Issue link: http://grassrootsmotorsports.epubxp.com/i/301431
Grassroots Motorsports 34 DRIVERS MEETING T he Recent reviews of Porsche Boxsters and Caymans have all leaned toward the same point: If you can get a mid-engined Porsche that goes as fast as its more expen- sive, rear-engined 911 sibling, why would you bother buying a 911? All the Boxster needs is a little more power and it would best any 911. Porsche has been good about presenting clear tiers of perfor- mance (and price). But what if you could get big brother's engine in the sprightly Boxster chassis? That's where BGB Motorsports is carving out a niche. You may know them as the champions in last year's Grand-Am Rolex GX class, but they'll work on your Porsche, too. BGB is converting new Boxsters to the 911's 3.8-liter fat-six engine. The result is a car with 400 horse- power (up from 315 in the Boxster S) and iden- tical driving dynamics and track capability. Chuck Zeitz was one of their frst takers in converting a new Boxster. He bought a 2014 Boxster S in his home state of Colorado and began enjoying it. "I wish I was 15 years younger," he says, yearning to drive like a hooligan. Chuck has had motorsports in his blood for a long time, at one point supporting High Plains Raceway as a corner worker. He doesn't pussy- foot it, though: Chuck enjoyed his brand-new car. He's a member of the Rocky Mountain Porsche Club, and in winter they have ice racing events. This Box- ster won the class for two-wheel-drive cars with studless tires. Once the car ticked over 4500 miles, though, Chuck hit the road for Ormond Beach, Florida–home of BGB Motorsports–for the Carrera conversion. The trip took him through Georgia right before that huge January snowstorm that para- lyzed Atlanta. He made a vacation of the trip, staying in Florida for a few weeks while BGB completed the work. The Boxster's 3.4- liter engine covers a core charge with Porsche when they purchase the 3.8. BGB offers two "stages" of the conversion, but many parts from the stages can be bought individually. Chuck chose Stage 1: a $32,500 job, labor included, that adds the big engine, an ECU upgrade, big brakes, air flters and some 911 interior bits. He also asked BGB to add the X73 factory sport suspension option and Porsche's Power Kit heads, which are good for another bump in horsepower. Chuck showed us his dyno sheet: 337 horsepower and 275 ft.-lbs. of torque at the wheels. The new 911 crate engine comes with a two-year warranty from Porsche–not as good as the car's original four- year warranty, but it'll still provide some peace of mind. When it was done, Chuck returned to Colorado and to his dog, Magnum. The German shepherd's usual ride is Chuck's Ford Ranger, but man's best friend will take trips in the Boxster, too. Chuck bought dog- friendly covers for the upholstery. For more information on these conversions, visit teambgb.com. Conversions are avail- able for Boxsters from 2009 through today. Power to the Porsche Get the Best of the Boxster and the 911 in One Car Need a bit more grunt Longtime Porsche race shop BGB Motorsports can add 911 power. alan cesar photos june_02_49_news.indd 34 4/22/14 4:13 PM