Engine Swap 2003 2.7

[Muskoka Minute]

Hi Guys

I know this topic has been talked about before.

We have a 2003 2.7 with a auto transmission.

We have a 2001 2.7 that we would like to put in it.

I have been told 2 different things.

1.Will Work
(We will have to change everything as if it was a long block)
(fuel rails, wiring harness, plenums, throttle body etc)
Then it will work

2. It will not work at all
(they have a different timing system and heads)

Which one is correct.

Hope someone knows the infinitive answer.

Thanks Bart

[Jamesp]

With the caveat that this is based on a a 3.2, and the assumption the 2.7 and 3.2 were updated the same year, the 2003 has a different Variocam system than the 2002 and earlier. When I pulled my 2003 apart I was stunned to find the Variocam actuators missing. They were relocated from between the camshafts to a unit in the head that uses oil pressure to change the timing. I was working from a 2002 and earlier manual. That is where 3 chain versus 5 chain engine descriptions come from. That is also where the comment on the heads and timing system comes from. I believe the DME also was updated to accommodate the improved Variocams.

So definitive (or infinitive, I never was good at English), not so much. Is it a straight drop in? Not likely.

My 2 cents.

[BYprodriver]

Originally Posted by Muskoka Minute

Hi Guys

I know this topic has been talked about before.

We have a 2003 2.7 with a auto transmission.

We have a 2001 2.7 that we would like to put in it.

I have been told 2 different things.

1.Will Work
(We will have to change everything as if it was a long block)
(fuel rails, wiring harness, plenums, throttle body etc)
Then it will work

2. It will not work at all
(they have a different timing system and heads)

Which one is correct.

Hope someone knows the infinitive answer.

Thanks Bart

You can substitute the 2001 short block for the 2003 short block

[Jamesp]

Originally Posted by BYprodriver

Both may be correct if #1 assumes you will also change the heads &
(We will have to change everything as if it was a long block)
(fuel rails, wiring harness, plenums, throttle body etc)
Then it will work

Will the DME work? Mine is version 7.8.

[Muskoka Minute]

Originally Posted by BYprodriver

Both may be correct if #1 assumes you will also change the heads &
(We will have to change everything as if it was a long block)
(fuel rails, wiring harness, plenums, throttle body etc)
Then it will work

So just so I understand this correctly..

To make this work you have to change the heads for this to work no matter what??

just trying to clarify.

Thanks

[mikefocke]

The DME, the wiring, the fuel delivery system and the variocam version in the heads have to match up.

Which is why the most common swap is a like generation engine from a Boxster or 996 as it make so much of the swap so much easier.

And if you are thinking of using the heads off an engine that has self destructed and has metal bits pushed around in all the little passages in the heads, that is a sure route to disaster.

[Cbonilla]

At the very least you will probably find that the main wiring harness differs between Tips and sticks. Just did an engine swap on an 03S Tip, and finding that combination wasn't easy. New from Porsche a harness will set you back $1,500

Carlos

[The Radium King]

and realise that changing the dme includes the hvac controller, gauge cluster and abs pump (which means converting to a 4 channel brake system). also have to change the wheel speed sensors on the two rear corners.

[BYprodriver]

Originally Posted by Muskoka Minute

So just so I understand this correctly..

To make this work you have to change the heads for this to work no matter what??

just trying to clarify.

Thanks

No you need 03-04 heads to not have to change the DME. You can install your original heads on the 2000-2002 short block. ( my mistake on my original post as I was thinking swapping short blocks instead of long blocks because Porsche only sells rebuilt short blocks now, no more long blocks from Porsche AG.)

[Muskoka Minute]

Thanks Guys..

Not exactly what I wanted to hear but I will work with it.

Thanks Bart

[GTA_G20]

Bart. Search user name THOLYOAK here and rennlist. Guy has been swapping motors for years. He was in the states and a few years ago moved to Ontario. Hasn't been the most active but if you can get ahold of him. He'll tell you how to get it done

[BYprodriver]

Originally Posted by GTA_G20

Bart. Search user name THOLYOAK here and rennlist. Guy has been swapping motors for years. He was in the states and a few years ago moved to Ontario. Hasn't been the most active but if you can get ahold of him. He'll tell you how to get it done

He sold all his Boxsters & sold his PST-2 to me.

[GTA_G20]

Originally Posted by BYprodriver

He sold all his Boxsters & sold his PST-2 to me.

Wow I guess he's really over Porsches. Shame. He was a genius