Boxster Subaru conversion interest?

[The Radium King]

fyi, there is a thread in another forum (914 i believe) where a capable-sounding fellow was looking into putting an ls1 v8 into the boxster. while that may sound a bit silly, the ls1 is about the same weight and dimesions as the m96. most of the thread goes on about all the work required to modify/fabricate bell housings and starter locations, but one of the interesting side notes of the whole thing is that the cayanne and audi v8's are both direct bolt-ons to the boxster transmissions. the author of the thread actually admits that an audi or cayanne conversion would be much simpler, but didn't pursue it as he couldn't afford to buy the engine (an ls1 is much cheaper). apparently the audi or cayanne would be less expensive in the long run given that transmission modifications are not required.

long story short, have a look at putting an audi v8 in there - might be easier.

[al83s]

very interested. keep us informed

[kcpaz]

Originally Posted by The Radium King

fyi, there is a thread in another forum (914 i believe) where a capable-sounding fellow was looking into putting an ls1 v8 into the boxster. while that may sound a bit silly, the ls1 is about the same weight and dimesions as the m96. most of the thread goes on about all the work required to modify/fabricate bell housings and starter locations, but one of the interesting side notes of the whole thing is that the cayanne and audi v8's are both direct bolt-ons to the boxster transmissions. the author of the thread actually admits that an audi or cayanne conversion would be much simpler, but didn't pursue it as he couldn't afford to buy the engine (an ls1 is much cheaper). apparently the audi or cayanne would be less expensive in the long run given that transmission modifications are not required.

long story short, have a look at putting an audi v8 in there - might be easier.

If you are talking about Brad Roberts, I know him and I know he's working on the LS conversion into a Boxster. We have talked at length about it. Bottom line, he is going that direction, and I am going the Subaru direction. The problem with the Audi/Porsche V8 is they are HUGE with their DOHC 32 valve design, and massively top heavy. Also, engine management could get expensive. In both of these cases, the Subaru and even LS motors are better for the Boxster than the German V8. No don't even get me stated on the cost of replacement/upgrade parts...

It sounds like there is some interest in atleast watching the project here so I will post up some pictures as I go.

[Perfectlap]

A Cayenne engine in a Boxster sounds interesting. A V8 Audi engine sounded interesting until I spoke to my Porsche Indy who could not have more bad things to say about their engines after I mentioned an interest in buying an R8 once the prices had come down.
Subi Boxer engine would be pretty bad ass. A guy in one of the many autocross clubs around here made some exhaust mods to his and it sounded like a .50 caliber cannon.

[kcpaz]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

A Cayenne engine in a Boxster sounds interesting. A V8 Audi engine sounded interesting until I spoke to my Porsche Indy who could not have more bad things to say about their engines after I mentioned an interest in buying an R8 once the prices had come down.
Subi Boxer engine would be pretty bad ass. A guy in one of the many autocross clubs around here made some exhaust mods to his and it sounded like a .50 caliber cannon.

Cayenne V8 = Audi V8. It's the same thing.

[BlitzSRM]

I wanna see this

[jjanari]

very interested in a build up with pix!
-Jimmy

[JoeFromPA]

Very interested as well. I own a 2008 Subaru Legacy GT, which has the exact same engine as the STi except with a different turbo (and obviously engine management).

The 2.5 liter Subaru engine is capable of safely putting down 350awhp without modification to any internals and with a mildly upgraded turbo , as long as it's got plenty of fuel and is running a solid tune. The only real soft-spots internally-speaking are the pistons & piston rings, which seem not to like detonation as much as perhaps some forged pistons would

In stock format, with an opened up exhaust and conservative tune, 280-300whp is easily accomplished with no other modifications.

At the same time, expect peak torque (of about 300+ lb/ft) to be delivered by 3000rpms and power to stay on until 5500-6000 rpms.

I think Porsche purists would miss the buttery smoothness of the flat six engine and how it never gets out of sorts, even at very low rpms in higher gears, but otherwise the engine is a great replacement if someone can make it work.

I'm not worried about the intercooler...plenty of ways to make that work....but I'm curious about the transmission adapter, starter mounting, and electronics.

Also, I think the boxster 5-speed's gearing is actually ideal for this engine. The taller gearing means the turbo will get a higher load, which means earlier spool while giving some nice long-pulling times. Combine that with the drop of ~300-400 pounds + 2 less wheels to drive, and I think the engine will drive like a dream.

Good luck to you. This is one swap that's been waiting to happen.

[kcpaz]

Turbo and supporting pieces...

[kcpaz]

Prototype motor mount/cradle is finished. It mounts using factory hardware locations, and requires no chassis modification or welding. The bottom of the cradle also acts as a skid plate of sorts since the oil pan sits about a half inch lower than the stock oil pan.

[chaudanova]

Wow, pretty darn cool. Subscribed, and definitely interested...

[Scbrindley]

What a great project! I've seen a wrx engine in a 914 before, but never in a 986! I'll be keeping an eye on this project for sure. Keep up the good work, this is extremely interesting.

SB

[blue2000s]

You don't really need to access the oil filter

That oil pan is pretty heavily "messaged"