GT2 Front Conversion - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

mjstallion · 12-19-2007, 10:07 PM

I was looking through the archives and saw this image. What is involved with it, is it bumper, hood, lights, and fenders?

How I can go about getting this type of conversion? Can I get all the parts from Porsche, or do I have to get aftermarket? I wrecked my front so insurance is covering most of what I get so I'd prefer to go with Porsche factory stuff if possible.

rick3000 · 12-20-2007, 04:02 AM

I believe it is just the bumper and lights. The hood stays the same.

986speedster · 12-20-2007, 06:06 AM

I believe you have to change the fenders also because of the shape of the headlights.

Gary in BR · 12-20-2007, 07:13 AM

I looked into this mod.

It needs new headlights, bumper, and fenders. It was more than I wanted to spend....

porsche986spyder · 12-20-2007, 09:58 AM

You can always do what I did. Keep your Boxster headlights and buy the GT-2 front end only that does not require the new fenders, headlights and hood. 3 web sites sell them.
http://www.nrauto.com/sub_index.asp?makeid=Porsche&spage=Parts
Look at the front bumper of my car. It's the same. I got mine from here:
http://www.precisionporsche.com/boxkit.html
One of our old sponsors sells them too, Fiberworks.
http://www.fiberwerks.com/986_996.htm

mjstallion · 12-20-2007, 11:01 AM

One of the reasons I want to do this is because I was involved in a wreck and my bumper broke off and both headlights shattered, so I need new headlights anyway.

Will a Porsche dealership be able to put 997 headlights, bumper, and fenders on my Boxster?

porsche986spyder · 12-20-2007, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjstallion

One of the reasons I want to do this is because I was involved in a wreck and my bumper broke off and both headlights shattered, so I need new headlights anyway.

Will a Porsche dealership be able to put 997 headlights, bumper, and fenders on my Boxster?

They should, as long as the kit you buy works with the existing mounting brackets and points. You will also need the inside fender well mud guards and all that other hidden stuff underneath you normally don't think about = more money.

YellowJacket · 12-20-2007, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjstallion

One of the reasons I want to do this is because I was involved in a wreck and my bumper broke off and both headlights shattered, so I need new headlights anyway.

Will a Porsche dealership be able to put 997 headlights, bumper, and fenders on my Boxster?

Just to clarify, what you're looking at is not a 997 front end; it's a later model 996 front end. I'm not sure if I've seen the 997 front on a 986 attempted yet, but I'm pretty sure that would go beyond bolt-ons and OEM parts if it were possible.

That being said, if you mean the late 996 front end on a 986, then yes, it's possible and since you're needing new headlights and front bumper, you're probably halfway there. I think there are also a few other parts including the fenders and the headlight mounting locations that may or may not be damaged in your accident that will be needed. If you search, a couple guys on this board have done the conversion, and I think one posted a parts list. If I remember right it was NOT cheap, so you may be better off going with early model litronics and the GT2 front end that porsche986spyder has.

saaber · 12-20-2007, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjstallion

I was looking through the archives and saw this image. What is involved with it, is it bumper, hood, lights, and fenders?

How I can go about getting this type of conversion? Can I get all the parts from Porsche, or do I have to get aftermarket? I wrecked my front so insurance is covering most of what I get so I'd prefer to go with Porsche factory stuff if possible.

Aftermarket polyurethane bumpers are available in the gt3, gt2, and 911 turbo styles. They don't require any headlight or other changes and are supposedly bolt on. Cost is $800-$1200 from what I have seen. I would expect they may need a bit more prep work than factory porsche covers?

This one is on ebay right now along with several others, I am considering putting this one on in Spring.

porsche986spyder · 12-20-2007, 01:26 PM

I like this new 997 front bumper. It's made out of Polyurethane too.

Anyone want to buy my GT-2 front end so I can get this new 997 front bumper?

Mine is fiberglass with nothing wrong with it. Just needs to be re-painted unless you have seal gray already.

Back2DTM · 12-20-2007, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porsche986spyder

I like this new 997 front bumper. It's made out of Polyurethane too.

