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YOUR RESEARCH2003-2004 Boxster S M96 swap into 996.2
Leading reported evidence
Replace back onto the 3
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
Yeah, most of the peripherals from the 996 M96 will be swapped back onto the 3.2L before it goes in.
Leading evidence: 'Replace back onto the 3' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Replace back onto the 3' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
other systems my be different as they changed from year to year but will impact the functionality of your dme: abs pump (three for four channel, traction control or not) wheel speed sensors, gauge cluster, hvac controller.
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Suggestion
Been running pretty darn well for about 3 years now both with the original configuration and better now with the 996 intake manifold and exhaust.
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Suggestion · Original poster
But he also says the Boxster DME isn't programmed to run VarioCam+ and doesn't mention the need to either change out the DME or have it flashed.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
other systems my be different as they changed from year to year but will impact the functionality of your dme: abs pump (three for four channel, traction control or not) wheel speed sensors, gauge cluster, hvac controller.
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Suggestion
if choosing a flash, note that the 996 will have a larger maf holder than a 986 and you will have trim issues unless you use the 2004 986 special edition flash (which used the larger maf holder from a 987).
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Suggestion
if choosing a flash, note that the 996 will have a larger maf holder than a 986 and you will have trim issues unless you use the 2004 986 special edition flash (which used the larger maf holder from a 987).
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Hoping someone can help me determine if swapping a 3.2L M96 from a 2003-2004 Boxster S into a 2002-2004 996 is a swap that is similar to the level of effort of swapping a 3.4L 996 engine into a early models of the 986.
I have looked through this article many times:
https://www.pelicanparts.com/techart...ngine_Swap.htm
I am assuming since a 3.6L M96 can be swapped into a 2003-2004 Boxster, the reverse is true as well?
Anyone know for sure?
Sorry I don't know the answer the this question. I'm also curious as to why. I'd imagine once you do this you're stuck with a car that nobody in their right mind would want to buy.
You might have missed the page on my thread talking about my swap plans. My motor runs great, love it. But I do have a back up plan probably next winter for the supercharged 3.8 American motor.
I've already took that "Porsche" value out of mine since I cut it up and had fun with it plus I've never worried about resale value in cars I play with. So I'm going to swap in a monster
lol Already have 100% of the swap, just waiting for the right time to do it.
The engine itself should go in fine, booth are VariableCamPlus engines.You will probably have to swap on some of the parts, intake, airbox, AOS, etc. etc.
not correct. 986.2 Boxster got an interim variocam; didn't get the real thing until .2007. initial 986.1 variocam was just on/off. new variocam for boxster introduced in 2003 with the 7.8 dme added the variable timing from variocam+ but not the variable lift. 996 got the full meal deal in 2002.
here is the text from pelican:
The 2007-08 Boxster engines were the first of the series to get Variocam Plus (variable valve lift). The Carrera 996 had Variocam Plus since the introduction of the 3.6L engine in 2002. The 7.8 DME used in the 2003-06 Boxster didn't control variable valve lift, and there are no pins or wires in the engine harness to control the mechanism. Therefore, you need to add the wires into the engine harness when performing this installation. Pins A1 on both valve lift controllers connect to a 12V source in the harness: use the 12V supply for the variable valve timing solenoid. Pins A2 on the controllers connect to DME connector pin C1 for cylinders 1-3 and pin C26 for cylinders 4-6.
so, an 03/04 boxster engine will not respond to the variable valve lift signals being sent to it by the 996 dme; presume this will trigger some sort of cel unless you push a 986.2 flash onto the car. if choosing a flash, note that the 996 will have a larger maf holder than a 986 and you will have trim issues unless you use the 2004 986 special edition flash (which used the larger maf holder from a 987). or swap in a smaller maf holder sawn off a 986 airbox. or go custom tune.
ps, the info i have provided is worth exactly what you have paid for it, so proceed accordingly!
Thanks for the post.
The part that confuses me the most is how VarioCam and VarioCam+ are activated and how the wiring is split up. I'm having a little difficulty understanding what the author means in the write-up. I read it several times and he makes it seem like all you have to do is add the VarioCam+ wiring to the harness and you're good-to-go if installing a 3.6L into a Boxster. But he also says the Boxster DME isn't programmed to run VarioCam+ and doesn't mention the need to either change out the DME or have it flashed.
Also, do you think I can simply swap in the 2003-2004 Boxster DME into my 996.2 along with the 3.2L engine? I assume it is not that simple to swap DMEs though.
