? 2.5 performance mods now / 3.4 later

[HB.]

I'm just trying to do some early planning so I don't waste money on parts I don't really need. I will be planning on doing the 3.4 conversion sometime in early '09, maybe even late '08 (seriously doubt it). My question is could I still purchase after market performance parts for my 2.5 engine, that will work with the 3.4? I was looking at some headers for my 2.5, but didn't know if it would mate with the 3.4 when I do the swap. I would also like to know if I can't do the headers, are there any other parts I can upgrade, ie. intake, exhaust etc etc, or should I just wait until after I do the conversion to do these after market upgrades?

Thanks in advance

You won't find too many common parts between those motors. Small gains can be squeezed from the 2.5, frankly if your committed to the 3.4 swap why not just drive the snot out of it now and get used to the handling and stash the cash for a quicker swap? My lowly 2.5 sweeps past 100 without complaint, sometimes I wonder when is fast fast enough but I have to admit I like the speed as well.

[Gary in BR]

I have to agree, if you are planning an engine swap I would leave the engine alone and just de-snork.

But in the mean time you can do suspension mods, brake upgrades and drivers eds.

All of those mods can be carried over.

[mr2by4]

If you buy muffler, headers, mid-pipes they should carry over. The headers for the 3.2 are different in stock form, but most aftermarket headers do not reflect the additional cat that the Porsche units have.
They should net you some power on either engine and are expensive for nice ones.
De-snorkel will carry over and is cheap/free.
I would just start buying the parts you will need for the swap. Most of them willbe easier to do when you are swapping the motor. Pulling and replacing the exhaust system is a significant part of dropping the motor for the swap, strangely enough.

[RandallNeighbour]

I think the 3.4 has different headers than the 2.5 ...

[easyc]

My two cents...


1. Join PCA
2. Find local region
3. Look for local to you DE schedule
4. Sign up for DE's
5. Learn how to drive the car BEFORE you get the extra power

[chaudanova]

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

I think the 3.4 has different headers than the 2.5 ...

Yes, but when you put the 3.4 motor into the boxster, I believe it goes it "backwards", and then you would use a boxster header, so you could get an aftermarket header now for the 2.5/2.7/3.2 and then use it on the 3.4 later as well.

[j.fro]

Gotta agree with easyc: Get some autocross/track experience with the 2.5. I had a 1999 with the 2.5, then moved to a 2000 3.2, then did my first auto-x. Becasuse of my lack of experience, the 3.2 car felt harder to control, kind of like it was coming out from under me at times. If I had learned on the 2.5, I really think the learning curve would have been a bit easier.

[djomlas]

you really cant squeeze anything out of the 2.5 realistically.
if you want to just spend a little $ on it thats fine, get a EVO intake for great sound and an exhaust, and you can also get the headers (now they are really cheap, and when u get the new motor, just sell them on ebay for almost the same price).

but definitely get a short shifter for it, 2.5 or anything else, stock is just too hilarious after you install the short shifter.

also, since the upgrade is in place, get the strut bars, they will help with the handling, and different wheels and/or brake upgrade...possibly some cospetic mods like sideskirts/bumpers and such, those will just complete the picture

good luck with your mods man

[HB.]

Thanks guys for the replies

I'm not gonna burn my money on DE's because I most likely won't even get into that until late 2009. I just simply don't have the time, and won't have the time for a long time.

djomlas,

I already have 2 bars installed, doing the lower rear stress bar tomorrow
Again guys, I'm looking for hp parts that will transfer over from the 2.5 to the 3.4 engine swap. If none can transfer over for sure, then I'll just wait until after the 3.4 is installed. Is there anyone here on this board who has done the 3.4 swap?

[djomlas]

here you go man
http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=13527

so u have a 2.5, not enough power, then will get the 3.4, and still not enough power?
but yeah, for us guys, theres never enough power.

[RandallNeighbour]

Originally Posted by HB.

Is there anyone here on this board who has done the 3.4 swap?

The muffler will transfer over. You could do that. Wont' give you more than 2 or 3 hp, but it will sound a lot better. Twin chamber mufflers make for a lot of cabin resonance between 2-3k rpm... top or down. Just keep that in mind.

There are at least three active forum members who have done the 3.4 engine swap. I don't remember their screen names, but if you start doing thread searches for engine swaps you'll find them.

[HB.]

Thanks guys, even though I don't plan on doing the swap until 1 year - 1 1/2 years, this really does help. Now I'm off to install that lower rear stress bar.

[chaudanova]

Originally Posted by HB.

Thanks guys, even though I don't plan on doing the swap until 1 year - 1 1/2 years, this really does help. Now I'm off to install that lower rear stress bar.

Sweet, which one did you get? Can you snap some DIY style pictures while you install it? Looking forward to hearing your driving impressions with it!

[HB.]

I sure will, as soon as I can jack the car up. My craftsman 3 ton jacks don't fit under the car

[racer_d]

imho, the best HP mod for a 2.5 Boxster is learning how to drive it really, really well. My boxster (a 2.7) did not have the model designation on the rear trunk lid. Because of that, folks at DE/AX assumed it must be an "S" because I was "too fast" to be driving a base model. Yes. Learning how to drive well is a fantastic feeling because others will realize that it wasn't because of HP that you were fast. It was because of skill.

Learning to drive a 2.5 fast will make you even that much faster when the 3.4 goes in.

Enjoy!

As for mods that would carry over when the 3.4 is installed - bigger brakes and suspension would be where I would spend the $$.