Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

Has anyone done an engine swap and have any advice for me? any tips to make my life easier? i have never swaped an engine before, im going from an standard 83 2.5 to a later 87 2.5, now other than keeping a matching pair of maf and ecu, what else is there to lookout for, i should also mention my cars an auto.

Take the engine out of the bottom, more unbolting and an alignment will be needed but much easier this way (having done both ways). If you must take it out the top the power steering pulley must be removed to clear the bonnet catch, in fact the more you remove from the engine the easier it is to do the job (in my opinion) .
Just cover any holes into the engine with gaffa tape. Oh and if you take it out the bottom the bonnet can stay on the car.

If the engine is fairly well stripped you can lay it over on its side so you don't need too much height to slide it in through the wheel arch.
Most of the suspension, steering rack, cross member with engine can be dropped as one if you have a lift/assistance. I stripped everything for cleaning, refurbing, replacing worn parts as I went. Also as working on my own leaving major parts assembled made them too heavy to move.

Do any servicing, such as waterpump, thermostat, belts, leaky seals while the engine is out, it will never be easier.

Oh and drain the coolant and power steering the day before, having fluids drip on you while under the car is a crap way to work.

I swapped my engine a while back, its not as bad as it looks. I dropped mine out of the bottom after removing the subframe complete with steering rack first. I dropped the engine on to a piece of carpet to slide it out as mentioned in the Haynes manual. But it was a bit of a pain given the weight of the engine, so I would recommend making or buying some sort of wheeled dolly.

Also, when putting the new engine in and suspended in the engine bay I would sort all the wiring first at the back of the engine before sliding back onto the torque tube as its very tight for space once its in place.

Best of luck!

Thats brilliant guys thanks

I remember when I swopped my mini engine using two old skateboards to roll motor out on made it much easier.