That's a good point. They said they did a compression test and 3 of the cylinders are super low. (Max 100 psi). Should I still check?

I had a 98 with 22,500 blow on me 6 months back. I finally got around to finding a 996 3.4 and sending it to Todd (member on this forum) and he just completed the swap. I'm awaiting the car to be delivered back to me sometime this weekend. It sucks to know how easy these engines go. Mine was making a clicking noise in the passenger rear tire area and full lights with CEL came on. When I saw the CEL, I had a gut feeling it was a "Change Engine Light" type of failure. Towed it to Porsche and said it was a cable tensioner failure. Long story short, needed a new engine and 10k later, I hope this last me a little longer. So I know how it feels. Good luck and will keep you posted on how the 3.4 feels when I get it back.

what size is the original engine?

It's a 2.7L engine.

So the dealer was wrong with the cable tensioner? What happened?

Victoreric,

I considered those options, but only very briefly. I don't have the mechanical ability to do the installation and modifications for those engines myself, and it would have cost me more coin then I had available. The 3.2 was the same cost as the 2.7 so for me, that was a no-brainer. If you can afford it, or can do the work yourself, then by all means, go for the largest you can make work. You are going to have a significant expense anyway that you go, so you might as well go ahead and get all the power that your pocketbook can handle.

Mike

how many miles on it? I have a 2000 2.7 w/ 70k and I cant afford to replace the motor right now since I just bought the car..

--edit I found the answer

I'm not a mechanic, but seriously, I'd at least get a second opinion before agreeing to such an expensive engine swap. There is very high incentive for the indie to tell you that you need a whole new engine (if they think you don't know squat about cars), and since it's gonna cost you a lot anyway if you do have to replace the engine, what's another little extra just to see if what they're telling you is true or not?

Just saw on another Boxster board where a guy was all worried he needed a new engine when he noticed all this smoke coming out of his engine while driving, and long story short, all he needed was a replacement of the Air/Oil separator. I can see how a dishonest indie might take the car in due to something like this and just say to an unknowing customer that they need a whole new engine. My advice for you is to get a second opinion. Good luck.

Victoreric, I live in Vancouver.... which indie gave the advice? There are good ones and less good ones(!).

It was MB Euromotors. Do you have any experience with them?

I second (third?) the "second opinion" opinion.
Except for a few $ to get the car from one to another and a few more $ for the diagnosis, what is the harm? If it was a doctor telling you you needed a new shoulder (insert part of your choice) you'd get a second opinion. This is big dollars - I'd want to be positive.

Good luck, I hope you can get it going before the nice weather. It's snowing here!

Kevin

I am not aware of any design changes in the new Porsche motors. I know my neighbors 04 went the way of the IMS.

After the engine died, I was able to pull off and get it home. I had it towed to the dealer and they told me after 3 days it was a cable tensioner that broke and ruined the engine basically. I needed a new engine was my only option. Took it to a indie shop and they said the same thing. I didn't tell the indie shop what was wrong. So now I await the 3.4L .

Victoreric, I do not know MB Euromotors. I will send you an e-mail with some names.

Wow, I can't believe this whole thing took 5 months!

Anyways, through alot of headache, I'm glad to report that my boxster is finally up and running. Long story short, I managed to find an old 3.4 engine with only 37,000 kms and did the swap. :p

glad to hear it's back and up and running!

how much did the whole swap / labor /etc COST??? US dollars??

how much faster is it than the 2.7L ????

is it just a little or is it OMFG faster.. :)

must suprise the heck out of someone in a 987 as they see an old "base" boxster blow them away.. :)

I havent driven an S, but it definitely could spank a 2.7L. I notice this especially in the corners where I gave it a bit more gas than should, then tail starts going.

Fun!!!

Happy to hear about the succesful swap. By no means am I hoping that this happens to me, but if it does I would likely try and go the same route you did. Nice work, hope you're enjoying the car again to the fullest!

how much did this swap cost you?

did you price it compared to doing the 3.4L 911 motor swap?

This is a 3.4L from a 911. I think it's about $14000, after everything.