About to buy 996 3.4 - engine rebuild advice
Discussion
Hi all,
I know is is something of a touchy subject but I need some advice before parting with my hard earned cash. I live in Dubai and have found what looks to be a nice 3.4 996. It needs a bit of cosmetic work but has very comprehensive service history including a recent bill for £5k for an engine rebuild.
Can anyone recommend what I should be looking for with a 3.4 rebuild? I have asked the vendor if its had an upgraded IMS bearing, but he's unsure. He's going to send me the rebuild bill so I can see what has been done.
Many thanks,
Matt
I know is is something of a touchy subject but I need some advice before parting with my hard earned cash. I live in Dubai and have found what looks to be a nice 3.4 996. It needs a bit of cosmetic work but has very comprehensive service history including a recent bill for £5k for an engine rebuild.
Can anyone recommend what I should be looking for with a 3.4 rebuild? I have asked the vendor if its had an upgraded IMS bearing, but he's unsure. He's going to send me the rebuild bill so I can see what has been done.
Many thanks,
Matt
mollytherocker said:
A 'rebuild' in itself is no bad thing if done correctly, but unless it has various upgrades like the modified IMS and upper cylinder supports, the risk of further failure is still there.
Thanks. I'll look out for the upgraded IMS bearing and upper cylinder supports on the invoice. Do any of these upgrades have brand names to look out for?r4_rick said:
LN Engineering seem to be well regarded for the IMS upgrade, also isn't the failure rate less than 5%, so for something to happen twice, you'd be unlucky !
and aren't the later porsche IMS bearings upgraded ?
The figure 5% is often quoted and yet there is no data available to substantiate it. In my view, this figure is totally misleading. Are we to believe that 95% of these engines will last forever?and aren't the later porsche IMS bearings upgraded ?
Every engine ever made by every manufacturer will fail eventually, that is a fact. 100% failure rate.
The m96/97 engines have at least 4 weak design features and one of those will eventually kill the engine.
It's not if, it's when. It might be 5k it might be 200k.
Accurate but not strictly true as some wise owners are beginning to recognise the benefits of a rebuild and upgrade before damage occurs and the modifications that result can extend the life for the reasonable future life expectancy of the car.
Not forgetting that MAINTENANCE PLANS LIKE OURS PROTECT YOUR ENGINE FROM THE MAJOR PART OF THE COST OF A REBUILD (AND HAVE NO TIME, MILEAGE OR COST LIMIT), and once being fixed the additional alternations to improve longevity to future proof the engine can be added at a very minimal additional cost.
Furthermore - even if your engine did not expire while you were on the plan it is transferrable and still results in good value servicing (no longer than every 12 months regardless of mileage covered) and free labour to replace other consumable items for cars this age like brakes, clutches and general repairs - so usually benefits the owner anyway - resulting in there being no real cost for the cover afforded on the Plan for engine protection.
Baz
Not forgetting that MAINTENANCE PLANS LIKE OURS PROTECT YOUR ENGINE FROM THE MAJOR PART OF THE COST OF A REBUILD (AND HAVE NO TIME, MILEAGE OR COST LIMIT), and once being fixed the additional alternations to improve longevity to future proof the engine can be added at a very minimal additional cost.
Furthermore - even if your engine did not expire while you were on the plan it is transferrable and still results in good value servicing (no longer than every 12 months regardless of mileage covered) and free labour to replace other consumable items for cars this age like brakes, clutches and general repairs - so usually benefits the owner anyway - resulting in there being no real cost for the cover afforded on the Plan for engine protection.
Baz
Onetrackmind said:
Hi all,
I know is is something of a touchy subject but I need some advice before parting with my hard earned cash. I live in Dubai and have found what looks to be a nice 3.4 996. It needs a bit of cosmetic work but has very comprehensive service history including a recent bill for £5k for an engine rebuild.
