swap, so building a “swap kit” is just too expensive to do as it would require jigs to be made for a number of fabricated parts.
Would you be willing to sell me copys of the cad drawings?
I had the same idea and a couple of Google searches led me here. I’m assuming you had to fab a bellhousing. I’m tempted to just go w/ a boring LS swap and use a Corvette driveline instead of staying w/ a stock porsche trans. Good work!
Hi quick question, what crank shaft was used for this build? the cast 2.2 or was a eagle forged crank used? or was it swapped to an LSJ forged crank shaft? thanks!
Good evening,
How has the t56 conversion worked out? pros and cons?
Thanks