[The Radium King]

here's what a quick tour through wiki, etc., tells me ...

car lbs hp hp/lbs
Boxster S (early) 2822 250 8.9

Carrera (US) 3000 207 6.9
993 (97/98) 3197 285 8.9
Cayman S (Gen 1) 2954 300 10.2
996 S 2920 320 10.9
997 S 3131 360 11.5

we already have the air-cooled cars beat.

Boxster to Cayman: gain 40 hp or lose 375 lbs.
Boxster to 996: gain 60 hp or lose 550 lbs.
Boxster to 997: gain 75 hp or lose 650 lbs.

so, it is possible to outclass a newer porsche with some work. i can get cayman numbers with bolt-ons and a diet. 997 S numbers are possible with an engine swap for about $10k less than getting a 997 S ($15k base car, $20k engine swap = $35k vs $45k for an early 997 S). but that gets you from a 10 year old car into a five year old car.

for me, it becomes all about aesthetics; i don't like the interior on the 9x7 series, and i like the look of the 986 side vents and sheet metal much better than the cayman. so, if an engine swap will get me a car that will give them a run for their money during my occasional trip to the track for $10k less then i'll do it.

but first i have to track down that pesky oil leak at my cam covers. i'm hoping that the spark plug tube change fixed it but, if not, then the covers are coming off and i might just be shipping my cams to jake for some magic ...