henry959

has anyone installed Carerra S engine into Cayman S?
if so... what is the estimated cost and was the computer swapped or custom programmed?


any advise would help

mikew968

I think BGB has some experience doing this.

STLPCA

There are a fair number of 997 engine swaps into a Cayman, so there is a body of experience. The 987 ECU remains but needs custom reprogramming for the new engine. If you're planning to have the job done, there are shops with experience across the country so it depends where you are. However, as with most car mods, it's far less expensive, faster, and less stressful to buy a car that's already been converted if you can find one. E.g., I just bought a 2006 CS with 997S 3.8l X51 TPC turbo engine to replace my ... 2006 CS which I bought new.

Cost will be largely a function of engine (used, re-manufactured, new crate engine), the shop's experience, and labor rate. I'd guess you're looking at north of $15k.

bldn10

Aha, you did it, huh, Dan? 3.8s and turbos are rare, 3.8 turbos must be numbered in single digits. How is it?

STLPCA

Yup. Thanks for your input during my "research" phase. It's at TPC now awaiting remapping and some other work so I'll be at Memphis this weekend in the stock CS. I'm looking forward to chatting with you and taking a closer look at your 3.8l. I hope to have mine at the Gateway DE in October. Hope you can make it.

rubber_ducky

I got a quote of ~$20k to put a 3.8 DFI into my DFI 987.

darbyfam

I have the 3.8L swap and the Cayman ECU remains but with a ECU remap. The car has OEM reliability. Every now and then I get a CAT CEL but it clears itself. No other issues outside what is experienced already on Caymans (PS lines).

tcsracing1

The choice mod is swapping your DFI cayman motor for a carrera S DFI motor.

It has been done and it is wonderful BGB are great with this.

audipwr1

I've searched and haven't found the DIY and shopping list for this

Can anyone share?

bldn10

PM sent

Dr.Bill

Another option is a V8 Corvette engine. (manual transmission cars only)
Less expensive to buy and maintain. There is at least one company doing this.

PCA1983

Something seems sacrilegious about putting a Chevy V8 in a Porsche. A couple of negatives too - higher center of gravity and no runs to 7000+ rpm.

lcrain

So the ecu from a cayman is compatible with a 3.8? What other hurdles are there? Does the 3.8 mount up similarly? Are there any wiring concerns? how available are 3.8 engines and how much do they cost? 15-20k sounds very reasonable if that is installed including a donor motor...

bigwong

I've also heard you can put a DFI motor into a non-dfi car. I think BGB hints at it. It's not cheap, from what I can tell, but what is?

BGB Motorsports

Yes, you are correct. I have struggled and struggled with this and given the need for the following items, this project fails the "sniff" test UNLESS you have a 987.1 with a bunch of money invested and you're not ready to give up your girl. IF that is the case and IF you want a brand new reman Porsche engine with a 2 year warranty and you want to make 420 crank horsepower and have a DFI On-Demand oil delivery system and no concerns anymore on track, i honestly cant think of any other way to do this.

Required parts are:
- New/Reman 997.2 3.8L Engine from Porsche
- New/Reman 987.2 3.4L or 2.9L (Shorter Ratios) Transmission from Porsche
- New 987.2 3.4L DFI Engine Wiring Harness
- New 987.2 3.4L DFI ECU
- Several Coolant Pipes that need to be upgrade to 987.2 Versions
- New Clutch (can include a lightweight flywheel and an upgraded Sachs
- Motorsport Clutch Plate) for a few hundred $ more
- New Axles for 987.2
- BGB EFI to DFI Harness (we went ahead and created a professional motorsport style "jumper" harness that will go from the 3.4L DFI engine wiring harness to the 3.4L EFI chassis harness)
- Conversion Labor (50 Hours - Includes removal and replacement of existing engine WHICH if your 987.1 is not blown, carries a core value of $9K today)

So to confirm, yes it's possible and yes it could be started TODAY and yes it's not the cheapest form of power and torque but it does come with a new motor with a warranty and some fire breathing power that would have anyone grinning ear to ear.