Porsche Boxster 986 - engine swap project
Discussion
Also gutted for you, was really enjoying this Dammit said:
This is a real shame - very sorry to read about your experience.
I'll stick £50 into a "Buy Escy a new Boxster" fund if anyone (who's not wearing a domino mask and stripey jumper) wants to set one up?
Do you know, I was thinking along similar lines earlier, I'm sure many of us who have enjoyed following this project would be more than happy to lob in a few quid?I'll stick £50 into a "Buy Escy a new Boxster" fund if anyone (who's not wearing a domino mask and stripey jumper) wants to set one up?
Was thinking the same (honest) but didn't want to be the first to say it as these ideas are not always the best received (though I think it would be in this case) and I've never set up one of those donation pages!
I'm sure it's worth the cost of a magazine or so to a good few people who have been following this. I also like the idea that a few of these converted cars could be on the market in the years to come!
I'm sure it's worth the cost of a magazine or so to a good few people who have been following this. I also like the idea that a few of these converted cars could be on the market in the years to come!
Thank you for all the replies and kind words, it means alot. I'm glad people enjoyed the project. I enjoyed building it even though it felt like an uphill struggle at times. I've learnt lots from doing it. A few people have said it's inspirational which is nice to read.
I think after watching back the video where 2 minutes after we got out, the cabin is full of smoke, perhaps at the time I didn't appreciate how lucky we actually were. Maybe if I hadn't been warned by the biker the cabin may have just suddenly filled with smoke as soon as I did eventually stop. After experiencing what a lung full of it was like, getting Sofia and myself out wouldn't have been so quick and easy.
Talk of some sort of crowd funding is very humbling. I wouldn't feel comfortable setting something up myself but if someone wanted to take it on, i'm not in a position to turn it down.
I'm not sure how achievable "Buy Escy a new Boxster" is, they aren't that cheap.
The Salvage Opration
I went to the salvage yard first thing Monday morning to see what I was left with, it was a right mess. I had a good look and I decided there was enough salvageable parts to be worth getting it back. The recovery from the A470 after it burned out cost me £250. That was a nice kick in the b
ks.
Due to the state of it, getting it back was a problem, the salvage yard could take it on a hiab for me but their driver was ill so they couldn’t give me a day and they charge £20 a day storage so I didn’t fancy being left in limbo. They also wanted £120 to take it to my house which was only about 10 miles. Didn’t fancy giving them more money.
There is a local guy Jamie (Prestige Transport and Recovery) who I usually use whenever I need something moving, he's good. I sent him a picture on the off chance he’d fancy it, fully expecting him to tell me no way. As we are friends on Facebook he’s knew about my Porsche build so I think he wanted to try and help me out (against his better judgement). He said he’d have a crack at it.
We did it Wednesday. I got the day off work and wanted to get it moved and completely stripped in one day so the shell can be collected quickly. My mate, Adam also took a day off work to help me which was really nice of him – I’m really lucky to have a friend like that. As it turned out I had no chance of doing it without him.
The salvage yard were able to load the car with a forklift so that side was drama free.
Getting it off wasn't drama free. First I had to get under it to cut the handbrake cables and then we used my engine hoist to raise the front end so it cleared the truck bed and Jamie winched it down slowly, we were on a hill so it was pretty hairy. I think there were a few times where Jamie was wondering what he'd got himself into. As we were unloading, the guy from the car sales place near me who had seen it Sunday morning (and asked if I’d sell it) drove past. His eyes popped out of his head when he saw it. After telling him all about it I asked him if he’d give us a hand, he obliged and ended up staying over an hour which I’m very grateful for. I’ve also got a neighbour that’s been following the build, he’s building a house on his land so had a few guys working there, they all came around so there was 9 of us in total. I was really lucky to get so many people helping, as it was a nightmare. We dragged it up the hill and into the driveway with a combination of brute force, hoisting, jacking and winching. A wheel snapped on the engine hoist which made things more complicated, I abuse that hoist. I was very lucky to have the help I got.
Once it was on the drive Adam and I set about stripping it. That was pretty soul destroying. Two years to build and 6 hours to strip. We were wearing masks and gloves as its really unpleasant working on a fire damaged car, everything stinks. It was sketchy as hell getting the engine out, we were lifting the shell up with the wounded engine hoist and as we were on slope the engine wasn’t easy to manoeuvre, it was deciding which way it wanted to go. We got it all stripped in the end but it was a hard day both emotionally and physically. My eyes in the first picture tell the story.
