engine swap question

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Jonathan Bradbury Bigelow
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engine swap question

#1 Post by Jonathan Bradbury Bigelow »

I am sure I am not the first one to think of this next idea.

Has anyone taken a Boxster/Cayman turbo 4 cylinder and put it in a 356?

yes yes I know its water cooled but if they can do a Subaru engine I am sure this is possible.

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Martin Benade
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Re: engine swap question

#2 Post by Martin Benade »

One thing that would keep me from doing that is that even if you modernized the rear suspension (to 1963 technology) you’d still have a rather primitive front suspension. It’s not really ready to steer 300 Hp. I enjoy thinking about crazy modifications but I love the balance and simplicity of what the factory built.
Cleveland Ohio
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Jonathan Bradbury Bigelow
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Re: engine swap question

#3 Post by Jonathan Bradbury Bigelow »

that is true about the front suspension. it is all balance. Also I don't know what the engine weighs. Also its a much more computerized engine.

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Chris Davis
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Re: engine swap question

#4 Post by Chris Davis »

It is kind of cool that a modern Porsche flat 4 cylinder is available (first time since what, 1976?) and I imagine that by using a donor Boxster/Cayman you could move all the computers/harnessing over to the 356 easily enough. Transmission/suspension upgrades would be a bit of a challenge though. Assuming your donor still had a good transmission, you could convert your 356 to mid-engine (you are solidly in the Outlaw camp anyway) but the subframe adaptation would require some serious math/TIG welding skills and we still haven't looked at front suspension and brake upgrades... not to mention radiators. Would be an amazing machine when done, but for about the same money (and considerably less effort) you could have a mild outlaw 356 with a 150HP 912 engine AND a (maybe on the higher mileage side) 2016 Cayman sitting next to it in the garage.

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Martin Benade
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Re: engine swap question

#5 Post by Martin Benade »

Did you ever see the wiring harness in a modern expensive car? I think that would make you think twice.
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Chris Davis
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Re: engine swap question

#6 Post by Chris Davis »

'05 Mustang to '74 Capri... yes, it is a lot of work, but plug and play if you take your time and the cars are similar size/layout. (Also helps that we moved over the Mustang instrument panel, engine, transmission, axles/wheels/brakes, etc.)
2005MustangHarnes.jpg
But we are on the same page in principle... it's not easy. I'm just saying that if you take ALL of the wiring and computer/sensors out of the modern car, it is a little less challenging than the motor/transmission/suspension/brake adaptation is going to be.

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John Brooks
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Re: engine swap question

#7 Post by John Brooks »

Go buy a fiberglass speedster clone, or a JPS coupe and adapt it to the boxter chassis. That would be easier.

Chuck Beck did that when he took Tim Herman’s 550 copy. Replaced the Porsche ladder frame with a VW chassis, made the body a little longer and presto the Beck550. Yours will need to be a little longer and wider but putting a body on a running chassis is easier than ruining a 356 by putting water in it.
John Brooks

62 Roadster
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getting pushed around in porsches since 1965

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Martin Benade
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Re: engine swap question

#8 Post by Martin Benade »

Once you have hi and lo speed CAN systems, evap, immo, blis, etc it gets too complicated and too far from a pure and simple old car. It does sound like you’d have the skills to do it, but in my mind I’d rather drive and compare the flavors of a 356 and a Boxter, as two cars.
I am entertained by thinking about such projects, but I’ll save a ton of hours by not doing one.
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Mike Wilson
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Re: engine swap question

#9 Post by Mike Wilson »

If you are looking at a Boxster engine install, my guess is that there is helpful info from those that have installed Subaru engines. Details like the computer system,suspension, braking, steering, etc. might be helpful.

Another option I would suggest is a Willhoit 2.2L engine.

Mike
Mike Wilson
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Bill Lawless
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Re: engine swap question

#10 Post by Bill Lawless »

It all depend on the "Year" of the Donor Car...
I put a 2015 Subaru Forester Engine in a VW and there are about 8 Computers in the subaru.
ECU, BIU (Body Integrated Unit), Traction Control, Air Bags, Key Immobilizer, One in the Speedo Cluster etc..
They all talk to one another over CANBus (Invented by Dr. Bosch) If any of the computers is not working/missing the engine will go into Limp Mode.. So all the missing
computer have to be emulated by an external source and tell the ECU everything is "good" to run the engine properly.. It is Doable, but takes some thinking on the wiring side!!

-Bill
 Thanks,
Bill
65' 356 SC Cab Irish Green :D
82' SC Targa
81 VW Westfalia with 2015 Forester Engine
BMW 64'-R50/2, 75'-BMW R90/6, 74' BMW R90/6, Yamaha BW350

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Mike Wilson
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Re: engine swap question

#11 Post by Mike Wilson »

That sounds like a lot of things to fake out the computers on a 356.

Mike
Mike Wilson
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Bill Lawless
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Re: engine swap question

#12 Post by Bill Lawless »

Yes it is, Makes you appreciate how simple a 356 is in its original form..
 Thanks,
Bill
65' 356 SC Cab Irish Green :D
82' SC Targa
81 VW Westfalia with 2015 Forester Engine
BMW 64'-R50/2, 75'-BMW R90/6, 74' BMW R90/6, Yamaha BW350

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Mike Wilson
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Re: engine swap question

#13 Post by Mike Wilson »

The simplicity of the 356 is just one of the things that I enjoy about it.

Mike
Mike Wilson
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Jacques Lefriant
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Re: engine swap question

#14 Post by Jacques Lefriant »

IMG_20220712_164040 (1).jpg
Hi All
no matching upgrade
 

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Martin Benade
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Re: engine swap question

#15 Post by Martin Benade »

What kind of heads are those?
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