What happens when you place a V8 in a Boxster.......

 

Hey wulfgang, I read some scary postings of a lot of chain drive v8 failures and there is also the S4k failure. What was suprising was all the valve train and piston/ring failures. I'm very glad I decided to go with a belt drive AUX. I don't know if the belt drives have a lot of failures but from what I've seen they are very reliable and can easily go 100k without major surgery. Most of the chain drive failures were under 100k and some down in the 40k mile range iirc.

I ended up with a belt-drive 40v. But I sold the Boxster and got a Cayman, so I'm not doing the swap unless someone donates a Boxster

The engine is for sale; check my other threads.

 

Theres that too.

 

I thought it was usually the plastic chain guides that crap out

 

Hey wulfgang, I read some scary postings of a lot of chain drive v8 failures and there is also the S4k failure. What was suprising was all the valve train and piston/ring failures. I'm very glad I decided to go with a belt drive AUX. I don't know if the belt drives have a lot of failures but from what I've seen they are very reliable and can easily go 100k without major surgery. Most of the chain drive failures were under 100k and some down in the 40k mile range iirc.

 

RS4 engines for $3500? SoCal

I doubt this. Theres one in MN for $9 large.. anyways Pics or Update?

 

anymore of this topic?

 

So Brad, where'd you pick up the 5 inches?

I did a lot of measuring and head-scratching for the 4.2L V8, and I'm pretty certain about 2 major points:

1. It fits in all dimensions. It might be about 1" too tall at the back of the intake manifold, but that is not a big deal as there is plenty of room under the convertible top.

2. The transmission from the base Boxster should bolt right up to the V8 and it even has a place for the Audi starter snout. The gearbox on the S would have to be slightly modified, but it should also bolt right up.

However, the 3.2L M96 still has some nice features that make me not quite want to give it up, like 7500 rpm, forged one-piece rods, a huge sump, and a low center of gravity. Sucks that it's only 250 hp, maybe 280 with bolt-ons.

On the other hand, I like to track my car, and having 350ish hp in an NA engine would be nice. Currently, I'm looking at a low-mileage V8 from a 2001 A8 and a disassembled V8 from a 2004 S4. The S4 engine is nice, but rebuild parts put the total price a bit too high. So I was thinking it should not be too difficult to get 350 hp (crank) from the 2001 V8 with nothing more than a good tune and some headers. It also doesn't have that gear driven power steering and A/C, which would make for an easier swap than the S4 engine.

Btw, RS4 engines for $3500? SoCal is only a day's drive for me, so maybe I'll start looking.

 

"I have to second the question. Can you really pick up Boxsters with blown engines for that little? I've seen even crappy ones with bad engines listed for upwards of 7-8k. But then again, I've only been half assed looking"

I'm buying BoxsterS' for $4500 with cracked heads.

B

 

Wulf,

We managed to knock 5 inches out of the 7 your measured for the
LS engines.

Local RS4 engines (SoCal) can be had with low mileage in the $3500 range. The prices seem to be reasonable.

Been quietly working in the background

B

 

Also the Chain drive V8's aren't the best to go with, I'd look into earlier (and cheaper) cam belt models.

Can I bring up an old thread? I'm looking to put the 4.2 V8 into my Boxster S.

Would you elaborate on why the belt models are better? From what I've read, the newer '05+ engines are a bit more compact (which contradicts the measurements of ABZ vs BFM here in this thread), and it looks like they rev a little bit higher (I like the sound) and make a little more power. They are also pretty cheap, although not quite as cheap as the 1997-2004 engines. Btw, I'm interested in NA only, so maybe that changes which type is better?

Someone mentioned the LS1, and I've seen Brad Roberts' posts in various places. I've decided against this because the LS1 is too long. A full 7" longer than an ABZ, even in the shortest configuration possible (vette pulleys, crank). For the Boxster, when keeping the stock 6-speed, moving the gearbox back 7" is not an easy thing to do. However, having a tall/wide DOHC seems like less of an issue because 1) the Porsche H6 is already 28+" wide and 2) even with the convertible top down, there is 6 or 7" of space to fit a tall engine. I measured the Porsche engine at around 19" tall, maybe a bit taller on some parts of the intake manifold. I also know that fitting the 996 engine requires dropping the engine mounts 1-2", so I know there is space below to make things fit.