I am not the typical 996 owner. I bought my 996s to have fun with. I'm hoping to see what other engine options are available for our cars.
If the swap can be done, I want to see what the 996 is like with the engine. That's fun to me. lol
Yeah, most of the peripherals from the 996 M96 will be swapped back onto the 3.2L before it goes in.
I am just doing it for testing purposes.
It's just for fun. I have a lot of spare 996 parts to mess around with them this way.
well, consider:
996 has mufflers bolted to the side of the engine. i presume the 986 has the bosses (same casting) but may not be drilled and tapped?
you should be able to keep your current dme (7.8 is 7.8) and just push a tune onto it. can be done with a pst2 in five minutes, however you will need the programming codes for the car which can be impossible to get. dealer is supposed to provide but never does.
with a 986 tune on a 996, some systems may not work. for example, the automatic rollover protection on a 996 cab doesn't exist on a 986.
other systems my be different as they changed from year to year but will impact the functionality of your dme: abs pump (three for four channel, traction control or not) wheel speed sensors, gauge cluster, hvac controller. your friend is the PET; i use the one on auto atlanta. check part #'s between years and cars to make sure they are the same.
will the 996 dme run the 986 variocam? dunno. i think the pelican article misses the need for the new tune in their write-up. i have read of folks who have put 986.1 engines in 986.2 cars and got cels for cam limits.not sure if there are sensors to detect valve lift or lack thereof. probably the best resource is todd holyoak who can be sometimes found on this forum; he wrote most of the stuff on the pelican engine swap article that pertains to interchangeability and is the guru of dme swaps.
Thanks for the correction and I apologize for the mistaken information I posted. With the 996's there was only VarioCam and VarioCamPlus. I never knew that with Boxsters ther was a difference in the evolution of the engines. If anyone is interested I have some After Sales information from Porsche that describes in detail hone the two systems on the 996's work and differ.
Yes it will work, just need to drill and tap bosses for the muffler mounts, and you can use your 996 7.8 DME if you remove the vario-cam + high lift solenoids from your 3.6 and attach them to the wiring ONLY and secure the solenoids to the wiring harness. The 2003-2004 3.2 does not use the high lift solenoids/cam or does not measure the lift, it is an on/off solenoid, but needs to be connected to the harness to provide resistance/feedback and keep from throwing a code.
Hello there, I'm not sure if this warrants a new thread, but I've been searching and cannot find much information on putting a 2003 Boxster S 3.2 engine into a 996.1 From what I read above, it sounds like the interim version of variocam on the 986.2 did not exist on either the 996.1 or 996.2. So what would be needed to swap a 986.2 Boxster S 3.2 into a 996.1? I would plan on only using the 3.2 long block and attaching as much 996.1 parts as possible, and then get the DME reflashed or a pro tune. For those asking why, I found a 2003 Boxster S engine for cheap and am also looking at a 996.1 roller. Thanks!
I am really curious if you do this, does it actually work out for the better financially. I am thinking in terms of when you are ready to sell. Keep us posted.
Most dyno sheets don�t show much data below 2500rpm but for those that do, stock v stock I see a difference of about 15ft/lbs. In my experience driving my car, a 3.2 equipped 996 cab, I wouldn�t say it�s too bad off the line.
Neilll, that's great info. Is your 996 cab a 996.1 or 996.2? I wrote yesterday asking if anyone had info about swapping a 2003 Boxster S 3.2 into a 996.1. From the information in this thread above, on other threads and on the pelican parts site, it seems like the variocam on the 2003 Boxster S 3.2 is slightly different than that on the 996.1. I'm wondering what needs to be done to make it happen with the wiring harness if anything? Thanks!
Sorry, I should have clarified; I made my life easy by doing a 2001 3.2 engine in a 2001 996. I originally put it in with a bunch of compromises; then later on drilled the heads for the 996 intake and muffler mounts. Been running pretty darn well for about 3 years now both with the original configuration and better now with the 996 intake manifold and exhaust.
happy to answer other questions but I unfortunately can�t speak to the variocam issues.
I talked to Scott at Softronic today and he said that the 2003 Boxster S 3.2 will not work with a 996.1 DME due to differences in the way that variocam systems work in each car. Thanks for the responses and feedback!
Serious question. Why do people post things like this when they have no clue what they are talking about? Dead serious. I don't get it at all. What is the motivation? It's just so weird to me.
