Boxster V8

[Nerv]

Hello everyone!

I just wanted to stop in and give a quick report on the Boxster V8 kit being developed.

First, this is definitely getting finished so no worries there. Right now the electrical systems are being matched so the OBD and gauges work fully as OEM intended as well as the EVAP system. The EVAP system uses a slightly different air leak monitoring system so we are trying to keep the Boxster as stock as possible while still keeping the Audi ECU completely satisfied that everything is functioning as stock, because it will be! No resistors or funny maps to get rid of emissions systems here.

We have decided this project is going to be completed in two stages:

One is simply a stock Audi engine with the appropriate adapters to fit in the car. This is not only going to be the cheaper option but it will also offer reliability this car has never seen, and believe it or not, that is actually one of the main reasons why we feel this is worth investing in.

The second will be the dry sump, independent throttle bodied version with more expensive and elaborate components. This will be developed after the initial stage is done and we can start getting these kits out there for people that just want a better solution to the failure prone flat six. This IS the best IMS fix... no IMS at all, +100HP

The Boxster is a unique car in that it handles great and is special enough that no one wants to see it crushed, and yet no so exotic that people wouldn't mind swapping a different engine into it. Even the purists can't ignore that the Cayenne engine is based of an Audi V8, and the Boxster comes from factory with an Audi transmission. The Climate control module is the same as the unit used in an A6 from the same time frame. (We did a 5 cylinder TDI 01E 6-speed quattro manual swap to a V6 automatic A6 wagon before this project, had to practically rewire the whole car to make it work as factory).

When this is finished it will have several in house machined billet and cast parts that bolt on to allow the engine to fit as intended into the Porsche chassis. We have put quite a bit of time into this project with the designing and pattern making and will give you guys further updates as it progresses. We really hope to retain the intake by machining a new throttle body with the same design but different shape to suit the boxster engine bay. We are still working on the 3D models for this.

Hopefully the vehicle will be ready in less than two months. Thanks to everyone that has shown interest so far, we really hope everyone appreciates the efforts we go to make this a professional kit when it is finished. The intent is that no one would suspect it was modified if they were to look at it, it will look pretty stock.

If you are interested in this project please come on and voice your thoughts! We really value your feedback, even if you are only pointing out how much you would like to go this route yourself.

Dave
Nerv

[Nerv]

Just a quick note to clarify on the electrical:

The Audi ECU will be used instead of the DME, and the custom engine harness will hook up to both the Audi ECU and the two Porsche (technically BMW) connectors in the trunk.

Gauges and all electrical systems will work as normal. Key immo will be lost but at least if the immo module in the car gets wet at least you can still start the car! Remote key lock and unlock functions will be retained as before.

This is being made a complete kit that will have a list of parts that need to be sourced from the donor Audi vehicle. It will have many custom machined parts, both cast and billet as required, as well as the custom wiring harness and flywheel. Many parts will be able to be sourced elsewhere, such as the clutch.

We will keep you posted as the car nears completion.

Dave
Nerv

[Nerv]

One last note for today on our V8 kit design.

We have been contacted by several people in regards to what we think the price will wind up being for the kit that is developed. It is early to say but the price will likely be higher than the kit offered for installing the LSx engines, but the engine itself will be much cheaper to source and most importantly, no modifications will need to be performed to the vehicle in any way shape or form. Anything that will not work with the Audi V8 will be simply unbolted and replaced with a component in the kit that will work. Installation will be much cheaper and faster. Every component required will be able to be supplied from us, including the exhaust system.

Essentially this kit will be able to be removed and the car made completely stock if so desired. We do our design work up front so the installer doesn't have to fabricate.

More to follow soon.

Dave
Nerv

[bc993]

Originally Posted by Nerv

Hello everyone!

I just wanted to stop in and give a quick report on the Boxster V8 kit being developed.

First, this is definitely getting finished so no worries there. Right now the electrical systems are being matched so the OBD and gauges work fully as OEM intended as well as the EVAP system. The EVAP system uses a slightly different air leak monitoring system so we are trying to keep the Boxster as stock as possible while still keeping the Audi ECU completely satisfied that everything is functioning as stock, because it will be! No resistors or funny maps to get rid of emissions systems here.

We have decided this project is going to be completed in two stages:

One is simply a stock Audi engine with the appropriate adapters to fit in the car. This is not only going to be the cheaper option but it will also offer reliability this car has never seen, and believe it or not, that is actually one of the main reasons why we feel this is worth investing in.

