Boxster Subaru conversion interest?

[Scbrindley]

This project is great. I cannot wait to see the final result...and better yet, pics/videos of this beast on the track!

[The Radium King]

is there a bumper under that bumper cover? i ask as i've looked to do the same as you, but wasn't certain there was enough room between the bumper and the front trunk to vent upwards.

[kcpaz]

You mean would the bumper shocks and aluminum bumper bar still fit with the center radiator relocated the way I did it? I don't know because I won't be running them in this car, but from looking at it, it looks like it would probably fit, but I can't say for sure.

[kcpaz]

Added a rear wing...

[Jaegermeister]

It has been a while since an update anything new?

[JTP]

Holy smokes! That's quite a wing!

[thstone]

Incredible! Super high quality work. Very impressive. You are rockin' the house with this conversion.

[kcpaz]

The rear quarter panels are body worked and primed. I've been SUPER busy lately with customer's cars so I haven't had a lot of time to put towards this project in the last month. Hopefully that changes this month.

[Jaegermeister]

Hopefully I didn't miss it in one of the previous posts but were you able to get the engine going in this car? And is there any ETA on a kit or anything that would help someone put a Subaru engine in a boxster? Since im extremely interested in doing this should my engine go kaboom.

[kcpaz]

I don't want to be accused of "advertising" on this forum without being a sponsored member, but I am only a few months away from having this first "test" car on the track. Assuming there are no major issues, I will making components/kits available.

[Jaegermeister]

Well if if you have a website or other means to check on progress I would love to get the link from you. Just send it in a PM!

[nimblemotorsports]

This is quite the project! The roofscoop is unique and that is cool, and since its already done probably not much to say but keep going, but I would suggest that you put the scoop UNDER the roof, put an opening in the windsheild, and yes do a Cayman style roofline. It'd look more Porsche, but heck its got a Subaru engine, so maybe you DON'T want it to look like a Porsche.
If it goes really fast, it will become the new trendy look!

Originally Posted by kcpaz

There's no way I would do any sort of whale tail on a Boxster. I know the roof scoop won't be the most attractive thing to some people, but IMO, something like a whale tail on a mid-engine car would be even worse. Not only that, but with the factory style hard tops, the aerodynamics just wouldn't work. The Boxster roof lines don't have the gradual sloping line that the 911's have which feeds air directly to the louvers in the whale tails. Instead roof sharply drops off, which will cause the air to be turbulent right behind the rear glass and give poor flow to the intercooler mounted horizontally.

As for the "twin side scoops" idea mentioned. The problem with this is that unlike the Toyota MR2's, the Boxster has the convertible clamshell right behind the seats, and the engine bay is completely different as well.

The whole idea of this roof scoop design was to make it easy to install and quickly remove for the end user. Sure I could have made a complicated Zeintop looking contraption that would be more aesthetically pleasing, but this is intended to be used on race cars where the pieces need to be easily removable for engine and interior access. Not only that, but if the part becomes too complicated, the price may become too high for most people to justify... especially since they will also need to buy a hard top anyway. It's not always about making the perfect part. sometimes you have to factor in compromises for other systems or requirements.

[kcpaz]

Quick update with everything in primer. Just waiting on the wheels to be made so I can test-fit everything before I final sand and start painting everything.

[Pat]

Great stuff. Thanks for the update. I saw the plug for your shop in the latest Grassroots Motorsports. Good to see that.
If my engine ever blows up I would certainly consider your kit.

[kcpaz]

Some suspension bits. Wheels should be here next week which means it could be a roller by next week.

Control arms with some of those pieces installed. There won't be a single rubber bushing anywhere on the car (except for swaybar bushings). Everything is mono-ball or solid.

[RandallNeighbour]

Are those KSport Kontrol coilovers?

If so, that's what I'm running and they seem to be working well.

[Stroked & Blown]

Is there an advantage to those arms over the GT3 adjustable arms?
Seems like most BSX guys run the GT3s.

[kcpaz]

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

Are those KSport Kontrol coilovers?

If so, that's what I'm running and they seem to be working well.

They are KSports. There's a long boring story behind why I'm running KSports rather than a more "high quality" suspension, but basically, their distributing center is right down the street from my shop and I got a "deal I couldn't refuse". We'll see how they go. Surprisingly, a lot of our local non-Porsche club racers run "off-the-shelf KSports" with their own spring rates and a few are some of the fastest cars on the track. If I feel the need for something more, I'll switch to something like KW or JRZ's

There are a few reasons for not running the adjustable GT3 style lower arms. First is cost. My existing arms were low mileage and the outer ball joints were still in great condition. The mono-ball inserts and billet thrust bushings from Tarett are significantly cheaper than buying even the RSS arms which are IMO better and more affordable than the Porsche units. The other thing is I plan on running camber plates on front and rear so I don't need adjustable lower arms for alignment purposes, and because of the wide tires/wheels, I don't necessarily want to widen my track width by moving the lower arms for more camber. Again, if I find out that there's a need for the GT3 "style" arms, I will make the upgrade by necessity, but one of the goals with this car is to show people that it's possible to make a fast Porsche without spending "Cup Car" money.

[Stroked & Blown]

thanks for the insight.

[RandallNeighbour]

What brand are those control arms, and may I ask what they cost you?