Looking at what’s been recovered, it’s maybe not as bad as I initially thought. The parts I made for the conversion (exhaust, brackets, engine cradle) have all survived. There is oil in the sump still so I’m holding out hope the bottom end is ok. The engine looks a mess but the majority of the parts could be sourced from a naturally aspirated V6 for cheap (I think the 2.4 I bought at the start of the thread was £150 delivered). The flywheel, clutch and gearbox are ok. The driveshafts need new CV boots but are otherwise ok. I was holding out hope the ECU would have survived but it’s ruined. I was confident the turbo would be fine so was a bit gutted to find the compressor wheel is damaged (couple of blades have rounded tips). The K&N had a big hole in it and you can see the crap the turbo sucked up so my theory is perhaps the fire started earlier than when I first noticed a problem and the flames were being blown backwards by the wind which burnt the air filter, otherwise I’m not sure how the turbo would get damaged. I think the turbine wheel is ok so it shouldn’t be an expensive re-build. The charge cooler core, tank and pump are ok. The wastegate is untouched.
I’m not sure where I go from here but I’d like to think it’ll all be able to live in a Boxster again rather than split it all up.
I think this picture is quite cool, might try and keep the badge if I can get it off.
I think after watching back the video where 2 minutes after we got out, the cabin is full of smoke, perhaps at the time I didn't appreciate how lucky we actually were. Maybe if I hadn't been warned by the biker the cabin may have just suddenly filled with smoke as soon as I did eventually stop. After experiencing what a lung full of it was like, getting Sofia and myself out wouldn't have been so quick and easy.
Talk of some sort of crowd funding is very humbling. I wouldn't feel comfortable setting something up myself but if someone wanted to take it on, i'm not in a position to turn it down.
I'm not sure how achievable "Buy Escy a new Boxster" is, they aren't that cheap. The Salvage Opration
I went to the salvage yard first thing Monday morning to see what I was left with, it was a right mess. I had a good look and I decided there was enough salvageable parts to be worth getting it back. The recovery from the A470 after it burned out cost me £250. That was a nice kick in the b
ks.Due to the state of it, getting it back was a problem, the salvage yard could take it on a hiab for me but their driver was ill so they couldn’t give me a day and they charge £20 a day storage so I didn’t fancy being left in limbo. They also wanted £120 to take it to my house which was only about 10 miles. Didn’t fancy giving them more money.
There is a local guy Jamie (Prestige Transport and Recovery) who I usually use whenever I need something moving, he's good. I sent him a picture on the off chance he’d fancy it, fully expecting him to tell me no way. As we are friends on Facebook he’s knew about my Porsche build so I think he wanted to try and help me out (against his better judgement). He said he’d have a crack at it.
We did it Wednesday. I got the day off work and wanted to get it moved and completely stripped in one day so the shell can be collected quickly. My mate, Adam also took a day off work to help me which was really nice of him – I’m really lucky to have a friend like that. As it turned out I had no chance of doing it without him.
The salvage yard were able to load the car with a forklift so that side was drama free.
Getting it off wasn't drama free. First I had to get under it to cut the handbrake cables and then we used my engine hoist to raise the front end so it cleared the truck bed and Jamie winched it down slowly, we were on a hill so it was pretty hairy. I think there were a few times where Jamie was wondering what he'd got himself into. As we were unloading, the guy from the car sales place near me who had seen it Sunday morning (and asked if I’d sell it) drove past. His eyes popped out of his head when he saw it. After telling him all about it I asked him if he’d give us a hand, he obliged and ended up staying over an hour which I’m very grateful for. I’ve also got a neighbour that’s been following the build, he’s building a house on his land so had a few guys working there, they all came around so there was 9 of us in total. I was really lucky to get so many people helping, as it was a nightmare. We dragged it up the hill and into the driveway with a combination of brute force, hoisting, jacking and winching. A wheel snapped on the engine hoist which made things more complicated, I abuse that hoist. I was very lucky to have the help I got.
Once it was on the drive Adam and I set about stripping it. That was pretty soul destroying. Two years to build and 6 hours to strip. We were wearing masks and gloves as its really unpleasant working on a fire damaged car, everything stinks. It was sketchy as hell getting the engine out, we were lifting the shell up with the wounded engine hoist and as we were on slope the engine wasn’t easy to manoeuvre, it was deciding which way it wanted to go. We got it all stripped in the end but it was a hard day both emotionally and physically. My eyes in the first picture tell the story.
Looking at what’s been recovered, it’s maybe not as bad as I initially thought. The parts I made for the conversion (exhaust, brackets, engine cradle) have all survived. There is oil in the sump still so I’m holding out hope the bottom end is ok. The engine looks a mess but the majority of the parts could be sourced from a naturally aspirated V6 for cheap (I think the 2.4 I bought at the start of the thread was £150 delivered). The flywheel, clutch and gearbox are ok. The driveshafts need new CV boots but are otherwise ok. I was holding out hope the ECU would have survived but it’s ruined. I was confident the turbo would be fine so was a bit gutted to find the compressor wheel is damaged (couple of blades have rounded tips). The K&N had a big hole in it and you can see the crap the turbo sucked up so my theory is perhaps the fire started earlier than when I first noticed a problem and the flames were being blown backwards by the wind which burnt the air filter, otherwise I’m not sure how the turbo would get damaged. I think the turbine wheel is ok so it shouldn’t be an expensive re-build. The charge cooler core, tank and pump are ok. The wastegate is untouched.
