zbomb

Ok…

About b3freak

Biography

I've owned several Porsches. I was hired by TKG as lead producer/director for the only educational video series for assembling a M9X Porsche engine with Jake Raby.
Well - that makes a lot of sense.

Chris(MA)

Does that work? I thought the cylinders were already too thin and warp causing ovalization? Also how do you hone lokasil?

Rockerchief

Has anyone here purchased one?[/QUOTE]

hey guys, I recently purchased a 2002 C4S and in going through the records found an “engine out” service back in 2005 at approximately 21000 miles. Sent an email to a service adviser at the dealership where it was performed and found out they did the short block replacement at that time due to a crack in cylinder wall 6. That service used an ‘05 short block with whatever IMS would have been available at the time. The car now has 87000 miles on it and is going strong. As a long time multiple 911 owner I did have a small concern over the reliability of this car and contemplated an engine replacement if something was to go wrong. Having had this experience with a short block replacement id say it’s definitely worth the cost and something I wouldn’t hesitate to have done if it was an option.

GC996

Is it true that the IMSB used in the short block cannot be removed and replaced with another?

meirschwartz

not without splitting the case.

GC996

I have come to the conclusion after looking at M96 rebuild options, factory short block swaps, M96 used engine swaps and other car company engine swaps that we are all kidding ourselves regarding cost.

Some options may have less of a front end cost but it will still cost you along the way. Other options have large front end costs with less costs along the way. But they all end up costing $20-40k depending on how far you go with enhancements.

Seems that the only way to truly save money is to DIY the project. If you have the skills to do it right the first time, you can save substantial money. But if you are a DIY guy, pretty good chance you are a tinkerer, so you will most likely spend more money than you planned with further enhancements in the future.

For those that don't have the skill, you gotta make sure you understand the pluses and minuses of each option thats available and the potential future costs and then pick the best package for long in the future if you are planning on keeping the car.

My engine is still in great shape, but I am planning a rebuild over the next couple of years. But I will make sure that when I spend the money on the engine, that I get improved performance, track durability, and engine longevity in prep for the next 20-30 years. I want to make sure all the M96 issues are addressed and the engine is bullet proof.

No question, there are alot of great options available, including the factory short block program. But there are trade-offs as well. Everything costs money. Comes down to what the trade-offs are worth to you.

plpete84

All good points as always @GC996 The only thing I would change is trade-offs for expectations. If you're making trade-offs you didn't choose the right engine for your application. You have been a perfect example of just how important maintenance in on these cars and in a very unique position to have owned it essentially since new, if I recall correctly. The rest of us purchased the 996 many years later and many owners later and inherited any potential shortcomings of maintenance - or just lack there of. You can't undo what has been done and catching up on maintenance can be done only to an extent. So what are your honest expectations and how will you use the car? Answer that and build the engine accordingly. I've mentioned this before, and this is my personal view, but do I really NEED a 4.0L or even a 3.8L? For the type of driving I do and plan on doing the answer is no. For pure vanity reasons a 4.0L in a 40AE sounds cool but that's about it. I guess at the end of the day nobody really needs a 996 either so choose accordingly. All the rebuild options discussed over time are valid in my view. One thing you can't do is compare a motor that has had issues that you inherited some 15-20 years later due to ****ty maintenance to a fresh motor that you now have all the control in the world over in terms of maintenance. Go ahead and take that freshly rebuilt motor with nickies, 4.0L sleeves and whatever else was done to it and treat it the same way your old stock motor was treated by the first few owners and see what happens. There is a reason why Raby is so **** about maintenance and gives you a schedule with the new motor that you need to follow.

GC996

Pete,

Completely agree. There is alot of bellyaching on RL about the durability of the M96. I have found it to be extremely durable. It's never broken down on the street or track over 21 years. But I service it and keep the parts fresh. Same can be said for anyone that gets a factory short block. A big piece of the puzzle is just changing your oil a couple of times a year, whether you want to or not.

To your point, very few folks need more power in their 996. It's has plenty for the street. But if you want more, you can have it pretty easily with a rebuild.

Yep, there is a lid for every pot.

TT Oversteer

Now that’s freakin’ priceless 😂

JustinReinke8

This is true, I had the grease seal removed from mine before the engine was installed. That is supposed to further reduce the likelihood of a failure. To be honest I have more concern with the potential for bore scoring over the updated IMS bearing. Even that should be way down the road.

If you’re in a bind I don’t see how you could go wrong. It is factory fresh, readily available and cheaper than a competent rebuild. Your VIN even goes in the Porsche database so there is a record of it and when it was done. Is it a built 4.0, no but then you have to put time and money into the equation.

I still plan to rebuild the 4.0 with the Nickies but I am in no rush to do so and get to enjoy the car. I suspect if I do ever get the 4.0 done this 3.6 will still be going strong and who knows, maybe I’ll get a different roller for the 4.0?

ZuffenZeus

Thank you. Glad you think so, but honestly, it's only $599.95 from LN, Pelican Parts, or Amazon Prime.

zbomb

Do you know how I can report spam ?

ZuffenZeus

Do you really think I care? You can easily just put me on the ignore list James!

Optionman1

@b3freak See what happens when we stop discussing the pros/cons of Waffle House!

ZuffenZeus

Exactly, I could use a trip there today. Good food and great conversations minus teeth!