Upgrade the Porsche, or change cars

[Rom]

Hey all,

I've been thinking for a while that I wanted to get something else... I'd like a more power, and more performance-focused (the setup on the Boxster is a little soft). I've been thinking 350Z Track Edition or Lotus Elise (which I have had before in the UK, although it was a Series 1 with the 120BHP K-Series - immense amounts of fun though!). Alternatively, I could just upgrade the Porsche to a 3.4L (I would do all the work myself, so I'd be looking at spending about $15K for everything I want, including brakes, suspension, etc)... I like the Porsche brand and image... But would the car still be "sale able" in the future (if I ever sold it - don't think I've seen an upgraded Boxster for sale yet)?

So, what would you do (assuming you weren't biased to the Porsche brand, that is!)...

Thanks!

S.

Edited May 23, 2007 by Rom

[atmorris]

Hey all,

I've been thinking for a while that I wanted to get something else... I'd like a more power, and more performance-focused (the setup on the Boxster is a little soft). I've been thinking 350Z Track Edition or Lotus Elise (which I have had before in the UK, although it was a Series 1 with the 120BHP K-Series - immense amounts of fun though!). Alternatively, I could just upgrade the Porsche to a 3.4L (I would do all the work myself, so I'd be looking at spending about $15K for everything I want, including brakes, suspension, etc)... I like the Porsche brand and image... But would the car still be "sale able" in the future (if I ever sold it - don't think I've seen an upgraded Boxster for sale yet)?

So, what would you do (assuming you weren't biased to the Porsche brand, that is!)...

Thanks!

S.

Don't know if you have an S or not, but if I had the change, I'd stick a 3.2 or 3.4 in my Boxster with headers, Maxflow exhaust, a six speed, Brembo brake upgrade, and ROW M030 suspension with a good setup. That combo would kick *** with a good driver and still be very streetable.

The Elise is tempting for sure as far as AX or just pure play, but as I understand them, really not all that streetable.

Edited May 23, 2007 by Andy_M

[Rom]

Good points... I don't know if I'd go with the M030 suspension over some aftermarket coilovers (H&R, Bilstein, etc). I have a 1999 2.5i, so I'd go to a 3.4L (I might as well sell it and buy an S if I go to 3.2).

Thanks!

S.

[911-996]

Im not Porsche bias but I wouldnt trade a boxster in for a 350z

If you have the standard 2.5 or 2.7, upgrade to a 2000 - 2004 boxster s, then upgrade your headers and exhaust, air intake ect.. Should give you ~210kw or you could simply supercharge it ~240kw

Problem with self modified porsches is they dont keep their resale, unless companies like RuF or Gemballa do the job

[Rom]

I'm thinking I'm probably going to keep the Boxster and modify it. I could sell and upgrade to an S, but the amount I'd lose in the transaction, I think I'd rather upgrade.

I know self-modified doesn't really keep it's value as much - and thinking about it, I doubt I'd sell something that I significantly modified.

The reason I mentioned the 350Z and Elise was because they both have good handling out of the box, and the 350 in particular has an easy upgrade path.

As for uniqueness though - a modified Boxster is probably the most unique - and I do love the roadster format (I would never get a 350Z Roadster).

Thanks!

S.

[Kanin]

Hi Dude,

We had the same decsion to make, we have a 1997 2.5 Boxster and were not too happy with the power it was pushing out.

We were thinking of replacing it with a 996 but the boxster was in "as new" condition and had very low mileage. And clean 996's in similar condition are considerably more expensive to buy.

In the end we got offered a very good deal on a 3.2 s boxster engine with only 18k on the clock.

We ripped the 2.5 running gear out of the boxster and grafted the 3.2 in with a few mods. Car then produced 240 BHP on the rollers with the standard 2.5 headers and exhaust and I tell u it was like a different car.

The car now has a lot more power and pulls effortlessly through the gears compared to the stock 2.5.

It was well worth it and much cheaper than forking out for a decent 996.

But now, we are lucky enough to get hold of a low mileage 3.6 996 engine :clapping: and have now started to convert the 3.2.

The 3.2 has only been in the car for a few months but like u guy's said: if u want a 3.2 u could always go out and buy a 3.2 s.

A 3.6, or even a 3.4, in a Boxster is always gonna be that little bit special! ;)

If u do go down the route of a conversion then go for the 3.4 or even 3.6. We only went down the route of the 3.2 because we got a really good deal on the engine at that time.

Good luck mate.

Kanin

Edited May 24, 2007 by Kanin

[atmorris]

Good points... I don't know if I'd go with the M030 suspension over some aftermarket coilovers (H&R, Bilstein, etc). I have a 1999 2.5i, so I'd go to a 3.4L (I might as well sell it and buy an S if I go to 3.2).

Thanks!

S.

I battled through that decision a couple of months ago Rom. Coil overs or ROW M030? Insite, who posts a lot on this board, and tracks his car pretty often, was so impressed with the ROW M030 that his opinion....and data...pushed me over the edge in that direction. I can honestly say that I am not dissapointed in the least. I think the coil over setups are better if you just track the car, but the ROW M030 accomplishes the same goal, minus the adjustability, at less than half the price. That makes it a good street/trrack option. Plus, it is still OEM Porsche and specifically designed for the car. A good alignment shop who can/will give you a good setup is an important part of the equasion as well. My setup is -1.2 camber F and -2.0 R, with 1/32" total toe in F and R. My car just plants and rails the tight stuff, staying flat as a pancake. It takes the Boxster to a whole new level.

Before you decide on which motor to throw in, you might want to read this. There is some very interesting information here that is food for thought :

Hartek Boxster/996 engine discussion

Best of luck in your endeavor....