CAR NEWB -- Help me pimp my ride

Alright id like to introduce myself as a complete car newb. Infact ive never owned a car in my life and im still a very young guy.

Im in the process of buying an unowned 2004 Porsche Boxster with a whole 20 dealership miles on it.


My budget is around $100,000 USD for the project.

My plan, to start things off, I will be working with RUF to have them take out the boxster engine and replace it with hopefully the carrera's engine (not the carrera GT of course), and tune the car to the absolute best performing specs.

first question
1) it would be pointless to purchase a boxster S instead of a boxster if my intentions are to remove and sell the engine right?? Or does the S have different performance features besides the engine? I will go either way, but id rather save a few bucks if I can.

Once the engines in, it will then be twin turbo'd to produce abouts 450hp. This is to be a high performance show car, one of a kind boxster. You may ask why wouldnt I just get a 911 turbo or a cabriolet or such?? Cause its all about being unique. Ill then have the doors, and hoods replaced with light weight carbon fiber as well as various other performance mods all courtesy of RUF.

2) Because i intend for it to be a show car to an extent, is there any way the trunk could be 'torn open' so that the engine would be visible by lifting the rear hood? Has anyone ever attempted such a thing? I was thinkin of a ferrari style glass engine view window, until I realised the engine is like tucked underneath the convertible top mechanics and makes me wonder if this is even possible to view it with any luck by breaking down the wall in the trunk??


This is all I need help with at this moment. I will provide photos and progress as stuff happens. I have mmmmany more plans these are just the performance aspect first.

Thanks for any help.

Wow, that's a huge project for someone who doesn't have a lot of experience with Boxsters or Porsche, but yes most of what you are planning can be done. As far as the price that could be a tight budget for all you are planning. Quick question, why Ruf? I know they do excellent work, but there are many other companies who have much experience doing 996 motor swaps into a Boxster/S. As far as your motor swap, TT this has been done before by Stolla, and it did produce about 450hp. Do you know which 996 motor you intend on swapping, the 3.4 or the 3.6. That would make a huge difference in which model you should start off with since the S already has the 3rd radiator and other parts you'll need (can't think of the rest off the top of my head but I had them listed on another site). The cost between the different power plants is about $4-6k excluding price of the motor. So it would almost make sense to start with the S if you inted on dropping a 3.6. Keep in mind there are lot more 3.4s running around then 3.6s. I for one have a 3.4 in mine, and I can tell you it's a HUGE difference between my stock 2.5 and the upgraded 3.4.


As far as adding a turbo...wow, most likely they would have to do some custom work to the trunk to fit the larger motor, intercooler, and turbo components all in there. In addition to all the power modding you intend on doing, a machine with this much power WILL, and I say WILL need upgraded brakes. It's not safe enough to run the stock brakes especially if you intend on buying the standard Boxster. With the 3.4 swap it's highly recommended to upgrade the brakes.


I would hate to burst your ultimate dream car, but this would not be a show car fully inside and out. I say that because you want the viewers to have access to seeing the motor. In top down mode, you would never be able to see the motor regardless of using some type of plexy glass or not. Then again, you never know if you had enough money, but a $100k budget will not be do it. I don't know how the F-car's convert. top setup is arranged, but with the Boxster you would need to modify more then just the trunk lid as the motor sits between the seats and the rear trunk. If this is a legit project, keep us posted, and good luck.

The motor of the boxster can be seen when the top is halfway up aka "the service position." It takes about 10 min or less to access the engine. There is a company that makes a plexi cover over the engine that replaces the stock engine cover but I cannot recall the name. I saw the ad inn Panorama. As a side note you can also install a 3.8L 350 hp motor in the box now from the carerra S. good luck.