Best parts for a 3.4 conversion

[steve_wilwerding]

Still trying to line up the details for putting a 3.4 engine into my '98 Boxster, and I thought I'd ask the Board - which additional parts (and what brands) should I buy for the conversion?

I know I need a new clutch, and it's probably worthwhile to get new headers/cats as well. How about a new muffler?

This will be a street/track car, so I don't want a racing clutch, but I would welcome other opinions.

[savowood]

Go for the SPEC 3 clutch. It's cheaper than the 2+ and can better handle the power. It's also lighter on the left leg than the Sachs sport or even standard clutch.

I went with headers, cats, and a Borla exhaust. If you want to have a conversation with anyone while driving, skip the Borla. If you want the coolest sounding car within 1000 miles, put it on. The Borla is for the S and will take some clever work to secure it, but it's not hard. It's supposed to connect to the transmission with I think 4 bolts. I had a bunch of nuts and a single bolt to connect it there. It works fine. You'll need to get the headers to make it fit.

The cats are a good idea, but not absolutely necessary from what I understand.

You may want to consider a 6 speed transmission and axles from an S. They're stronger so you're less likely to snap one in an autocross or when going over a speed bump like I did. However, I track the car a lot so that likely had more to do with it than the speed bump.

You're going to love the feel of the car with the extra horses.

HTH

-Michael

[steve_wilwerding]

What brand of cats and headers did you use?

[savowood]

What brand of cats and headers did you use?

I'm 99% sure they're Dansk, but I'd have to ask Roock. I had Roock do my conversion and he got them from a source in Los Angeles.

-Michael

[phillipj]

Roock :o :o :o :o Run away Boo scary! Don't say that name in this forum. Don't let any member have the possibility of getting involved with that weasel. :angry:

Edited October 30, 2009 by phillipj

[steve_wilwerding]

Next question - if I bought a Dansk header for a Boxster, would it fit the new engine?

[mikefocke]

Have you first considered the rules restrictions on modifications placed by the organization that sponsors the track events you plan to run? Doing something to change the stock characteristics of the car can place you as ineligible for the class where most other Boxsters are running.

It can be as much fun to see how well your car can do driving against people with similarly equipped cars because then the driver is the difference and you focus on having to increase your skills in order to do better against them instead of just throwing $ at making the car be the performer.

[steve_wilwerding]

Have you first considered the rules restrictions on modifications placed by the organization that sponsors the track events you plan to run? Doing something to change the stock characteristics of the car can place you as ineligible for the class where most other Boxsters are running.

It can be as much fun to see how well your car can do driving against people with similarly equipped cars because then the driver is the difference and you focus on having to increase your skills in order to do better against them instead of just throwing $ at making the car be the performer.

I have no plans to go racing with my car - it is, in my eyes at least, too nice to turn into a racecar. I do plan to do DEs with the car, but I could care less what group or class they lump me in with.

The only thing that I feel that my car is lacking now is power - if I install the 3.4 engine, it would be perfect, and I would plan to keep the car for a very long time.

[mikefocke]

Ok, there are lots of options for "go fast"

The ones I've seen are here. Varying prices and some sources.

[Sboxin]

Steve,

You might want to send a message directly to Tholyoak, OR, search his posts on engine swaps.

As far as I can recall, he is the most experienced on the Boxster swaps.

Take care,

Roy T

or Ed(Arizona) on PPBB

[Cloudsurfer]

If you're set on a 3.4, you can do things one of two ways: either keep your 5.2 DME and cable throttle, and use a non E-gas 3.4 (with 3.4 cable throttle body) and run the 3.4 map in your 5.2 DME, or upgrade to a 7.2 DME and E-gas 3.4. If you're going to swap DMEs, I would go for a 3.6, or even better, a 3.8 and use a 7.8 DME with E-gas. You will need to update your ABS controller along with the 7.2 or 7.8 DME if you want to retain functional cruise control.

You'll certainly need a stronger clutch, and a Stage 3 SPEC would be great. If you wind up with a 3.6 or 3.8 you'll need Cayman headers and midpipes. The 6-speed gearbox, while certainly a stouter box, does have its downsides as far as gear ratios go. Many prefer the 5-speed's drivability, but you need to be aware of the fact that it is not as strong a box as the 6-speed.