[Dave at Pelican Parts]

I've heard a lot of people talking about this sort of conversion. I know of none that are running--zip, zero, nada. I know one that has been "about half-done" for the past five years or so... So you will get to break new ground if you do the swap.

The motor does not fit without relocating the inboard rear suspension mounts. So you get to redesign the suspension, which is cool if that's your thing, but certainly makes the conversion much more complicated.

Getting the engine management system to work will be an interesting exercise. Even more so if you wind up with the later motors that even open the throttle for you electronically. Lots of electrical work to be done there.

The existing gauges will not work, you will have to find later ones that will or have the guts of the later gauges swapped in to your housings.

The Boxster trans can work, but it will require modifying the rear trunk floor for clearance. I am not sure if you can hook up the Boxster motor to the 914's transmission or not.

I don't think you can get the job done within your $8K budget. Very definitely not if you're paying someone to do any of the major work (e.g., electrical) for you.

The SBC swap is very well understood and there are recipes to follow that will get you to your goal. Ditto the 911-engine swap. I personally would keep saving my pennies and do the 911 engine swap, but not everyone agrees with me.

--DD