997 powered Boxster

[Porsche9]

For me the simplest solution is buy a Porsche that has more power to begin with if that is what you want ($20k to $28k buys you a 996). Outside of just absolutely loving my car more then another car with more power and the cost not brothering me I'd never do it. The claimed $20k spent on the motor for this car makes no sense when factoring in the best he is likily to do is get $20k at best for the car. Last I checked $20k is still alot of money for the average person which is more then 95% of us.

[calvani]

Hi Folks,

I know this car pretty well, as well as the owner, since I am that person!

I have to say it has been pretty amusing following this thread today. Let me clarify a few incorrect assumptions and add a few comments as well:

1) The chassis is not a roller. I bought the '01 Boxster (2.7L) in '03 for $32K. The chassis is absolutely mint. I simply decided to install a 997 engine after multiple attempts to fix the 2.7L RMS issues were not successful. And I was able to sell the original 2.7L for $4K (it was installed in a Boxster spec racing series car - actually, at the time, for the car of the PCA Chesapeake President).

2) The approx. $20K that I stated for the installation includes a Porsche 997 crate motor from Porsche of Annapolis, all associated parts (fuel regulator & pump, 996 new/light flywheel, 7.8 DME, State 2 Clutch Kit, Cayman Air Mass Meter, Maxspeed headers, Remus exhaust etc, etc....) ***plus*** all the labor. Not too bad, if you really see all the work that was done and the sheer quality of the execution.

3) The stock 5-speed gear box works just fine (and within tolerance). I don't track this car and really did not see the need to buy a 6-speed gear box when the installation was performed. Believe or not, I was actually trying to save a few bucks whenever possible (unless there was really a good reason for it).

4) Yes, the car is using 7.8 DME, so it is configured properly to run with Vario-Cam plus (i.e., with the electrical harness configured to correctly operate the 997 motor).

5) To my surprise as well (based on what I had read in this forum and Rennlist), this swap was not a time-consuming nightmare. I think the bottom line is (as with everything in life), that if you know what you are doing (as SSI Performance did) and you are methodical/systematic, any task can unfold pretty smoothly.

6) As for the price, note that I stated $45K **OBO**. I would entertain any good offer and in fact I have already gotten some inquiries from folks in Europe (with the Euro-dollar to their advantage; note that the US was not my only target audience for selling this car). Clearly, I am trying to recover the expenses for the engine swap. But I am confident that anyone who drives this car will agree that it runs as a very special and **unique** factory-like Porsche. If I get to sell it at a high price, I will make sure to let everyone know at the forum, since technically I am helping to increase the market value of our cars (or least the special engine swapped Boxsters)

I would be happy to answer any other questions.

Cheers,

Humberto-

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by calvani

5) To my surprise as well (based on what I had read in this forum and Rennlist), this swap was not a time-consuming nightmare. I think the bottom line is (as with everything in life), that if you know what you are doing (as SSI Performance did) and you are methodical/systematic, any task can unfold pretty smoothly.

Then perhaps you should venture over to RennTech, where there is a tread on putting a 3.6L in a 2000 chassis that required a ton of work as explained by someone that has actually done a couple of these in both Boxsters and 996's who was trying to help out someone just starting such a project ("If you want a factory-type situation and maintain all functions and diagnostics etc., you need to replace the DME with the 7.8 DME. To integrate the 7.8 DME, you need to change out the ABS controller, the instrument cluster, the HVAC controller and the DME. Depending on what ABS system your car currently has, you may need to change out the ABS wheel sensors as well. The integration of all components will require rewiring for all controllers as well as likely new connectors for the cluster and likely the ABS controller (again, this depends on the ABS/TC system you have). The CAN bus then needs to be run between the new controllers. The instrument cluster acts as the CAN bus hub so a twisted pair of wires needs to be run from the DME to the cluster, cluster to ABS and cluster to HVAC. You will also need to address the return type/ non return fuel system differences between the engine and chassis.")

All of which somehow sounds like it qualifies as a time-consuming nightmare for most folks that don't have a fully equipped shop at their disposal, and at the end of it you have a "one-off" vehicle.........

[BYprodriver]

Originally Posted by Porsche9

For me the simplest solution is buy a Porsche that has more power to begin with if that is what you want ($20k to $28k buys you a 996). Outside of just absolutely loving my car more then another car with more power and the cost not brothering me I'd never do it. The claimed $20k spent on the motor for this car makes no sense when factoring in the best he is likily to do is get $20k at best for the car. Last I checked $20k is still alot of money for the average person which is more then 95% of us.

After extensive test drives of every new 986 & 996 I knew the 986 S was the funnest car & the only thing it lacked was the 996's engine power. I bought the lightest 986 S & rebuilt the engine to give it the 3.6L power.