Boxster Subaru conversion interest?

[BlitzSRM]

Looks like a Mohawk.

I would have put something like a whale tail.

But i guess a roof scoop will be more efficient.

[Mark_T]

or twin scoops with the intakes up beside the hardtop just behind the side window. Could keep the back window that way.

[bpg_austin]

I've been waiting for a kit like this to become available for a couple years now. Subscribing to this thread. Wonderful fabrication work.

[kcpaz]

So one of the things I have been dreading ever since I decided to run the wide body GT2 front end is the radiator duct situation. There are two ways to go about it, the expensive way, and the time consuming way. I chose the latter for two reasons. The first reason is the cost of converting the radiators and related duct work to the Turbo/GT2 spec. Basically, that would mean all three turbo 996 radiators, GT2 air ducts for all 3 radiators, radiator mounting brackets for all 3 radiators, and matching cooling lines along with other misc. hardware. Yeah, it's expensive... like a few thousand dollars. Not in the budget for this car. The other reason I decided to stick with the stock Boxster radiators is I want to be able to test the cooling capabilities of the stock Boxster cooling system with the extra horsepower and potential heat that the turbo motor might create. So here is what I came up with...








The side radiators are in the stock location using the stock mounting brackets. The center radiator mounts upside down using a slightly modified stock mounting bracket and the stock plastic duct. In stock configuration, the Boxster S and 996 radiator would vent down below the car through holes in the bottom of the bumper cover. Aerodynamically this is less than ideal which is why the GT3, RSR and GT2's vent up through a hole on the top of the bumper cover. What this means is I had to move the center radiator forward and angle it up to make room for some duct work that would direct the air up instead of down.

[Pat]

Great stuff, kcpaz. Keep it coming!

[kcpaz]

Plumbed the air-jacks and started on the electronic power steering conversion. Both are almost finished, just need to get a few more fittings.

[Scbrindley]

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

[PorscheFan5]

Originally Posted by kcpaz

Plumbed the air-jacks and started on the electronic power steering conversion. Both are almost finished, just need to get a few more fittings.

KCPAZ,

I realize that this is an old thread but I hope you are still looking at it to respond.

I am going to fit the MR2 spyder PS pump on my 2004 Boxster (conversion to all Electric). I know that the MR2 Pump side needs the 16mm x 1.5 fitting which has 6AN on the hose side. However, what is the size of the fitting needed on the PS rack side?

Can you help? Is it a 6AN male connection on the rack side? For both the pressure and return line? Just want to be sure before I order the fittings. My MR2 pump is on its way..

Thanks!

[kcpaz]

Originally Posted by BlitzSRM

Looks like a Mohawk.

I would have put something like a whale tail.

But i guess a roof scoop will be more efficient.

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.

[clickman]

What's happening, kcpaz?

[kcpaz]

I have a few customer jobs I need to finish up before I can spend any more time on this car. Probably get back on it in a few weeks.

[jmatta]

Really like the project, but you lost me on the dorsal fin. Must you go that extreme?

[DANMKII]

HOLY COW!!! HOW AM I JUST SEEING THIS NOW?!

Amazing project. I too would be interested to see a full kit +harness (minus the powertrain)!

Keep up the good work, and please keep us posted. What size turbo are you running? I'm curious how tuning will be achieved- will you be using the stock ECU?


FWIW: I am doing a GC8 STI swap

[02box]

I like the concept but would rather it be more stealth. the freaky mowhawk thing doesn't work for me. but I'll watch with interest...

[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.