NSAneon’s 1983 Porsche 944

To whom it may concern - Who makes Porsches anyway? Brakes by Brembo & ATE, Seats by Recarro, Instruments by VDO, Electrics by Bosche, Carburetors by Weber & Solex, Turbochargers by KKK, Shocks & Struts by Bilstein, Koni & Boge, Synchronisers by Borg-Warner, Wheels by Fuches, Bodies by Barth & Karmann? Need I go on? I wonder if Porsche manufacturers anything for their cars? Are the Porsches you see at the races "pure" Porsches? Are their engines, chassis, suspension, etc. what you can buy at the Porsche store? Tell me about the upgrades made to all racing Porsches, including factory cars? Fiberglass or Carbon-fiber body parts, Suspension upgrades, Steering wheels, Seat belts, Roll cages, Wheels and tires, Lexan windows, etc. What makes you think your "recipe" is "correct"? Why can't my "recipe" be just as "correct"? Does a Porsche have to remain just like it was manufactured? Why didn't the manufacturer (designer & assembler, if you will) let the car remain just like it was manufactured, I mean assembled, instead of changing it every year? Yes, planned obsolescence was a big reason, but didn't they improve it too? Therefore, isn't my improvement approved by the manufacturer, I mean designer & assembler? I haven't heard from Porsche on this matter! Only people like you.

Believe it or not, you are looking at a 52 dollar pigtail.  This is the VSS sensor pigtail and provides speed input to the PCM/Speedometer.  I hope, for the price, my car produces 50 more horsepower........   06 October 2008 -  Thank you very much for all of your support in recognizing my project 944/LS1 conversion as being worthy as being Showoff of the Week!  I really appreciate the support, and hope to represent the guy out there that is building his dream car out of his own garage as he finds the time (between kids homework, mowing the lawn, and the daily 9-5).

21 April 2012 - BWI Airport Parking Lot2nd run of the new season. Had difficulty with short shifter and getting into 2nd gear, have since adjusted the linkage so this should not be a problem again. Got a little smoke going on from the tires as I headed down the lot after a nice turn. Got to whip the tail end around going back up the hill - this car is a blast to drive!!  944/LSX @ 042112 Chesapeake PCA Autocross Run #2   944/LSX @ 042112 Chesapeake PCA Autocross Run #3  06 May 2012 - SCCA WDCA Solo at FedEx FieldFirst time running with these guys and had a great time.  They used several lots from the field - so the course was humongous!!  In this video, I was well on my way to improving my fastest run of 73.15 seconds, but carried too much speed in the final slalom and got sideways.  Despite the spin, I managed to stay clean - I'll be back out there for the next event.  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12 May 2012 - Chesapeake PCA Autocross Event at Baltimore-Washington International AirportHad a great day!  Fastest time came during a re-run that I earned.  Running with lower tire pressures on the Nitto drag radials (26 PSI) - think I'm getting the grip and handling that I have been looking for.  Sporting the new IFC Racing hood scoop to help deal with engine temps.  In the car cam you'll see the Cardomain.com decal that I won in a Cardomain.com photo contest.944/LSX at 12 May Chesapeake PCA Autocross Event ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------03 June 2012 - WDCR SCCA Event at FedEx FieldRough day!  Really challenging course, that kept me from getting anything!  Saw this event as another learning experience.

To complete the 'total pacakge' I guess now would be the time to upgrade/replace the 23 year old suspension that the car has had since its first mile. Decided to go with a coilover package from Koni for the front struts and Koni sport shocks for the rear. 25 years of wear and rust made getting these beasts out quite a pain! Thank goodness for PB spray, I never would have gotten some of those bolts off!! '83 to '85 944s were equipped with cartridge-type struts that allow for easy replacement/rebuilding. Pretty sad the force of gravity caused the strut to contract on its own. After several minutes under the sandblaster, all that rust and grime is gone - ready for Koni Yellow! Nasty, 25 year old shock on the left - ewwwwww; brand new, fresh Koni shock on the right - yummmmmm!

