Yep, Boxster = modern 914.
Back when they came out 1997 I saw an article and even most of the dimensions were similar between 914 and boxster. However for markting reason they chose to play it off as modern 550 spyder. Not really true.
I have seen 914 with 3.6L 993 Motors in them. Those motors were 282 hp stock with lots for torque. They fit nicely in 914 body, but need some chassis strengthening to handle the power. Any air cooled 911 motor will fit in a 914. The issues is always the gearbox however since it needs to be flipped to run in 914 since the engine is infront the rear wheels rather than behind it.
Now the 944 shares alot fo VW and Audi parts. In fact the 924 was orginally designed by Porsche for VW/Audi. Then VW killed the projected when it was 95% complete. At them time in mid 70's Porsche was in need of a new entry level car as the 914 was getting old. So for 1977 they bought back the EA425 (as it was called) design back from VW for pennies on the dollar and brough it to market as the 924 using a 2.0L audi derived motor.
Over the 12 years Porsche gradually moved away from VW/Audi parts bin items to more Porsche designed parts. In 1982 they came up with the 944 which was the 924 tub with a 2.5L Porsche designed motor based on 928's V8 and added flared fenders from the 924 GTS racer.
In 1985 they took the same basic tub and ditched much of the VW interior and replaced it was a nicer Porsche interior. At the same time they added a turbo model to the line up bring hp to 220. By 89 the turbo made 250hp and was just as fast as the top of the line 911 Turbo of the day. However prices had really gone up so due poor sales they ditchd it and replaced the 2.5L normally aspirated car with 3.0L 16valve motor with 208 hp. In 92 they revised the body work, added a variable intake bring hp to 236 and called the new moded a 968. By 95 the run was done and boxster came in 1997.
Joke.
