2001 2.7 motor into a 2003 2.7 car

[03silverbox]

Thank you in advance as I'm a noob to the Porsche world. I bought a 2003 2.7l boxster with a blown motor with the hopes of rebuilding. Since then I decided to buy a running motor and go that route.
I recently bought a 2001 2.7l motor complete top to bottom (from this forum) with approx. 45K on the clock. From what I can see and find over the internet the 2001 and 2003's had some differences in the vario cam netting the 03 with a few more pony's.

Now for my questions, will the 01 motor run on the 7.8 DME? What changes or parts do I need to swap from the 03 onto the 01 motor? Can I simply plug and play the motor?

I'm assuming that the 01 motor is a 7.2 DME...? Maybe I'm wrong?

Thanks again for all the help.

John

[03silverbox]

Anyone have any insight on this... All I can find is that the pre 2003 boxster uses VVT that's activated by the tensioners where as the 2003 and up uses the vane type cam gear.
Now, will the 7.8 DME which controls the Vane cam gear properly operate the tensioners on the 2001 motor?

Please help...

Thanks,
John

[Blue-S]

It won't work. In this thread:

http://www.987forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20105

"tholyoak" says that the the 2003 vane type VarioCam is controlled by PWM (pulsewidth modulated) output of the DME. The 2002 and prior VarioCam is controlled differently, so you can't use the older engine with your newer DME.

[03silverbox]

Bummer!
What are my options being I'm looking at a motor that I just bought that I may not be able to use?
Do I take the two and make a hybrid? If so, how straight forward would that be? Swap heads and turning gear, using only the crank of the 2001 motor?

Todd if you're out there give me some ideas or hope...

Thanks,
John

[tholyoak]

You could swap the heads from the 2003 onto the 2001 and it would then work. To use the 2001 as is you would have to backdate the car to a 7.2 DME, not a smart thing to do.
There are lots of motors out there, my advice would be to sell the 2001 and buy the correct engine...well actually my advice would be to stick a 3.6 or 3.8 in there, it is very simple on a 2003.

-todd

[ekam]

Originally Posted by tholyoak

it is very simple on a 2003.

-todd

I like that. Nobody wants their engine blow up like I do.

[03silverbox]

Todd, I'm leaning more towards swapping the heads than to sell it and start all over with the search for the "right" motor. It was a PITA to say the least...

What's involved with swapping heads? Aside from the usual items I'll need like gasket etc.. is the lower half the exact same or will I run into other problems...
Setting the cam timing, does that require special tools.

Thanks again..

-John