"needed to convert" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
For example, "I needed to convert the measurements from inches to centimeters before I could continue with my project."
CONS: Extensive renovations are needed to convert the building to modern living.
"It was a long time ago, and I would have needed to convert," he said.
Some spark of fellow-feeling is needed to convert intelligence into action.
It is needed to convert testosterone to the biologically active dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
It was the spark of the unexpected that Liverpool needed to convert their considerable possession into a lead.
Mr. Veitch said the cruise line was evaluating options for using the vessel and determining the extent of renovations needed to convert it to a cruise ship.
But Mr. Campbell said PBS stations would need help to raise the money needed to convert their signals to a digital format.
Many are being sold without the planning permission needed to convert them into residential homes, and as they are listed buildings it may be difficult to get.
With 4 minutes 20 seconds remaining and Wagner trailing, 14-6, the Falcons needed to convert on fourth-and-10 to still have a chance.
For one thing, modern farming is an energy-intensive business, and still more energy is needed to convert corn into ethanol.
At 100 °C, 540 calories per gram of water are needed to convert one gram of liquid water to one gram of water vapour under normal pressure.
