About A Rabbit - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

evolvesociety · 07-15-2009, 05:01 PM

I am new to this forum, looking for some technical data about some of these boxer motors. I have a 1984 Volkswagen GTi, and am looking to make an engine upgrade. All naysayers please leave the thread now.

The plan with this car is rather extensive and quite over the top. I am looking to purchase a boxster totaled in a front end collision. Feel free to contact me if you have one. Anyway, I am looking for a 2.5 or 2.7L engine, preferably with 6 speed transmission included. My rabbit will be undergoing extensive body work and custom modification, and said engine will be mounted in the back of the coupe. The size of the two cars is rather similar, and I am looking to put everything into the rabbit. The transmission, engine, and all the rest of the bells and whistles.

I am looking for some specs on the size of the parts in the car.
How long is the engine?
How long in the engine + transmission together?
How wide is the engine, gearbox, and differential?
How far from the front of the engine to the rear axle?
How long from the shifter to the gearbox?

I am aware that I will need precise measurements to give the garage doing the body modifications, and will need to get them from the car that I use as a donor, but I am just looking for some clues as to the dimensions of the powerhouse. If anyone has any links to sites that may offer technical specs, please help me out!

And just a heads up, when this car is built it will be well worthy of the engine that goes into it. I am a VW AG fanatic. Thanks for the time!

chaabouni · 07-15-2009, 05:41 PM

That's quite a project. It's ambitious, but it sounds like you know what you're getting yourself into. Please do keep us updated, as I am sure many of us who are less adventurous would like to live vicariously through your experiences.

As for the parts, here are a few threads that may help you:

2.7L engine: FS: Complete 2.7L Boxster Engine
Parts Car: Porsche 986 Parts
Parts Car: FS: Parting 01 986 S Arctic Silver

Best of luck!

evolvesociety · 07-15-2009, 07:05 PM

Thanks for the info! The game plan for my car is...

I have stripped it. All that is left to remove are the engine and tranny, and former gas tank. It is going across the state to have a copious amount of body work done. I am having the rear of the cab from a VW caddy pickup installed to separate the cabin from the future engine bay. Also at this point a custom roll cage is being installed. I am currently looking for another donor car to perform a subframe swap into the front of my rabbit (for a donor I need a MK3/MK4 VW Jetta or Golf). These swaps are generally done only to accomodate a larger VR6 engine, but I will be using it, along with the roll cage, to strengthen the unibody car.

One of the reasons I need specs on engine/tranny sizes is because I need to have everything in the rear of the car custom fabricated to hold the 2.5/2.7L engine and gearbox. I need everything from the shifter to the exhaust manifold. The cars are extremely similar in size and this is not as crazy as it sounds.

The final product will be a mid engined, rear wheel drive, (hopefully) 6 speed MK1 GTI. I am building this out of disappoinment in the lack of boxer motors in the VW line. Also to show up some japanese metal (subaru STI).

Everyone give me some resources and I'll mention you when this thing makes it into PVW magazine!

GTI.jpg

RandallNeighbour · 07-15-2009, 07:45 PM

You should definitely upgrade the intermediate shaft on the motor before you install it, and use a cayenne rear main seal and say a prayer for both.

Flat 6 Innovations (sponsor at top right) sells the upgraded IMS. The dealer can sell you the Cayenne RMS that will fit.

Best of luck. I see lots of suspension and brake requirements with this size motor in that car to keep it right side up on the road or track.

evolvesociety · 07-15-2009, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

You should definitely upgrade the intermediate shaft on the motor before you install it, and use a cayenne rear main seal and say a prayer for both.

Flat 6 Innovations (sponsor at top right) sells the upgraded IMS. The dealer can sell you the Cayenne RMS that will fit.

Best of luck. I see lots of suspension and brake requirements with this size motor in that car to keep it right side up on the road or track.

Thank you for the suggestion! Upon further investigation I found that to be great advice! I will be looking into tuning the engine as soon as I get set on which size/MY I'm going to use. But these catastrophic engine failures seem to be quite problematic in the earlier Boxster models.

As for keeping the car on the road, the center of gravity will be much lower than with VW's I4 mounted in the front, and the wheels will all be wider than they are now with much, much larger brakes. I am currently debating the best suspension system to put in the car. I will be keeping my non-powered steering, which should be fine as far as I can tell.

Keep the input coming!

PlayersExpress · 07-15-2009, 11:30 PM

You my friend are creative..

Personally, if I was spending this kind of money.. id just go out and pick up a 2001-03 996 Turbo, Ive found several from dealers for 30-35k with 40k odd miles on them..

Then upgrade the turbos, reflash, strip the back seats.. etc.. and theres your rocket

That is just me, I understand the reason for creativity and attachment to cars and projects, just like Im going to put about 20k into my 10k boxster in the next year.

Good luck and keep us updated. for specifics on engine size and such I would contact Jake Raby or even Brad Roberts on this forum. They have a wealth of knowledge between them.