BoxsterLS376 introduction - LS3 conversion :)

[Dlirium]

Originally Posted by kk2002s

The more posts I read the more I think this would not be the direction I would go. Sounds like it would be an awesome car when done but as a Kit, I'm trying to figure out where the Kit part is.

You are a glutted for punishment but no question have to be admired for you persistence and passion.

When that thing is done, I hope it is the beast it seems it could be

I will keep following. Keep posting your progress as this is akin to watching a climb of Mt Everest

Yes, aint that the truth! I admire the gumption it takes to do this project. Talking to Renegade, it's virtually "plug and play". not so...

Having ridden in a V8 powered Boxster, however, i can attest that when it is done, it will have been worth it :-)

[bc993]

When do you expect your parts to arrive from Renegade? So looking forward to this project build.

[Topless]

Fun project! Scott is a friend of mine and he has done a bunch of 996/986 conversions now. The chassis is talking to the motor just fine on them so you should have no problem with that. Toyota 12v PS and WP are the only way to go. The LS3 is certainly a tight fit but doable and it is a sweet powerplant with monstrous torque.

You may be able to use a Cayman engine cover to fit over your intake. It is a little taller and some have done this successfully. Forget a plexi cover. The way a Boxster breathes by pulling air up from the road surface makes the engine compartment look like a nasty chicken coop after about a week of driving. It ain't pretty and this is actually part of the ground effect in addition to cooling the accessories, trans and rear brakes.

I have considered this conversion but Nazi emissions regs in Comiefornia make a street conversion risky. I would have to register the car at Scott's house in NV and run the CHP impound gauntlet while living here in CA. Too much PITA for me unless it was a dedicated track car.

[jaykay]

Originally Posted by Topless

Fun project! Scott is a friend of mine and he has done a bunch of 996/986 conversions now. The chassis is talking to the motor just fine on them so you should have no problem with that. Toyota 12v PS and WP are the only way to go. The LS3 is certainly a tight fit but doable and it is a sweet powerplant with monstrous torque.

You may be able to use a Cayman engine cover to fit over your intake. It is a little taller and some have done this successfully. Forget a plexi cover. The way a Boxster breathes by pulling air up from the road surface makes the engine compartment look like a nasty chicken coop after about a week of driving. It ain't pretty and this is actually part of the ground effect in addition to cooling the accessories, trans and rear brakes.

I have considered this conversion but Nazi emissions regs in Comiefornia make a street conversion risky. I would have to register the car at Scott's house in NV and run the CHP impound gauntlet while living here in CA. Too much PITA for me unless it was a dedicated track car.

How is the drivability and handling of the Boxster with the LS3 if I may ask.......I guess one feathers the throttle to get back to where it was originally as far as traction and balance....would you need a huge leep / amount of seat time to handle it? Have wheel widths been changed..square? I have been on track in a Cayman R (I think the engine was stock) and found that to have just an insane amount of momentum.....well it was the old Mosport, lots green and yellow traffic, R comps....anyway it felt way way over my head even in the power department.

[Pdwight]

What do they do for the exhaust system ?

[Dlirium]

Originally Posted by jaykay

How is the drivability and handling of the Boxster with the LS3 if I may ask.......I guess one feathers the throttle to get back to where it was originally as far as traction and balance....would you need a huge leep / amount of seat time to handle it? Have wheel widths been changed..square? I have been on track in a Cayman R (I think the engine was stock) and found that to have just an insane amount of momentum.....well it was the old Mosport, lots green and yellow traffic, R comps....anyway it felt way way over my head even in the power department.

It is amazing. All the standard handling that you get with a mid-engine Boxster, but now you have the power to pull out of corners or kick the backend out. Yes, you can now get yourself in a LOT of trouble, so throttle management will be key. And shifts come a lot quicker :-)

While I don't have this (yet), I have ridden in Scott's car in a spirited drive around Las Vegas...

[Pdwight]

But this is a lot of "stuff" to stuff up the butt of a Boxster

[Topless]

Originally Posted by jaykay

How is the drivability and handling of the Boxster with the LS3 if I may ask.......I guess one feathers the throttle to get back to where it was originally as far as traction and balance....would you need a huge leep / amount of seat time to handle it? Have wheel widths been changed..square? I have been on track in a Cayman R (I think the engine was stock) and found that to have just an insane amount of momentum.....well it was the old Mosport, lots green and yellow traffic, R comps....anyway it felt way way over my head even in the power department.

I favor the big fat torque curve driveability of the LS3 over a 951 or 930 that hits you hard when the boost comes on and if you are not steering straight ahead, tosses you unceremoniously into the weeds. Like a GT3, Z06 or any high hp car, wisdom suggests we ramp up our speed gradually and avoid running around stabbing the throttle unless we like buying a lot of fresh rear tires.

[BoxsterLS376]

Greetings everyone,

Sorry for the delayed reply, been busier then normal at work tearing down a 1965 911 to send it off for major bodywork and rust repair. Plus my grandma had a stroke a few weeks ago so I've been spending more spare time at the hospital then I would like. She's doing better now but lost most use of her left side so things will never be the same

Ok sorry again for starting off on a downer! That being said I have not heard from Renegade yet and tomorrow marks 6 weeks since ordered, although i'm sure they will call as soon as it is ready, i'll reach out to them today. I still need to send off my power steering lines which I just pulled off this weekend so they can make the appropriate lines for the electric steering conversion too.

