Boxster K-Swap Stages - How much power do you want?

If you are considering a K-Swap into your Porsche Boxster it is a good idea to think about what you ultimately want from the project. To try and help choose the best path we have broken the swap into 3 stages for both Naturally Aspirated and Turbo. Please keep in mind, these are just guidelines to help provide some consistency to the planning stages of your build, ultimately you can follow any path or direction you like.

 

Naturally Aspirated ( NA )

NA Stage 1 - 220 to 240 Wheel Horsepower

NA Stage 2 - 250 to 270 Wheel Horsepower

NA Stage 3 - 280+ Wheel Horsepower

Naturally Aspirated Stage 1 -  220 to 240 Wheel Horse Power - $10,000 to $15,000usd in parts cost

The Stage 1 approach is a great way to get started with a K-Swap. A Stage 1 approach provides the quickest and most economical starting point to get you up and running, all while leaving a path to stage 2 or 3 in the future if you so decide to take your car even further.

A Stage 1 NA build would consist of:

  • An internally stock Honda K24A engine with only "Bolt on" upgrades
  • Stock or stage 1 clutch kit is all that is needed
  • Stock Porsche 987 "returnless" style fuel system supports up to 450 WHP
  • Stock Porsche 986 "return" style fuel system supports up to approximately 300 WHP

Stage 2 - 240 to 270 Wheel Horsepower - $15,000 to $25,000+usd in parts cost

The Stage 2 approach is if you are looking to make the most amount of power out of an internally stock engine without having to change out pistons or rods. This approach would require what is commonly referred to as "FBO" or "Full Bolt On" plus upgraded camshafts  

A Stage 2 NA build would consist of:

  • An internally stock Honda K24A engine with "Full Bolt On" upgrades such as intake manifold, throttle body and header
  • Upgraded VTC cam gear 
  • Upgraded Type S oil pump
  • Upgraded camshafts ( For 250+ WHP )
  • Stage 1 or higher clutch kit
  • Stock Porsche 987 "returnless" style fuel system supports up to 450 WHP
  • Stock Porsche 986 "return" style fuel system supports up to approximately 300 WHP

NA Stage 3 - 280+ Wheel Horsepower - $30,000+usd in parts cost

The Stage 3 approach is if you are looking for an "All Out" Naturally Aspirated build to make the most amount of power possible without going forces induction. There is technically no specific path to this approach but we can give you an idea of what would be considered in the scope of this approach.

A Stage 3 NA build would consist of:

  • Fully built engine with higher compression Pistons, stronger Rods, and potentially Sleeved block
  • All "FBO" upgrades 
  • Upgraded VTC cam gear
  • Upgraded Type S oil pump
  • Upgraded valvetrain and camshafts
  • 280 to 300 is attainable with pump gas but running a Flex Fuel will help make more power and may be required depending on the compression ratio of the engine
  • Stage 2 or higher clutch kit
  • Stock Porsche 987 "returnless" style fuel system supports up to 450 WHP
  • Recommended to upgrade the fuel pump for Porsche 986 cars

 

Turbo

Turbo Stage 1 - 400 to 450 Wheel Horsepower

Turbo Stage 2 - 450 to 600 Wheel Horsepower

Turbo Stage 3 - 600+ Wheel Horsepower

Turbo Stage 1 -  400 to 450 Wheel Horse Power - $15,000 to $20,000usd in parts cost

The Stage 1 approach is a great way to get started with a Turbo K-Swap. Choosing to go with a stage 1 build you get 100 to 150 additional horse power over the original stock engine without breaking the bank. Stage 1 provides the quickest and the most economical starting point to get you up and running, all while leaving a path to stage 2 or 3 in the future if you so decide to take your car even further.

A Stage 1 Turbo build would consist of:

  • An internally stock Honda K24Z engine with a turbo kit on low boost
  • Stage 2 or higher clutch kit
  • Stock Porsche 987 "returnless" style fuel system usually supports up to 450 WHP
  • Stock Porsche 986 "return" style fuel system supports up to approximately 300 WHP so a drop in upgraded fuel pump is required 

    Turbo Stage 2 - 450 to 600 Wheel Horsepower - $20,000 to $30,000+usd in parts cost

    The Stage 2 approach is if you are looking to make the most amount of power reliably on pump gas. This approach would require a mildly built engine with upgraded pistons and rods to support higher boost levels while adding an additional margin of safety / engine protection. This approach requires an upgrade over stock fuel system and a higher torque rated clutch kit which results in more pedal effort.

    A Stage 2 Turbo build would consist of:

    • A "built" engine with upgraded Pistons and Rods to support higher boost levels from the same turbo kit found on the stage 1 kit
    • A slightly more difficult to drive / higher pedal / harsher engagement clutch kit with a segmented puck style disc clutch kit
    • Upgraded fuel system is required 

    Turbo Stage 3 - 600+ Wheel Horsepower - $30,000+usd in parts cost

    The Stage 3 approach is if you are looking for an "All Out" build to make the most amount of power possible. There is technically no specific path to this approach but we can give you an idea of what would be considered in the scope of this approach.

    A Stage 3 Turbo build would consist of:

    • Fully built engine with Pistons, Rods, Sleeves, upgraded Valvetrain and Cams
    • Over 600 WHP requires more octane then pump gas can support, you would need to consider running a Flex Fuel system or possibly race gas
    • Stage 4 or higher Clutch kit - Twin disc clutch kit is usually recommended 
    • Upgraded transmission gear set or sequential transmission conversion
    • Upgraded fuel system is required