BoxsterLS376 introduction - LS3 conversion :)

[BoxsterLS376]

Originally Posted by Qmulus

So I take it seal is a slight press fit on the harmonic balancer? Seems to me that if you need a spacer, you would machine up a ring of steel to accept the seal on the crank side and press over the harmonic balancer on the other. Is that seal notched for a Woodruff key?

Hey Qmulus,

There are no woodruff keys on the crank, everything is just a press fit~

I did recieve an email back from Steve @ Renegade last night and it seems the kit does come with the appropriate spacer for the balancer... Unfortunatly I can't seem to find it right now and will have to get another one made.

The seal it seems is not necessary according to them so to heck with it! Now if I can only find that damn spacer!!!

J

[Pdwight]

I mean if I were Renegade I would send a customer one gratis. ....they could have left it out.

[Boxster 50]

Wow.... The more I follow the more I think I will wait for the Ls376 kit. Other then the adapter for the trans it sounds and looks like you could have done this swap on your own. No doubt Renegade has saved you some time but the kit just doesn't look like it is worth the money. All these little nickle and dime things add up and down time sucks! Best of Luck and I admire your attitude!

[JRL]

Originally Posted by Boxster 50

Wow.... The more I follow the more I think I will wait for the Ls376 kit. Other then the adapter for the trans it sounds and looks like you could have done this swap on your own. No doubt Renegade has saved you some time but the kit just doesn't look like it is worth the money. All these little nickle and dime things add up and down time sucks! Best of Luck and I admire your attitude!

What is the Ls376 kit you reference?

[Smallblock454]

Hi,

maybe he means the Renegade conversion kit. Tried to make a reference to the Boxster conversion kit description on the Renegade website, but that didn't work. So i've made some screenshots an put them together.



Regards from germany
Markus

[Boxster 50]

Smallblock454, bc993 and JRL I was just giving props to Boxster(LS376) by saying I would just wait on his kit because he has been doing a better job then Renegade with the details of the build. I guess it didn't come off the way I intended.

[JRL]

Originally Posted by Boxster 50

Smallblock454, bc993 and JRL I was just giving props to Boxster(LS376) by saying I would just wait on his kit because he has been doing a better job then Renegade with the details of the build. I guess it didn't come off the way I intended.

No problem - I was just confused as John is using the Renegade kit and to my knowledge Renegade is the only kit and I'm not aware of any other kits coming out in the near future.

[bc993]

Originally Posted by Boxster 50

Smallblock454, bc993 and JRL I was just giving props to Boxster(LS376) by saying I would just wait on his kit because he has been doing a better job then Renegade with the details of the build. I guess it didn't come off the way I intended.

Yes, it was a bit confusing. However I couldn't agree more as Boxster(LS376) does indeed deserve the props. In addition, one would think Renegade would be following this thread closely and actually supplying more Tech Support if their intent is providing quote a "Kit". What Boxster(LS376) has gone thru so far does not constitute a kit in my opinion.

I'd be more compelled to work with Boxster(LS376). My guess he with the help of his boss might even fabricate better solutions where Renegade is lacking.

Back in July there was this thread as well but with an Audi transplant. I also had interest in this solution but no new info on that thread.

http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/53095-boxster-v8.html

[BoxsterLS376]

Hey everyone,

Sorry for the lack of updates lately but now I finally have some news to share... The bummer is I just spent 30 minutes typing stuff up only to have Internet Explorer crash on me - YAY! So here is the short version of what has been happening...

Finally for my breather plate back this week so I can get the intake in place... still have to make a few mods but nothing major. For now I'm just going to get an aftermarket oil pressure gauge but I have heard of a 996 Carrera instrument cluster swap which I may try in the future...

Finally got my oil pan... FYI don't order one from Marine Engine Depot, they are cheap but they don't actually have them so after waiting 2 weeks I called and cancelled cause they won't have more until mid-January...

Luckily a guy down the street who does RX7 V8 conversions have exactly what I needed so we are rocking and rolling again... hoping to test fit the motor this weekend!!!

I'll update with pics in a few days!
Thanks!
John

[bc993]

Originally Posted by BoxsterLS376

The bummer is I just spent 30 minutes typing stuff up only to have Internet Explorer crash on me - YAY!

Probably wasn't IE's fault probably would have occurred in any browser, have had that happen to me numerous times on this and other forums. Most likely your session timed out. Just FYI if you're going to write/type a lot of info ... compose it in Notepad or some other editor first. Then cut and paste into the thread. Learned this early on as I can't type for S&%T.

[dronz]

Originally Posted by Smallblock454

Hi,

maybe he means the Renegade conversion kit. Tried to make a reference to the Boxster conversion kit description on the Renegade website, but that didn't work. So i've made some screenshots an put them together.



Regards from germany
Markus

interesting would like to see photos if possible

[BoxsterLS376]

Merry Christmas everyone! Happy New Year etc. etc. etc.~

Hope everyone had a great holiday, I finally made a bit more progress this week and finally got the Chevy motor to fit into the Boxster chassis! Still a lot of work to be done but definitely reached a milestone~

Oh but it was not without its trials and tribulations When I went to put it in the first time I still had some trimming to do so I basically got the front of the motor about where it needed to be and figured out what I needed to cut... done and done! Well upon my second attempt I got the two front bolts lined up, but the rear was nowhere close, I mean like 4 inches off. SHIZA!!

