Blown Boxster 3.2L engine - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Guys, Hi, I'm sure there's lots of articles on this already, and happy if someone points me to the appropriate place, but I've searched and can't find all the details I'm looking for. I've managed to blow the engine in my 2003 3.2L (usual bearing issue). Now I'm wondering what the best option is for me. My main issue is that I'm in Australia, where it's very difficult to source replacement parts. The mechanic is looking at the engine this week, but his initial assessment is that its probably not repairable unfortunately. I'd like some advice on what my options are. I'm assuming my best option is to source a low milage engine from europe / UK / USA and ship it in to Australia. As my gearbox also has an issue with the synchromesh on 2nd gear, I think I may be wise to look for front end damaged cars with low mileage and ship one out and cross my fingers that the engine and gearbox are in good condition. Tricky, but if I can get an inspection it is still probably worth the risk. I also understand that you can install a 3.4 911 engine too. I'm not sure if that's straight forward or not? Does anyone have any suggestions? Cheers, Darren

I think the install of a 996 engine is fairly straightforward, aside from issues with the intake and exhaust (as the engine faces the other way in the 996). I know in Panorama (Porsche Club of America monthly magazine) they had a two or three segment article on installing a 3.4L into a Boxster, and the details of it. I'd need to look through to see which issues that was in.

As a newb, pardon my ignorance in advance I noticed on Ebay a 2004 550 that is a salvage job - looks to be front / rear damage but the drive train and transmission are stated to be in working order. If so, perhaps you could arrange shipment overseas? The car seems to have plenty of good parts left for you to part out and recoup some of your expenses...just a thought. Heck, I'll give you a few $ for the wheels if I can get them before it leaves the U.S. Link to the Ebay listing: Porsche : Boxster Boxster Porsche : Boxster Boxster | eBay

Try these auctions for cheap cars. https://www.iaai.com/Vehicles/Search.aspx?Keyword=porsche+boxster Copart USA - The Source for Online Car Auctions - Home Page

Thanks for your response Deserion. Thanks for the websites jb92563, I'll check them out and see what's available.

Don't know how model years line up in AU, but in the U.S. a 2003 and 2004 Boxster has the same ECU as a 3.6 Carrera Engine (MY2002 and up in the U.S.). Good luck!

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Engine from 2003-2004 Boxster is direct replacement but 2002-2008 911 or 2005-2008 Boxster is pretty easy. Since Austrailia has such a hefty import tax I don't think you want to get anything you're not going to use. Every 6-speed has the 2nd gear issue so you won't find anything better than what you already have. Next find the best mechanic to install the engine.

Thanks again guys. I've been talking to my mechanic and a few other guys here who race these "expensive to fix machines" and I think my best bet at this stage is only to source a 2003-2004 3.2L engine. And I've been advised to try to source from the UK or Japan due to differences in the emissions and ECU to Australia (ie: UK, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia are all same cars). A lot of other engines can fit, but I just don't have the cash for that right now unfortunately. Hence, I'm searching for an engine in the UK. So if anyone reading this is a UK mechanic / dismantler / engine reconditioner that specialises in Porsches, please let me know. Also due to the frequency of these things blowing up and the lack of availability of used parts in Australia, my mechanic is pretty keen to set up a relationship with a good porsche specialist in the UK to source parts and perhaps ship over complete engines in advance and stockpile a few. Hence he's happy to use this inital search as a test! Hopefully that turns out as a good thing for me as I'm helping him search I've been trawling the web and have sent off a few emails to Porsche specialist companies in the UK. I'll write back here with an update of how I go. I'm sure other Australians in a similar situation will find my forum entry in the future too. Cheers, Darren

Hi Darren, Very sorry to hear about your engine. I does surprise me to hear about the 'lack of availability of used parts' in this country, but maybe I just don't know yet! Have you tried Melbourne for repairs/parts yet? There are several independents here who do major engine repairs - Weltmeister repaired a friend's 996 after its IMS failed, and they do the IMS upgrade as well. There is a company called APorschaPart who advertise used Porsche parts and their website says that they source stuff from overseas. They have been around for years. Also there is NinePlus, and Auto Coupe, who I believe may be able to help. Hope that helps.

Since you have an 03, you already have a 7.8 DME, so you can plug and play install a 3.6 or 3.8 with only a software flash and running the 4 additional wires for the Variocam Plus solenoids. A Boxster with 996/997 power is truly an incredible car.

Hi Darren, I felt for you with the broken engine,I have the same car 3.2 S 6 Speed manual 2002 model. Its done about 43,000 miles and the driveshaft broke coming back from Monaco F1 in France,back in May,got to fix myself. Well done Mark Webber! Any way the there are a few people that do replacement second hand reconditioned engines here in UK for your car they are:1)Douglas Valley Breakers,they are in the county of Lancashire,2)Porsche apart,and Volks apart in Erith,Kent. The main problem I can for see is shipping costs and import tax which you obviously need to keep down. My cousins live in Sydney and Brisbane its a shame I can't get them to take IT out for you! But customs in OZ seem pretty tough! The Douglas Valley are pretty cheap and have loads of spares, Volks apart do reconditioned for about £2000-3000. Hope this helps,regards Dave living in London/UK. :dance: