How long will a 951 engine last?
12-19-2011, 11:59 PM
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
How long will a 951 engine last?
This is actually a precursor for another post....I have a 951 w/ 140k. 6k ago, the PO replaced just about everything...head gasket, TB/WP, rod bearings, valves, injectors, new turbo, waste gate, radiator. How long until the actual motor becomes "tired"....I'm thinking of cutting my restored 944 w/84k loose... that was hit by hail.
12-20-2011, 12:15 AM
#2
Late Porkchops
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I know it is easy to say " it depends " but it does. When was the work done? 6 months ago or 6 years ago? How hard has the car been run since? Whats the compression now? Are there leaks?
And while the build sounds good keep in mind that a water pump, timing belt, re-seal etc is just normal maintainance for these cars. It could need it again right now whether the motor is "tired" or not. It will also need a clutch sometime if its not had one in while. And belts and hoses and coils and wires and that are going bad even if they are just sitting there. They can make an engine feel tired.
The lower ends are tough. But I have seen failed blocks. That will stop you quick. But the blocks are proven for 200,000 miles and beyond in some.
In race terms a complete precision re-build by a top builder should be good for about 200 hours if that helps. That is just a number. Not set. If you pump more from it then you are going to need a stronger motor and a shorter time before rebuild. No different here.
And while the build sounds good keep in mind that a water pump, timing belt, re-seal etc is just normal maintainance for these cars. It could need it again right now whether the motor is "tired" or not. It will also need a clutch sometime if its not had one in while. And belts and hoses and coils and wires and that are going bad even if they are just sitting there. They can make an engine feel tired.
The lower ends are tough. But I have seen failed blocks. That will stop you quick. But the blocks are proven for 200,000 miles and beyond in some.
In race terms a complete precision re-build by a top builder should be good for about 200 hours if that helps. That is just a number. Not set. If you pump more from it then you are going to need a stronger motor and a shorter time before rebuild. No different here.
12-20-2011, 01:47 AM
#3
Rainman
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2 weeks ago i cracked open an all-original 1988 engine with 300k+ miles on it. the bores still looked new. the engine pulled well when driven and had good compression across the board.
sounds like yours has been serviced well...go for it.
sounds like yours has been serviced well...go for it.
12-20-2011, 02:00 AM
#4
Late Porkchops
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I see now I think. Were you saving the 84K car to back up the other one. The 84K might need service sooner as it could be getting near the 30,000 miles. Depends.
But I am woth V2 if that was the reason. Cut it loose.
But I am woth V2 if that was the reason. Cut it loose.
12-20-2011, 04:14 AM
#5
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
No..the 944 wont need anything but basic maintenance for the next 80K....ha. Everything but the clutch has been replaced..it's essentially new..internally. I will get into that in my next thread..I just wanted to to make sure about the longevity of the 951 engine. I have put 2000 miles on the 951...in the last 4 months. Trial by fire..to ensure the work was done proper.
After driving the turbo...my 944 seems rather pedestrian....not worth the upkeep prices I've been paying for the last 4 years. IMO..if you are going to pay Porsche prices...it should at least be fast.
After driving the turbo...my 944 seems rather pedestrian....not worth the upkeep prices I've been paying for the last 4 years. IMO..if you are going to pay Porsche prices...it should at least be fast.
Last edited by BlackOp; 12-20-2011 at 01:47 PM.
12-20-2011, 09:22 AM
#7
Three Wheelin'
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It'll go a long, long way. You mentioned "new turbo" though. If its a monster, it will probably encourage trips into power levels that aren't conducive to 300K mile longevity.
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12-20-2011, 01:44 PM
#10
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
No...the turbo is the factory size. People have recommended keeping the car essentially stock for reliability. I will eventually put in a 3" exhaust and chip it...but that's about it.
12-20-2011, 03:27 PM
#12
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there are few Porsche models that i desire to own. but if i had a lot of money, this would be one of them.... if they were giving awards for the effort and care given to these cars vs most others, there would probably be no equal (save for Jaguar e-type keepers)... i'm not sure Porsche fully mastered the engineering of this automobile to an acceptable level of performance and reliability. and these cars present and even harder bargain 25 years later... some of you strke me as being in denial somewhat about the reliability of the cars... many people love their 944s to the point of treating them better than people... and they still blow up. and this is exactly my point; how many cars can you say this about ? it also appears that Porsche 944T owners are, to some degree, in denial about the reliability of their engines at increasing levals of boost. some to the point of leaving an oil slick in the pool after spending so much time in the garage before diving in.
but i admire the effort, and the positive, never say die attitude.
but i admire the effort, and the positive, never say die attitude.
12-20-2011, 03:43 PM
#13
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
there are few Porsche models that i desire to own. but if i had a lot of money, this would be one of them.
if one were giving awards for the effort and care given to these cars vs most others, there would probably be no equal (save for Jaguar e-type keepers)... sadly, i'm not sure Porsche ever mastered the engineering of this automobile to an acceptable level of performance and reliability. and these cars present and even harder bargain 25 years later.....
most of you strke me as being somewhat in denial about the reliability of the units as they were delivered by Porsche... many people love their 944s to the point of treating them better than people... and they still blow up. and this is exactly my point; how many cars can you say this about ? it also appears that Porsche 944T owners are, to some degree, in denial about the reliability of their engines at increasing levals of boost. some to the point of leaving an oil slick in the pool after spending so much time in the garage before diving in.
but i admire the effort, and the positive, never say die attitude.
they also look like they'd be a joy to drive.
if one were giving awards for the effort and care given to these cars vs most others, there would probably be no equal (save for Jaguar e-type keepers)... sadly, i'm not sure Porsche ever mastered the engineering of this automobile to an acceptable level of performance and reliability. and these cars present and even harder bargain 25 years later.....
most of you strke me as being somewhat in denial about the reliability of the units as they were delivered by Porsche... many people love their 944s to the point of treating them better than people... and they still blow up. and this is exactly my point; how many cars can you say this about ? it also appears that Porsche 944T owners are, to some degree, in denial about the reliability of their engines at increasing levals of boost. some to the point of leaving an oil slick in the pool after spending so much time in the garage before diving in.
but i admire the effort, and the positive, never say die attitude.
they also look like they'd be a joy to drive.
I do know it's a much more fun car to drive...it's a 25 year old sports car... nobody in their right mind should own one...at least from an investment vantage. I think a lot of the reliability issues stem from age/neglect/abuse over flawed design.
Last edited by BlackOp; 12-20-2011 at 04:10 PM.
12-20-2011, 05:34 PM
#14
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very nice....
btw, back in the mid-nineties, the final run of air-cooled 911s turned out to be better investments than 928s, 968's and Boxsters, and they're still better investments if you're buying a mid-90s Porsche, now. we're sure paying a hidden premium for the front engine models -- (if we ever decide to sell). but with so many do-it-yourself options, hard to imagine selling mine.
by contrast, imo, the best Porsche to buy from the mid-eighties, is a 944T.
btw, back in the mid-nineties, the final run of air-cooled 911s turned out to be better investments than 928s, 968's and Boxsters, and they're still better investments if you're buying a mid-90s Porsche, now. we're sure paying a hidden premium for the front engine models -- (if we ever decide to sell). but with so many do-it-yourself options, hard to imagine selling mine.
by contrast, imo, the best Porsche to buy from the mid-eighties, is a 944T.
