TomF

A Europe-based Rennlister may be able to get you better pricing on the 3.8 P/Cs. The markup here in the US is obscene. It sounds as though you are having fun with your project! It is great to see that many Rennlisters are really driving and investing in their cars for the long haul.

Ben in Plano, TX

Just heard from the machine shop doing the heads that mine had "the worst looking valve guides he's ever seen" and that one of the exhaust valves was bent. Hmmm.... feeling better about this rebuild all the time!

Ben

Jastx

I'd say you got maximum use from your engine! Your rebuild is definitely not premature. What a difference it will be.

Chaos

As the owner of a 88,000 mile 95 I am very interested in costs if you feel that is appropriate to discuss.
Thanks,
Gregg

Ben in Plano, TX

Gregg -

The full rebuild including P/C, main and rod bearings, new plug wires, all new lifters, belts, timing chains, head rebuild w/new valve guides, all new SAI parts, gasket kits for engine reseal, addition of RUF auxiliary oil cooler is coming to about 15k.

If you don't need to get into the bottom end and don't need P/C and didn't add the oil cooler that would drop to around 7-8k depending on what needed to be done to the top end and whatever else was found.

Ben

Reynard38

When I first read that your motor was "well worn" after 75K I was concerned. Then I saw the 50+ track days and thought that's not bad at all. When I raced Formula Continentals we had to rebuild every season (8-10 races), and that was on a modestly stressed Ford 2 liter spinning 6800rpm and developing @150hp.
Does the 3.8 liter upgrade add very much power?

Davies

Ben,
There's something very satisfying about seeing that engine out for refreshing. I plan to do the same in a year or two. One question: seeing as your lifter seals were all shot to hell, were the valves noisy through the rpm range? I have detected some slight lifter noise in my car (99,900 miles) but it's only at idle. The valves quiet as soon as I touch the gas pedal and I'm trying to imagine what condition my own lifter seals are in...

Ben in Plano, TX

Reynard,

The RUF 3.8 upgrade yields between 315-320 HP - similar to the factory 3.8.

Matt - I definitely had noticeable valve train noise - and it has been getting steadily louder over the past 12 months. That change along with a dyno run showing power loss and low compression on two cylinders was what prompted the rebuild.

I do think the combination of TX heat (100 degrees again today...) and lots of track time accelerated the wear.

Ben

Bill Verburg

Yes, mine came in ~320, but it's more the torque that you notice, it's just alway there.

It is very expensive though.

Ben in Plano, TX

Update -

Well - the RUF boys are into the bottom end of the motor and it's a good thing I went ahead with the total rebuild. The tech reports:

1) Main bearings show slight wear
2) Rod bearings show significant wear
3) Auxiliary shaft bearings show significant wear

Ben

carcommander

Just an item of interest, I saw a 996 at the local dealer and a factory reman motor installed was a little less than 10 grand. Yeah I know, a 996 is not a 993. I had a 2001 twin turbo. But, for a track or DE car?

Ben in Plano, TX

Here are a couple of photos of damage done...

Bad rod bearing...



Bad shaft bearing...



Ben

vuugti

Ben,
I don't know how many times we, as a list, can thank you for these pics and info. All the info you can provide us with the better. As always keep it coming and very nice job!


Thanks again,
Andy

Ben in Plano, TX

Andy,

I find this pretty interesting and know that a lot of 993 owners have never (and hopefully will not have to!) seen this much detail about the engine.

Maybe I should start a "Who has the worst looking motor here?" thread!

Here are some more pics of the disassembled motor:

Crankcase Half



Other crankcase half



Crankshaft



Pistons and cylinders

Greg Fishman

Ben,
Are you going to knife edge or lighten the crank while you are there? Thanks for sharing.