Hi All,

I’m the orginal owner of a 99 Boxster 2.5. The car has been a peach for 155,000 miles. The engine/drivetrain has never been cracked. Never burned or leaked a drop of oil. It even has the original clutch. Nobody believes that… but it’s true. I've been driving Porches for many years dating all the way back to my 65 C. As a matter of normal maintenance in a car of this age and mileage, I have replaced most of the usual suspects, serpentine belt and rollers, AOS, MAF, O2 sensor, water pump, starter, brakes. It has been a well maintained car. Last year I put on a new GAAH glass window top. I love the car, but last week, it suffered catastrophic engine failure. I started it after it had been sitting for a couple of days while I replaced a window regulator. Big noise, loud backfire, and the engine immediately died before I could even turn off the ignition. I’m assuming IMS failure. Big bummer…

The engine isn’t locked up, so the core may be salvageable … but re-building doesn’t seem economically viable. Research indicates that Boxsters of the same vintage and lower mileage can be had for about the estimated re-build cost.

So, I’m left with getting a used 2.5 engine from a dismantler or eBay which seems like a dicey and barely economical proposition or perhaps upgrading the car, which makes the idea of investing more money in it a bit more palatable. I have a lead on a 3.2 engine from a 2001 Boxster S, but don’t know what’s involved in retrofitting it into a 99. I know its not just a drop-in since it's an e-gas engine and mine is not, but not sure what else is involved. I’m mechanically knowledgeable but I wouldn’t be doing the work myself, so I’d have to find a knowledgeable shop or mechanic to do the work. I live in Santa Rosa, in NorCal. I guess my options are say goodbye and sell the car as is to someone who wants the parts, drop-in a used 2.5 and hope for the best, upgrade or… I’d appreciate any and all advice, suggestions or recommendations. Thanks for reading…

- Steve

 

I would start by dropping the oil filter and pan to see whats in there.

 

I'm no expert as I've just started shopping for a 986. Do you have the 101 projects book? According to it you can fit any carrera 3.4 or any boxster engine from 97-02 into your car. I think the pelican site may have more info on swap projects. Hope that helps.

 

Before you jump to sourcing a new engine or scraping the car have a qualified tech diagnose the symptoms.

Could be a bad fuel pump, fuel filter, "bad gas", or a number of other things almost all much cheaper to address than an engine transplant.

Avoid trying to start the engine.

 

+1 on this, starting with the filter. Any 96-02 Boxster engine is a simple R&R after installing cable throttle body & intake plenum. I would be interested in buying your car as is if you go that route.

 

So its do-able, but more complicated and costly. Liek for like is the best bet.

Grant

 

If the IMS fails, both sides jump time. If they jump time, very bad things happen. In general, the motor will not turn freely. If i read you properly, yours does. That's good.

Also, whil the IMS is the most common major failure, its not the only one. Chain shoes are fairly common. I juts bought a car with a failed motor, claimed bya a good P-car tech to be a failed IMS. I took it apart. Want a picture of the 150k miles perfect IMS? The shoe failed. One side jumped time. Good-bye. Same result, different cause.

But mine would not turn, not easily.

Long story short - have it properly diagnosed before panicking. Next, look for a low miles wrecked 97-99. The 2.5s trade cheaply - there's one for sale somewhere that i just sqw (maybe here) for less than $3k if i recall.

I would avoid the re-builders on ebay. Check BBB on some of them and read the rants. Shiver. maybe some are great - but not all.

I've just been through this process. You can get a solid used motor, check it out, replace the IMS etc. $4-7 + install. You can rebuild from scratch at a reputable shop -- $10-14 + install. Or maybe you can fix yours w/o rebuild. All 3 ways require the motor to come out, so find a shop you trust and get going.

Grant

 

I'd confirm the magnitude of the damage, if the engine screwed the pooch then you are at a tough crossroads. The rest of the car, suspension and otherwise has 155K on it in terms of wear. A 2.5 986 in museum condition can be had pretty cheap these days, sometimes it's better to sell it as a roller and cut bait.

 

2000-2002 engine provides more power with no DME modifications REQUIRED. Proper DME mods as always, will provide increased power at high rpm's.

 

get a 3.4L or a 3.6L. WAY fun.