Anyone want to buy my GT-2 front end so I can get this new 997 front bumper?

Mine is fiberglass with nothing wrong with it. Just needs to be re-painted unless you have seal gray already.

Nice! PP or PU is the only way to go...

mjstallion · 12-20-2007, 03:49 PM

Wow! I contacted LA Porsche Dismantlers and they said the cost for the conversion is $7000 in parts, plus an additional $4000 in labor. They're the only people I've seen that do a conversion that includes the headlights though.

Kirk · 12-20-2007, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porsche986spyder

I like this new 997 front bumper. It's made out of Polyurethane too.

Anyone want to buy my GT-2 front end so I can get this new 997 front bumper?

Mine is fiberglass with nothing wrong with it. Just needs to be re-painted unless you have seal gray already.

Yeah, I love that bumper too! It's a 997 GT3 bumper modified to fit the 996/986. I think it looks better with the blanked off turn signal openings though rather than this smoothed over look. Where did you want to get this bumper from? I've seen it on eBay for like $1090 plus shipping. Have you found a better deal than that?

My two cents though - your GT2 bumper looks awesome already, so why change? The GT3 look is cool, but is it really that much better to justify changing?

Jeph · 12-20-2007, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjstallion

Wow! I contacted LA Porsche Dismantlers and they said the cost for the conversion is $7000 in parts, plus an additional $4000 in labor. They're the only people I've seen that do a conversion that includes the headlights though.

LA Dismantlers has got to be kidding. Their parts are used and they want that much?

All your questions can be answered here.

- Official 986 to 996 Front-end Conversion Thread

Related Items
- The (996) Wheels are in Motion
- Name that Bumper

mjstallion · 12-20-2007, 04:22 PM

Thanks for that link Jeph, I'd been looking for that one.

BTW, Porsche Dismantlers told me that the parts would be $7000 because they all would have to be new, since they don't have any salvaged parts in stock right now for the conversion.

So in looking at your link your parts came out to $6000 and that's because you went deal hunting. So if LA Dismantlers is paying the regular dealer price, then that probably comes out right. What I find outrageous is the $4000 in labor they're asking for.

Jeph · 12-20-2007, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjstallion

Thanks for that link Jeph, I'd been looking for that one.

Those parts prices are what my body shop came up with. I did the same thing you did (check out those related posts) by taking advantage of an accident I had. My out of pocket expense was about $2k. You could cut your out of pocket even more if you didn't require Litronics. They do make a halogen version of those headlights.

Do you have pix of your wrecked car? What color is it?

mjstallion · 12-20-2007, 05:11 PM

I had Litronics before, so I'd like to keep them. Anyway here's a pic of my car:

Jephs, why was your out of pocket expense 2K, was your wreck not that bad? My bumper and both of my headlights are definitely gone, and my hood might be.

The way I see it, I'll likely have to spring for the fenders myself, but the rest should be covered. I had an AeroKit bumper anyway, so it's not like a GT2 bumper would be more expensive than the one I already had.

nola911 · 12-20-2007, 05:22 PM

What about something like this....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Porsche-986-Boxster-996-to-997-GT3-conversion-New_W0QQitemZ180195607392QQihZ008QQcategoryZ36475Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

rick3000 · 12-20-2007, 05:47 PM

From the looks of that picture, they might have to replace the passenger side fender. If it took the headlight clear off like that, there is obviously some bent metal, and you are probably going to have trouble getting the new headlight to fit with it having been yanked out. I am not sure, but that is what I think, based on that picture.

Jeph · 12-20-2007, 06:48 PM

Wow, that looks worse than my accident. I bet your insurance company will try to repair your fenders instead of replace them.

Your parts list may differ from mine slightly because your Boxster is an S.

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxferran

What about something like this....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Porsche-986-Boxster-996-to-997-GT3-conversion-New_W0QQitemZ180195607392QQihZ008QQcategoryZ36475Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I love auctions that try to sell about 9 different products.

A couple of those looked interesting. (Nothing good for the 986 though.)

If Dracula drove a Porsche...