997 3.8L Carrera-S engine in a 986...?
 

If anyone has done a 997 3.8L Carrera-S engine conversion, please give me a pointer.

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What year 986?

1998.

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I'm sort of in the same boat as you as I have a 2000 S. The 3.4 would be our easiest motor to swap in but the 3.8's hp is very intriguing. I don't have anything to add except that "101 projects for your Porsche boxster" goes into it a little bit. I'm hoping someone will chime in that has put a 3.6 or 3.8 in their early boxster.

I suspect that the 3.4 is the same size case as a 3.2 but with bigger piston bore/stroke so is a relatively easy upgrade

I think the 3.6+ is physically a bigger engine so space and fitment will become more of an issue.

The ECU is also a higher version so wiring and sensors are more of a pain.

Like the other others are saying a 3.4 may be the easiest upgrade, 3.6+ and there will be more things that need to be adapted.

Someone has to be first and should document all those adaptations that are required.

I'm sure Jake has already created a higher displacement engine based on the 3.2 size case, which would be an easier option for fitment.

Yea, I'm kind of surprised that there's so little to find on the net, guessing that many of us 986-ers must have been drooling over a 3.8 conversion for years. No..?

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Peer,
I pm'd you with a number for a guy who did it.:cheers:

At least from what I've read the price of upgrading to the DME required along with the cost of the engine makes it entirely too expensive to be worth it. Especially from a 98. You'd be better off getting a Raby built engine as someone mentioned. And that will be expensive enough.

While at it, I also have to ask if anyone has yet put in a TT 3.6..?

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From what I have read, and I believe Jake Raby has indicated this, it is best to take the existing engine to build a larger engine and while your at it address known weaknesses and add any other performance related items to get the reliability and performance your looking for. The advantage being you can use all the existing systems without the need, complexity and cost of retrofitting later systems into a older car. I believe the only exception is fitting a 3.4l for a like year Carrera. You might be able to get a 3.6l into 03 - 04. For most of us it's just easier easier/less expensive to buy a Carrera, Boxster S or newer Boxster/Cayman that has more power.

A 3.8l does sound like alot fun in a 986! Forum member rfuerst911sc has gone the path of having his motor built by Jake and hopefully will have it completed soon. Crono0001 has also done something similar with results that he is very happy with (3.8l that gives the car Z06 like acceleration). Maybe one or both can chime in with some words of advice.

...with almost 400 hp..?

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Be careful what you wish for; we had a customer that transplanted a Metzger Turbo engine into a 986. When finished, he ended up with a car that cost more than a new Turbo, was difficult to drive, and could shred driveline components at partial throttle.

Well, i'm with JFP. If you want the power of a 996 TT, than buy a 996 TT. They are also available as convertibles. And the prices of these cars will be stable.

986 and 987 3.8 conversions have been done over here in Germany. But if you take a closer look at the costs and on the fact that nowbody will ever pay for the conversion if you want to sell the car, this just isn't a smart idea.

Regards, Markus

i'm amazed that someone hasn't done the arduino thing for variocam + engine conversions - so much easier than a full dme swap. I've heard of rpm-based on/off switches, but apparently not very smooth.

Chrono told me his "all in" price to upgrade his motor to a 3.8 was $18,000.

Search your answers are out there...

996 Turbo's can be picked up for reasonable money considering what they offer plus you'll actually get your money back on resale. Can't say that for a forum member that just sold his 3.4l Boxster for about $5,500.

Smooth enough for track work, maybe not for street. Kinda feels like a turbo kicking in at 3200 RPM.

Or Raspberry Pi....more capable than Arduino

i think the issue is coming up with the maps - did some reading on variocam + and it's three inputs (rpm, temp, load) with two outputs (cam duration, valve travel).