2006 Ruf Boxster 3.8S X51 Conversion

[z12358]

Originally Posted by ljd-924se

i'm surprised no one has mentioned the idea of just spending $25K on a 3.8 L swap from Farbacher Loles or FVD.

Didn't even know about that. I don't think I'll be considering any swaps on my 987S during warranty, but am curious as to what options are available. I wonder why Ruf charges $14k more for the same swap. Is it because the X51 engine costs more? Any ideas?

Actually, how much does a new 997 3.8L w/X51 engine cost? And shouldn't just any good Porsche mechanic shop be able to do the swap? There's a guy on Renntech that swaps engines into his 986 like I change shirts. All done in his garage, two days tops.

Z.

[webster132]

Originally Posted by z12358

Actually, how much does a new 997 3.8L w/X51 engine cost? And shouldn't just any good Porsche mechanic shop be able to do the swap? There's a guy on Renntech that swaps engines into his 986 like I change shirts. All done in his garage, two days tops.

From the article, it definitely doesn't sound like it just plops in:

Not that everything just fell into place. Ruf has installed the 3.6-liter 911 engine in earlier versions of the Boxster, but mating the 3.8-liter with the latest Boxster chassis involved a whole new set of wiring and plumbing issues to be solved. Hans Hoffman, Ruf’s technical guru in Dallas, advises anyone with a pre-2005 Boxster contemplating a 3.8S conversion that the main wiring buss for the ECU is completely different, and they are better off trading up to a later model Boxster–what Johnson did with his 2000 Boxster S.

Besides custom making the motor mounts, modifying the ECU and facing a “bit of a challenge” with the wiring harness, Hoffman said the the intake tubing of the 987S did not match up with the housing for the mass airflow sensor of the 997S engine. The engine ran okay, but—to be perfect—a new housing had to be designed.

Ruf also installed a new ceramic-coated exhaust system. The car passed its California emissions test.

[z12358]

Originally Posted by webster132

From the article, it definitely doesn't sound like it just plops in:

Yes, the devil is in the details, I suppose. On the warranty... 1yr Ruf warranty is not good enough. I'm definitely sticking with my stock set-up until my original warranty expires. By then, I could probably swap my 3.2L Box for a new 3.8L Box coming straight from Porsche and for less than it would cost to do an engine swap.

webster, how come there are two copies of quoted text in your messages?

[Paul]

As I've said before, it would be nice if Porsche offerred all of their motors as options in both the 997 and the 987. Boxster GT anyone?

[z12358]

Originally Posted by Paul

As I've said before, it would be nice if Porsche offerred all of their motors as options in both the 997 and the 987. Boxster GT anyone?

Yes, I keep telling them that but they wouldn't listen. Probably because then there would be no 997 to sell. The sales of 997 are still going too strong for them to ever risk a move like that. As the latest numbers are showing, the "look at me in a 911" crowd still drives Porsche's business. So we can safely assume that the Boxster will be 20% underpowered to the 911 for years to come.

[super66]

I don't think its a rip off at all....your paying for performance and getting the car you want.....I would do it in a heartbeat....I mean sure there are always other cars that give you more bang for the buck and will beat you aound the track, but the problem is I will be envious of the gorgeous boxster I'm beating even with it being slower.....

few compare in looks.......

[Bavarian Motorist]

This might be a bad question but if they swap the engine, do you get to keep your engine they took out? Cause I could definitely take it and sell it for maybe 10-15k? (total guess) and make some of it back.

If you don't, that's absolutely stupid. Why would they take your engine??

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Bavarian Motorist

This might be a bad question but if they swap the engine, do you get to keep your engine they took out? Cause I could definitely take it and sell it for maybe 10-15k? (total guess) and make some of it back.

If you don't, that's absolutely stupid. Why would they take your engine??

They usually take your used engine, as mentioned earlier. 10-15k is way high for even a slightly used boxster engine. They probably sell it on the aftermarket like you want to. You may get 3-5 k for a slightly used 2.7L or 3.2L engine. There was a nice 3.6L 996 engine with less than 5 thousand miles on it on ebay a few months back for 5.5k. I'd be happy with a 3.6L boxster with 320 or so hp. Any car with a power to weight ratio of 10hp to 1lb or greater is pretty fast.