Are you on a donor engine?

[Perfectlap]

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.

[littlewiggler]

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.

[78F350]

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.

[BYprodriver]

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

[jdlmodelt]

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.

[itsnotanova]

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!

[Joe B]

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).

[jsceash]

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.

[GTA_G20]

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