Ruf 3400S Options and Pricing

As a matter of fact I got a quote from RUF for a 3400 S conversion, which of course involved the 3.4L swap. However the mechanical and electrical work has undergone new revisions a

Posted: 26 Aug 2003

As a matter of fact I got a quote from RUF for a 3400 S conversion, which of course involved the 3.4L swap. However the mechanical and electrical work has undergone new revisions and should be carried out there in Pfaffenhausen. Obviously RUF blue print the engine to make sure that the final outcome is an honest 310hp.

Based on a Boxster S:

Installation of a 996 engine with an enhanced power output of
310 bhp (228 kW)
Specially designed RUF exhaust system
Complete instrumentation (996) € 27,000

Based on a Boxster:

Installation of a 996 engine with an enhanced power output of
310 bhp (228 kW)
Specially designed RUF exhaust system
Installation of an additional water cooler* including intake pipes
Installation of a six-speed manual gearbox
Installation of a 996 brake system
RUF suspension € 34,100

Options:

996 C4 headlights € 1,200
RUF front spoiler € 1,300
GT 3 front spoiler € 1,400
Boxster S front spoiler € 1,000
19“ RUF wheels € 8,300
18“ RUF wheels (only by conversion) € 2,500
Fender panels € 900
Leather trimblack leather € 4,700
any colour desired € 6,200
GT 3 seatsblack leather € 2,600
any colour desired € 3,200

*Only in combination with the Boxster S front spoiler or the GT 3 front spoiler

I believe that Ruf although being the best Porsche tuner out there, is also by far the most expensive. You can perform the same kind of upgrade with also one year warranty for less. 27000 Euros to geta 3.4L on a Boxster is just to much money. You can drop the engine on some other companies for 15000/17000 Euros.

Rami´s Boxster is a unique car, and the company who made the upgrade on his car, was the same that drop the 3.4L on my car, company is PSI Motorsport. So they can perform both upgrades. The twin turbo Boxster will be a bit faster than the 3.4L, but regarding reliability, I believe the 3.4L to be superior. I´m not saying that Ramis car is not reliable, far from it, but these M96 engines were not made from stock to receive force induction, and the worst parts is that the twin turbo is a bolt on system, they don´t open the engine in order to lower the compression ratio. TTP offers a similar system without lower the compression ratio 350Hp, and a stage 2 system, that includes dropinng out the engine put new pistons rods and so on 450Hp. I believe this to be the best way to achieve high HP gains without compromising the reliability, even so, I still believe the 3.4l option to be the most reliable. Why Porsche didn´t use the M96 engine for the 996 TT? That must mean something, a brand new 3.4L or 3.2l engine cost around 8500 Euros, a 996TT engine cost 35000 Euros, so you have an idea.
Ruf also didn´t made any Turbocharger system for the 3.4L and 3.2L engines, and I´m sure this must have been something that they had tried, but probably the results regarding reliability were not the best ones. Again, I´m not saying that the twin turbo system for the Boxster is not reliable, i just think that there are other ways to achieve almost the same results with a superior reliability. Personaly I prefer turbo engines to non-turbo, the feeling of the turbo opening the boost and be pressed to the seat is unique. I rewally liked my first turbo engine on Boxster. The turbo between 3000 and 6000rpm was incredible, I would be completely pressed against the seat, the 3.4L starts to pull from 1500 rpm very strong, and at 4500rpm it really kicks untill 7400rpm. Two different engines for two different tastes.

Now going straight to your question regarding the choice between Ramis Boxster and Ruf 3400S, well I would say that if I had only a month to spend with the car, I would choose ramis Boxster by far, there´s nothing like a strong turbo kick, and the wastegate sound is also amazing plus the turbo spinning Jezzz... If I had to choose to keep it for long time, I would choose the Ruf 3400S. It has also grunt, it also fast, it sounds great too and I think it must be more reliable, plus when you decide to put the car for sale, it would be much easier to sell 3.4L Boxster than a twin turbo Boxster.

Hope to see soon pics of your new toy and good luck for your master degree.