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Originally Posted by Lightning
So we think the changes from '99 to '01 are more important than the extra 30k miles the '01 engine has on it? Or is it that the '99, with only 35k, might not have shown all of its flaws?
p.s. Thanks for the link to Wayne's project page. I've poured over that, as well as Todd's old pdf file. I know the '99 would need a newer e-Gas throttle body, and maybe a newer oil pump if it's missing the Boxster's 4th engine mount boss...
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The 99 will have the "better" dual-row IMS bearing, which you really don't care about since you've said you'll be upgrading it. The 99 is, however, rather more prone to sagging bearing carrier (which causes the dreaded RMS leak that cannot be fixed) as well as D-chunk failures (though pretty much any of the 3.4 or 3.6 engines can do this, as they have the thinnest liners of any of the M96/97 engines- the 3.6, if you aren't aware, is just a stroked 3.4).
What is interesting, however, is that many of these motors, when torn down with mileage on them, begin to show signs of bore distortion as they become out of round ("stretched" in the thrust plane). While the degree to which the bores become out of round depends upon a myriad of factors (such as how hard the engine was driven, for one), it is reasonable to assume that the higher the mileage the greater the chance of this happening is. In this aspect, the 01 you are looking at is at a disadvantage.
I wouldn't worry too much about the lack of the 4th mounting boss.