Carpokes

Been doing lots of reading, but I'm still not ultra clear on this one...

I'm seeing lots of cars (especially early models) with bad/unknown engines. And some are priced to sell! However, the engine is usually a giant question mark as far as condition is concerned.

I've got access to a stellar '88 944S power train for a very fair deal. Can I make that engine swap without pulling all of my hair out?

Is it straightforward enough?

I know the DME lives in different places on the earlier cars vs later models. It's there a good workaround that some of you have discovered?

What other pitfalls might I be up against?

I didn't mind tackling the swap, as long as I know ahead of time what to pay attention to. It's doing the swap THEN discovering something that I didn't see coming - that's what I'm trying to avoid!

Anyone able to speak to this swap as an option? Might make my 944 options more reasonable for my wallet. Hopefully.

Thanks in advance!

I can’t say for sure but I’ve had the same idea. Normally it’s a lot of work I think because wiring and brain issues. I know the dme brain for both are different so it’s probably not as easy as a straight swap. I have an 87 944s and a 924S and I’ve dreamed of having g the S engine my 24 but I don’t feel up to the change. For me I’d goto edradas online on a weekend when he has a live YouTube chat or call Dave or Ian at 944online because if anyone they would have heard about this. Probably doesn’t happen a lot because 944S engines just stay with the car and if someone is super hungery for power they’d probably drop an American engine in.

I think it would be a nightmare - mainly because of wiring. The engine should actually bolt up (motor mounts, torque tube, etc), but actually getting it to run and have working gauges would be a huge pain to sort out. Probably need the transaxle from the newer/more powerful car as well. If you're going to go through all that, I would do an LS (more power) or 07K (mini lambo sounds) swap.

Sure it can be done The more wiring you get from the S the easier it will be, but either way I'm sure you'll need to sort out plenty... wiring, fuel lines, oil coolers, etc., etc. Much easier/cheaper/faster to just find a running car.

As others have said wiring will be an issue, the 16V cars have a different ignition setup, with a separate ignitor, much of the wiring for this is run through the body harness so its not just a matter of interfacing a couple of wires to the engine harness.

The drawings are readily available so it would be possible to work out of you're that way inclined.

Or you could go stand alone and ditch the dizzy and build a custom engine harness with COP ignition.

I think I'm sufficiently scared off from attempting this swap. Too many unknowns, with countless opportunities to derail the entire project. I don't need anything that involved!

vintage_mpg wrote: Tue Sep 09, 2025 8:22 pm I think I'm sufficiently scared off from attempting this swap. Too many unknowns, with countless opportunities to derail the entire project. I don't need anything that involved!

If you have the S DME and engine harness with it this would not be a big deal. Id take on the project in a second. Most you would have to splice would be some power wires that wernt there in the early car harness.

It will go in easily, you will need all the attendant supplies engine harness, dme ( or a stand alone) exhaust.....