2.7 Boxster Motor into a 996?

Hello learned crowd. I am contemplating swapping the 2.7L into the 2001 996 tiptronic because once the IMSB, guides, pinned cam gears, and water pump are done it seems the 2.7 has it's failure modes dealt with, at least moreso than the 3.4 from what I have read. I am not wrried about the value of the car if I do that becaus eit will simply be my daily driver/commuter car. Has this been done? I tried searching and didn't come up with an actual swap that had been done. I've seen the Pelican 3.4 into Boxster instructions but I've had some with questionable knowledge tell me this can't be done. I also have the DME to swap in for a tiptronic 2.7 as well. The 2.7 should be slightly easier on fuel buyt that's a minimal concern. Reliability (cough) is what I am after. Alterantely, I did finally locate a worthy 3.4. What's the collective opinion on the value of a 2001 996 Tiptronic Cabriolet with just 45,000 original miles and a swapped engine? What say you all? Cheers; TheBird (homage to the RUF CTR Yellow Bird)

The mechanical bits shouldn't be a problem. Getting the electronic bits sorted will likely be a greater headache, unless you are sure that the new DME will just plug in. I might be tempted to keep the DME and get it tuned. For way less than this you could sell your 996 and buy a boxster. You already have a cab, and most people wouldn't even know the difference to look at them. It might actually be a wash to rebuild your 3.4 with upgraded parts. Or a Miata, because those are the tail lights you will get to see all the time. But if you must do this, why don't you find a 3.2 from a boxster S? It seems like a lot of work to create a very boring 911.

All good points. I already have a 2.7 Boxster and it is plenty of fun. I keep reminding myself that the 1973RS was a 2.7! And the Boxster is balanced better. I was lucky and got one with the M030 suspension upgrade which i just restored. I bought the Cabriolet 996 with the blown engine so I have nothing invested in the 3.4 motor. As I understand things it seems the oil has trouble getting to the upper side of the piston pots leading to scoring, the 3.4 head gaskets seem to be more prone to failure. The 3.4 is susceptible to D-chinking, sleeve walking, cylinger head craking, piston sleeve cracking.... etc etc.... whereas the 2.7 doesn't appear to suffer these. It does need the IMS bearing solution, improved tensioner guides, new water pump, pinned cam gears etc etc. but when that is all done the plant should be quite (here we go again, cough cough) reliable. I easily resign myself to the fact that the C2 Cabriolet will NEVER be a performance monster like the turbo cars or the GTx cars. That said, the 200+ HP will be plenty for a daily driver I think. The car is mint and has just 45,000 original miles so I thought it worth saving. Are the Boxster and 996 Tiptronics the same? I have the DME for the moxster tiptronic as well as the engine so I figure after swapping the 3.4 harness to the 2.7 nd the DME brain at the other end it should all run nicely. I'm not certain and hence the post. Also, the PO had the DME chipped. I am also curious about the mounts. I see the 3.4 can go in the Boxster relatively painlessly so I assume the opposite holds true. Speaking of chipped, the 996 has a performance exhaust, will the exhaust bolt to the 2.7? Cheers; The Bird.

this has been done before. If you do some searching on here you should find the thread.

Start here

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarti...ngine_Swap.htm

This is definitely a doable (but not ideal ) engine swap as long as you stay within engine groups m96/20 (2.5) m96/21 (3.2) m96/22 (2.7) 1997-2002. Intake manifold systems, wiring harness, exhaust manifold systems, and engine mount systems would need to be swapped. Also Boxster engines have no threaded holes for the muffler mounting brackets, the bosses are there I believe on most (if not all) head castings, but are not drilled and threaded. Also your 2001 Cabriolet has DME 7.2 and could be reflashed for 3.2 or 2.7 using factory PIWIS tune, or an aftermarket tune. But the 2.5 was not used with DME 7.2 so no factory tune for it, would be aftermarket only. The DME that you have with the 2.7 engine could be used IF it is DME.7.2 and not DME 5.2.2. Although it would not need the tune reflashed, it would need to be programed to the cars immobilizer so I hope you have the VIN number of the donor car or it is a brick. The car would have practically nothing in resale value. The only value would be in your eyes. !00% of the people want the same or better engine than came in the car. I have thought about putting a 3.2 or 2.7 into a 996 and designing a 400+HP Turbo setup for it to give it some value, but it makes no financial sense. I had spent a ton of money designing a custom DIY (2.0L 525HP) engine back in the 80's , and set a couple records with it , and got that out of my system. No need to get that disease again.

Thanks for the input guys. PorscheTech3: I spent many MANY hours tuning the daylights out of the old Audi I5 turbos. Had one running a 6th injector and 23PSI of BOOST! Never did dyno the monster but it flew! I've done my time with the rubber burning at both ends if you'll pardon the tortured metaphore. So I need the VIN for the other DME to work correctly and being a 7.2 it's a plug and play. That's great news. What needs to be done with the VIN? I assume the 3.4 headers will bolt to the 2.7, correct? I'm still deciding what to do.... I really want to drop the 3.4 into the Boxster!

Quotes source post: 14654974

I know what your talking about with the 6th injector setup. Back in the old schools days we had to do what we could to get enough fuel to run the Mods. I had to take a natural aspirated gasoline mechanical Hillborn injection system (early 80's ))and modify it to run on alcohol/Turbocharged set up. It took a lot of tricks. You will need the VIN to get the IPAS codes from Porsche (May be difficult, they don't like to give them for security reasons). You may need to show proof of ownership or let them do the programimng/ DME swap. It is necessary to have the IPAS codes for both DME's to program the DME to the car/immobilizer. Talk to the lead Tech at the dealership about this. It may be cheaper to let an aftermarket company tune your DME to work on the 2.7 engine. They will not have to mess with the immobilizer. Compare the prices, some aftermarket tuners are expensive. Before I retired from Porsche I did quite a few of these, just a reflash with a Porsche factory tune for 1.0hrs, replace DME (new) and program IPAS/immobilizer and flash tune 1.5hrs, replace DME ( used) and program IPAS/immobilizer and flash tune 2.0hrs. YMMV.