Advice on upgrading power
 

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Brand new member here. I just purchased a very sweet 98 Boxster with a 25k Techart package. This car looks so fast but in reality with the exception of some minor suspension mods it is mechanically bone stock. I bought the car essentially to build (although I am a checkbook guy). My question to you in the know, what is the best avenue to extract maximum performance and reliability from this car. My max budget is 20-25k.Thanks for your thoughts

3.4 engine swap :D

27K= 3.8 swap (355 HP)
30K= 3.8 X51 swap (I imagine since the X51 is 3 grand more, but also almost 400HP)

For 12k or less you could put in a 996 non e-gas 3.4L engine,it would be the most reliable power upgrade putting your Boxster at 300HP and you would have a sub 5 second 0-60 car. I would have whoever is installing the engine change the serpentine belt,spark plugs,clean the throttle body and whatever else is possible to change and clean while the engine is out.

Then you could put the RoW 030 or PSS9 suspension in for another $1.5-2.5k.

As for the tranny,have whoever is putting in the new engine install a new clutch,should be at most $700 parts & labor since the engine is removed. Then install a Short Shift Kit and your tranny is good to go!

Even after all of that,you should still have some money left over.

If only all of us had $20k to spend on out cars. :p

Good advice Blink. :cheers:

Thank you for the detail thoughts. I am suprised that it would not be necessary to replace the tranny with a 996 unit, is there any advantage in staying with the 5spd setup in terms of performance? Thanks!

Techart Boxster,

Sounds like a nice car!

Please post some pictures when you get a chance.

Thanks,

ddb

Techart Boxster
 

A couple of pics of the car.

How much did you pay for your Boxster? Is it an S or a base that has been TechArt'd? I can't imagine putting $20K to $25K into a '98 Boxster. I hope you are planning on keeping it forever. :confused:

Needs clear headlights....


Other than that, I like the 996 swap plus suspension upgrades suggestion.

Sweet!

Is the interior stock or has it been upgraded as well?

that was just on ebay few days ago, right?

yes it was, a one owner, no story socal car. It does not have the interior upgrade, but I will be doing some work to it as well. I like the idea of clear headlights also.

Hey Thanks!!


No its essentially stock, not sure what to do with it but I will do something cool. My plan is to have the hottest Boxster in Chicago.

There are times when getting your $ out is really not a big deal.

Thanks, what about brake upgrades? any thoughts?

Techart,

I posted pictures from that auction here on the forum when your car was for sale. I think you made a great choice. It's an awesome looking ride.

Thanks! The next step is to make it an awesome driving ride!!

If it's not an S, which a 98 wouldn't be... You could get a set of calipers/rotors from a 996 to upgrade. The 986 S uses those, so lots of us with base Boxsters upgrade by finding a set of 996 brakes. (I have not done any mods to my car yet, tho)

If you're going to track the car, good brakes are a good idea!

very nice, although I'm not crazy about the front end treatment. I'd go for a GT3 bumper and some GT3 seats and call it a day cosmetically. Is the rear spoiler part of the TechArt line up?

As far as performance, If you spent another $20K, your car wouldn't be much faster than a turbo'd S2000 or some other import. This simply is not a car meant for drag strips.
Take your new possession to a Porsche Club Track event and come back and tell us where you think the 2.5 is lacking. You'll see this car in a new way.
Excellence magazine had a review when SPortec dropped a 3.8 into a 987 and they didn't seem too impressed, the car could have easily handled much more power was their opinion. And who knows how much Sportec spent, allot more than 20K me thinks.