Thread: Boxster V8
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Old 07-09-2014, 02:46 PM   #22
kcpaz
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Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Gilbert, AZ
Posts: 266
I admire your ambition, but coming from someone who has done what you are talking about doing, I think you have a LOT to learn. Just a few things that come to mind...

- The Audi 4.2 V8 did not start maiking anything close to 350hp until mid/late 2000's, and those engines are pretty expensive to buy still. When you say that you will be using engines from a "similar era" as the 2.5 Boxsters, I assume you are talking about the ABZ engines which are indeed very cheap to purchase, but will NOT make that sort of horsepower without doing a custom build or forced induction.

- There is absolutely no reason to make a custom oil pan or to convert the oiling system to dry sump. Besides, where on earth do you plan on mounting an oil tank? Also, the cost of a custom, low production billet oil pan is going to drive up the cost of the conversion considerably, as well as the oiling system with the pump and all of the plumbing.

- How much research have you done into the chassis wiring integration? It's a lot more involved than cutting and splicing a few wires... a LOT MORE...

- What is your plan for a throttle body? If you've looked an the Audi intake/throttle body set up, then it should be obvious that there is no room in the Boxster chassis for the stock set-up. At best, you could completely gut the variable geometry intake system and machine an adapter to move the throttle body to the front of the engine... but even there, you will find that there is no room for the stock throttle body in that location either. Which brings me to engine management. What is your plan there? Using the stock Audi system? It's a fairly simple system to retrofit, but as soon as you start talking about mismatching throttle bodies, then you are talking about an aftermarket system, which will be a deal breaker for people who live in states that have strict emissions laws.

I'm not trying to poopoo on your parade, but I've been down this path before and there is no way you can turn this idea into a profitable one unless you can find people who are willing to spend $15K at a minimum for a conversion that doesn't make that much more power than a Porsche 3.2 or 3.4 engine that doesn't require jumping through so many hoops.

Proof that I know what I'm talking about... http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/25697-boxster-subaru-conversion-interest.html which also has pictures of the Audi ABZ set up

and... http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/37531-subaru-powered-boxster-street-version.html

Last edited by kcpaz; 07-09-2014 at 02:55 PM.
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