Amille28

Hello Rennlisters,

I have good and bad news.
I have a 2001 C2 996 with 153k mi.. ..well it wasn't the IMS that failed. I have it as my daily driver and it is now diagnosed with a rod bearing knock. I'm not sure how much longer I will be able to drive it.

I have a low budget and plan on doing a proper rebuild but in the meantime I either have to get a beater to drive during the rebuild, or I was considering putting a boxster 3.2 S engine as they are cheaper than the 3.4 at least until the rebuild on the other engine is complete.

Here are my assumptions
1. 3.2S and 3.4 engines are the same block.
2. 3.2S and 3.4 engines are interchangable without fabrication. i.e bolt on swap.
3. no DME reprogram would be necessary if I used a 00-02 3.2S engine.

Am I correct? Are there any gotchas in doing this other than a bit of reduced HP?

white out

It might be cheaper to buy a 2.7 boxster, drive that until your car is done and sell the boxster.

Hurdigurdiman

Maybe cheaper again if you ship your present one as core to the place that sells the Boxster 32 S. That's if you are keeping your car. Macster may advice you on the best move I think.

Amille28

White Out,

Thanks for the reply. You know, I was lurking your forum posts last night on that other site.

Thanks for the other suggestion to get a Boxter or another car during the rebuild. I really like driving my 996 and it is in great shape despite having 153k mi on the original engine.

I'm looking at this -
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2000-Porsche...ht_1172wt_1091

If I can install this low cost and just swap my 3.4 brackets/harness/accessories without expensive modifications or DME changes.

Once my original engine is then properly rebuilt I can resell or keep the 3.2 block.
Is this possible or is my line of thought incorrect?

alpine003

Are you doing this all yourself?

kromdom

my 2 cents: pay for a rental car while doing the rebuild

Amille28

Yes, I would be doing the swap myself. I've done a lot of work on my 996 and find it enjoyable to work on. 50% of the fun in owning a Porsche in my opinion is getting to work on such a great car yourself.

I've already had most of the intake manifold off to change the AOS. Dropping one engine and switching all the intake/fuel rails/accessories/ harness/ and sensors should be relatively straightforward.

I'm looking if there are those gotchas like... "hey the block on the 3.2 is the same but some of the holes aren't drilled and tapped for use in a 996 3.2" I don't think there are any.. but that is why I am asking now instead of waiting until I am 3k into an engine I can't utilize.

chsu74

Search for 3.4L engine upgrades on Boxster threads. You would be doing it in reverse. I thought you had to swap out the DME in the Boxster during the upgrade but a few guys who have done it would know better..

Amille28

Yes, my understanding on the DME swap for a boxster is only required if you stay out of your year group.

Since I have a 2001 C2, with eGas I should be able to swap with a 2000-01 boxster 3.2 with motoronic 7.8 (non CANBUS) and electronic throttle without any changes.

If I were to go with a newer boxster, carrera 3.6, or 997 engine I would need to update the DME to the CANBUS (and all the required components) in order to be able to operate the VarioCam+ feature of the newer engines.

The long block I am looking at is a 2000 Boxster 3.2 with 64k mi.

Earlier engines may work but would have to use the correct throttle body.. electric vs cable driven, but the computer may use the electronic throttle position to manage the engine. I'm not completely sure.

Byprodriver

Amille any 2000-2002 3.2 will do what you want with the most noticable drawback being the loss of 33 ft/lbs of torque. That will be quite annoying & may cause clutch wear to increase. The case & head raw castings are functionaly identical but the boxster heads will need to be drilled & tapped to bolt on the 996 intake manifold & the exhaust heat shields. There may be more steps like this required but I believe they will be minor, however I have not done this so I can't be certain. DME wise you will not need to change anything.

Imo000

How will a weaker engine increase clutch wear? I say buy a cheap VW TDI and drive it until the rebuild id done. This way you'll have somethig to drive that costs next to nothing and saves you money to pay for the rebuild.

Byprodriver

Slipping the clutch for initial takeoff

white out

ECU changes are going to be your biggest issue.

I totally understand your want to drive the 996 constantly. But financially, it might be a better option for you to drive something else for a few weeks/months. Try E30/E36, boxster, something to haul engines, etc.

Thanks for following the blog!

Imo000

There is no noticable difference between the engines at take off RPMs.

Byprodriver

Losing 200cc makes a very noticable difference especially at low rpm.