Anyone actually do a 3.8 conversion yet?
 

Would love to know results and comments?

Anyone buy one of FL GTRs?

Thanks.

same here - share the love (or hate) of the 3.8 x51

someone on caymanclub.net bought a F/L 3.8L caymans.

3.8 X-51 Conversion
 

We have. Our shop car has been on the road for well over a year with a 3.8 X-51 transplant, the first Bilstein PSS9's, GT3 suspension components, hand built exhaust and a dyn tuned switchable REVO ecu. A tick under 400bhp on 91 Octane. North of 415hp on 100 octane. Our conversions are unique to each owner with an extensive a la carte options list above and beyond the basic engine transplant. The car is an absolute monster and is GT3 fast. The benefits of Porsche's mid engine chassis are undeniable with this setup...clearly the way forward. Too bad you won't see this config from the factory anytime soon.

Here's a link to a sound byte. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkxPyoU13SM

Wow, what does a conversion like that cost? A few months back Excellence featured a Boxster S with a Ruf X51 conversion.

The basic transplant budget is in the range of $25-$28K which includes the engine and labor to install and plumb it. Everything else is a-la-carte including options for exhaust, clutch (RS/LWF available, retain stock), suspension, transmission upgrades, and to what extent the owner wants to fine tune the ECU on the Dyno and does he/she want the switchable option for anywhere from 91-100 octane use.

I guess Farnbacher Loles also does a Cayman 3.8L X51 conversion, albeit significantly more costly. Road and Track drove it last year:

http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....rticle_id=3551

Yes, their car is more of a complete package for around $120K. They also take a slightly different tact with regard to intake/header/exhaust config but we both use REVO Teknik. And while there are additionally several other tuners that now do the conversion also, the one common thread is that the end result (from all) truly enables this magical chassis from Porsche to shine the way it is supposed to in the first place.....ultimately, let's hope we see an RS or similar setup direct from them in the near future. As it stands, the Cayman and Cayman S are fantastic cars, but the chassis is capable of oh so much more than they give it today!!!

I saw this car in San Diego. It's sick. It's amazing how they got the 3.8 to look totally factory. If you put OEM silver wheels on this, its a total sleeper. Pricewise people have put way more money into a Porsche for a lot less power to weight ratio and much less dependability.

Mind over Motorsports

Why the front end conversion? Just because you like the look better or does it offer some type of aero and/or cooling advantage? Just curious.

It's funny...I actually prefer the front end of the Cayman/Boxster to that of the 997 and I have a 997.

The conversion does require a 3rd radiator addition in the front but the GT3 CUP front clip was strictly a cosmetic choice. It's interesting to watch the evolution of facial contortions on unsuspecting driver's ahead....especially those in 996TT's, or 997S's who first see a 997 with aerokit nose in their rear view and think...oh, nice 997, then a snicker and most often a big snub as you pull along side...in preparation for them to show the little old Cayman with a swapped front clip what's what....then they hear something...a sound so menacing they look in all directions since it couldn't be coming from that Cayman...except when they look back, and even before they can depress their own go pedal, the Cayman is lonnng gone....and they wonder? Was it ever there? :evilgrin:

He he heeee.... :p

Sweet sound, by the way. A 3.8 Cayman S is my dream car.



(..ok, one of them..)

totally same deal here. i find the 997 headlights to be somewhat boring, more VW bug than porsche.

the boxster, cayman headlights have that additional flair. i think it's a backwards step they took in the aesthetics dept along this front.

Orbit racing in Florida has done 3.8 conversions.
I was quoted roughly 25k to do Boxster 987S and they keep your motor as a core.