BoxsterLS376 introduction - LS3 conversion :)

[Lcrivers816]

You should definitely sell me a set of coolant lines =D haha

[BoxsterLS376]

Originally Posted by Lcrivers816

You should definitely sell me a set of coolant lines =D haha

You know I'm getting pretty tempted to start making parts like this for everyone, let me make sure I get mine going first, then we'll talk

Unfortunately haven't had any time to play with the car yet this week, not to mention it is getting hot as crap so I'm not moving fast right now

Got a new expansion tank coming in tomorrow which should help me knock out the rest of the cooling system. Need to get a fuel pressure regulator and hook it up, then a few more wires (of course it's the hard ones, geez!!), but we may be ready to spin this thing over here real soon!

Thanks!
J

[Lcrivers816]

Sounds good!!

[Van914]

I hope it runs like a Beast!

[shockandawe]

Good Luck,will you be showing all the wiring done to run the beast?

[Lcrivers816]

WHOOOOOOOO!!! It's gonna be a beast!! :troll:

[Reebuck1]

Can't wait to see and hear it!!!

[BoxsterLS376]

Originally Posted by Van914

I hope it runs like a Beast!

Me too!
Thanks!

Originally Posted by shockandawe

Good Luck,will you be showing all the wiring done to run the beast?

Thank you thank you - yeah I can go over most of it once I figure it all out myself You should definitely get a copy of the Porsche manual with wiring diagrams, couldn't do it with out them!

Originally Posted by Lcrivers816

WHOOOOOOOO!!! It's gonna be a beast!! :troll:

Go that right!
Thanks!

Originally Posted by Reebuck1

Can't wait to see and hear it!!!

You an me both!


QUICK MIDDAY UPDATE!

We have been running through a few small issues - although finally did an initial test fire and SHE RUNS!! She make a ********************LOAD OF NOISE - but she runs!

Seems that one of my worries is causing a problem - not enough space between the recommended starter motor and the flywheel. Love it when recommended ******************** doesn't work :/

She will be running again in a few minutes - hopefully with much less noise

[Smallblock454]

Wanna hear the beast roar! - not squeak.

Fingers crossed. You'll solve it!

Regards from Germany
Markus

[Bayley]

You shall overcome!

'Tis but a minor setup in your final steps to the summit.

BTW - let me know if there were any modifications you did with the belts or brackets. My AC bracket had some pretty bad interference with the compressor housing. I wrote Renegade last week just to give them a friendly "heads up", still haven't heard back. In the meantime, I modified the bracket to both clear the compressor housing AND fit the engine block a little better. Renegade's powder coater was a little overly ambitious and a lot of the holes and aligning edges didn't fit until I ground off all that beautiful finishing coat.

At the very back of the compressor housing near the rear mounting bolt, you can see the housing hitting the bracket:



Wasn't difficult to modify, but yet another aspect of this "kit" that makes it less and less of a "bolt in" experience.

[BoxsterLS376]

It's alive.

[Lcrivers816]

Post that ISH!!!

[JRL]

Great job JJ - well done

[Pdwight]

There was a disturbance in the force....millions of Boxster crying out for more power.....we heard you in Alabama when you started her up.

[BoxsterLS376]

Originally Posted by Bayley

You shall overcome!

'Tis but a minor setup in your final steps to the summit.

BTW - let me know if there were any modifications you did with the belts or brackets. My AC bracket had some pretty bad interference with the compressor housing. I wrote Renegade last week just to give them a friendly "heads up", still haven't heard back. In the meantime, I modified the bracket to both clear the compressor housing AND fit the engine block a little better. Renegade's powder coater was a little overly ambitious and a lot of the holes and aligning edges didn't fit until I ground off all that beautiful finishing coat.

At the very back of the compressor housing near the rear mounting bolt, you can see the housing hitting the bracket:


Wasn't difficult to modify, but yet another aspect of this "kit" that makes it less and less of a "bolt in" experience.

