Thanks! Will do.

Today we made less progress than yesterday, but still got some good work done.

The IMS bearing flange was installed. Here is a sequence of photos with one component being added in each picture.

http://i983.photobucket.com/albums/a...psligmta6r.jpg
http://i983.photobucket.com/albums/a...pshhmzyp53.jpg
http://i983.photobucket.com/albums/a...psamldfsa9.jpg
http://i983.photobucket.com/albums/a...psdvd0nh27.jpg
http://i983.photobucket.com/albums/a...pseufdm68p.jpg
http://i983.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps0lepwye1.jpg

Then it was on the getting the VarioCam units ready for installation. Camshaft assembly ready for disassembly.

http://i983.photobucket.com/albums/a...psdoxzklyf.jpg

Wear on chain rail.

http://i983.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps9dc5kvm8.jpg

VarioCam unit separated for cleaning.

http://i983.photobucket.com/albums/a...pskewc3reg.jpg

Old vs. new chain rails.

http://i983.photobucket.com/albums/a...psle8lqzyb.jpg

Then, we spent the rest of the day making the left-hand threaded tool to compress the VarioCam units prior to installation.

http://i983.photobucket.com/albums/a...psgqgfdgsb.jpg
http://i983.photobucket.com/albums/a...pss2cxp60o.jpg

Time to install them.

http://i983.photobucket.com/albums/a...psogju7k0p.jpg
http://i983.photobucket.com/albums/a...psol1gceps.jpg
http://i983.photobucket.com/albums/a...psol1gceps.jpg
http://i983.photobucket.com/albums/a...psm5m4hali.jpg

And the camshaft allocation on bank 1 is finally complete.

http://i983.photobucket.com/albums/a...psqvoic5jh.jpg
http://i983.photobucket.com/albums/a...psr4zvsqib.jpg

A new centerpiece? This is the best porn I've seen all week. Pistons, cylinders, cranks are all over the place but this is the first time I've seen pics of the vario so I could start to understand how it works. Thanks.

Barry, and your Cayman has Vario Plus which is even cooler! :)

I know nothing about motor rebuilds or Boxsters, but fun thread to read. keep it coming...

What's the plus? It should be minus; minus the IMS.

VarioCam is a single advance adjustment (something like 14degrees via a solenoid acting on the chains) to the intake valves that is triggered at a fixed RPM.

VarioCam Plus is a continuous advance adjustment (better via a rotary vane) to the intake valves PLUS it actually has a separate cam lobes that are used at low RPM (with less advance) and at high load/RPM (with more advance) using a different valve tappet that locks the center portion up or down to contact those lobes rather than the main ones.

I'm snowed. We need someone to take one apart on their dining room table so I can see a picture.

Coming soon to a dining room table this summer - a 2008 3.4. This winter is another 2002 3.2 like this one :)

and I need someone to explain this entire thread to me in english (i'm so "engineerically" challenged. sigh.) :? :oops: :cry:

you 2 are def my new heroes.