Jimmy Oakes & ENEOS Unveil Ferrari-Powered Porsche 911 at Formula DRIFT

Automotive content creator and engineer Jimmy Oakes’ latest project involved swapping a Ferrari-built Maserati F136 V-8 into a 1978 Porsche 911 SC in a fusion of Italian performance, German engineering, and even some Japanese motorsport heritage.

While Oakes has been documenting the build at youtube.com/jimmyoakes, the car will make its first public appearance at this weekend’s inaugural round of the Formula DRIFT PRO and PROSPEC Championships, June 18-20, at Stafford Motor Speedway in Stafford Springs, Connecticut. Attendees will be able to see the car and meet Oakes in the ENEOS Motor Oil booth in the paddock area.

As the Official Motor Oil of PROSPEC, ENEOS’ booth is where fans can find the latest OE-grade lubricants, meet sponsored Formula DRIFT drivers Fredric Aasbo and Collete Davis, and get a close look at Oakes’ 911 this weekend, company officials said in a press release.

Building the Porrari

Replacing the 3.0L six-cylinder boxer engine in the rear of a ’78 911 SC with the naturally aspirated 400-hp Ferrari/Maserati F136 flat-plane crank V-8 from a 2007 Maserati Quattroporte requires a major commitment. Before any upgrades could be considered, the 48-year-old Porsche needed a comprehensive restoration, which became one of the biggest aspects of the project, requiring the entire chassis to be stripped and restored.

As part of the process, the roof had to be scrapped but was upgraded with a carbon fiber roof skin from EP9 Autosport. Most of the bodywork and paint was carried out by Anthony Mendoza, who was an essential part of the team, noted the release.

The extensive fabrication meant the factory wiring was effectively lost, so a custom harness was created by Wired by Trap, which helped ensure the engine, ignition, and Link ECU G5 Voodoo Neo 6 engine management had a reliable power supply.

When it was time to install the V-8, Oakes and his crew fabricated a cradle that also supported the 996 Porsche 911 transmission once the two were mated by a Kennedy Engineered Products bellhousing. The same company also provided a custom clutch and flywheel.

In such a tight space, the Porrari needed custom headers and an exhaust system to breathe properly. These were fabricated by local legend James “Bopper” Moran utilizing Stainless Bros materials.

Not wanting to miss an opportunity, Oakes decided to upgrade the engine to individual throttle bodies using parts from the E90/92 BMW M3 S65 engine with assistance from Ding Dong Drift, who designed and 3D-printed custom adapters and trumpets. The result was better throttle response and a great induction sound as the F136 climbs to its 8,000 rpm redline.

Since the 911 was air-cooled, the team cut the front tub to accommodate a radiator and fan but ran into issues with the factory gas tank, so opted for a 10-gallon Radium fuel cell mounted behind the new rad. In turn, this meant a number of new water, fuel and electrical lines running through the car. The solution was a removable tunnel down the center of the chassis to allow direct routing and easy access.

During the V-8 installation, the rear suspension was removed and later replaced with significant additional bracing, allowing them to remove the torsion bars and update to custom Stance Suspension coil-overs. In search of additional rigidity and safety, a full roll cage was built by Accurate Fabrication in Bristol, Connecticut.

With more than double its original output, Oakes decided to add both style and a wider footprint by converting the “narrow” body to a widebody using metal fenders welded to all four corners by close friend Brian Hall.

With the rejuvenated body painted in Porsche Guards Red, the team was able to fit 17×9.5-inch front and 17×10.5-inch rear RAYS VRX-10 wheels with 235/40 R17 and 255/40 R17 Accelera 651 Sport tires, respectively. The brakes are Porsche Boxster four-piston Brembos at each corner utilizing EBC rotors and Chase Bays lines.

“This build wasn’t about taking the easy route,” said Oakes. “It was about building something that makes people take notice and then showing them how we did it. In my opinion, it’s projects like this that keep car culture exciting.”

ENEOS as the Chosen Lubricant

As a brand ambassador, Oakes chose ENEOS engine and transmission lubricants to play a critical role in ensuring the transplanted drivetrain and performance components would operate efficiently and reliably under the most demanding conditions, company officials said.

“At ENEOS, we’re passionate about supporting builders and creators who challenge the status quo,” said Shunsuke Kuniyuki from ENEOS. “Jimmy’s Ferrari-swapped Porsche 911 is a perfect example of the innovation and craftsmanship that drive automotive culture forward and can inspire others to greatness.”