Engine swap heresy? 2JZ? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

tholyoak · 08-23-2007, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by insite

only broblem being that an x51 3.8L is about 10x the cost of an LS1

A 3.8 X51 is 8400 plus the core of 5500.00

Todd

tkn · 08-23-2007, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tholyoak

A 3.8 X51 is 8400 plus the core of 5500.00

Todd

So how much does that end up being total with labour typically? 13,900 + labor? That is kind of tempting if the labor isn't that bad.

tholyoak · 08-23-2007, 09:13 AM

Well with a later car it isn't much more labour than removal and reinstall of the engine/trans. A pre-2002 car as you can read in my posts over at Renntech will cost you a lot more in other parts and labour to get the 7.8DME Canbus systems integrated and unless you are doing the work, probably is cheaper to buy a later car.

Most places doing these conversions are charging ~25k

Todd

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkn

So how much does that end up being total with labour typically? 13,900 + labor? That is kind of tempting if the labor isn't that bad.

tkn · 08-23-2007, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tholyoak

Well with a later car it isn't much more labour than removal and reinstall of the engine/trans. A pre-2002 car as you can read in my posts over at Renntech will cost you a lot more in other parts and labour to get the 7.8DME Canbus systems integrated and unless you are doing the work, probably is cheaper to buy a later car.

Most places doing these conversions are charging ~25k

Todd

So I noted in your sig you have a 99 which you are doing this to. I guess since you are at the 3.6, you already invested in the electronics. At $25K, it is more tempting to buy a new car, but, as much as I love my Porsche, I am not sure I would buy another one at this point because of the limited tuning opportunities. For $25K on another sports car, you would probably have at least 600hp, a mid 4s 0-60, and a lot more upgrades.

Although I think the Boxster is better looking and a bit more balanced of a car than, for example, an old Supra or new 350Z, it seems like a lot to pay for relatively small hp gains. It is a shame too, because I love the mid-engined layout and a lot of the sportiness of the Boxster, but the engine, frankly, doesn't impress me too much which is why I started exploring the possibility of other transplants such as a 2JZ or maybe a VQ which seem to be much better built.

08-23-2007, 01:38 PM

Don't steal my name plate, 986 GNS

600hp on tap easy easy easy. 993 transaxle will handle the torque if stocker can't.

tkn · 08-23-2007, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boxsterz

Don't steal my name plate, 986 GNS

600hp on tap easy easy easy. 993 transaxle will handle the torque if stocker can't.

Care to expand on the best way to get to 600hp? Turbo engine perhaps?

husker boxster · 08-23-2007, 05:44 PM

If you're so enamored with raw power and 0-60 times, why did you buy a Boxster in the first place? You said you like the looks and the mid-engine balance but didn't you know the Boxster is not a hot rod? Even after test driving one? The Boxster was underpowered in 98 and still is in 07. That's not what it's about.

If you turn your Boxster into a Basturd do you think you'll still have the good looks and balance? Shoehorning a 600hp straight six into the back will result in an awkward looking thing that performs like a late-80's 911 Turbo.

You're reluctant to spend $13 or $25K on a "simple" Porsche engine swap, yet you think putting an inexpensive engine in the Boxster won't cost you? I'm guessing it would run $50K in engineering and fabrication to make a Basturd. If you're doing the work yourself that cost would be less, considering your labor as "free". However, based on your line of questions, I'm assuming you're not in this line of work as your profession or hobby. Unless you have a real good friend or relative in the business, it'll cost you.

When you're done creating the Basturd and you grow tired of it, who's going to want to buy it from you? Not a Porsche purist. You could probably consider the number of people wanting a Basturd a niche market. Maybe the market could be counted on 1 hand (with a couple of digits sawed off for good measure).

Don't turn your Boxster into some freak show that travels the country in World Of Wheels and only zit-faced 13 yr olds will think is cool. Sell the Boxster if you're not happy with it and buy what makes you happy. It will be worth way more now in it's current condition than after it becomes a Basturd.

JMHO

tkn · 08-23-2007, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by husker boxster

If you're so enamored with raw power and 0-60 times, why did you buy a Boxster in the first place? You said you like the looks and the mid-engine balance but didn't you know the Boxster is not a hot rod? Even after test driving one? The Boxster was underpowered in 98 and still is in 07. That's not what it's about.

....

Don't turn your Boxster into some freak show that travels the country in World Of Wheels and only zit-faced 13 yr olds will think is cool. Sell the Boxster if you're not happy with it and buy what makes you happy. It will be worth way more now in it's current condition than after it becomes a Basturd.

JMHO

I was waiting for this to show up in the thread, it seems like someone always has to show up and offer nothing constructive. I bought the Boxster just for a nice small car to cruise around in, and I love the handling. Now I have a bit more money, still like the car, and haven't seen anything that really draws me to buy another car really. I am just a bit disappointed that the engine seems to be anemic and not engineered well enough to actually be tuned in any serious way.

What do you care if I want to take my Boxster, toss in some random engine and turbo it? Suppose I even wanted to put a huge double-decker spoiler, lots of stickers and neon lights underneath it? Sure, if it is $50K, then there is no way I would bother, I would probably just buy something else. If it can be done for a price comparable to buying a 3.4L engine, give me more horsepower and more potential upside for later, then that would not be a bad choice.

And seriously, the whole Basturd thing isn't even close to clever. Seriously, I don't worry about how other people are going to perceive my decisions, I outgrew that when I stopped being an adolescent.