997 headlights - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

The Radium King · 10-11-2010, 06:02 PM

question - has anyone tried to fit 997 headlights into a 986? if they fit physically (ie, fill the fender openings, perhaps needing a mounting bracket of some kind) you could fabricate a fiberglass panel to fill the void left by the turn signal and fog lights (mount real fog/driving lights in the rad openings, or perhaps some big-ass hellas like the old 911 rally cars)? update the front for cheep ...

ChrisZang · 10-11-2010, 06:28 PM

simply type "boxster 997 conversion" in the search bar in eBay

The Radium King · 10-11-2010, 06:58 PM

i'm wondering if you can do it without new fenders and bumper, thanks.

Cloudsurfer · 10-12-2010, 07:09 AM

It's doable, but you need fenders, bumper, bumper support, and some brackets. All told, it's a HUGE job. Maybe if the front of your car got backed into by a garbage truck and someone else is paying, but if it's coming out of your pocket I don't think you'll like the answer

Lobo1186 · 10-12-2010, 07:55 AM

GT-racing.com has some of the parts necessary to get you started and they have some prices for parts to boot.

JTP · 10-12-2010, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Radium King

i'm wondering if you can do it without new fenders and bumper, thanks.

Doubtful you can do it without fenders and bumper but it's possible to make it work yourself. It will look like a home made botch job unless you are a very skilled fabricator.

Perfectlap · 10-12-2010, 10:09 AM

You might often see adds in magazines for Mobil 1 featuring a pea green 997.
This is actually 996 Carrera that was converted to a 997. The dead give away are the door handles. Very very expensive but the transformation was perfectly executed.

Cloudsurfer · 10-12-2010, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

You might often see adds in magazines for Mobil 1 featuring a pea green 997.
This is actually 996 Carrera that was converted to a 997. The dead give away are the door handles. Very very expensive but the transformation was perfectly executed.

Very interesting random fact. I had to go look for one of those ads, and you're absolutely correct! How did you come across this knowledge? LOL

ChrisZang · 10-12-2010, 03:10 PM

out of pure curiosity:
Does anyone know if 997 style headlight would fit into the existing sliders for the 986 headlights ?
(I would be surprised if that would be a simple swap)

The Radium King · 10-12-2010, 03:28 PM

yeah, that was my question. from all i've read the hardware is different (all the conversion kits come with new mounting hardware) but if the actual headlight/trim ring were the same dimensions as the 986 (ie, fill the circular part of the fender opening) you might be able to mount it with some jimmy rigging, then get a body shop to fabricate the jigsaw piece to fill the gap in the fender/bumper where the fog light and turn signal were located. might look kinda crappy with all the gaps, or might look cool; dunno. need someone with access to a 997 headlight to check it out.

ekam · 10-12-2010, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Radium King

update the front for cheep ...

You'll learn that in the automotive world anything can be done.... with enough money.

tattoo-1 · 10-18-2010, 01:31 PM

iam in the middle of doing this conversion,,,,,bought a 997 turbo front bumper, and i am using a 986 parts for conversion,, wings, lights, bonnett,none of the bits line up,,,bumper 2 inches wider each side, wing holes for lights and bumper lights totally in wrong place, and bonnett wrong shape,,, iam even turning the 986 lights into 997 lights,,, lots of work involed,,, but wil get there