Had to remove the seat to get some room. Not to mention, with the leaky sunroof and hatchback, this car is definetly going to get a new interior. Remember the 'warped' dashboard? Check the following photos out. Friends should not let friends try dashboard 'reconditioning' alone. Well . . . . . Out with the old . . . . . I curse that darned mouse that tried making a nest behind the glovebox! BLEAHHHHH!! Picked up a replacement dashboard up from DCAuto.com for 180 bucks - the guys there also did a good job at patching many of the cracks, but I also needed to upgrade my instrument cluster because I would like to use an electrical speedometer instead of the stock unit. Unfortunately, the Autometer gauges are smaller than the stock units so I couldn't use them in the 944 instrument cluster. Here is my feeble attempt at coming up with my own cluster. Placement of gauges and 'dummy' lights. Using cut PVC pipe to angle the gauges. While this looks good as is with the stainless steel, it's not finished yet. Covering the steel and angle PVC with stretchy cotton fabric that was then covered with fiberglass resin. After the resin dried, I sanded then put metal glaze on, then sanded. Krylon Ultra Flat Black paint completes the look - I'm missing a voltmeter though.

Door Poppers Picked these up off eBay for a little over a hundred bucks. Quite a bargain considering the same product from Autoloc/ Protocol goes for about $250  Here is the outer side of the door after I removed the door handles - not bad, eh?  Decided not to use the cable that the Autoloc kit provided (the silver thread-like cable), but instead used a bronze rod Drilled a hole in the larger portion of the door release mechanism and created a hook for the rod to be bent into. Here shots of the solenoid in the door - it's a little close when the window is down, but it functions quite nicely

UPDATE - RH stopped kit support for the LT1 engine. This forced me to search for a replacement engine. Thanks to CRAIGSLIST, I found another. A 1999 LS1 with only 15,000 miles on it. Hope it runs as good as it looks!! 5.7L Corvette Powerplant preparing itself for the first parts of the conversion - engine mounts and oil pan/pickup. Oilpan removed to access pickup - need to replace this Pickup replaced with RH unit. RH Oilpan installed along with Energy Suspension (not RH) engine mounts. No throttle cables here! Going to use the Corvette 'Drive-by-Wire' throttle capability. Provides precise throttle and cruise control without alot of other hardware.

06 October 2008 -  Recognized as SOTW by the Cardomain.com Community!!  Thanks to everyone who has supported/voted over the past couple years.  Evidently, the folks at Cardomain.com wait until a project is completed, but it appears that my project is worthy of recognition in its unfinished state.  Don't know if I can call this historic, but it sure is humbling to be chosen out of such a wide and outstanding field of rides!  Special shout outs to the guys at 944hybids.com and militarytuners.com for all of the support through the years.  I am glad to be representing those of us who are building our dream cars on a family budget out of his own garage as he finds the time between helping with kid's homework, mowing the lawn, and the daily 9-5.  IN THE BEGINNINGWell, here's the patient - a 1983 Porsche 944 Coupe. I bought it in 2006 off EBay for a paltry $1850. At first, I thought I had gotten a pretty good deal, but then a rattling noise came from the engine compartment that ended up being a totally shot passenger-side engine mount. Since the engine had 128,000 miles on, and was blowing significant oil. I knew I was going to be looking at a significant investment on engine work. Having done my homework in advance, I knew the 944 was notoriously underpowered, and decided to go for an OVERHAULIN' style restoration (without the pranks), and a Small Block Chevy Conversion. After watching Bullrun, I believe my project car would be a perfect entry - from the outside, everyone would think it's the typical lightweight 944 - maybe a turbo; but underneath, it's really a 380HP heavyweight with the handling capabilities of a car made famous for its 50/50 weight distribution. May not be running yet, but stay tuned! That day is not far off! Some of you have asked why put an Americian engine in a German car - well it's simple: I like the 944, but getting parts for the engine (especially performance parts) are next to impossible (or impossibly priced). The LS1 conversion is a logical choice - both from a financial and performance point of view. My in-laws are German, and they think it's amazing that a Corvette engine fits in a Porsche and are really excited to see the car on the road!!!