The second will be the dry sump, independent throttle bodied version with more expensive and elaborate components. This will be developed after the initial stage is done and we can start getting these kits out there for people that just want a better solution to the failure prone flat six. This IS the best IMS fix... no IMS at all, +100HP

The Boxster is a unique car in that it handles great and is special enough that no one wants to see it crushed, and yet no so exotic that people wouldn't mind swapping a different engine into it. Even the purists can't ignore that the Cayenne engine is based of an Audi V8, and the Boxster comes from factory with an Audi transmission. The Climate control module is the same as the unit used in an A6 from the same time frame. (We did a 5 cylinder TDI 01E 6-speed quattro manual swap to a V6 automatic A6 wagon before this project, had to practically rewire the whole car to make it work as factory).

When this is finished it will have several in house machined billet and cast parts that bolt on to allow the engine to fit as intended into the Porsche chassis. We have put quite a bit of time into this project with the designing and pattern making and will give you guys further updates as it progresses. We really hope to retain the intake by machining a new throttle body with the same design but different shape to suit the boxster engine bay. We are still working on the 3D models for this.

Hopefully the vehicle will be ready in less than two months. Thanks to everyone that has shown interest so far, we really hope everyone appreciates the efforts we go to make this a professional kit when it is finished. The intent is that no one would suspect it was modified if they were to look at it, it will look pretty stock.

If you are interested in this project please come on and voice your thoughts! We really value your feedback, even if you are only pointing out how much you would like to go this route yourself.

Dave
Nerv

Where are you guys at with showing the conversion? Here you said you were 2 months away, in a pm you mentioned early August. It's almost Sept. And for folks like me in Michigan , and you in Canada I guess we wait til next spring. More timely updates would be appreciated or actual photos of progress would be even better.

[silver-S]

Following. Very attractive proposition.

[Duezzer]

This has got me totally interested.

Started hunting for a roller.

Any chance this will work in a Cayman?

Rally Car?

Oh My

[bc993]

What's the best donor car candidate for the conversion? Will it work with both 32 and 40 valve V8?
What donor will give the greatest potential HP ? Please give model, model yr etc.

[ltusler]

I have a M96 engine with no IMS ball bearing. Nothing too hard about that.

[CDNIcecube]

Merv,

I have a 1999 Boxster base 5-speed. I would be the prime market for such swap. And I would seriously be interested if my bearing goes, if it does, in a few years. Even if the cost is $10,000 or about, I would be interested. But less is best Plus this means I am encouraging a Canadian company!

The proposed HP is fine by me. I want reliability and drivability. HP is not a priority for me and at near 50, insurance is low. So I am following development seriously.

[CdnRD]

Another Canadian keeping an eye on this. I'm not there yet either but I'm a catastrophic engine failure away!

[jarrodblake]

+1 for progress pics! Also will parts be available separately or just as a kit?

[ITB Fiend]

Looking at having this done in the UK shortly. Do you have a contact email/company website?

[Nerv]

Sorry to those who have been following this kit, I was not aware that anyone had posted questions on here, I will have to update my forum settings!

We were aiming for Aug but have run into a few snags. We want the kit to be ready soon so clients can have their cars ready for spring! Better to work on the vehicle when the snow is flying and drive when the sun is shining!!

To jarrodblake: Once we have the entire kit ready we will have a better idea how it will be sold. Right now we are focusing on just making a user friendly installation with the minimal amount of tools to install.

We have been modeling the car in 3D to design the necessary parts as per typical OEM technique, this is very time intensive. We also have other daily responsibilities so it is a bit of a balancing act over here.

We didn't want to post too much until we had some real progress to report. Hopefully we will have something to show soon.

Regards,

Dave

[Pdwight]

What engine for sure will you be offering in the kit...or will the kit be without an engine ??

[GTA_G20]

Just caught this thread. Love the fact of sourcing my own ABZ and buying the wiring adaptors and bolt on accessories.

Not sure why so much negativity? If you want to drop a chevy in go for it. Whats wrong with an alternative?

Keep up the good work . Ingenuity at its best

[bc993]

Originally Posted by GTA_G20

Just caught this thread. Love the fact of sourcing my own ABZ and buying the wiring adaptors and bolt on accessories.

Not sure why so much negativity? If you want to drop a chevy in go for it. Whats wrong with an alternative?

