---
title: "What Engine Would You Swap Into A Porsche Cayman?"
description: "Engine swaps are a big part of bench racing discussions among Porsche enthusiasts. If it were your project, what engine would you use?"
date: "2017-01-02"
modified: "2017-01-05"
authors:
  - name: "Bradley Brownell"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/bradley-brownell.md"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/porsche/6761/what-engine-would-you-swap-into-a-porsche-cayman"
categories:
  - "Culture"
  - "News"
  - "QOTD"
tags:
  - "718 Cayman"
  - "Chevy"
  - "Coupe"
  - "Coyote"
  - "Engine Swap"
  - "LS"
  - "luxury"
  - "porsche"
  - "sports car"
  - "V8"
---

# What Engine Would You Swap Into A Porsche Cayman?

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/archive-images/engine_swap_porsche_cayman_hero.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

There are a few things that come into play regarding this question, and it is a common one asked among mid-engine Porsche enthusiasts. We're always looking for more power, as Porsche has always left some power on the table where the 98X cars are concerned. A few years back we drove a 987 Cayman with a GM LS7 engine swapped in the back from [Renegade Hybrids](<https://www.renegadehybrids.com/>) that was an absolute joy. More recently, there has been videos and discussion surrounding the Ford Coyote V8 swapped 987 Cayman from [Limitless Motorworks](<https://www.facebook.com/limitlessmotorworks>). Other shops are sticking with a more pure Porsche formula, using larger engines from Carreras to swap into the middle of a Cayman (or Boxster), bumping power but sticking with that flat-six character.

So, given the choice, which option do you go with? Do you want the torque and throaty sound of an American-made big-displacement V8, or would you prefer the silky revs of something like a 3.8-liter direct-injection Carrera S engine powering your imaginary Cayman? Early M96-powered 987 Caymans are trading hands for as low as $17,000 these days, and finding one with a blown engine for significantly less would simply be a matter of waiting for the right one. That's the ultimate question here, what to do with a cheap Porsche that has all of the makings of a big-power performer. The rest of the car, the chassis, the brakes, the steering, are near perfect. It just needs a little more power to be one of the best cars on the planet. Pick your poison.

https://youtube.com/embed/SjeKSumjcRA

![cayman\_engine.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content/archive-images/cayman_engine.jpg>)
**Bradley Brownell**

### Author social links

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