3.4 Conversion Question

[vheidenr]

Hello all. I have a 98 Boxster with just over 40K miles. I am beginning to consider what my next "toy" will look like. I don't know if I want to spend the cash on a new "S"......I'm not wild about the Cayman as I love having the convertible....I would like more power however.

I've read all of the commentary about the 3.4 conversion on this site (an others)....but I can't seem to remember what an estimated price for this conversion would be. I realize that there are several variables to consider (i.e. new engine vs used, DIY or swapped by a shop, etc...) Would one of you mind providing a range that I could expect to encounter were I to proceed with a swap?

Thanks so much.

[pecivil]

I am in the middle of the conversion right now to my 00 Box. I got a used 3.4 from a 01 Carerra with 31k miles. I am adding the center radiator. Since I needed a new clutch anyway I added the AASCO Lt Wt flywheel. I also got the "custom" Instant G header/high flow cats/muffler setup for this conversion, which based on my research makes a big difference to the final performance of the swap. If you consider what I have got back from selling the 2.7l engine & GHL muffler I had, I am in for a little over 12k. I am also getting some new Pilot Sports since my rear tires are way past the wear bars, and I am seriously considering the GIAC reprogram. This costs $1100 (ouch!) as will the tires, but of course neither item is required for the swap. Cant WAIT to get her back from the shop. I will probably add the FVD sport camshafts this Xmas to the package as well. It should be good for 325-330 at the fly. Thats enough for me.

So for my initial 25k purchase price 2 years ago (with 31k miles) plus another 13k I have a very nice Boxster with more hp than a new 987S, and equal hp to a new carerra for 38k. To me this is a good deal, considering you get mid engine handling, 986 looks, and a unique custom car. But then again I never would have gotten a 987 cause I don't like their looks. The revised air intake and fog lights ruin it for me.

Hope this helps.

[vheidenr]

Thanks for the reply. You mentioned getting your car back from the "shop".....are you doing the swap yourself or is the shop doing this actually switcheroo? The reason that I ask is I was curious of your pricing included the cost of labor.

I live in the North East and would likely have a shop perform this swap for me. A labor ball park comparison would help me know what to expect.

The only nice thing about living in New England is that in about another month, I can send the car to a shop and forget about it until April....If I lived in a sunshine state, the anticipation would kill me.

Thanks again.

[pecivil]

Yes the swap is being done in a local shop. I can do simple things like change fluids, do brakes, change plugs etc, but theres no way I would do an engine swap myself. The labor was quoted to me at 30 hours (and they said this was probably a bit "fat"), but that didn't include adding the center radiator, because I decided to add it after they had given me the estimate. My shop has already done 2 of these conversions, so they felt comfortable estimating the hours accurately. So figure for labor 30 hrs plus or minus x whatever your shop rate is for the labor cost.

Yes the waiting is killing me. Esp since my shop is a small 2 guy shop that caters mostly to race cars (especially theirs!!), so they are always very busy and street cars tend to be last in line. But I know it is worth waiting for.

[tholyoak]

my rear tires are way past the wear bars, and I am seriously considering the GIAC reprogram. This costs $1100 (ouch!) as will the tires, but of course neither item is required for the swap.

Hope this helps.

The easiest way to do the swap is to have the DME reprogrammed for the 996 engine, so you might as well as have a performance program put in for the same $$

Todd

[pecivil]

oak,

My shop is doing the reprogram to a 996 for free. I think pretty much you have to do this to make the swap work. The extra cost ($1100) is for GIAC to do a reprogram to get the last 15 or so hp and to make better use of the high flow exhaust system. Its a lot of moolah, especially at the end of the project with the swap fund is nearing its end. But I probably will. If I do, then I will be risking having no teething problems, cause there wont be any money left to fix things with!!

Ah well, theres always credit cards, right? :rolleyes:

Oak, what did you do with the intake side of things?? Did you go with the EVO intake for the Boxster? How did you solve the boxsters intake tube not making it to the stock airbox? I am assuming that I cant use the stock boxster airbox cause it probably wont flow enough air since it is designed for a 2.7l engine capacity.