2002 Boxster S engine conversion

[lilhud]

My 2002 Boxster 3.2 I think lost an intake valve (have not yet tore it apart). I have my wifes permission to do an engine conversion. Of course I want to go as far as I can and have it go smoothly as possible. I am trying to get all my home work done before I spend the money. Also if it goes bad wife might not let me spend money again!

Tech article "Boxster Engine Swap" Pelican Technical Article: Boxster Engine Conversion Project - 986 Boxster (1997-04) - 987 Boxster (2005-08) states that for the 2002 model I can do a 3.8 997 with a 7.8 DME upgrade and software. (Very good article by the way.) (The modifications done in that article are very acceptable ones for me) But looking at some other treads there is mention in one that this swap can not be done and another where some one is having to do very major modifications to put a late model 3.8 997 into a 986 car.

My questions are;
Are there certain years 997 engines that I can install more easily?
Would the 996 and 997 engine swaps be pretty close to the same as far as modifications go?
Am I better off doing a 996 engine?