Keep up the good work . Ingenuity at its best

Don't think there is any negativity/animosity here. Just looking for the best alternative to a Porsche engine that is horrible. Great car shi$$y engine.
Granted we all have our opinions on the best solution. But the jury is still out. However, the only proven alternative is the LSx and thankfully BoxsterLS376 took us all along for the ride.

[Nerv]

Engine will be ABZ for sure. We picked up a newer 5V engine and do not like several aspects of that engine design. We think the 4V engine is better, especially for long term reliability.

We can source the parts or the client can in term of the donor engine and donor car parts. That will be an option for certain.

Dave

[DarkStar]

Wait a minute here.... Your saying an Audi V8, is Cheaper and easier to access and produces more power than a LSx? What Planet? Currently there isn't 1 single engine that is being developed that out performs the LSx Platform, And that's not an Opinion. Junkyard 5.3's purchased for 300 dollars are putting out 500hp and doing mid 9 Second Quarter Mile times completely stock with just a mild sized turbo strapped to stock manifolds. People are converting them to carbed, tossing a mild cam on them and pulling 450hp out of them on a daily basis. And when/if you blow it up, there are 100 more in the nearest junk yard for 200-300 dollars... Aluminum Block LS's are virtually the same weight tested as the 3.2L. Iron Block 5.3's have been weighted in at 100lbs more.

There is a reason they are the number one swapped engine. Ford People are doing it, Volkswagen People are doing it, Honda Civic owners are doing it. Its a virtually unlimited platform motor due to its vast quantity and unbeatable performance. Performance no Audi V8 can compete with for any price. And the Reliability of a LSx... 9.5 Second Quarter Mile Porsche 944 on a completely stock block and head and its still rolling strong on 14psi.

Anyway goodluck with it. I saw a pic of a Audi Swapped Boxster, looked awesome. Would not be interested in it myself. I just picked up a LS7 Block for 300 dollars out of a running low mileage car.

Tho I am highly interested in seeing this progress.

[bc993]

Originally Posted by DarkStar

Wait a minute here.... Your saying an Audi V8, is Cheaper and easier to access and produces more power than a LSx? What Planet? Currently there isn't 1 single engine that is being developed that out performs the LSx Platform, And that's not an Opinion. Junkyard 5.3's purchased for 300 dollars are putting out 500hp and doing mid 9 Second Quarter Mile times completely stock with just a mild sized turbo strapped to stock manifolds. People are converting them to carbed, tossing a mild cam on them and pulling 450hp out of them on a daily basis. And when/if you blow it up, there are 100 more in the nearest junk yard for 200-300 dollars... Aluminum Block LS's are virtually the same weight tested as the 3.2L. Iron Block 5.3's have been weighted in at 100lbs more.

There is a reason they are the number one swapped engine. Ford People are doing it, Volkswagen People are doing it, Honda Civic owners are doing it. Its a virtually unlimited platform motor due to its vast quantity and unbeatable performance. Performance no Audi V8 can compete with for any price. And the Reliability of a LSx... 9.5 Second Quarter Mile Porsche 944 on a completely stock block and head and its still rolling strong on 14psi.

Anyway goodluck with it. I saw a pic of a Audi Swapped Boxster, looked awesome. Would not be interested in it myself. I just picked up a LS7 Block for 300 dollars out of a running low mileage car.

Tho I am highly interested in seeing this progress.

That's not what he said. He said the 4v was easier and cheaper to source than the 5v . Read through the whole thread. The engine will fit with minimal cutting unlike the LSx. No need for a Kennedy Engineering adapter. 5 speed boxster trans bolts directly to ABZ. Axle geometry will be much better. Renegade's offering is a hack not a kit. Just look at what John (BoxsterLS376) went through fabricating alot. I agree that the LSx produces the most HP per dollar but if it doesn't fit and eats axles the reliability isn't there. I'd be happy with a 350 hp boxster if that can be accomplished with the ABZ. I hope this kit does actually come together but I have my doubts and to me it just sounds like vaporware. As everything is in CAD not aluminum.

[Gelbster]

BC993 thank you- a voice of reason and intelligence.
Thanks also for the comments on the Renegade err ..'kit'.
The M96 desperately needs an alternative engine.The last thing we need is an expensive failure.
As a secondary product -Audi V6 ,yes V6 not just the 8 - so it is easier to fit ?