To complete the 'total pacakge' I guess now would be the time to upgrade/replace the 23 year old suspension that the car has had since its first mile. Decided to go with a coilover package from Koni for the front struts and Koni sport shocks for the rear. 25 years of wear and rust made getting these beasts out quite a pain! Thank goodness for PB spray, I never would have gotten some of those bolts off!! '83 to '85 944s were equipped with cartridge-type struts that allow for easy replacement/rebuilding. Pretty sad the force of gravity caused the strut to contract on its own. After several minutes under the sandblaster, all that rust and grime is gone - ready for Koni Yellow! Nasty, 25 year old shock on the left - ewwwwww; brand new, fresh Koni shock on the right - yummmmmm!

Door Poppers Picked these up off eBay for a little over a hundred bucks. Quite a bargain considering the same product from Autoloc/ Protocol goes for about $250  Here is the outer side of the door after I removed the door handles - not bad, eh?  Decided not to use the cable that the Autoloc kit provided (the silver thread-like cable), but instead used a bronze rod Drilled a hole in the larger portion of the door release mechanism and created a hook for the rod to be bent into. Here shots of the solenoid in the door - it's a little close when the window is down, but it functions quite nicely

Had to remove the seat to get some room. Not to mention, with the leaky sunroof and hatchback, this car is definetly going to get a new interior. Remember the 'warped' dashboard? Check the following photos out. Friends should not let friends try dashboard 'reconditioning' alone. Well . . . . . Out with the old . . . . . I curse that darned mouse that tried making a nest behind the glovebox! BLEAHHHHH!! Picked up a replacement dashboard up from DCAuto.com for 180 bucks - the guys there also did a good job at patching many of the cracks, but I also needed to upgrade my instrument cluster because I would like to use an electrical speedometer instead of the stock unit. Unfortunately, the Autometer gauges are smaller than the stock units so I couldn't use them in the 944 instrument cluster. Here is my feeble attempt at coming up with my own cluster. Placement of gauges and 'dummy' lights. Using cut PVC pipe to angle the gauges. While this looks good as is with the stainless steel, it's not finished yet. Covering the steel and angle PVC with stretchy cotton fabric that was then covered with fiberglass resin. After the resin dried, I sanded then put metal glaze on, then sanded. Krylon Ultra Flat Black paint completes the look - I'm missing a voltmeter though.

....and when the air clears time for another coat This is what happens when you are not careful when you shake the paintcan too close to the car (and the lid is not on tight). ARRRGHHH!!!! Tried wiping the paint - bad idea . . . . . But after several hours of sanding and more (expensive) paint, it's as good as new. CLEARCOAT . . . . First time out of the garage in nearly a year in new paint! Time for sanding and buffing (hoping the birds don't notice)

UPDATE - RH stopped kit support for the LT1 engine. This forced me to search for a replacement engine. Thanks to CRAIGSLIST, I found another. A 1999 LS1 with only 15,000 miles on it. Hope it runs as good as it looks!! 5.7L Corvette Powerplant preparing itself for the first parts of the conversion - engine mounts and oil pan/pickup. Oilpan removed to access pickup - need to replace this Pickup replaced with RH unit. RH Oilpan installed along with Energy Suspension (not RH) engine mounts. No throttle cables here! Going to use the Corvette 'Drive-by-Wire' throttle capability. Provides precise throttle and cruise control without alot of other hardware.

