[husker boxster]

Pardon me for jumping in w/ an issue and not a lot of details to go along w/ it, but isn't there a problem w/ 97 986s wearing tires > 17" ? IIRC, the issue was the strength of the metal surrounding the suspension was "weak" and would potentially crack if you used bigger tires than what came from the factory. In 98 and newer models Porsche strengthened that area and it was no longer an issue.

I bring it up for consideration since a V8 will probably add weight to the equation and could stress a weak pt of the 97. Sorry I can't add more detail as I never intended to buy a 97 so I never paid those old threads debating it much mind - I have an old processor (brain) and it'll only hold so much data. But I mention it so others can chime in. It might just be internet lore and has been debunked but wouldn't want you to go hip deep into this project and then find out there's a major problem because of a structural weakness on the 97.

When I first joined the forum oh those many yrs ago, we had a member who was a MD State Patrol officer w/ a 97 and he had 18" wheels on it. In his signature, he said he was 'cheating death' w/ those wheels.

Good luck w/ your adventure.