Anchor2

I have a 95 993 with 130K miles. I have some minor smoking and oil leaks that are getting difficult to chase. I have been told I have a top end rebuilt in my very near future.

I need to start speaking to some shops about doing the job. Before I start speaking to shops I would like to have some realistic figure in mind.

What is the approx cost for this type of job? I realize it can vary after the motor is opened up. Can you let me know some of the cost you have paid?

thanks

goofballdeluxe

As you said, too many variances to give you an exact number. Much would depend on what they find when they start taking the top apart. Also the cost depends on where you live and the relationship you have with your mechanic.

If you're having a mechanic do all the work, parts and labor, etc.; I would give you a very broad range of $8K-$16K. You'll wanna include some "while the engine is already out...." work that might not be directly related to the top-end rebuilt, so that might add to the cost somewhat.

Doubt it would be much more than $16K, also doubt it'd be much less than $8K.

Personally I'd do compression and leakdown tests first to figure out the health of your mill before you do anything else. Who knows, those tests might/might not indicate you need a top end just yet.

Good luck and welcome to Rennlist

ALRandall

Thanks for the post goofball as I may be in a similar place as Anchor2 ('97 993 with 135k miles on it). Lately I've been thinking I really need to start periodically setting aside some monies for that top end job that could be in my future as well. Doing Compression and leakdown testing first though is a good idea.

gmorat

I like the idea of this 'rainy day' on my garage floor fund for a top end rebuild.

Martin S.

I need to get my fund started. I have 86,XXX on the car...put on about 4,000 miles a year...so I have a little time. But when a top end is needed, I plan to have it done by Lance Aspesi at his one man shop in Van Nuys. I have been working with Lance for the past three years..over the top good, and extremely knowledgable and focused. He rebuilt my car's transmission with a custom gear sets, 3rd through 6th, added steel synchros and forged shifting forks. When it comes to electrical and electronics, he nails that too.

FLYT993

i don't think it's mileage dependent martin...some cars needed it at 50k others at 100k+. I assume valve guide wear differs widely among cars based on use and maintenance. a car that is excessively consuming oil 1qt/1000 miles or less seems to be a telltale sign.

Martin S.

My car gets to the track, DE of course, about 6 to 8 weekends a year. This has been going on since 2001...that's 15 years. With stock mufflers and cat, in February 2016, it dyno'd at 260 HP to the rear wheels. With 86,XXX miles, I think that's incredible, only losing 8% of the claimed factory HP.....AND, the 282 HP claimed by the factory for the Variorum 3.6, that may be HP at the flywheel, sans drive train. If thats true, the 260HP is even more remarkable!

johnconorlynch

My indy in Nashville TN told me about $6k-$7k for a top-end rebuild, that's if you don't go crazy with "while-you're-in-there" syndrome. I think he might be on the lower side of the cost spectrum but he does great work, you just have to wait three months before he can fit you in! Good luck.

race911

Since we're having this conversation almost daily now, either here or over on the Facebook 993 Forum.......

Leakdown/compression/oil consumption or not, you guys would be aghast at the out-of-spec operating clearances at 50K, let alone 150K. But, since it's all of expensive, hidden, and doesn't really impact the street driven experience, it gets ignored until either the Smog Man says it's time or the oil leaks become too bothersome. Thankfully, the days of chain tensioner failure/stud pulling/low oil pressure necessitating a teardown are long gone.

Holytin

Do your due diligence and look for a shop that has a long history with air cooled engines with an outstanding reputation. One of these shops is Pat Williams Racing in Memphis TN - he did my engine back in 2013 and I'm a very happy customer. Pat sure knows his stuff, is straight forward and he won't feed you any bull...

For $1,000 you can have your car shipped across the US and back so no need to pay SoCal prices for an engine top end rebuild. And $8K sounds absolutely reasonable just for the top end...

goofballdeluxe

Probably more like $1,250 each way cross country, but yes, SoCal prices are among the highest in the nation for Porsche repair

XavierLaFlamme

Or you could just drive your car across country.
--Mochael

NYC993

You need to know where oil leaks are from. If your through botls are leaking then you have to dig deeper in the engine.

Top end is around 10-12k from reputable shop from what I've heard.

First thing to do is leakdown/compression and monitor oil consumption.

The leaks can be coming from many places that may no require top end, although some gaskets (by camshafts) require a lot of work to get to so might as well do top end at that point.

1997 turbo s

In both NorCal and SoCal, the top end is about $15K. My 27K mile garage queen got the dreaded SAI problem and I went ahead and did it plus some "while you are there" stuff including clutch. It came out to be $17K.
Shipping across the country is temping but if you have any problems, it will be hard to chase it...

bobbyp

I like the way you think Mr. LaFlamme.