Club Sport Article
10-23-2004, 01:43 AM
#31
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Originally Posted by ljd-924SE
...starting with a slightly used boxster S, one could easily add a tweaked 3.6L and a bilstein PSS-9 suspension...
The simplest conversion is the 3.4L from the early 996 into the pre-egas Boxster is the easiest.
See https://rennlist.com/forums/boxster-and-boxster-s-986-forum/93812-possible-to-install-a-996-3-4-or-3-6-engine.html for details...
And according to some folks on that thread, it can be done for ~$15K parts & labor.
So...
Original high mileage 1997 Boxster = $20K
3.4L engine conversion = $15K
Suspension, wheels, tires = $5K
Total = $40K
Hmmm....
Karl.
10-23-2004, 02:46 PM
#33
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Hi Damian,
It is interesting... I think that if I had the nickle to go the 3.4L conversion route, I'd probably pony up just a bit more as follows:
High mileage 1997 Boxster = $20K
3.4L engine conversion = $15K
Suspension, wheels, tires = $5K
Cosmetics (e.g. RUF front spoiler) = $5K
Murphy's law (which would definitely strike since I'm Irish!) = $5K
So the total is actually more like $50K (but some of that cost is optional)
For that, you get a mid-engined, sweet handling, 296-bhp car - and if you're judicious with the cosmetics, a nice looking one as well (IMO).
Its just a pity that '97 Boxster interiors are not great in terms of quality, though you might get lucky and pick up one that has the full leather interior.
Just out of curiousty, I called Parts Heaven to see what a used 3.4L 996 motors cost. They had none in stock right now, but they said that they're easy to get as they get wrecked 996s all the time (hmm... Clayton's argument is looking stronger and stronger
).
The last 3.4L motor they sold (complete with ECU, etc.) was $6K. It had 30K miles on it.
Karl.
It is interesting... I think that if I had the nickle to go the 3.4L conversion route, I'd probably pony up just a bit more as follows:
High mileage 1997 Boxster = $20K
3.4L engine conversion = $15K
Suspension, wheels, tires = $5K
Cosmetics (e.g. RUF front spoiler) = $5K
Murphy's law (which would definitely strike since I'm Irish!) = $5K
So the total is actually more like $50K (but some of that cost is optional)
For that, you get a mid-engined, sweet handling, 296-bhp car - and if you're judicious with the cosmetics, a nice looking one as well (IMO).
Its just a pity that '97 Boxster interiors are not great in terms of quality, though you might get lucky and pick up one that has the full leather interior.
Just out of curiousty, I called Parts Heaven to see what a used 3.4L 996 motors cost. They had none in stock right now, but they said that they're easy to get as they get wrecked 996s all the time (hmm... Clayton's argument is looking stronger and stronger
).The last 3.4L motor they sold (complete with ECU, etc.) was $6K. It had 30K miles on it.
Karl.
10-23-2004, 03:57 PM
#35
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when i came up with the $60K figure for the 3.6L boxster, i was starting with an "S" platform (more expensive) in order to ensure the e-gas which would make the 3.6L swap more feasible as opposed to the 3.4L without e-gas. also, the "S" platform includes bigger brakes from the 996 and the 6-speed trans, which i expect would match the power curve of the variocam 996 engines a little better.
but it is very true that you can start with an early non-S boxster and go with a non-e-gas 3.4 for under $40K. i would just prefer the 6-speed and larger brakes for DE's, and since the "S" has the e-gas, you might as well upgrade to the 3.6L while your at it.
but it is very true that you can start with an early non-S boxster and go with a non-e-gas 3.4 for under $40K. i would just prefer the 6-speed and larger brakes for DE's, and since the "S" has the e-gas, you might as well upgrade to the 3.6L while your at it.
10-23-2004, 06:07 PM
#36
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Its definitely a case of getting what you pay for... And starting with an 'S' gives you a better platform for sure.
Considering the later platforms have egas, I wonder is there a way to hook up the new 3.8L from the 997S?
Karl.
Considering the later platforms have egas, I wonder is there a way to hook up the new 3.8L from the 997S?
Karl.
10-23-2004, 08:12 PM
#37
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What made the 3.4L conversion so attractive was that you could buy a new engine from Porsche for approx $7k +/-. At the beginning of this year the factory caught on and increased the price for the 3.4L engine considerably, from what I understand.
With some tweeking you can wring close to 275 HP out of the "S" 3.2 engine. Unless you've ruined your Boxster "S" engine (upgrade time), it hardly makes sense to transplant a 3.4L into the "S" platform. But, if you can shoehorn a 3.6L into that chassis - WOW! The 3.4L is a tight fit and I would imagine that a 3.6 leaves no room at all in the Boxster engine bay.
I've seen these conversions on the track and, as you'd suspect, adding HP to a terrific handling chassis makes for a very fast track car. Considering the growing availability of used Boxsters I see this Porsche becoming one of the more popular club track cars in coming years and supplanting the 944 as the entry car for young P-car afecionados.
Richard
With some tweeking you can wring close to 275 HP out of the "S" 3.2 engine. Unless you've ruined your Boxster "S" engine (upgrade time), it hardly makes sense to transplant a 3.4L into the "S" platform. But, if you can shoehorn a 3.6L into that chassis - WOW! The 3.4L is a tight fit and I would imagine that a 3.6 leaves no room at all in the Boxster engine bay.
I've seen these conversions on the track and, as you'd suspect, adding HP to a terrific handling chassis makes for a very fast track car. Considering the growing availability of used Boxsters I see this Porsche becoming one of the more popular club track cars in coming years and supplanting the 944 as the entry car for young P-car afecionados.
Richard
10-25-2004, 07:31 AM
#38
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Hmmm, so if there's a 5 second gap at VIR, that would make the gap about 7.5 seconds (a very rough approximation) at Eastern Creek due to the lap length of 2.44 miles. So a 1:33 becomes a 1:41 or so. That's about a second a lap difference to the amateur times I posted a link to. Consider that a professional would take a second or so off that and you're right on the money.
It's amazing how this sort of relativity exercise always adds up. If I was one of those GT3 supersprint guys who was doing 1:42, I'd reasonably be looking for 1 more second!
Clayton
It's amazing how this sort of relativity exercise always adds up. If I was one of those GT3 supersprint guys who was doing 1:42, I'd reasonably be looking for 1 more second!
Clayton
