Vr6 engine question

[Cincinnati_kid]

I everyone this is my first post over here. I have worked on vw's a lot I currently drive a 01 2.0 as a daily driver since it costs too much to drive the truck to work ha. Well I just bought an 01 vr6 that the guy told me it had a cracked head. He didn't seem like he knew the first thing about cars so I take his word with a grain of salt. I found a guy on Craigslist parting out a 99 vr6 mk4 and I got him down to a real good price on the complete engine and he is throwing in a bunch of other stuff in on the deal that I need. My question is from all the research I have done the 99 and the 01 should have the identicle engine. Is this correct? They are both 2.8 L. I just want to make sure before I go buying it and have it be an older version of the engine. I don't know much about these vr6 engines so that's why I ask.

[deutschrider]

Parts wise you shouldn't have a problem, but doing entire motor swap you may run into a couple control issues, I'm not positive. I also read somewhere that its illegal to put an older engine in to a newer car, you may want to research that as well. If I were you, I'd try just replacing the head first. Good luck with the VR!

[VR6Geek]

I'm pretty sure the 99 and 01 are the same engine. It didn't change to a 24V until 2002.5 I believe, so both of those engines should be 12V VR6s.

[oakdub]

The main split was in 03 when the 24v 2.8 vr6 came out, everything before that is a 12v.

Other then that I know the mk3 12v is different from them mk4 12v, so as long as its from a mk4 99.5-2003 you should be alright.

[Einkaufswagen]

Alright kiddies the diferance between the two engines are strictly going to be ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS your 01 or whatever has D plug style sensors and wireing harness etc etc the 99.5 engine is going to have a mix match of D and old square connectors more commenly found on the MK3 vr6

Its not illegal because it is the same exact engine code AFP, there for emmisions are the same.

Your going to have to swap some if not all of your sensors and electronics etc off of the old engine and onto the new engine to make it "Plug and Play"

Everything else mounting size whatever is the same

[Cincinnati_kid]

Got the engine last night looks good. I'm going to tear the head off the engine in the car tonight to see how bad the damage is. Maybe I can get lucky and replace the head and sell the motor I just got complete as I got it for a good price. I'll post some pictures while I do it since this is my first vr6. Thanks for the help thus far fellas.

[Einkaufswagen]

You most certainly can get away with just replaceing the head. Assuming the crack is the only problem.

[Cincinnati_kid]

Well took it all apart tonight and what I found was a broken cam. took the head off and didnt see any bad valves. The cap on the last journal was loose. judging by the marks on the hex on the cam this engine has been dug into before maybe for timing chains because the chains and guides look good. That could be when the cam was damaged. Now my dilema is whether i should replace the entire head or buy a cam and put it in. Im not sure what the powder is on the piston. Any ideas? Either way i think ill be selling the engine i just bought but not till i get her running.

[Cincinnati_kid]

Nobody? Anyone got a stock cam laying around?