3.4L Engine Conversion

[ljd-924se]

FVD is now doing 3.8L swaps for $24K total including labor. They are also doing it for all model years, despite the differences in electronics/wiring in pre-'02 cars. I wonder if post-'01 cars get a little discount.

FVD-USA

These 3.8L swaps seem to be in the back of everyone's mind, and I'm dying to see a forum member go through with it and do a good write-up for everyone.

[l8braker]

Sheesh guys if you want more power take the 20-30k add it to your 30k boxster S and buy a 996 turbo.

or keep your boxster and buy a used z06 haha 2 cars then.

[Brucelee]

"keep your boxster and buy a used z06 haha 2 cars then."

Not a bad idea!

[986Jim]

Here is where I'm slightly confused. Egas is drive by wire as it's commonly called. Basically a motor that controlls the throttle vs. a cable like the 97-99 cars have.

I swap 1.8T motors into older VW's often and they have drive by wire throttle bodies. The older VW's run a regular throttle cable. So we pull off the drive by wire throttle body and put the original throttle body that was on the old motor on to the new motor and hook the wire back up with a custom mounting bracket to hold the cable. Big deal. Hell I used an Integra GSR throttle body on a 1.8T motor into a Rabbit to make it work (and it does quite well, low 12's in the 1/4) with a small adaptor plate.

Why would we convert the car to drive by wire instead of just swapping out the throttle body to a normal style that will hook upto the cable we already have? Will the 2.5 and 2.7 TB not fit on a 3.4L motor? Why not just machine an adaptor plate then that will make it fit? An hour on a mill can whip that up sort of like hub adaptors to use wheels that have a different bolt pattern on your car (say 5x100 to 5x112 conversion) type of thing?

[98Boxster98]

Originally Posted by 986Jim

Here is where I'm slightly confused. Egas is drive by wire as it's commonly called. Basically a motor that controlls the throttle vs. a cable like the 97-99 cars have.

I swap 1.8T motors into older VW's often and they have drive by wire throttle bodies. The older VW's run a regular throttle cable. So we pull off the drive by wire throttle body and put the original throttle body that was on the old motor on to the new motor and hook the wire back up with a custom mounting bracket to hold the cable. Big deal. Hell I used an Integra GSR throttle body on a 1.8T motor into a Rabbit to make it work (and it does quite well, low 12's in the 1/4) with a small adaptor plate.

Why would we convert the car to drive by wire instead of just swapping out the throttle body to a normal style that will hook upto the cable we already have? Will the 2.5 and 2.7 TB not fit on a 3.4L motor? Why not just machine an adaptor plate then that will make it fit? An hour on a mill can whip that up sort of like hub adaptors to use wheels that have a different bolt pattern on your car (say 5x100 to 5x112 conversion) type of thing?

Apparently, the work lies in getting the wiring and DME (DMU) working right with the 3.6L and pre-2002 Boxsters.

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=6162&hl=

[Adam]

Originally Posted by l8braker

Sheesh guys if you want more power take the 20-30k add it to your 30k boxster S and buy a 996 turbo.

or keep your boxster and buy a used z06 haha 2 cars then.

It's called the 'sleeper effect".... and mid-engine handling.

Good call on FVD whoever mentioned them. They seem to be alot more reasonable than RUF and at the same level as far as professionalism and expertise.

[Pilot2519j]

Everyone in the forum seems to be on HP race. Where on Earth are we going to unleash the full potential of the car, witout losing your license car etc?
In NY don't even bother because you are going to get nailed eventually. Boxster handles like no other car in the market and is super quick. Top speed over 160 miles and hour. Only the newer 911 can top that and again not by much. The 986-987 will outhandle everything thats out there. I my assesment spending over 20K for an engine conversion is rediculous and insane. I have a 2003 S. Its fast, looks great and handles superbly what else do we need? Yes I know more power!

[Porschekid]

Originally Posted by Pilot2519j

more power!

Exactly.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Pilot2519j

Everyone in the forum seems to be on HP race. Where on Earth are we going to unleash the full potential of the car, witout losing your license car etc?
In NY don't even bother because you are going to get nailed eventually. Boxster handles like no other car in the market and is super quick. Top speed over 160 miles and hour. Only the newer 911 can top that and again not by much. The 986-987 will outhandle everything thats out there. I my assesment spending over 20K for an engine conversion is rediculous and insane. I have a 2003 S. Its fast, looks great and handles superbly what else do we need? Yes I know more power!

I understand what you're saying, but where on public streets can you really exploit the boxster's handling without being reckless? I'm talking pushing it close to the limit...not a "spirited" ride at 8/10th's on some twisty backroad which is still dangerous IMO.. HP is not all about top speed. It's about acceleration more than anything. People want to accelerate quickly because they find it enjoyable and fun. They want to go from 50-70 quicker! ....not 0-170mph.

[Brucelee]

The great thing about America is that you can spend your money on pretty much anything you want!

Let the good times roll!

[turtle]

986jim

His head gasket prolly didn't blow. My guess is valves...

Keepup did you lengthen the valve overlap at all? If not you would have peak compression WAY higher in the chamber than your set boost was supposed to provide.

[5thtonbench]

Originally Posted by Brucelee

The great thing about America is that you can spend your money on pretty much anything you want!

Let the good times roll!

Damn straight... I was considering an engine swap for my boxster last summer, but skipped my slot this winter. I was actually lined up with Rooke for a 3.8 swap, not FVD, as Georgia was easier access for me from DC. Im now taking that cash and at the end of this summer (06), am going to look for a 2 year old low mileage turbo cab. I want the power and the awd, but I am going to miss the mid engine.


Finances aside, the other reason I made this decision was Rooke kept telling me they were having problems with broken drivetrains on the 3.8. I drive my cars for all their worth, and I dont want to worry. Next summer I guess my dogs can sit in the back as we cross the century mark on 95