I'm having a hard time finding someone at a salvage yard willing to measure the dimensions of a BFM/BGK or I might have already bought one. If anyone here has one of these engines sitting around and could take measurements, I'll mail some beer.

[EDIT] Actually, I wasn't clear. The overall measurements of BFM were posted by timmmy, but I need bottom of sump to center of crank and center of crank to top of manifold to see if I can get the crank lined up well with the gearbox input shaft without having to move things up or down too much.

 

I have to second the question. Can you really pick up Boxsters with blown engines for that little? I've seen even crappy ones with bad engines listed for upwards of 7-8k. But then again, I've only been half assed looking.

 

Can you really get hold of a Boxster with a non-working engine for $4k???? If so - I'm importing one to Sweden....

Awesome project - keep it up!!!

 

Cool project, i'll be watching this one.

i recall a previous conversation with an extremely knowledgable porsche/audi fanatic and he was telling me older porsches at least, ( i cant recall which model) basicly uses a fwd audi 5 speed obvioulsy in the rear.

That would be the 924/944's

 

Right up til you hit a tree in one! Did you ever get your house sold?

Eric

Yep, closed it in May.

 

Right up til you hit a tree in one! Did you ever get your house sold?

Eric

 

The wife would kill me if I suggest another project, however an LS7 or LS9 in a boxter would be a blast.

 

Brad is making lots of progress with an LS1! Given that you can pickup Boxsters with blown motors for under $4K it seems to me V8 conversions are way to go!

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I think the Audi V8 and Porsche V8 are basically the same motor but there arent many people I know of doing Porsche V8 conversions. Mostly Audi V8's.

The Porsche V8 and Audi are not related in any respect to design.

Most people are using Audi V8 engines because they are cheap.

GOT IT! Thanks for the heads up. The fire in this car started in the passenger compartment behind the center console. The "yard" who has it, has a lot of them. I'll be sure to ask for replacements if these don't seal.

B

I'd also be very weary of a fire motor regardless where the fire originated. The V8 uses thin wall castings that can't take much heat.

Also the Chain drive V8's aren't the best to go with, I'd look into earlier (and cheaper) cam belt models.

 

Interesting idea (V8 in a boxster). I like it.

My ABZ is 20.63 inches from bellhousing interface (rear of block, not including crank flange or flywheel, or seal housing) to the crank pulley.

Overall width is 29 inches but this does not include the exhaust manifolds. THis is valve cover to valve cover.

Not sure on the height. I will have to measure it. I will probably take photos in 3 views and show dimensions in the photos.

BTW, want to buy it from me ? :-D

 

GOT IT! Thanks for the heads up. The fire in this car started in the passenger compartment behind the center console. The "yard" who has it, has a lot of them. I'll be sure to ask for replacements if these don't seal.

B

 

It wasn't a comment on cosmetics as much as it was on avoiding a potential pain in the ass. If the valve covers are warped they wont seal properly. I'm not kidding that they list for over $500 each. They're silver painted plastic which I've seen melt and warp from heat. I've seen a coil failure require a new valve cover. Unlike 1.8T engines (I've got four spare valve covers for those) 079 V8 engine valve covers are less common and could be harder to track down. If you're okay with all of that then by all means proceed.

 

Eh....fire + plastic valve covers = $1000 list price fix. No thanks.

Find another engine that hasn't been in a fire.

You cannot see the engine in a Boxster easily, so cosmetics doesn't mean a lot to me. If we could "easily" pop a hood like you guy's... we'd have more cool stuff for the cars

Looks like the tub will be here Friday.. and now I have TWO tubs coming my way "great" Luckily I have a long RV pad next to the house.

B

 

screw that man, drive the crap out of it. Thats what its made for. If you give them a hard time, Porsche will make good with something like that. They don't want people going around spreading bad things.

Lol. There is a great deal of stuff on the internet where people had their motors fail and Porsche wouldn't do anything for them. Google it if you want to find it. There are pages where people who this has happened to have posted a compilation of bad experiences.

I was surprised to read in this thread that Porsche made good on the bad motor. From what I read online, buying a Boxster out of warranty is super risky.

 

Eh....fire + plastic valve covers = $1000 list price fix. No thanks.

Find another engine that hasn't been in a fire.