Can I replace my 3.6 with 3.8?
08-07-2011, 01:45 PM
#1
5th Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Can I replace my 3.6 with 3.8?
Can I replace my 3.6 in my 996w/Tiptronic with a 3.8 from a 997? I know Roock says he can, but which is better - rebuild the original 3.6 with bigger pistons, etc., or buy a 997 engine? Anyone with experience in this? I'm in San Francisco.
08-07-2011, 05:02 PM
#2
Three Wheelin'
Just one opinion.
If it were me and the engine needed to be re-bored and I had the money I would go with LN engineering's Nickies. If it was just a cracked head then there is no need to re-bore and you could save a ton of money ($5k for DIY on the re-bore alone).
The trouble with putting a M97 997 engine into a 996 designed for a M96 is you have differences with engine computer, wiring, immobilizer, instrument cluster, etc. etc. etc. to deal with. Plus then you have a used motor you may or may not have the complete history on. Whereas with a rebuilt engine you know what you have and where you are coming from. The 997 donor probably costing a lot more in the end.
If you stick with the same M96 platform it will simplify the process and be less expensive, if cost is an issue.
If it were me and the engine needed to be re-bored and I had the money I would go with LN engineering's Nickies. If it was just a cracked head then there is no need to re-bore and you could save a ton of money ($5k for DIY on the re-bore alone).
The trouble with putting a M97 997 engine into a 996 designed for a M96 is you have differences with engine computer, wiring, immobilizer, instrument cluster, etc. etc. etc. to deal with. Plus then you have a used motor you may or may not have the complete history on. Whereas with a rebuilt engine you know what you have and where you are coming from. The 997 donor probably costing a lot more in the end.
If you stick with the same M96 platform it will simplify the process and be less expensive, if cost is an issue.
08-07-2011, 06:31 PM
#5
Nordschleife Master
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Vacuuming Cal Speedway
Posts: 7,306
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes
on
5 Posts
The trouble with putting a M97 997 engine into a 996 designed for a M96 is you have differences with engine computer, wiring, immobilizer, instrument cluster, etc. etc. etc. to deal with. Plus then you have a used motor you may or may not have the complete history on. Whereas with a rebuilt engine you know what you have and where you are coming from. The 997 donor probably costing a lot more in the end.
If you stick with the same M96 platform it will simplify the process and be less expensive, if cost is an issue.
If you stick with the same M96 platform it will simplify the process and be less expensive, if cost is an issue.
Last edited by jrgordonsenior; 08-07-2011 at 06:51 PM.
08-07-2011, 06:36 PM
#7
Three Wheelin'
I thought M97 uses 7.8.1 (2005-2009), not 7.8 that 2002-2004 cars use? And newer than 2009 uses SDI3.
Your saying 7.8 can run a M97 map? And not much re-wiring to do?
Also 2000-2001 use ME 7.2.
I think I read that the DMEs don't need much tweaking (if any) if you do an LN re-bore...
Your saying 7.8 can run a M97 map? And not much re-wiring to do?
Also 2000-2001 use ME 7.2.
I think I read that the DMEs don't need much tweaking (if any) if you do an LN re-bore...
Trending Topics
08-07-2011, 06:50 PM
#8
Nordschleife Master
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Vacuuming Cal Speedway
Posts: 7,306
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes
on
5 Posts
I thought M97 uses 7.8.1 (2005-2009), not 7.8 that 2002-2004 cars use? And newer than 2009 uses SDI3. Your saying 7.8 can run a M97 map? And not much re-wiring to do?
Also 2000-2001 use ME 7.2.
I think I read that the DMEs don't need much tweaking (if any) if you do an LN re-bore...
Also 2000-2001 use ME 7.2.
I think I read that the DMEs don't need much tweaking (if any) if you do an LN re-bore...
What I've recently done is put the 3.8 into a 05' 997 3.6 car NOT into a 996. For the 996 conversion it would require the later DME per your original post. You could run the 996 heads & cams on the 3.8 or replace the cylinders as previosuy mentioned but any of this would be labor intense. The 3.6 is a great motor to begin with, and there's many ways to bump the HP on the 3.6....
Again, sorry for the incorrect advise....
03-25-2019, 05:15 PM
#9
1st Gear
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Please help: my 2007 997 3.6 engine has just suffered a damaged main bearing.
You're absolutely correct, I completely miss-read the original post. I don't normally give incorrect advise, but I should have at the very least understood the question before I posted. Please accept my appologies to both the OP and yourself.
What I've recently done is put the 3.8 into a 05' 997 3.6 car NOT into a 996. For the 996 conversion it would require the later DME per your original post. You could run the 996 heads & cams on the 3.8 or replace the cylinders as previosuy mentioned but any of this would be labor intense. The 3.6 is a great motor to begin with, and there's many ways to bump the HP on the 3.6....
Again, sorry for the incorrect advise....
What I've recently done is put the 3.8 into a 05' 997 3.6 car NOT into a 996. For the 996 conversion it would require the later DME per your original post. You could run the 996 heads & cams on the 3.8 or replace the cylinders as previosuy mentioned but any of this would be labor intense. The 3.6 is a great motor to begin with, and there's many ways to bump the HP on the 3.6....
Again, sorry for the incorrect advise....
Thank you for your comments above. My 2007 997 3.6l has just suffered main bearing failure. Rather than rebuilding as the engine has already done around 130,000 miles, I was looking at a secondhand 997.2 3.8l engine. Could you please advise what would be required in making the upgraded engine transplant work?
- will I need to upgrade computer?
- will I need to upgrade the exhaust?
- will I need different engine mounts?
- please if you can detail what was required for your engine upgrade.
Both engines are manual. Thank you
03-25-2019, 10:19 PM
#11
Rennlist Member
Both engines are manual...
Yes it has been done 997 3.8 in a 996, here you go https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...p0413-cel.html
Yes it has been done 997 3.8 in a 996, here you go https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...p0413-cel.html