Also need to go ahead and get the motor coming which i'm going to try and order today. Hopefully they are still in stock and can probably have it by the end of the week.

Since the car had a coolant/oil failure I really need to clean out the cooling system too and make sure there is no guck in it. I have been thinking about it and may go ahead and upgrade the radiators since I have to pull all that crap out. Any of you tried the upgraded radiators from CSF?? I can get them for a little under $400 each and think it's a good "while you're in there" upgrade.

I also appreciate the PM's and emails I have recieved from a few of you and will try to get back to them all. Very excited to get started on this project!!

I'll definitely update again hopefully in a few days when things start to show up!!
Thanks!
J

EDIT: Just spoke with the folks at Renegade and looks like they are just waiting on a few small bits and the kit should ship out later this week or early next week!

[Dlirium]

Originally Posted by Topless

Fun project! Scott is a friend of mine and he has done a bunch of 996/986 conversions now. The chassis is talking to the motor just fine on them so you should have no problem with that. Toyota 12v PS and WP are the only way to go. The LS3 is certainly a tight fit but doable and it is a sweet powerplant with monstrous torque.

You may be able to use a Cayman engine cover to fit over your intake. It is a little taller and some have done this successfully. Forget a plexi cover. The way a Boxster breathes by pulling air up from the road surface makes the engine compartment look like a nasty chicken coop after about a week of driving. It ain't pretty and this is actually part of the ground effect in addition to cooling the accessories, trans and rear brakes.

I have considered this conversion but Nazi emissions regs in Comiefornia make a street conversion risky. I would have to register the car at Scott's house in NV and run the CHP impound gauntlet while living here in CA. Too much PITA for me unless it was a dedicated track car.

Exactly my thoughts for CA. I still think that if I blow my 3.2, this would be the best route. make it a dedicated track car and have a blast..

[JRL]

Great news John. I'm really anxious to see what all is involved and will give you a call soon to set up a time for a visit. I'm only about 10 miles from your shop.

I'm going to look at a car Friday and have started my search for the best price on a crate motor. I'm leaning towards the LS 525 which may be over kill but it's hard to imagine too much power :-)

[Topless]

Originally Posted by JRL

I'm leaning towards the LS 525 which may be over kill but it's hard to imagine too much power :-)

Just remember you still gotta get all that power to the ground through the clutch, trans, and axles that were engineered and designed for 250hp. Powerful cars are great. Powerful cars that always break... not so much. Choose wisely.

[JRL]

Originally Posted by Topless

Just remember you still gotta get all that power to the ground through the clutch, trans, and axles that were engineered and designed for 250hp. Powerful cars are great. Powerful cars that always break... not so much. Choose wisely.

The flywheel, clutch and pressure plate are replaced with stronger components.

Sorry but the Boxster S transmission was designed for far more than 250 HP. It is essentially the same box as the 996 series cars internally.

Renegade has a running car with over 600 HP and the transmission is fine.

And FWIW I know all about getting the power to the ground.

[Qmulus]

This is great! The engine sounds like a great deal for what you get.

I saw the Kennedy Engineering flywheel and adapter plate setup, and they look like very nice pieces. A local guy is building what he calls "street rails" using a tube chassis with various engines and Boxster transmissions. He just got an LS1 from a Corvette and a Boxster S six speed transmission to put in his latest "car". From what I can see, the LSx + adapter is significantly longer than the M96. I was a bit surprised to see how thick the adapter plate was to accommodate the starter. It looks like some clever engineering or notching of the bell housing could save an inch there. It will be interesting to see how that all bolts up.

I can't wait to see more!

[Pdwight]

I thought the S 6 speed was good to about 450hp

[JRL]

The Boxster S gearbox is plenty stout. This one is handling over 600 HP.

LS V8 Boxster Conversion From Renegade Hybrids! - YouTube

[Boxster 50]

Looking forward to the pics. I do have experience with fabrication and welding and have the tools. Plasma and welder. It does make me weak in the knees to think about cutting up a perfectly running and driving car.... I am hoping the kit comes with a template for alignment purposes. I would think alignment would be key to keep unnecessary bind off the axles and of course for fitment. This is the first I have heard of tampering with the e brake. Will it be unsightly ?

[Boxster 50]

Originally Posted by Topless View Post
Just remember you still gotta get all that power to the ground through the clutch, trans, and axles that were engineered and designed for 250hp. Powerful cars are great. Powerful cars that always break... not so much. Choose wisely.

When I spoke with Renegade they said the trans was holding the power from a LS7 but the axles were the weak link. He also said the car with the LS7 was a track car so you know it has been ran hard with many hours. He did say they have a fix coming for this by the way of after market axles.

[BoxsterLS376]

Good morning everyone,

About to head over to the shop but just wanted to post a quick update and a few pics... No going back now as I started cutting her up last night! Just a small bite for now but heading back to cut her up real good!

[Dlirium]

Oh, this project has me giddy as a school girl!! Great Picts, keep them coming!