Mood: All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing
A 2001 S should have the SPS motor, but you would need someone like John Hackett to check engine numbers against the Ducati build log to confirm.
However, don't think you are getting a full blown SPS motor, cos you're not. As far as I can remember you only really get the bottom end, Ti rods etc. Fairly certain top end is pretty standard bip with regard to cams etc.
I thought the S engine was the same except the expensive Ti rods and lightened flywheel. Some S models did get SPS engines directly on the production line as they were left over, so to speak.
As I recall Duc said that there were no Ti rods. However on closer inspection there were. The power delivery (mapping) was changed to provide a smoother and more relaxed delivery. Should be possible to sort, if the cams were not changed as well.
i may be wrong, but it was my understanding that the 996s engine was pretty much the 916 sps engine and that the 996sps was a differant thing altogether