Can anyone recommend what I should be looking for with a 3.4 rebuild? I have asked the vendor if its had an upgraded IMS bearing, but he's unsure. He's going to send me the rebuild bill so I can see what has been done.
Many thanks,
Matt
Who in Dubai did the engine rebuild?I know is is something of a touchy subject but I need some advice before parting with my hard earned cash. I live in Dubai and have found what looks to be a nice 3.4 996. It needs a bit of cosmetic work but has very comprehensive service history including a recent bill for £5k for an engine rebuild.
Can anyone recommend what I should be looking for with a 3.4 rebuild? I have asked the vendor if its had an upgraded IMS bearing, but he's unsure. He's going to send me the rebuild bill so I can see what has been done.
Many thanks,
Matt
The important thing is to find out how many miles it has covered and what was the problem that required the rebuild.
If it was high mileage and a cylinder cracked but new cases were used - they should then last quite a long time.
If it was low mileage and an IMS bearing went - the new one should last quite well (especially if it is the new larger version complete with the new shaft needed).
However it will be much better if at the same time as the rebuild the chains and crankshaft shells were also changed.
If it has had a steel liner fitted I would steer clear as it is only a relatively short term solution (or the likes of Porsche and almost every other performance car manuafcturer would not have spent so much getting away from them and we are frequently having to replace them in engines that have had them fitted elsewhere after they have failed).
There is a lot more information on our web site on www.hartech.org - including photos. Specifically about engine rebuilds by this link :-
http://www.hartech.org/porsche_996_997_Boxster_eng...
or in the buyers guide sections 4 and 5.
Baz
If it was high mileage and a cylinder cracked but new cases were used - they should then last quite a long time.
If it was low mileage and an IMS bearing went - the new one should last quite well (especially if it is the new larger version complete with the new shaft needed).
However it will be much better if at the same time as the rebuild the chains and crankshaft shells were also changed.
If it has had a steel liner fitted I would steer clear as it is only a relatively short term solution (or the likes of Porsche and almost every other performance car manuafcturer would not have spent so much getting away from them and we are frequently having to replace them in engines that have had them fitted elsewhere after they have failed).
There is a lot more information on our web site on www.hartech.org - including photos. Specifically about engine rebuilds by this link :-
http://www.hartech.org/porsche_996_997_Boxster_eng...
or in the buyers guide sections 4 and 5.
Baz
hartech said:
The important thing is to find out how many miles it has covered and what was the problem that required the rebuild.
If it was high mileage and a cylinder cracked but new cases were used - they should then last quite a long time.
If it was low mileage and an IMS bearing went - the new one should last quite well (especially if it is the new larger version complete with the new shaft needed).
However it will be much better if at the same time as the rebuild the chains and crankshaft shells were also changed.
If it has had a steel liner fitted I would steer clear as it is only a relatively short term solution (or the likes of Porsche and almost every other performance car manuafcturer would not have spent so much getting away from them and we are frequently having to replace them in engines that have had them fitted elsewhere after they have failed).
There is a lot more information on our web site on www.hartech.org - including photos. Specifically about engine rebuilds by this link :-
http://www.hartech.org/porsche_996_997_Boxster_eng...
or in the buyers guide sections 4 and 5.
Baz
Thanks Baz, much appreciated!If it was high mileage and a cylinder cracked but new cases were used - they should then last quite a long time.
If it was low mileage and an IMS bearing went - the new one should last quite well (especially if it is the new larger version complete with the new shaft needed).
However it will be much better if at the same time as the rebuild the chains and crankshaft shells were also changed.
If it has had a steel liner fitted I would steer clear as it is only a relatively short term solution (or the likes of Porsche and almost every other performance car manuafcturer would not have spent so much getting away from them and we are frequently having to replace them in engines that have had them fitted elsewhere after they have failed).
There is a lot more information on our web site on www.hartech.org - including photos. Specifically about engine rebuilds by this link :-
http://www.hartech.org/porsche_996_997_Boxster_eng...
or in the buyers guide sections 4 and 5.
Baz
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