Took it back down and tried to figure out what happened. Went to look through my "instructional pictures" Renegade sent me and first picture I found discouraged me quite a bit. Actually it made me feel downright stupid and made me want to give up on the whole project Looks like I had put the motor mounts on the motor backwards Not a happy camper

Well after shouting a string of obscenities better then the kid from A Christmas Story I calmed down a bit and started looking at it all again... Let me present to you exhibit "A"...




Well at that point I figured out pretty quickly what happened... It may be hard to tell but in these two pictures I was sent the freaking mounts are on in different configurations?!?!?$!?#$@!$#@! I was still pissed, but at least I felt better about it not being my fault!! I'm sure there is some reason for it, LS1 motor vs LS7 but come the F on man. Oh well.

So after some re-rigging of the mounts I figured out where things were supposed to live. Third attempt going in and BANG!! LIKE A GLOVE!! Almost as if it was put there by the factory! I didn't bother putting in the center cradle as it all has to come back out but it sure felt good having it all come together overall fairly smoothly.

I must give credit to the engineering of the kit, it is tight but fits right in!

I made a few videos, the short one is done but the longer version will take a bit longer, here's a link to the shortie: http://youtu.be/g9Um4PM9tz4

Here are a few pictures of it tucked in... i'll be back later with the other video!!
THANKS!!
J

[JRL]

Wow tight isn't the word.

Looks like paper thin clearance on the oil pan.

Nice job.

I need to drop by the shop next week - let me know what works

R

[BOOTLEG]

My CLU (Immobilizer) and my 3.2L are both toast on my 01 Box S so looking at the LS. I think I read the conversion uses both the Chevy and the German ECUs but is the Immobilizer also needed?

[Qmulus]

Originally Posted by BOOTLEG

My CLU (Immobilizer) and my 3.2L are both toast on my 01 Box S so looking at the LS. I think I read the conversion uses both the Chevy and the German ECUs but is the Immobilizer also needed?

I'll grab this one. Yes, you still will need your immobilizer unit. It also controls the top, windows, locks, etc., so you will still need to have that module functional.

[BoxsterLS376]

First video from today is ready, you can check it out here~ http://youtu.be/GgzC2a4_Nb0
Thanks
J

[nefarious986]

Dang .. I was really excited at the propect of an LS3 motor in my car when my stocker goes .. but at $30k all in from Renegade, "DIY'in" this huge undertaking with little support from the "kit" manufacturer, or have a shop tackle it at $100 / hr. Personally, I don't see a good option out of those 3. Mad respect that you're able to do it.

[BoxsterLS376]

Originally Posted by nefarious986

Dang .. I was really excited at the propect of an LS3 motor in my car when my stocker goes .. but at $30k all in from Renegade, "DIY'in" this huge undertaking with little support from the "kit" manufacturer, or have a shop tackle it at $100 / hr. Personally, I don't see a good option out of those 3. Mad respect that you're able to do it.

Thanks man,

It is definitely a big undertaking but to make it less intimidating just look at it one little step at a time and it has not been that bad. I'm going to try and highlight all the difficult areas here so everyone understands what they are getting into.

Reality is that if you already have a car to use, have the time and patience for a project like this and are willing to take on the project yourself, it can be done for right about $20,000 which is definitely a bargain for what you are getting!


Got the last video of the weekend uploaded this morning, should be available shortly~
http://youtu.be/f44Lh86yric


Anywho back to the daily grind Maybe i'll get some more work done on the car today

Thanks everyone!
J

[BoxsterLS376]

Greetings all.

Hope everyone is having a better new year then me so far! Sooo been making good progress doing final fitment for the motor etc. and decided that the valve covers needed to be swapped around to have better access to the oil fill...
Well in pulling off the passenger side valve cover I found a HUGE chunk of aluminum in the cylinder head. It not Eiffel Tower huge - but for being inside of a brand new motor it is pretty damn big... I've already talked to Chevy and sent them an email which you can see here that better explains the entire situation:
-------------------------------
Hello Travis,
Thanks for looking into this situation for me. Here is a quick overview of the situation so you can pass it along to whoever needs the info...
When the motor first arrived the oil filler cap was not on the motor and I assumed that someone had simply taken it, but it was later found down in the bottom of the crate. It appeared to have been knocked off but still works so I didn't think much of it. Today I was in the process of switching the valve covers to make oil fill easier in this project car. When I took off the passenger side valve cover, almost directly below the oil fill spout(see pointing picture) I found a small piece of broken plastic which I believe to be the lock from the oil filler tube, but then also found a large piece of broken aluminum which I have pictured below. It is about 1/4" wide, about 1/2" long and about 1-2mm thick. Beveled/machined on one side, broken on the other with signs of blue valve spring paint on it.
I have thoroughly examined both cylinder heads and can not see any place where this piece could have broken off of, there appears to be no damage at all.
Please pass this information along to your technical department and if there is anything I need to do by way of additional pictures/videos or information just let me know.
--------------------------------------------------

They have been very responsive and are awaiting more pictures and info from me, but right now this is a big bummer as I may have to send the motor back to Chevy and have them go through it to make sure everything is OK. This my friends is a prime example of why I decided to purchase a new crate motor vs. a used motor. I would be SOL with a junk yard motor, but instead it's going to be taken care of - a lot to be said for buying new with a warranty!!!


Well that took the wind out of my sails until I find out what needs to happen with the motor. In the mean time I went ahead and got the electric power steering pump mounts fabricated and I think it's gonna work. I'll get some more pictures and try to put a quick video together on it this week.


Thanks
J

[BoxsterLS376]

My best guess is that it is a piece of valve cover broken off when the oil fill was knocked off. I think the valve cover was replaced but the broken piece was not recovered... at least that is what I am hoping~ :/