Are you on a donor engine?
 

Please share your experience in replacing your existing engine with a used one from another car. Why a new engine was needed, where did you source the engine, what issues your encountered and how thing have gone so far.

I'll add a poll just to log the number of members on donor engines.

In the process of transplanting an 05 donor into my 03 2.7. It has not gone well...
Got the engine from Woody.

IMS bearing failed.

Not in the Poll, due to multiple answers.

Of the cars I have owned:
-2001 2.7 Tip 125,000 miles. Broken rod destroyed engine prior to my purchase. I expect there were other contributing factors - some coolant had jelled. (good dual row IMSB)
-2001 2.7 5-spd (Donor Car) 120,000 miles. Original engine, swapped into the above car with maintenance items, not rebuilt. (good dual row IMSB)
-2000 S 6-spd 128,000 miles. Unknown failure of 3.2L replaced with non-rebuilt 1997 2.5.
-1999 2.5 5-spd 140,000 miles. Original
-1999 2.5 5-spd 80,000 miles Original
-1999 2.5 Tip 128,000 miles Original engine, rebuilt Tiptronic.

Rebuilt my original just to make it better & last longer than I do.

I have 95,500 miles now. Bought it just under 3 years ago with 58k on it. The engine was replaced with a Porsche rebuild in 2008 with 37k on it.

I would say 1 out of 10 boxsters that I buy have had the motor replaced and most of them have been 1999's. One only had 43k and another had a second blown motor!

I couldn't vote since there's no category for replacing with a new engine. My 2003 S engine was replaced under warranty at around 36,000 miles with a new 2006 (larger, non-replaceable IMSB) engine. 99,000 miles now and still running perfectly. I contacted the dealer who replaced the engine (previous owner) and they said their records showed that a "cam tower" had cracked (I think that's what they said).

Mine is not the norm. My 2.7 original 42K motor is in storage in my garage ready to go as needed. I was on a search for more power, so I searched eBay for a 3.2 with low mileage and no core or return. I had no intention of rebuilding it. I found a flood damaged 2004 SE that the motor was supposed to be undamaged and that "the water had not got high enough to get inside". I believe he also said he had some great cheap vacation property in south central Florida. One cylinder was about to dechunk and three total had corrosion in the bottom 1/3 of the cylinder. He then refused to accept a return. After allot of back and forth he finally agree to half the original agreed price. About $12K later I have a track day monster.

1997 2.5 @ 124,000 miles which I bought knowing it was burning coolant. Right bank cracked somewhere didnt bother digging to find out.

Swapped a used high mileage motor. Low mileage motors are the ones that seem to croak