The new Panorama has a story on a Karman Ghia body being fit to a Boxster, it got me thinking. I have seen Suby swaps, Chevy swaps what about a Boxster engine in a 914? Would it be cost prohibitive? Anyone done the swap?

According to other threads here and there, that engine is considerably wider, so it won't go easily in between the suspension points. I haven't done the measurements personally so...

Now, if you want to cut off the body immediately behind the cockpit, you could bolt on a tube-frame rear end and put anything you want back there. Perhaps a 12 cylinder 917 engine! Then you get to choose a competitive rear suspension as well.

Here you go. Boxster swap

Looks pretty good.

looks like it fits, but in reading the thread it sounds like you need to be OK with dropping the motor for standard service related issues, like plugs and belts etc....

Not unlike a Ferrari, you just need to get good at dropping the motor.

When I see that level of engineering, it really is impressive that people take the time to work out all these details.

It could open up a whole new world for engine swaps if the watercooled motors are getting stuffed in the back now.


rich

Thats an awesome looking project. If you have the checkbook and fabrication skills for something like that it would be a really cool way to go.

This gives me so many bad ideas. Cams, rods, better valve springs, light flywheel, and some ITBs.

Its all good... Till you lose an IMS Bearing, or get intermix, of have one of the other 25 modes of M96 engine failure.

Agreed.

Now I wonder just how much torque the boxster transmission can take

How about a gt3 motor in a 914......

Ouch - I knew that the M96 had the IMS bearing issue, but didn't know it was plagued with others as well. Kinda puts a damper on using it as a power plant for the 914. I'm sure there are fixes for them but I imagine that by the end you'd end up spending more than the car is worth on just getting a reliable engine!

...still, there is something alluring about keeping a Porsche engine in there.

Much Better,

http://www.build-threads.com/build-threads...orsche-boxster/

and even better
http://www.vwheritage.com/blog/2013/08/15/porsche-beetle/

there is a full article on this in this months ultravw mag
http://www.ultravw.com/index.aspx

The sad part about UltraVW mag, it's cheaper to go to the book store and buy than it is to subscribe. Great magazine!

Cool Beetle. Someone needs to do this with a 914. Maybe this should be my next build...

Or better yet

Click to view attachment

Don't believe everything you hear on the internet. There are some folks around that would have you believe that the M96 is a ticking time bomb that will self destruct if you don't buy their upgrades. IMS is the most common issue and should be addressed. As for the rest of the "25 modes" of failure, it's not as common as one would lead you to believe. Seen plenty of them go past 200k without issue.

The top two links: WOW, those are some very fine bugs! I would love to test drive those.

What is that?
How much?

AND
Tell us, oh guy who should know...
What can a boxster transmission take for torque?
Even better..what is the 918 transmission?
Is it a beefed up boxster tranny, or a whole new thing?

It's a 997 GT2 engine that I had out a few weeks ago. As far as the Boxster transmissions go, I have never seen any published torque values. Porsche does not give us that information anymore. The base boxster trans is fairly stout. Usually the axles will fail first. The trans in the 918 is going to be entirely different. When I see it, if I am permitted, I will take pictures for you guys. It will have the rear hybrid electric motor in between it and the engine with the ability to use either or both to drive the car.

These guys, Wicked Garage, are building one now. I stop in every few weeks and check on the progress. It's looking good, should be done by the new year.

Jon

I have a 3.4L out of a 996 and plan to give it a test fit in a creamsicle I have.

Bob