996 C4S engine options

[Shabs]

Is there any way to get preventative maintenance / enhancement done to remove the risk of engine failure? I am seriously consider a C4S keeper, but only if it can be made reliable.

Are there engine replacement options, for instance, with the more reliable Turbo / GT3 engine? I can't think of a better car than a GT3 engined C4S

[nsm3]

I can, a GT3 engined GT3.

[petop]

Or a.......Turbo engined Turbo?

[Johnfrancis]

I would imagine the cost of the conversion ( to a Gt3 engine), plus the increase in insurance premium , plus the devaluation of a modified car, and the difficulty of resale, would outweigh the possible reliability problem of a well looked after C4s.

[5TUE]

With the costs involved for the work that you are talking about why not buy a C4S and then if there is an issue get it off to Hartech (this would still be cheaper than what you are talking about), and if there isn't an issue then it wouldn't have cost you anything.

For the record my C4s has been to Hartech.

Stu.

[Magic919]

Maybe 9E could do a "turbo delete" upgrade?

You can throw a bit of money at the C4S. I've fitted the LN Engineering IMS bearing and the lower temperature thermostat. Beyond that I'd have to book a trip to Hartech. Hartech will modify the engine to overcome the weakness that leads to scored bores.

My current thinking is to carry on enjoying the car and hope I've done enough. Once the gap to a Gen 2 car is ok, I trade it. If I thought I was keeping the C4S forever I might feel differently.

[mollytherocker]

Johnfrancis said:

I would imagine the cost of the conversion ( to a Gt3 engine), plus the increase in insurance premium , plus the devaluation of a modified car, and the difficulty of resale, would outweigh the possible reliability problem of a well looked after C4s.

This must be in with a chance of ph understatement of the year?

I would imagine that buying a 997 GT3 would be cheaper!

[F3RNANDO]

If you are serious bid on this and go from there: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-Porsche-996-911-GT2...

Let us know how you get on.

Or look after the standard car and if all goes to chocolate: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Porsche-Engine-Repair-Re...

[Rockster]

Shabs said:

Is there any way to get preventative maintenance / enhancement done to remove the risk of engine failure? I am seriously consider a C4S keeper, but only if it can be made reliable.

Are there engine replacement options, for instance, with the more reliable Turbo / GT3 engine? I can't think of a better car than a GT3 engined C4S

The best engine replacement option is to not have to replace the engine.

To this end, what you can do is give the car proper servicing which includes changing the vital fluids, filters at reasonable intervals, use an approved oil, use a quality brand of gasoline of the proper octane grade, buy from a busy station, and treat the car/engine with a modicum of empathy for its mechanicals.

Keep the radiator ducts free of trash and the body drains clear.

Pay attention to the car and its fluid levels and do not let "little" things go. Like a slow loss of coolant. Or a faint grumbling noise.

You do not want a flashing coolant overheating light to let you know there's a coolant leak that needs taken care of. You do not want to hear the sounds of a disintegrating water pump and see pieces of it in the car's rear view mirror to let you know the water pump needs replacing.

Last but most important: avoid accidents. As a car ages, stays in service, the risk of an accident claiming an otherwise good car goes up.

[Shabs]

nsm3 said:

I can, a GT3 engined GT3.

man, I wish I thought of this... genius!

Seriously, need two back seats or I would be keeping the Lotus.

So fair enough, the GT / Turbo engine makes no sense, what about the autofarm solution (380bhp, IMS sorted?). How much is this supposed to cost?

Cheers,

Shabs

[Callughan]

Rockster said:

Shabs said:

Is there any way to get preventative maintenance / enhancement done to remove the risk of engine failure? I am seriously consider a C4S keeper, but only if it can be made reliable.

Are there engine replacement options, for instance, with the more reliable Turbo / GT3 engine? I can't think of a better car than a GT3 engined C4S

The best engine replacement option is to not have to replace the engine.

To this end, what you can do is give the car proper servicing which includes changing the vital fluids, filters at reasonable intervals, use an approved oil, use a quality brand of gasoline of the proper octane grade, buy from a busy station, and treat the car/engine with a modicum of empathy for its mechanicals.

Keep the radiator ducts free of trash and the body drains clear.

Pay attention to the car and its fluid levels and do not let "little" things go. Like a slow loss of coolant. Or a faint grumbling noise.

You do not want a flashing coolant overheating light to let you know there's a coolant leak that needs taken care of. You do not want to hear the sounds of a disintegrating water pump and see pieces of it in the car's rear view mirror to let you know the water pump needs replacing.

Last but most important: avoid accidents. As a car ages, stays in service, the risk of an accident claiming an otherwise good car goes up.

+1

[mollytherocker]

Shabs said:

nsm3 said:

I can, a GT3 engined GT3.

man, I wish I thought of this... genius!

