OK, I May Be Dreaming Again - 986/996 Engine, with 986 5 or 6 speed trans Options

[seanery]

I haven't committed to anything on whitey's conversion yet...and my mind started to wonder. How 'bout a water-cooled Porsche motor? I've looked, there are a lot of choices available right now.

- 0 mile 2004 911 3.6 replacement motor (315hp)
- 18k mile 2002 911 3.6 (320hp)
- 34k mile Boxster S 3.2 (250 hp)
- 39k mile Boxster 2.7 (217 hp)
(prices vary from 4000 - 12000) *hp numbers from Kelly Bluebook dot com

also

- Boxster S 6 speed trans (bad 3rd gear)
- Boxster 2.7 5 speed trans (40k ish miles?)

I know we've discussed this before - and I KNOW there are issues. Something about rear suspension relocation...but can't remember the details.

What about computer issues?
Heat? I should be able to do modern heat, right?
Exhaust - A Cayman or Boxster muffler?
Custom headers (probably a must?) or maybe Cayman/Boxster headers? with some tweeking?

I know there are more issues, and definitely don't know the answers...can we get a good discussion going on this topic?

TIA
-the dreamer (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[IronHillRestorations]

Sean,

Stick with aircooled for a 914 conversion project. There's too much Star Trek (going where no one has gone before) involved with a 986/996 engine swap for not enough benefit. If you get a good 3.2 you'll be a very happy man, and it's been done so many times it's a bolt up deal without much custom fabrication.

[horizontally-opposed]

Sean,

Stick with aircooled for a 914 conversion project. There's too much Star Trek (going where no one has gone before) involved with a 986/996 engine swap for not enough benefit. If you get a good 3.2 you'll be a very happy man, and it's been done so many times it's a bolt up deal without much custom fabrication.

Much as I like the idea of a 2.5 or 2.7 from the 986 in a 914, I have to agree with the above.

And I'd rather try to take a 986 down to 2,500-2,600 pounds than to build a 914 up with a 986 engine and radiators, etc.

Getting down to 2,600 in a 986 wouldn't be easy, though. With a half tank of gas, mine weighed in at 2,911 or something similar, with heavy 18s. Sounds awful, but it was only one pound more than a 1989 911 coupe on Fuchs 16s... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

Really makes me want to weigh my 914....

You could probably drop 100 pounds from a 986 between GT3 seats, carbon lids, lighter wheels, and a light muffler. After that, A/C delete would get you ~45 pounds and then you'd be getting into stuff like trunk trim delete, sound deadening delete, and more.

Which gets you back to 914 3.2 air-cooled for those perfect days, and a stock 986 for the rest of them.

pete