Where are all the wild hot rodders?
 

With the early boxsters getting getting down into the lower price ranges I'm surprised I haven't seen the proliferation of extreme modifications that would be expected. This platform seems like it would be a natural for crazy engine swaps (non Pcar motors and such) and wild suspension mods.

I have an '00 S that I'm going to keep reasonable....BUT.....I have thought about getting an early car and trying some stuff. It's just that being of the "no one wants to be the first bungee jumper" mentality..... I am fishing for some ideas from the "edge", so to speak. So, does anyone have any links to sites showing any "fringe" conversion stuff? If so please post some in responses here. I'll never forget some of the early 914s with small blocks sporting blowers sticking out behind the windows of 914s and such.

Please don't throw any accusations of Porsche "heresy" at me for asking though....I'm just curious about the ideas of others.

There's been some talk about shoehorning a corvette engine into the boxster and other conjecture on the forum, plus a couple of members have turbocharged and supercharged their cars. Plus, a few guys have put 3.4 and 3.6 Porsche motors in.

If I find any site with wild Boxster mods on them, I'll post them here. You can find out about the stuff I mentioned above by doing thread searches.

You're right that with the prices of a 2.5L dropping down to ~$10K I bet you'll see people taking more of a risk with engine swaps other than the standard stuff. I'm betting you'll see a swap to a WRX turbo motor as being a popular one. I swear I already read something about that, but that may have been on the 914. It seems like swapping in a 2.5L STi engine would be a good option as it could feasibly give you 400 Hp with modifications. I think the biggest issues there will not be so much the packaging (which is the biggest issue with a Corvette engine), but taking the 4WD transmission to RWD and proper intercooling.

Kirk

I have a '00 S. I am doing the ooposite...I am actually trying to get it "closer" to the original condition. One of the previous owners attempted to install "neon" lights underneat the car

So will the neons be up for sale??


Just kidding.

There have been some wild mods of the Boxster, I remember one that had 7 tvs in it.

I will look for the pictures.

G

Come on Gary, we all know that was your car with the 7 tvs and playstations. Don't act like you have to "look" for pictures. Just send us your background off your computer. :cheers:

There ya go.

That's why I'm never selling my car, so someone else doesn't have to un-do all of my stupid mods!!!

SOOO.... what cha' gonna do with those crappy neon lights from under the car? Wanna send them to me if I pay the shipping??? :p Seriously!!! I do have some intentions to put neon behind my Gemballa rear bumper.

Kirk

Gary, I think you're looking for this photo. I'm really starting to get offended now, I have this as the background on my PC!!! ;) Just kidding....
:barf:

Here ya go.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...erinterior.jpg

Hey, what's that on the steering wheel in the picture Kirk posted? I had an idea for a car crackberry-the keyboard would be in the middle of the steering wheel so you could thumb text while you drive, and the display would be a heads up on the windshield.

I was actually using this thread to inquire about performance modifications.....Boxsters on the move... not Boxstas from da hood

But you know how things go off on tangents...

It's a small TV of some kind, same as the ones on the sun visors.

Kirk

The car has a transaxle that has to be in a fairly specific location, which limits the length of the engine between the firewall and flywheel. The engine bay was sized for a very low profile H6, which limit's the engine's overall height. Anything is possible, I've seen V8s in 914s, but it's not a simple job. But this is not a chassis that will be friendly to engine swaps like a taller/longer V8 or a longer I6 or V6. The front engine Porsches will always be better candidates for an engine swap.

A: That's gotta be a photoshop

B: Why would anyone take the time to do that?

325+ hp enough?

Boxsters are build with the chassis wraping around the engine... I doubt you'll find anything non-P that fits without disturbing the overall balance of the car.

And what wild suspension mods are you thinking of? Like airbags and hydraulics? Would definitely like to see pictures of that ... :D :eek:

Hot rod Boxster that sounds ridiculous. ;)

325 HP is nice....maybe. It all depends on the torque curve doesn't it?

Ive done the 914 V8 thing, still have it. It's very easy as conversions go. Except for electronics, and the availability of engine to trans adapters, the Boxster does not seem to be any bigger challenge really.

Compare that to installing a V8 in a 944.

It seems like it would make perfect sense to locate and purchase an early 986, if all it had were tired mechanicals, but a serviceable interior and and virgin sheetmetal, for somewhere south of $10k. add a solid '00 & up 6 speed, new clutch, and do the 3.6 conversion, salvage 986'S' brakes & suspension (or after mkt, if the $$ is comparable), your choice of wheels and tires, and you should have a a fine upgradeable platform for an investment of $25-$30k, with some sweat equity thrown in.....

Superglide,

From a "buy and own for twenty years" point of view, yes, what you're saying is the path on which I am traveling with my 97 Boxster. When the motor blows I will probably get a Raby rebuild. I've already replaced most everything else.

However, I am always keeping something in the back of my mind... I am sinking thousands of dollars into a car I will never get back. Period. I have $38k in my car total in five years. It's still worth just $12k or possibly $13k. A Raby rebuild may take it up to $18-$20k max, but I'd have $52k in it by then.

This is what keeps most guys from doing what you're talking about. It's not like taking a beat up 69 Camaro and fixing it up. Every part costs more on our cars... sometimes ten or twenty times more, yet the return on investment is not there.

I tell you what though... if my motor blows anytime soon as broke as I am right now, I will try to shoehorn a Corvette motor in it. Much cheaper and well, it would be a good conversation starter at DE events, that's for sure. Half the 911 crowd would be pissed off because I diluted the brand and the other half would be amazed after I whipped their butts in the straights. :D

I don't know of anyone to do the vette motor as of yet, but they do it in 944's and guys are talking about it so someone will eventually try it. Heck, if you can find a beat up boxster for $10k or less, why not?

I understand what you're saying Randall, but I was noodling out a schematic plan which began with the acquisition of a suitable 986 (preferably an 'S') with an already blown or tired motor, and not a car with existing financial baggage...

Still and though, given your situation (and mine, if my motor were to fail), a 3.6 transplant would make more sense to me; both financially and end result-wise. It's a known and accepted practice, wouldn't create huge issues with the car's balance and handling, provides a great platform for future HP additions; like turbo or supercharging... And pure HP from any source is going to require complimentary suspension and braking, unless you are solely interested in the straight-line stuff. Back in the Day here in Tucson, there was one or two 914's w/ the Chevy conversion and they were scary-fast until you reached the first turn. Then they were just plain scary.
Happy Motoring in the New Year,
Andy

I wouldn't do an engine upgrade with the idea of recouping the investment...ain't gonna happen. I would do it with the idea of keeping it until I die, then maybe being buried in it. As well as the car handles and as good as it looks, I don't think it will ever be obsolete, and with the IMS issue solved, it should last a right long time. But it's a depreciable asset, certainly not an investment.

Spot-on, DM
I gave up my 914-6, way back when it made sense financially, to get a 911sc, when I wanted to get a bit more "pucker-factor", than my 914 could be made to deliver, again in a practical, financial sense.

But I will not make that mistake again w/ my 986'S'. I will keep it, maintain it, and I'll get a second, faster/better Porsche (if I feel the need) when I hit the lottery again.