engine conversions

[bmohr]

Hi, i was wondering if those who have had their engines exploded considered switching over to electric. It seems the price is fairly comparable and even cheaper in some situations, especially if you have the time to retrofit it yourself. Any thoughts? Just thought I would throw that out there, because i've been considering this if/when my engine needs replacement.

[70Sixter]

Personally, if my engine explodes it is going to Jake Raby.

If you like really heavy cars with short range it might be okay. Especially if you are an electrical engineer who likes to tinker. Recently read about an electric by Ruf, not bad performance.

Were I to go that route I'd look for a cheap 2.5 and have a go at it.

[bmohr]

yeah...i would want Jake to hook mine up as well with costs as no factor. But for future consideration the electric option has perked my interestes. As long as the range is acceptable. I installed my own solar power system at my house, so I figured I could more adeptly retrofit my 911 on my own and save a bundle..because I don't have the expertise to do a conventional engine swap.

[JeTexas]

There's a company called Electro Auto in California I talked to a while back. They make conversion kits for 914s.

http://www.electroauto.com/gallery/vp914.shtml

However, the 911 loaded up with all those batteries would be a really heavy car. Plus, there's no A/C, which is not an option here in Houston.

I've been wanting to build an electric car for a while (not out of my 996), but I've yet to find a good option.

[wwest]

There's a company called Electro Auto in California I talked to a while back. They make conversion kits for 914s.

http://www.electroauto.com/gallery/vp914.shtml

However, the 911 loaded up with all those batteries would be a really heavy car. Plus, there's no A/C, which is not an option here in Houston.

I've been wanting to build an electric car for a while (not out of my 996), but I've yet to find a good option.

I have always thought the Boxster, rear engine RWD, would be a good target, test mule, for fitting a salvaged Ford Escape hybrid system.

[JeTexas]

Or you could make it an all-electric FWD car with a small gas engine in the back (or vice-versa) for generating electricity. That way you could forego the entire transmission, etc. to save weight/space for more batteries.

[phillipj]

Kind of a sad commentary that many P car owners are "waiting" for their engine to explode.

Although I did lose my engine recently :( I'm the only one that has had an engine let go amongst all of my friends that have Porsches.

So in my case I'm the exception. Although I think it's great what Jake Raby is doing to these engines It seems that it's causing a lot of people to think that every 996 and Boxster is a time bomb.

Just my two cents.

:renntech:

Edited January 13, 2009 by phillipj

[JeTexas]

I'm at 103,000 -- still running like a champ.

If only I could sort out my vacuum leak/hanging idle problem.

[phillipj]

I'm at 103,000 -- still running like a champ.

If only I could sort out my vacuum leak/hanging idle problem.

That's awesome.. I hope you get that problem sorted...

:cheers:

[cyclocross]

Hi, i was wondering if those who have had their engines exploded considered switching over to electric. It seems the price is fairly comparable and even cheaper in some situations, especially if you have the time to retrofit it yourself. Any thoughts? Just thought I would throw that out there, because i've been considering this if/when my engine needs replacement.

Hi. You may want to read the story about the eRuf 911 in the current issue of "Excellence". Also, a previous issue had a story about a 914 conversion.

[70Sixter]

Kind of a sad commentary that many P car owners are "waiting" for their engine to explode.

Although I did lose my engine recently :( I'm the only one that has had an engine let go amongst all of my freinds that have Porsches.

So in my case I'm the exception. Although I think it's great what Jake Raby is doing to these engines It seems that it's causing a lot of people to think that every 996 and Boxster is a time bomb.

Just my two cents. :renntech:

For the record I do not believe it is inevitable that every M96 will grenade. As Jake says, more do not explode than do explode.

My feeling about Raby's rebuilds is that I'm glad it is there as an option besides a new engine. It was not that long ago when Conventional Wisdom said that the M96 was not rebuildable. And that Porsche would maybe work a deal on new or rebuild engines.

Excellence magazine has done a better job than any other mag to remove the Urban Legend aspects of 986s and 996s. And RennTech has been a great forum for discussions about it.

[phillipj]

Kind of a sad commentary that many P car owners are "waiting" for their engine to explode.

Although I did lose my engine recently :( I'm the only one that has had an engine let go amongst all of my freinds that have Porsches.

So in my case I'm the exception. Although I think it's great what Jake Raby is doing to these engines It seems that it's causing a lot of people to think that every 996 and Boxster is a time bomb.

Just my two cents. :renntech:

For the record I do not believe it is inevitable that every M96 will grenade. As Jake says, more do not explode than do explode.

My feeling about Raby's rebuilds is that I'm glad it is there as an option besides a new engine. It was not that long ago when Conventional Wisdom said that the M96 was not rebuildable. And that Porsche would maybe work a deal on new or rebuild engines.

Excellence magazine has done a better job than any other mag to remove the Urban Legend aspects of 986s and 996s. And RennTech has been a great forum for discussions about it.

Well said!

[bmohr]

i know i know. i wasn't trying to start the grenading engine paranoia thread. Hell, my 99 C4 is 106k on original engine and running strong. But, i know that down the road the time will come, as it does with every engine and the electric option peaked my interesets for several reasons. One, i like the idea of not having to worry about constant maintanence. Two, i like the idea of taking on an intriging project. Three, i believe oil prices in the future will return to extreme levels. And lastly, the price point seems to be coming closer to viability. Thanks for all the reply's and ideas. Something to ponder when the time comes:)

Edited January 14, 2009 by bmohr

[RF5BPilot]

Years ago I saw an Opel GT that was cut in half, extended 4-6 feet to accommodate an Allison aircraft engine. ("That won't increase my insurance, will it?") If my engine explodes..... :)

[Foster]

I don't know anything about electric cars but when I saw this all I could think was NEATO.

Electric 993

[bmohr]

thats crazy cool! Thanks for the link Foster:)

[txhokie4life]

That was how I got into my whole Boxster S rebuild project -- bought the donor with a poor ticker,

was going to electrify her.

Cost for reasonable performance and unproven conversion was in excess of $42k, not

counting cost of donor.

Cost to rebuild the engine myself < $8k, depending on where you draw the line on

the minimal amount I needed to have done -- probably could have been under $6k.

I can buy a lot of gas for $30k+

mike