LS-swapped Porsche 944 Will Rattle Purists…and the Gravel

Running on a LS3 platform, this IMSA Porsche racer is a genius build, that might drive some people crazy. 

No offense to the pure Flat-Six-hearted fans, but we think this Porsche is pretty amazing. We came across the 1989 Porsche 944 on our partner site, Rennlist. At first we were drawn in by her good looks, but then we discovered she had a shocking secret: she had an LS3 engine!

Now, we know that there are Porsche purists who just stopped reading there. Some true-blue Porsche fans find the idea of taking out that gorgeous powerplant from Stuttgart. But, we kind of like it. An LS swap offers many advantages, especially for a race car, drifter, or track demon. As we discovered at this year’s LS Fest the platform delivers a lot of power.

Seller jremke gave us the lowdown on the Porsche.

944 S2 street car converted to race by Kelly Moss for IMSA Firehawk series. Car was retubbed in 2005 and concerted to LS3 power with a GM crate engine in 2014. Dry sump oil tank, rear wing and splitter, MCS adjustable shocks,race conversion steering rack with new control arms, 951 transaxle with Guard LSD with electric cooling, Willwood pedal box, adjustable brake bias, Sparco seat, Coolshirt system, new fire suppression plumbed system, AIM MXG race dash, 3 sets Forgeline 18″ wheels, digital radios and new paint and livery in 2018. Only 5 hours on engine.

Would you be interested in a LS3 powered Porsche? Or is it blasphemy? And more importantly, is it blasphemy that could dominate the track?

Photo: Rennlist

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S.J. Bryan

Longtime automotive journalist S.J. Bryan has been covering the automotive industry for over five years and is an editor with Ford Truck Enthusiasts and regular contributor to F-150 Online, Harley-Davidson Forums, and The Mustang Source, among other popular auto sites.

Bryan first discovered her passion for all things automotive while riding in her parent's 1968 Ford Mustang. The automotive expert cut her teeth growing up riding on Harleys, and her first car was a Chevy Nova. Despite her lead foot, Bryan has yet to receive a speeding ticket.

The award-winning former playwright was first published at age 18. She has worked extensively as a writer and editor for a number of lifestyle and pop culture publications. The diehard gearhead is a big fan of American muscle cars, sixth-gen Ford trucks, and Oxford commas.

S.J. can be reached at sherryjbry@gmail.com.