'98 Corvette LS1 w/DBW Engine SwapCustom 3" ExhaustMagnaflow MufflerCustom LS1 Hugger HeadersSchott Short Shift KitKoni Coilover Suspension UpgradeM030 Sway Bar UpgradeWillwood Big Brake Kit (front)Porsche 968 Calipers (rear)Tilton Proportioning ValveSPARCO Chrono Road SeatsSPARCO 4-Point Cam Lock HarnessesSPARCO Naxos Steering Wheel  IFC Racing Widebody KitIFC Racing 944 Carerra NoseIFC Racing 'European' Style HatchIFC Racing Rear SpoilerWork Meister 3P Wheels 18x12(R) 18x10(F)Nitto NT555R Tires 315/30R18(R) 285/30R18(F)DuPont Hot Hues (HHM-6400) Hot Rod Black Paint

To complete the 'total pacakge' I guess now would be the time to upgrade/replace the 23 year old suspension that the car has had since its first mile. Decided to go with a coilover package from Koni for the front struts and Koni sport shocks for the rear. 25 years of wear and rust made getting these beasts out quite a pain! Thank goodness for PB spray, I never would have gotten some of those bolts off!! '83 to '85 944s were equipped with cartridge-type struts that allow for easy replacement/rebuilding. Pretty sad the force of gravity caused the strut to contract on its own. After several minutes under the sandblaster, all that rust and grime is gone - ready for Koni Yellow! Nasty, 25 year old shock on the left - ewwwwww; brand new, fresh Koni shock on the right - yummmmmm!

....and when the air clears time for another coat This is what happens when you are not careful when you shake the paintcan too close to the car (and the lid is not on tight). ARRRGHHH!!!! Tried wiping the paint - bad idea . . . . . But after several hours of sanding and more (expensive) paint, it's as good as new. CLEARCOAT . . . . First time out of the garage in nearly a year in new paint! Time for sanding and buffing (hoping the birds don't notice)

Door Poppers Picked these up off eBay for a little over a hundred bucks. Quite a bargain considering the same product from Autoloc/ Protocol goes for about $250  Here is the outer side of the door after I removed the door handles - not bad, eh?  Decided not to use the cable that the Autoloc kit provided (the silver thread-like cable), but instead used a bronze rod Drilled a hole in the larger portion of the door release mechanism and created a hook for the rod to be bent into. Here shots of the solenoid in the door - it's a little close when the window is down, but it functions quite nicely

Had to remove the seat to get some room. Not to mention, with the leaky sunroof and hatchback, this car is definetly going to get a new interior. Remember the 'warped' dashboard? Check the following photos out. Friends should not let friends try dashboard 'reconditioning' alone. Well . . . . . Out with the old . . . . . I curse that darned mouse that tried making a nest behind the glovebox! BLEAHHHHH!! Picked up a replacement dashboard up from DCAuto.com for 180 bucks - the guys there also did a good job at patching many of the cracks, but I also needed to upgrade my instrument cluster because I would like to use an electrical speedometer instead of the stock unit. Unfortunately, the Autometer gauges are smaller than the stock units so I couldn't use them in the 944 instrument cluster. Here is my feeble attempt at coming up with my own cluster. Placement of gauges and 'dummy' lights. Using cut PVC pipe to angle the gauges. While this looks good as is with the stainless steel, it's not finished yet. Covering the steel and angle PVC with stretchy cotton fabric that was then covered with fiberglass resin. After the resin dried, I sanded then put metal glaze on, then sanded. Krylon Ultra Flat Black paint completes the look - I'm missing a voltmeter though.

UPDATE - RH stopped kit support for the LT1 engine. This forced me to search for a replacement engine. Thanks to CRAIGSLIST, I found another. A 1999 LS1 with only 15,000 miles on it. Hope it runs as good as it looks!! 5.7L Corvette Powerplant preparing itself for the first parts of the conversion - engine mounts and oil pan/pickup. Oilpan removed to access pickup - need to replace this Pickup replaced with RH unit. RH Oilpan installed along with Energy Suspension (not RH) engine mounts. No throttle cables here! Going to use the Corvette 'Drive-by-Wire' throttle capability. Provides precise throttle and cruise control without alot of other hardware.