What year did the CAN BUS system start?
 

Looking to do a swap and I currently am wondering the difference with the

1997 > 2002 >2004. Are the wiring harness' and ECU similar with the:

- 1997/2002 and different from the 2004
or
- 2002/2004 and different from the 1997

I think it started in USA cars in 2003 along with the 7.8 Motronic

I understand it started in Canada in 2003 (same as US, surprisingly enough)

From Pelican's engine conversion page.

Boxster 2001 (2.7L & 3.2 S)

The Boxster 2001 cars are by far the most flexible in which engine you can install in them. The 2001 cars still have the 7.2 DME installed, but most of the other systems of the car were upgraded in anticipation of moving towards the 2002 CAN bus system that integrates various electronic systems on the car. With the exception of the anti-lock braking system, the proper CAN bus systems are integrated into the 2001 chassis and allow the easy installation of the later 7.8 DME. As a result, you can install any 1997-08 Boxster or 996 Carrera motor into these cars without too much difficulty. You can swap in any replacement engine of the same displacement from 2000-02 without having to remap the DME. (for example, a 2001 3.2L Boxster with a blown motor can accept a 2002 3.2L engine with no remapping needed).

OK. I was thinking of the MOST-bus for the media gear, which was added to the CAN-bus in 2003.

Excellent I thought it started in 2002 which confirms with what I read in a post elsewhere. I need to run a 7.8 DME and 2002 harness.


Now I'll have to look into the tiptronic ECU and if that will need to be upgraded aswell. This will be a beautiful nightmare