lehtola

I'm curious to know as much as I can about the process of installing a 996 3.4 in a boxster. Does anyone have experience doing this? What are important things to know? Where can I find 996 engines to purchase for this task? What about clutch/transmission issues?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

lolayay

Here you go: http://www.rufautocentre.com/conversions/Boxster.asp

I thought about it but never did it.

R2R

If I was going to do this, I definitely would take it to RUF! They are top notch and will do it right. If you want to go up to a 3.6, Ruf Auto Centre already has one on the showroom floor ready to go and I mean GO!!!
Good luck and keep us posted.

THXBABE

I am sure Jake Raby would be a good resource for you. I believe he is in GA, which will be a lot easier for you than RUF in TX.

rob76turbo

Looked at buying a '98 Boxster that a guy and his buddy did the swap. He said that it took them about 6 months to dial everything in. If you have the patience, it could be fun and gratifying, but if not, let the Pro's do it....

02fly

So it looks like Ruf only does Boxster S's

AlpharettaRK

If you've done any serious wrenching you should not be put off at the prospect of doing it yourself. You don't mention what year Boxster you're starting with and that's an important starting point. If you don't have e-gas you need to go with a non-egas (1999) 996 engine. Let me amend that statement a little. Any combination can and has been done by folks that have the technical expertise and too much time. There's no transmission issues, the 5 speed will bolt right up and has been plenty durable. Buying a used motor is a dicey proposition, I had a bad experience with mine and replaced it with a factory rebuilt unit. I think if you google or wiki 3.4 boxster swap you'll find a couple of write-ups on the subject. IIRC to put the 3.4 in my 1999 required: headers and sport cats (I use a Boxster S muffler), ECU reflash, a wire run from the ECU to the intake changeover, a slight mod to the air intake(basically a 4" extension before the air filter box), fuel rail mod and that's bout it. It is not mandatory to mod the engine mounts. Mine has been in for 5 years and while it has had some issues it's a keeper.
As cheap as early 986's are with a $10,000 engine transplant you've got a really sporty ride. If you look at a later model I think you're better off just trading up to a factory 3.4 "S"
Cheers
Randy

Jake Raby

Yep.. We are right down the road....

BUT we can take the original engine from your car and attain more power from it than a stock3.4 while adding updates to it to enhance reliability and longevity that are far superior to that of the "as factory" 3.4
Lots of possibilities.

MikeBat

If I was down the road from Jake Raby, there would be no question about what route to go.

I cannot wait until there are some Canadian shops that license his technology.

smlporsche

Care to elaborate?

mikefocke

www.flat6innovations.com

Jake has a whole factory in Cleveland GA that remakes Boxster engines with many improved parts. He takes 2.5s to 2.9 and 3.2s to about 3.7 IIRC.

Jake was well known in the air-cooled world. Got interested because Porsche didn't seem to be doing anything to provide improved replacement engines for the water cooled cars.

Not cheap, has a waiting list, but if you are putting serious money into prolonging the life of your beloved Boxster...why consider anything with the original design flaws still present.

Long term he has plans for teaching other shops to do the work.

R2R

Ruf does a lot more then Boxster conversions... Are you kidding
http://www.rufautocentre.com/conversions/index.asp

aron in toronto

I think 02fly is saying Ruf doesn't do conversions on the 2.5/2.7L Boxsters, only on the 3.2L with the larger brakes, additional cooling and S transmissions.

There is a good write up on the 3.4L install by tholyoak (google tholyoak 3.4). He has done several conversions on his own cars including a 3.6-X51 and a 3.8L and seems to be good about sharing his knowledge & pointing out potential pitfalls.

Or you can skip the project phase and buy his.
http://986forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19483

02fly

Yep that's what I was saying

Doug&Julie

Wayne at PelicanParts.com is writing a new "101 Projects" book on the Boxster. I believe he's including the 3.4 conversion in it. But if you're not handy, I'd agree with others...take it to Flat6Innovations.