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YOUR RESEARCH996 motor swap- 3 chain vs. 5 chain
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Install 5 years ago, crapped the bed
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The 5 chain, blew the IMS at 126k miles, it's dismantled (LN Engineering ceramic retrofit kit installed 5 years ago, crapped the bed after 24k miles).
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Suggestion
The 3 chain engines use a different style of adjuster for cam timing as well as changes to intake cam lift.
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Suggestion
The 5 chain engines are variocam only, as they use the solenoid that adjusts the tension on the chain that goes from the intake to the exhaust cam.
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Hello all,Looking to the brain trust here. I have an 03 996 Targa came with M96/03 5 chain with vario cam +, replacing it with M96/03 3 chain with vario cam +. What if any issues will I have to deal with this for this swap? Insights appreciated. thnx.
Naed
I feel a bit better as I'm as confused by this as you folks. Both engines have "Variocam Plus" on the valve covers. The 5 chain has a cam chain tensioner on both heads, the 3 just the one on 1-3 bank.
you are not making any sense here.
The 5 chain engines are variocam only, as they use the solenoid that adjusts the tension on the chain that goes from the intake to the exhaust cam. The 3 chain engines use a different style of adjuster for cam timing as well as changes to intake cam lift. They don't have the chain between cams.
You are not going to mixing between 5 chain and 3 chain engines.
I agree, this isn't making sense, least of all to me. I thought 5 chain ended in 02, this is an 03 targa. I agree, I thought the 5 chain was limited to the "Variocam" not the "variocam plus". The 5 chain, blew the IMS at 126k miles, it's dismantled (LN Engineering ceramic retrofit kit installed 5 years ago, crapped the bed after 24k miles). Chain count- crank to IMS, IMS to to bank 1 and another to bank 2 from the backside plus exhaust to intake cams = 5 chains. There are cam chain tensioners on both heads. The valve cover has the "variocam plus" on both covers. Engine #2 just arrived, appears to be a 3 chain as there isn't a cam chain tensioner on the second bank (4-6, or right side), it also has "variocam plus" on both valve covers- could it be a 5 chain with a different cam chain tension on the right side being inaccessible? I haven't removed the valve covers on motor #2 as yet to inspect...
Think you are confused, thus confusing others. OR you are trolling, pictures or it didn't happen.
You indicate/said specifically that both engines are M96/03, well, that"s a 3 chain with variocam-plus, no if's, and's, or but's !!!!
Maybe you should start over !! First by stating the correct engine serial/model numbers....
I promise you I'm not trolling. Both are M96/03- if it adds comfort I'll take pic's of both blocks with their serial numbers. Does my description of the 5 chain above accurately describe a 5 chain (can provide those pics as well)? If it is accurate, in a 5 chain does each head have identical cam chain tensioners? The only variant I have right now is that the new motor does not have the same tensioner arrangement. Clearly, I need to take a bunch of pics tonight to share with you folks as the appears to be an anomaly in the least. I VERY much appreciate everyone's feedback here as none of this is adding up to me either.
Note to dejeeper- the wiring harness are identical, I had to swap them as several of the coil pack connectors were damaged.
5-chain motor has chain actuated variocam. one actuator per head for on/off timing adjustment. used in the 996 3.4 up to/including 2001.
3-chain motor has mechanically actuated variocam plus. two actuators per head for variable timing and lift adjustment. used in the 996 3.6 2002 and up.
variocam plus three chain w two actuators.
variocam five chain w one actuator.
You seem fixated on the difference in chain tensioners while stating other facts about the chain configuration difference between 3 chain and 5 chain. No you are not correct in your statement about chain tensioners. Both the 3 chain and 5 chain have 3 tensioners (bank 1 facing the ground, bank 2 facing up, and the ims tensioner). The positioning of the bank 2 tensioner is slightly different on bank 2 but they both have one.
I owe you all an apology. I was so anxious about the new motors arrival that I quickly started looking at it to prep for IMS bearing replacement to lock down the cams and release the chain tensioners. I looked at the bench with the disassembled motor and got spun around looking for the Nut style chain tension on the right bank which is actually the Allen tensioner on top not on bottom. The combination of excitement and anxiety got the better of me, sorry for wasting your time and I do truly appreciate you all hangin in there.
It's ok man, you fessed-up quickly and I completely understand your excitement/anxiety over the new engine making you "jump the gun" about asking questions. We all make mistakes ..Feel free to ask more questions, but give them good thought and do the leg work to try and figure it out before asking. Not only will you get more help by putting in the leg work, but you will ask a better question...
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