Which Boxster to buy for upgraded engine???

Bodessem · 12-19-2012, 08:54 AM

Hi guys,

total newbie. OK, instead of looking for the upgrade once I buy the car I'm curious as to what car (2000-2002) Boxster or Boxster S to purchase that has the best upgrade path (price IS an object) for performance...i.e. speed.

In other words, what will give me the best bang for the buck? I know the upgraded/swapped engines can be expensive and the 2000 has a different upgrade potential than a 2002, Spyder is different, etc.

Lastly, I could go older than 2000 but this may simplify things. With the best performance bang for the buck what would that typically cost to upgrade? Thoughts???

Thanks!

Bodessem

BYprodriver · BYprodriver's Garage

Buying a 97-02 Boxster with manual trans & then installing a 99-2001 911 3.4 engine will be the least expensive route to the lightest Box with 300+ HP. The hard part is to find a 3.4 engine without excessively worn cylinders since the 3.4 has the thinnest cylinder walls.

Bodessem · 12-19-2012, 06:17 PM

Thanks BYprodriver and this is open to others to answer as well...

For the engine upgrade to the 911 3.4 what is a ballpark cost? I saw somewhere for the engine was quoted about $6k but I don't believe that was including the actual conversion.

Same guy with the quote said a lot of people are buying Spyders with shoddy engines and having them re-built to be 3.8L (he said it better than I can) and that is a typical $7.5k job. I might be biting off more than I can chew on this and for arguments sake I'm starting to think the upgrade might cost as much as the car would for me. Any feedback is appreciated...

BYprodriver · BYprodriver's Garage

A reliable 3.4 or bigger engine installed into a similar year Boxster so that it does not require any "conversion" just a simple R&R install costs around $10,000.
Maybe your best route is to buy a Boxster S in decent condition for around $12,K. Locate a reliable 996 engine same year as your car for simple R&R install, then sell the 3.2 engine from the Boxster & install the 996 engine. Still going to cost you $20,K unless you do all the work yourself.

Bodessem · 12-19-2012, 07:29 PM

Thanks...great info!

Bodessem

Bfan · Bfan's Garage

Instead of installing 3.4, I would advice you to buy one of BYprodriver's 3.6 Boxster S engine rebuilds and install them in an older Boxster S. Should come to about 20K + installation work after you sell the original 3.2 engine. Installation is not to hard DIY if you are mechanically inclined. Even tough it costs a little more then what BYprodriver advices, you get an engine with LN upgraded internals that imho is much more reliable than stock and has as much or more power than a 3.4 drop in.

See here or here

See also Flat 6 Innovations

s_wilwerding · s_wilwerding's Garage

First off, I did the 3.4 swap into my 98, mostly because I already had the car.

If I were coming to it fresh, I would get a 2000 - 2004 Boxster S and install either a 3.6 or 3.8.

First, 3.6s/3.8s are A LOT easier to find than a 3.4. Second, once you upgrade the engine, you start to think that you need to upgrade the brakes, tranny, etc. On a Boxster S, the brakes and tranny should be fine. Third, I would really recommend finding a 3.8 - they are not that much more expensive than a 3.6, and it's worth it for the extra power.

Keep in mind that the easiest swaps are similar years to similar years - 98-99 996 engines into a pre-2000 Boxster, early 2000 to early 2000s, etc. The reason is that some engines are egas, some earlier ones are not, and there were different software versions in different years. In my opinion, it's not worth it to try to get a non-eGas to work in an eGas car, or vice versa, or to try to use a newer computer in an older car, etc. I really think that finding the correct type and year of engine is well worth the extra time up front, because it makes the swap so much easier.

Finally, I would recommend finding a good shop to do it for you. The other posters are correct in saying that, technically, it's not difficult, but someone who has done it knows all the little tricks - for example, my car mostly has Cayman bits (intake, clutch, etc.). Also, the upgrade was nice, but didn't really come together until I took it down to an engine tuner who, because of all the custom parts I added (Fabspeed exhaust, intake, etc.) was able to find 50+ HP over the stock program that had been loaded into the computer.

If you have other questions, PM me, as I've been there/done that.

tonythetarga · 12-21-2012, 04:58 AM

Maybe it's just me but if I wanted a convertible with a bigger engine...I'd just buy a 911 with a 3.6 already in it. Might even be cheaper.

If you really want a Boxster and never had a Porsche before, buy the best car you can afford and learn to drive it. You will find, even through DE's, that the car will be better than you for a while and more HP doesn't always equal more fun.

mikefocke · 12-21-2012, 12:35 PM

You have to be more precise about your expectations as upgrading an engine can cost from $100 to $30,000 and up. Options are written up here. And few upgrades are inexpensive or worth doing for most ordinary folk.

Owned both the base and the S. Didn't find the 20% difference in HP significant. 201 just as much fun as 250. But I wasn't stoplight racing or racing at all for that matter. Both would do 100 comfortably.