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Thanks! Next step are the old (rear) and crappy (front) tires. Set of Michelin PS4 will hopefully arrive next week to be mounted. Will also get the front end alignment checked (although it drives fine the way I have it set now, maybe just to see how wrong my own attempt was ;-))
Small stuff today, but also some time to start looking at the bigger picture again, the engine. As you'll know, the idea is to but the Audi BBK engine in (originally in the Euro S4). So far it seems that I do need to make some chassis / suspension mods to get it to fit. Should be able to get it through the inspection and be able to drive it legally on the street.
Still, as a side activity and coming from my curiosity I'm trying to get a view on what Porsche would have to offer to this Boxster. I'd be looking at similar power as the BBK and this is what I have learned so far;
New parts (block / rotating assembly) are available in M96.03 form and the money for that is not outrageous. Would still need the rest of a (broken) M96.03 or similar to build it up to a full 3.6 engine, but it would be as new without the main concerns of the M96/97 family (being new, but surely it will still have the engineering issues in...).
This seems a cheaper route than getting a full M96 996 engine (whichever displacement) which in general seem to run at $20k or close.
Surely in these engine families you'd want the GT3 engine. Turns out that his is not family at all (despite the M96 designation) and is a 'Mezger' unit. Basically very robust and capable. Full engines very expensive. In comes the 996 Turbo engine which is the same block, but different parts for the different application. Many more turbos build than GT3, so availability is better. Can find a full engine (all parts on) for $10k on these turbos, which is less than normal 996 engines. Strange.
So, I'm not a turbo fan. Making great power, broad torque curve, but lacking character because of that. Turning a 996 turbo engine into a NA might be a bit of work though, need to know more about the differences (so far I know of conrod and heads).
Another downside of these GT3 and turbo engines are the different bolt patterns for the transmission. Would need to see whether a G87.40 unit (the ones behind the MA1 engines in the gen2 987 S) would fit.
Then finally there is the MA1 engine which is the DFI engine in later 987 models and the 981 (991 etc). So far this one appears cheaper to find than the M96 / M97 engines and is by design a far better engine. DFI though...
Anyway, just writing down my mental notes ;-) Input is always welcome
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