Yeah so right now I'm still in the process of sorting out the belts and pulley alignment situation but haven't had tremendous success just yet, pretty close though. The short answer to your question is yes, additional spacers and washers were necessary to make things fit properly... also had to knock down some of the powdercoat in order to get it to slip by the boss on the block there. I've added my original transmission spacers to the alternator to help align it, about 1/2" forward so far. Ran out of patience this week so by the end of the day I just took the damn belt off so I could hear it run without a squeak

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I hope you are a good modifier as there are LOTS of dumb things like that you will need to sort out, let me know if I can help!
Thanks
J

Originally Posted by Lcrivers816

Post that ISH!!!

Well not real exciting but here it is

http://youtu.be/Opxu4mded6c

Originally Posted by JRL

Great job JJ - well done

Thanks Randy!
J

Originally Posted by Pdwight

There was a disturbance in the force....millions of Boxster crying out for more power.....we heard you in Alabama when you started her up.

LOL - The force is strong with this one


Thanks everyone I really appreciate it...

I think there is an issue with the cooling system so no road tests just yet although everything spins the right way when in gear etc.

I'm pretty certain I followed Renegades little flow diagram pretty spot on but one thing I didn't do is actually check the LS3 coolant flow etc. I simply copied Renegades pictures but something just isn't right... they probably sent pictures of a 911 conversion with the pipes on backward or something, who knows, i'll figure it out though:dance:

[Smallblock454]

Any news? Does it run smooth now?

Some exhaust mods planned to get more roar?

Regards from Germany
Markus

[BoxsterLS376]

Greetings all,

Well got to mess with it a bit more and made a small change to the steam pipe in the cooling system but don't think I solved much. Seems like the T-Stat is not opening so I'm gonna spill some more coolant tomorrow and pull that little bastard out just to see if we can keep it cool enough to put a few miles on it...

Speaking of putting a few miles on it I did actually pull it down off the lift and took it down the street. Belt was still making all sorts of noise and the power steering wasn't powering at all, but it goes down the road!

@ Markus - once I get more bits sorted out then i'll make some noisy pipes

Thanks!
J

[BoxsterLS376]

Greetings all,

Sooo got a few things sorted out and it is starting to become a driveable car!! I abandoned the A/C portion of the belt for now in order to just run the alternator without it making all sorts of racket.

I ended up doing quite a bit of modifying to the alternator mount/tensioner setup I added about an extra inch of adjustability with the alternator tensioner bracket which helped a bit and also ground off the block a bit more where it was getting in the way. The biggest thing however was that I added about 3/8" of spacing to the alternator in order to get it to line up better with the crank pulley. I started with the 1/2" aluminum spacers I had made for the transmission but they were a bit much, but FYI 5 flat washers = 3/8"

In the end you still don't get much adjustability but I was able to squeeze a 5PK-875 (should be 6pk but I'm just glad it's on and working right now - only temporary anyway) onto the crank and alternator. It will just barely fit and actually had to loop it over the crank and turn the motor over by hand to get it to fit on, got it nice and tight and viola! No more squeaky belt!


Regarding the cooling system, I decided to gut a thermostat yesterday and put the system together like that just free flowing to the radiators. So far so good! I think the biggest problem was that the system was not bled well enough, even though I used a vacuum bleeder, just wasn't enough. I ran it for a bit last night and it took in quite a bit more coolant so I'm feeling better about it. Ran it again today for a bit and temperatures were staying just about 180*-190*F so I'm happy with that for now!

Last challenge for the day was the tachometer which so far I've gotten it to flicker and that's about it. I'll just say that the "Renegade way" didn't work. Stopped by a friends place to show him the car and he dropped a bit more knowledge and a resistor on me, i'll see if we can make that work tomorrow!

Otherwise she sounds good!! Pretty mean actually with the way the "Hot cam" hits a lick!! I think the decision to go with the LS376-480 crate motor was a perfect choice so far, at best I've only given it about half throttle and there is PLENTY left to scare you, I can't wait til I get her broke in!!!

I'll make a video tomorrow , would have today but it started raining cats and dogs and I still don't have a top on this thing yet so testing was limited

Thanks!
J

[bc993]

Congratulations. When do LS376 Kits go into production?

[BoxsterLS376]

Greetings all,

Here is a little video I made today for you all showing off the car a bit. Feel free to comment/question - Hope you enjoy


https://youtu.be/QkxzES1lbyU

J