3.9 Litre 986 S ... ? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

The Radium King · 09-20-2010, 09:29 PM

Steve Tinker · 09-20-2010, 10:05 PM

AutoFarm has an enviable reputation in the UK - not unlike Flat6 or L N Engineering in the US. Not cheap, but good.
Now I really fancy a 3.7 or 3.9 engine in my Boxster S - but I would have to learn to drive it properly......

ekam · 09-21-2010, 05:44 AM

There are already a few 986 with 3.8 conversion done by FVD...

Cloudsurfer · 09-25-2010, 04:35 PM

These are built motors, not a bone stock M97 3.8. I have a 3.6 based 3.8 in my car, and it hauls

Supposedly now someone has figured out a way to get to 4.0....

Clarky_X · 10-04-2010, 05:30 AM

Hi, I am very interested in finding out more about autofarm 986 conversions. Anyone got one please post your comments / reviews. I am seeking a 52 plate 260 manual with a view to going up from 3.2 in the future. I was initially thinking FI or other mods but have heard such bad press, so now I'm thinking either just a straight engine swap, but finding an engine for sale seems to be an issue, or going for a conversion by a reputable UK firm.

Jake Raby · 10-04-2010, 07:52 AM

We've had a 4 liter for 18 months now..

Its nothing new, but it can only be made reliably (IMHO) from a very rare, very late M96 engine. Not every core has the proper material to reliably allow for a bore of the required size.

The difference is the LN/ FSI way of doing this doesn't impact the capability of the coolant to circulate around the top of the cylinder, the hottest portion of the cylinder.

About 24K will net 450HP N/A

Lobo1186 · 10-04-2010, 12:27 PM

how reliable would that 450 hp motor be? would it be higher revving also? would that 450 be at the wheels? and would a turbo on top of that be possible? (for future power if ever wanted)

Jake Raby · 10-04-2010, 12:49 PM

Its comprised of all the same overkill components as those developed before it.. We didn't take any risks with the engine design wise, like thin cylinders and etc so the reliability should be the same... But time will tell.

The 450HP is at the flywheel. A turbo would be possible, in fact I am working on one of them now with boost.

Everything I build is always built with reliability in mind, even something like this 4 liter. We could go bigger, but at the loss of structural integrity that could lead to reliability issues.

Lobo1186 · 10-04-2010, 01:19 PM

see it intrigues me because that is what I want reliability and power (who doesnt) I am even considering going to a non porsche power plant.

but, keeping a pcar plant and still making 450ish hp reliably is good to hear. sure 24K isnt but you gotta pay to play. and when you play in the porsche world the prices is much higher.

but you say that is only with a rare block? how how much would that cost even if you were able to find it?

Jake Raby · 10-04-2010, 02:10 PM

We know what to look for, others haven't identified this yet (and probably won't) so the cases aren't that expensive... I have one prepped and ready to go, real Nickies liners already inserted and pistons ready to rock!
I'll post some pics tomorrow.

JTP · 10-04-2010, 07:16 PM

$24k for a 450hp motor. For less than $40k you can build a reliable GT3 killer! I want one.

smcgeary · 10-04-2010, 07:26 PM

Sounds pretty neat.

I think I already know the answer but what is the chance of passing CA smog with this??

How long would drive train (axle shafts etc) last?

Jake Raby · 10-05-2010, 04:30 AM

When asked if an engine like this, or any engine of mine other than a stage I/ 3.6 or 3.8 will pass a smog test I reply that it will not. The reason for this is because I'd rather totally avoid the possibility that it would not pass smog, even if that means a lost sale. Thats how I stay out of the trouble that the other guys get in.

An engine of this caliber belongs in a DE car that seldom sees the street, if ever... The people that buy Stage II and stage III engines from me have dedicated track cars that utilize a trailer most of the time.

Some of us are lucky enough to live in areas where zero smog tests are performed and no one cares whats done to the car or engine, those people can street one of these engines like any of my stage I power plants... FWIW I have never had a stage I engine that didn't pass smog on the first try, even in California, Colorado and Arizona where the tests are more invasive. Those people bought engines without any promise that they would pass, and luckily they did. The reason for this is I find my power through efficiency, using stock equipment for sub-systems on the stage I engines.

It doesn't take 450HP in a properly set up Boxster to kill a GT3, we have done it with 290 RWHP in the past with a Boxster S foundation.

The tranny will handle the power, as long as the car is driven the way a Porsche is intended to drive.. Smooth gear shifts, no burnouts and no drag race starts and it'll take 450HP no problem.

Clarky_X · 10-05-2010, 04:32 AM

Are there any brits on this forum with autofarm long blocks?

mikefocke · 10-05-2010, 04:56 AM

http://www.boxa.net/forum/

Lobo1186 · 10-10-2010, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake Raby

An engine of this caliber belongs in a DE car that seldom sees the street, if ever... The people that buy Stage II and stage III engines from me have dedicated track cars that utilize a trailer most of the time.

Why should one of these motors not see the street? I was under the impression that one of these motors is just as reliable and strong as one of your normal rebuilt M96 motors (IE 2.5, 2.7 and what not)

I only ask because, I want a motor that is deserving of the track but, will spend most of its life as weekend car and sometimes daily driver.

also for anyone concerned about the tranny issues GBox I hear has some strong transmissions.

Jake Raby · 10-10-2010, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Why should one of these motors not see the street? I was under the impression that one of these motors is just as reliable and strong as one of your normal rebuilt M96 motors (IE 2.5, 2.7 and what not)

Mostly due to emissions constraints and sub-systems that are required to develop this level of power.

I'd much rather say the engine is for track use only as to deal with the probable fall-out if a street version of it would not pass an emissions test.

All of my other engines are dual purpose and very applicable to the street, this 4 liter just isn't. Competitors won't tell you this.

Lobo1186 · 10-10-2010, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake Raby

Mostly due to emissions constraints and sub-systems that are required to develop this level of power.

I'd much rather say the engine is for track use only as to deal with the probable fall-out if a street version of it would not pass an emissions test.

All of my other engines are dual purpose and very applicable to the street, this 4 liter just isn't. Competitors won't tell you this.

understandable, luckily for me I am not bound by emissions testing.

So if emissions are not involved with any of your plants does that open the doors as it were to making more power since you dont need to work under those restraints?

also, just for the sake of knowledge what are the subsystems that are affected by the motor of that displacement. does it have to do with the motor itself?

Jake Raby · 10-10-2010, 08:53 PM

Engines are combinations.. Those that are efficient and effective have the smartest combinations.

If you are not bound by emissions, we share something in common and we should be very happy about this..

When asking the engine to produce this much power most of the OEM components have to go, including injectors, intake plenum and etc. The off shelf headers that are sold by those who sell sound and bling also won't work, we are making our own headers for this engine and their is no way to make it "quiet".

If seriously interested I can give you more info via telephone, my competitors review my posts here and other places to educate themselves, so I must watch what I say.

Lobo1186 · 10-10-2010, 09:11 PM

I understand, operation security as it were is always a good thing

!

I may be heading over to the eastern seaboard in the near future. If I can Ill try to call in tomorrow I would like to get all my options so i can layout a good buildplan for my car.

thanks for the help and hopefully ill be talking to you in the near future.