I’m not sure where I go from here but I’d like to think it’ll all be able to live in a Boxster again rather than split it all up.
I think this picture is quite cool, might try and keep the badge if I can get it off.
Thanks for the update. I sort of know to a lesser extent what you have been through. Bought my SL55 in early 2013 and spent months getting it back to where it should have been including stripping half the interior and exterior trims, cleaning, refinishing, replacing etc. After spending a fortune in money and time and just after I got it back from the detailers I came round the corner to find it vandalised - rear end scratched, rear window broken and a huge rock sitting where the centre console compartment should be. Insurance claim was over £5K as glass had got into the roof mechanism and they needed to strip the entire rear end.
My first thought was that I should just get rid of it as it made me feel sick to see my pride and joy sitting there like that, but after a few days I thought **** it, I'll just make it even better so took the opportunity while it was in the paint shop to have the front end done as well, new front bumper, spots, more trim work and then started adding my own touches... looking back now I have spent another fortune on all sorts of cosmetics and mechanicals, but the car is exactly the car I wanted it to be and I still have it now.
Very glad I persevered and while I know your project is way more ambitious and you are probably substantially more emotionally invested than I was/am I don't think you should give up on your dream, not that it's up to me of course.
If someone sets up some crowdfunding you will have a donation from me.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
My first thought was that I should just get rid of it as it made me feel sick to see my pride and joy sitting there like that, but after a few days I thought **** it, I'll just make it even better so took the opportunity while it was in the paint shop to have the front end done as well, new front bumper, spots, more trim work and then started adding my own touches... looking back now I have spent another fortune on all sorts of cosmetics and mechanicals, but the car is exactly the car I wanted it to be and I still have it now.
Very glad I persevered and while I know your project is way more ambitious and you are probably substantially more emotionally invested than I was/am I don't think you should give up on your dream, not that it's up to me of course.
If someone sets up some crowdfunding you will have a donation from me.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
Aww man, feel for you. I've quietly followed this thread, occasionally glancing at my Cayman & wondering if I could do that (I couldn't, nowhere near your skills) But I'm delighted you got out safely and your daughter too. I suppose you can always build another car, but never replace a child. Onwards & downwards!
Not good. Not good at all! Really glad you're both ok, physically if not psychologically.
I remember well when my old man's Stag went up in smoke when I was younger and still living at home. It was his pride and joy and he was obviously very upset. It went up very quickly and he had lucky escape. He had a fire extinguisher in the boot, but the lock broke as he rushed to try to open it, so all he could do was watch it go up in flames. The blackened hedge was still evident many months later. It was soul destroying looking at the gutted and blackened shell afterwards.
I no metallurgist but be careful what you salvage and plan to re-use. Some parts may be fine, but I imagine others will have been affected by the flames and heat, even if they clean up well and look sound. Best of luck whatever you decide to do.
I remember well when my old man's Stag went up in smoke when I was younger and still living at home. It was his pride and joy and he was obviously very upset. It went up very quickly and he had lucky escape. He had a fire extinguisher in the boot, but the lock broke as he rushed to try to open it, so all he could do was watch it go up in flames. The blackened hedge was still evident many months later. It was soul destroying looking at the gutted and blackened shell afterwards.
I no metallurgist but be careful what you salvage and plan to re-use. Some parts may be fine, but I imagine others will have been affected by the flames and heat, even if they clean up well and look sound. Best of luck whatever you decide to do.
Really sorry to read the last few pages- I've had a lot of joy from reading about your Audi Boxster adventure. Can't imagine how it felt to have your daughter strapped in with fire starting. Crazy that only a few posts earlier you were tucking those little fire extinguishers in.
I'd happily chip in to an Ecsy boxster mk2 fund so I can live vicariously again. And I feel for your poor wife too, hope you can all get over it and get started again.
I'd happily chip in to an Ecsy boxster mk2 fund so I can live vicariously again. And I feel for your poor wife too, hope you can all get over it and get started again.
Gutted for you. I had this thread bookmarked and it was always interesting to see what was happening with the car, I'm glad you and your daughter are ok after the fire. It looks like you're already planning something to bring it back with the parts that are ok or fixable. Good luck with whatever Boxster Mk2 may be .
.ajprice said:
Gutted for you. I had this thread bookmarked and it was always interesting to see what was happening with the car, I'm glad you and your daughter are ok after the fire. It looks like you're already planning something to bring it back with the parts that are ok or fixable. Good luck with whatever Boxster Mk2 may be .
Anyone in the process of setting up a fund to donate to? I'm sure I could figure out how to do it if not. .PayPal donations seems like a reasonable solution, though I'd imagine there'd be a charge when it comes to withdrawing funds
Edited by yajeed on Saturday 12th August 18:36
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