Seriously, need two back seats or I would be keeping the Lotus.

So fair enough, the GT / Turbo engine makes no sense, what about the autofarm solution (380bhp, IMS sorted?). How much is this supposed to cost?

Cheers,

Shabs

You can fit rear seats to a GT3.

[thegoose]

Shabs said:

nsm3 said:

I can, a GT3 engined GT3.

man, I wish I thought of this... genius!

Seriously, need two back seats or I would be keeping the Lotus.

So fair enough, the GT / Turbo engine makes no sense, what about the autofarm solution (380bhp, IMS sorted?). How much is this supposed to cost?

Cheers,

Shabs

So, rather than buy a Turbo, you want to buy the model made to specifically emulate its looks but with a lower spec and lower power engine, which is also much more fragile.....and then do what you can to protect against the fragility, the cost of which will be approaching or even exceeding (I bet the Autofarm big bhp rebuild is £5k) the cost of a Turbo? Not to mention that none of the money spent on protecting the c4s will be recovered when it's sold, whereas if you spend the difference on buying a Turbo in the first place much of this is retained ( although will of course depreciate along with the rest of the car).

JUST

BUY

A

TURBO

[willmac]

thegoose said:

Shabs said:

nsm3 said:

I can, a GT3 engined GT3.

man, I wish I thought of this... genius!

Seriously, need two back seats or I would be keeping the Lotus.

So fair enough, the GT / Turbo engine makes no sense, what about the autofarm solution (380bhp, IMS sorted?). How much is this supposed to cost?

Cheers,

Shabs

So, rather than buy a Turbo, you want to buy the model made to specifically emulate its looks but with a lower spec and lower power engine, which is also much more fragile.....and then do what you can to protect against the fragility, the cost of which will be approaching or even exceeding (I bet the Autofarm big bhp rebuild is £5k) the cost of a Turbo? Not to mention that none of the money spent on protecting the c4s will be recovered when it's sold, whereas if you spend the difference on buying a Turbo in the first place much of this is retained ( although will of course depreciate along with the rest of the car).

JUST

BUY

A

TURBO

That's it in a nutshell. I don't think this thread can go any further

[F3RNANDO]

willmac said:

I don't think this thread can go any further

Surely we could round it off with some doom laden posts on marque devaluation and the curse of depreciation?

Will - if you read your post the wrong way it almost looks like you recommend a turbo!!!

Hope you are at home for Christmas - atb B

[willmac]

F3RNANDO said:

willmac said:

I don't think this thread can go any further

Surely we could round it off with some doom laden posts on marque devaluation and the curse of depreciation?

Will - if you read your post the wrong way it almost looks like you recommend a turbo!!!

Hope you are at home for Christmas - atb B

a turbo it is !

Away for Xmas unfortunately. 40 knot winds and 8 mtr seas but at least it is dry and warm

[Hungrymc]

Is it quite that simple? They drive very differently (turbo vs NA cars)

You have to make sure that the turbo gives you what you want from a car. They're fabulous and brutally fast, but they're very, very different, I think it's why so many were spec'd as tiptronic.

[F3RNANDO]

Hungrymc said:

Is it quite that simple? They drive very differently (turbo vs NA cars)

True - there are a lot of people who prefe NA power delivery - and others love the boooost!

The autofarm 3.9 with 385bhp delivered linearly - a bit of PSE and actually that might just be one hell of a car?

Financially you would need to either not care or keep it long term but that is definately an interesting option.

[metsta]

loving this thread, i had the same brief look at C4S's and ended up spending the £5k more on the turbo. that said, if i was in your shoes and couldnt do the £5k now justenjoy the c4s and see what happens, worst comes to worse get the hartech thing done when/if it blows up

[Callughan]

thegoose said:

Shabs said:

nsm3 said:

I can, a GT3 engined GT3.

man, I wish I thought of this... genius!

Seriously, need two back seats or I would be keeping the Lotus.

So fair enough, the GT / Turbo engine makes no sense, what about the autofarm solution (380bhp, IMS sorted?). How much is this supposed to cost?

Cheers,

Shabs

So, rather than buy a Turbo, you want to buy the model made to specifically emulate its looks but with a lower spec and lower power engine, which is also much more fragile.....and then do what you can to protect against the fragility, the cost of which will be approaching or even exceeding (I bet the Autofarm big bhp rebuild is £5k) the cost of a Turbo? Not to mention that none of the money spent on protecting the c4s will be recovered when it's sold, whereas if you spend the difference on buying a Turbo in the first place much of this is retained ( although will of course depreciate along with the rest of the car).

JUST

BUY

A

TURBO

C4S lower spec?
Cars offer different experiences and the engine issue is way overblown;)

Edited by Callughan on Monday 24th December 09:42