Replace 2004 M96.23 2.7 with a 2001 M96.22 2.7 Possible?

[Russianman92]

Hello! New here on the forums. I posted this question on Pelican Forums as well but I figure I post it here as well for more visibility and it seems that I have a restriction on the ability to actually reply there? Idk so here goes.

 

I have a 2004 Boxster Base 2.7 manual with the M96.23 engine. IMS bearing decided to go and skip timing turning the engine in to a very large paperweight....

I got a hold of a 2001 2.7 M96.22 engine fully dressed with harness, accessories, maf, etc...with only 45K miles. I noticed that the valve cover is shaped differently and the sensor for the cam timing is in a diff place. Doing more research i see there is a pretty good diff in between these 2 engines as far as cam chains, DME etc.. 

Question:
What would it take to install this engine (2001 M96.22) in to my 2004 which had the M96.23? 
What do I need to modify, replace, purchase, or transfer? 

 

@JFP in PA Mentioned it would be an absolute nightmare and I quote: "This is going to be a nightmare; the 2004 engine is VarioCam+ and makes extensive use of CAN bus technology to communicate with sensors, the early engine is VarioCam only and uses different communications protocols; the engines use entirely different DME's (7.2 vs 7.8), etc. You need to find a later engine, or be prepared to Frankenstein the entire car....."

 

However, I feel like there may be some hope as I saw this in the comments on the Boxster Engine Swap write up:

 

stephers    Comments: I have a 2003 2.7 Boxster that has blown out the IMS bearing and the only altertanive engine is a 2.7 2000 engine. I have completed the update, put a new clutch in and installed everything into the car but I am getting one trouble code that I cannot get rid of. P0349 is the code " cam position sensor 2-open circuit " I have checked all the wiring and actual rotor, all is OK.. What can I do to fix this. A newer engine right now is just not an option where I am. 

     Followup from the Pelican Staff: Have you confirmed the signal it present at the DME? Since this a circuit code it is pretty cut and dry. Tee DME expects to see a certain amount of voltage at the Camshaft sensor wiring and does not. I would suggest: working at the DME, KOEO (key on egine OFF) backprobe camshaft sensor 1 and see what you have for voltage on all 3 wires. Should be something like, 5 volts, 0.1 volts and 5 or 0.1 on the other (depending on shutter position). Then compare those values with the sensor that is giving you the problem. Use this test to track down what wire(s) is open or shorted. - Nick at Pelican Parts

 

Reference: https://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Boxster_Tech/11-ENGINE-911_Engine_Swap/11-ENGINE-911_Engine_Swap.htm

 

I am not discounting what was mentioned to me about it being a nightmare, but seeing as the comment above mentioned he did it and was merely having issues with cam position values it seems that he was able to do it. If I am wrong please feel free to correct me. I would love to hear from those with personal experience. 

 

As I said before, I have 2001 Engine already in my garage. I would hate to have to figure out a way to quickly sell it and get a different one. (don't have much time and don't want to buy another engine)

 

Thank you again for your input!

 

[JFP in PA]

2 hours ago, Russianman92 said:

Hello! New here on the forums. I posted this question on Pelican Forums as well but I figure I post it here as well for more visibility and it seems that I have a restriction on the ability to actually reply there? Idk so here goes.

 

I have a 2004 Boxster Base 2.7 manual with the M96.23 engine. IMS bearing decided to go and skip timing turning the engine in to a very large paperweight....

I got a hold of a 2001 2.7 M96.22 engine fully dressed with harness, accessories, maf, etc...with only 45K miles. I noticed that the valve cover is shaped differently and the sensor for the cam timing is in a diff place. Doing more research i see there is a pretty good diff in between these 2 engines as far as cam chains, DME etc.. 

Question:
What would it take to install this engine (2001 M96.22) in to my 2004 which had the M96.23? 
What do I need to modify, replace, purchase, or transfer? 

 

@JFP in PA Mentioned it would be an absolute nightmare and I quote: "This is going to be a nightmare; the 2004 engine is VarioCam+ and makes extensive use of CAN bus technology to communicate with sensors, the early engine is VarioCam only and uses different communications protocols; the engines use entirely different DME's (7.2 vs 7.8), etc. You need to find a later engine, or be prepared to Frankenstein the entire car....."

 

However, I feel like there may be some hope as I saw this in the comments on the Boxster Engine Swap write up:

 

stephers    Comments: I have a 2003 2.7 Boxster that has blown out the IMS bearing and the only altertanive engine is a 2.7 2000 engine. I have completed the update, put a new clutch in and installed everything into the car but I am getting one trouble code that I cannot get rid of. P0349 is the code " cam position sensor 2-open circuit " I have checked all the wiring and actual rotor, all is OK.. What can I do to fix this. A newer engine right now is just not an option where I am. 

     Followup from the Pelican Staff: Have you confirmed the signal it present at the DME? Since this a circuit code it is pretty cut and dry. Tee DME expects to see a certain amount of voltage at the Camshaft sensor wiring and does not. I would suggest: working at the DME, KOEO (key on egine OFF) backprobe camshaft sensor 1 and see what you have for voltage on all 3 wires. Should be something like, 5 volts, 0.1 volts and 5 or 0.1 on the other (depending on shutter position). Then compare those values with the sensor that is giving you the problem. Use this test to track down what wire(s) is open or shorted. - Nick at Pelican Parts

 

Reference: https://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Boxster_Tech/11-ENGINE-911_Engine_Swap/11-ENGINE-911_Engine_Swap.htm

 

I am not discounting what was mentioned to me about it being a nightmare, but seeing as the comment above mentioned he did it and was merely having issues with cam position values it seems that he was able to do it. If I am wrong please feel free to correct me. I would love to hear from those with personal experience. 

 

As I said before, I have 2001 Engine already in my garage. I would hate to have to figure out a way to quickly sell it and get a different one. (don't have much time and don't want to buy another engine)

 

Thank you again for your input!

 

 

Welcome to RennTech

I stand by what I told you over on Pelican, you are attempting to replace an electronically sophisticated engine with an earlier version that miss matches on everything from the fuel system to  the VarioCam systems to the DME version.  Can it be done? Yes, with enough money, time, duct tape and welding equipment, anything is possible.  The end result will be a time and money pit with significantly reduced resale/trade value as only one person knows how it all works.

 

You will be infinitely better off getting a better matched engine.

[Russianman92]

On 3/28/2019 at 6:16 PM, JFP in PA said:

 

Welcome to RennTech

I stand by what I told you over on Pelican, you are attempting to replace an electronically sophisticated engine with an earlier version that miss matches on everything from the fuel system to  the VarioCam systems to the DME version.  Can it be done? Yes, with enough money, time, duct tape and welding equipment, anything is possible.  The end result will be a time and money pit with significantly reduced resale/trade value as only one person knows how it all works.

 

You will be infinitely better off getting a better matched engine.

 

Fair enough. Looking to sell the motor I have to buy the right one.