Any progress on V8 engine swap options?

[78F350]

I was looking at some unrelated stuff online and came across this car:


I remember Rob Scott posted here a few years ago about doing a 2.7L biturbo swap for a Rallycross car.
Rallycross Porsche Boxster

He didn't really track his progress here on the forum, but it looks like it came out well.

https://www.facebook.com/AngrySpiderRacing
https://www.engineswapdepot.com/?p=11070

Highly modified and very innovative.

[B6T]

Here is what a V8 fits like inside the engine bay of a Boxster using the factory 5-speed transmission and transmission mounts. The front of the engine is not in the correct position as it sits too low. I believe this is where the 'cutting' of the sheet metal that was mentioned before comes into play. There is also no space for the air intake duct at the back of the engine.

This is how I hoisted it up into place. I used a ratcheting strap to adjust the pitch of the engine.

[B6T]

This is as high up as the engine could be lifted. Major interferences at this point wasn't even between the top of the IM and the engine room sheet metal but rather the timing belt covers and the angled part of the 'firewall'. At this point the oil pan was approximately 2" lower than the H6, and the transmission was noticeably angled downards.

[B6T]

You can see the throttle body opening in the top of the picture (I have a ziploc bag over the TB):



Also shown is the interference between the RH side variable cam actuator and the engine cover quick-turn latch.

[B6T]

This shows the interference on the LH valve cover and the engine cover quick-turn latch.

[B6T]

So does anyone have a chain drive V8 available that they want to drop off at my house for a test fit?

[78F350]

Originally Posted by B6T

This shows the interference on the LH valve cover and the engine cover quick-turn latch.

That's about how mine looked. I cut the tabs off and beat the front firewall out a bit with a hammer to get better clearance for the timing belt covers. The next fitment problem that I have to figure out is how to run the shifter cable. I still haven't really tried to solve it yet, but mine runs a little short after going around the V8.

[specboxCO]

Originally Posted by 78F350

That's about how mine looked. I cut the tabs off and beat the front firewall out a bit with a hammer to get better clearance for the timing belt covers. The next fitment problem that I have to figure out is how to run the shifter cable. I still haven't really tried to solve it yet, but mine runs a little short after going around the V8.

I built a whole new engine cover. There is no easy way to keep the dip at the back of the engine cover, I cut all that out to give space for the intake. Once it is gone, you can get a better angle on the engine with the stock trans mounts and most of the upfront clearance issues go away.

I used 6 speed Cayman cables and ran them around the sides. No good for a street car, but for a race car it works perfectly. No way I could see running them over the top of the engine would work, so I split them left and right for a 6 speed trans, and ran them both to the RHS for a 5 speed.

[B6T]

What are you going to do about the throttle body inlet? Have you thought about flipping the IM around so the TB faces the front of the engine and then bashing the firewall some more?

[1thenaton1]

Bump. What happened to titaniumdave?

I've got a 4.2l S6 motor and ecu heading my way. Hoping to have this completed by next track season

[AaronF]

This thread, among others, has me wanting to do this swap to my Boxster. So far, I've got an S8 AYS engine and a Cayman S 6 speed transmission. Next step is to sell the 2.7L.

[1thenaton1]

Meh, this thread is kind of the opposite for me. Two years on and no one in the thread has one up and running? And the guy talking about making a kit has gone awol?

[BoxsterLS376]

Originally Posted by 1thenaton1

Meh, this thread is kind of the opposite for me. Two years on and no one in the thread has one up and running? And the guy talking about making a kit has gone awol?

Yup, all for the glory of having an Audi motor in it because it shares German blood. Should just LS swap it and be done.
Mine was lots of fun, maybe one day i'll do that budget swap I was wanting to do...

[specboxCO]

Originally Posted by 1thenaton1

Meh, this thread is kind of the opposite for me. Two years on and no one in the thread has one up and running? And the guy talking about making a kit has gone awol?

Mine is running and has been for a while. Not a great solution for a road car, but not too bad a build for a racecar.

Biggest problem I've been facing is keeping it cool - think i have that solved now with a turbo center radiator and high quality aluminum side radiators.

The big advantage for me putting an Audi motor is is that it is legal in NASA GTS racing.

[truegearhead]

Originally Posted by specboxCO

Mine is running and has been for a while. Not a great solution for a road car, but not too bad a build for a racecar.

Biggest problem I've been facing is keeping it cool - think i have that solved now with a turbo center radiator and high quality aluminum side radiators.

The big advantage for me putting an Audi motor is is that it is legal in NASA GTS racing.

Fellow NASA guy here. Do they consider it the same manufacturer?

[specboxCO]

Originally Posted by truegearhead

Fellow NASA guy here. Do they consider it the same manufacturer?

NASA GTS allows engine swaps within the same "family" i.e if its in the VAG group its fair game, so you could swap a Bugatti Veyron engine into a Skoda fabia and it would be GTS legal. Putting a Mercedes sprinter engine in a VW Caddy however would not be legal.

[B6T]

"Just LS swap it and be done"

Oh that simple eh? Was it your build thread where there was multiple pages devoted only to the cutting and welding required to get the LS to fit between the seats and the transmission?

I've gotten a decent amount of research and trial fitting with both the V8 and V6 engines. I'm at a point where I can start designing and fabricating mounts/frames/etc.
However, I'm holding out on my own swap until I can find a decent Cayman S transmission - the way I look at it is that there is no point doing the swap with the Boxster 5-speed since you'll be limited to around the same sort of power a Boxster S makes from the factory anyway.

[Escy]

Originally Posted by B6T

I'm holding out on my own swap until I can find a decent Cayman S transmission - the way I look at it is that there is no point doing the swap with the Boxster 5-speed since you'll be limited to around the same sort of power a Boxster S makes from the factory anyway.

I'm planning on putting 450bhp through my 5 speed, wish me luck.

[Topless]

If any of you want an LS3 V8 Boxster right now that is done and sorted with working AC, working dash, elect power steering, etc, Scotty is selling one to fund a new project at Renegade Hybrids. Give him a call, fly to Vegas, and take her for a spin!

Oh and bring cash because you are going to want it.

[B6T]

Originally Posted by Escy

I'm planning on putting 450bhp through my 5 speed, wish me luck.

Good luck! You have a spare Cayman transmission though so plan B is easier for you to accomplish than for me.

The nay-sayers on the power limits of the 2WD 5-speed (~300hp) were doing so based on the FWD VW/Audi B5 Passat platform... which breaks traction easier due to weight transfer and potentially preserves the transmission for longer in doing so. I don't think that transmission will do any better in a RWD platform like the Boxster which hooks hard on launches.

Should I box up my 5-speed and get a shipping quote from Canada prepare for you