kukaepe

The M96/03 3.6L in my 2003 Targa has developed what I am quite sure is a connecting rod bearing knock. I have removed the engine and transmission previously and am confident in doing this work and most things down to and including R&R of the cylinder heads. Research here and studying the workshop CD has convinced me that I probably have no business trying to tackle the rest of the job. I am wondering if folks here on the forum know of a reputable shop in Las Vegas or So. Cal who I could take my stripped down long block to for a rebuild. I have been studying the used engine market and most of the lower mileage engines have about the same mileage as mine (54K miles). I am a bit spooked of spending the $ on one of these used engines to potentially wind up in the same boat a few miles down the road. IMS bearing wouldn't be a problem to address prior to reinstalling the used engine but unfortunately it seems that the IMS bearing is not the only challenge with these M96 engines. I am aware of Renegade Hybrids here in Las Vegas and have visited their very impressive facility and conversions but am not quite ready yet to seriously entertain the change to Chevy power. Any suggestions and/or recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks in advance...

5CHN3LL

I don't have any suggestions in Vegas, but you're not so far away from SoCal that you couldn't send it over to Callas Rennsport here in SoCal.

Flat6 doesn't list any preferred installers in Nevada; if that's important to you (esp. if you're going to Solution your car as part of the rebuild), here's the Flat6 page showing their blessed installer list:
http://imsretrofit.com/preferred-installers/

brwilson

I just experienced the exact same failure in my 2000 C2. I am working with Jason at 9xx Motors in Long Beach, CA. He seems very competent, and will include the install the engine for you if you can get the car to him. I haven't pulled the trigger yet as I still need to contemplate all the options and the price tag.


I also spoke with Wayne at Vision Motorsports in Laguna Hills, CA. He can rebuild your engine of has motors ready to go on exchange. I took my car to 9XX only because they were local to me, but Vision also seemed like a top-notch operation.

ltusler

RND engines are also available on the LN Engineering web site.

Antonov

2nd Duane at Vision Motorsports. Top notch group.

CabrioArtie

Give Todd a call at Trophy Performance in LV. If he can't do it he will know who in the area should.

HawkFan#12

x2

AWDGuy

Well....if you can do all of that yourself, there's no reason why you couldn't build this engine yourself.

my opinion, of course.

IkoIko911

x3 on calling Todd at Trophy Performance - he can build it

kukaepe

CabrioArtie HawkFan#12, IkoIko911: Thanks for the tip on Trophy Performance. Went over and met Todd, what a great guy. He showed me his M96 engine room which had at least 5 M96 engines in different states of assembly and went over many of the details of these engines with me. Great guy and he sure impressed me that he knows his stuff. Unfortunately, and he pointed this out to me, that I would be investing $15K in a car that was worth about $18K. I suppose this is a dilemma many of my fellow 996 Owners have faced. Thanks again, I'm glad I don't have to make a quick decision!

HawkFan#12

LS swap!!!!

I personally do not use Trophy anymore just because they lay the Porsche tax on pretty heavy. They know what they are talking about, but I have another garage in town that does all my cars. When it comes time for my LS swap, they will do that as well. If you are interested let me know and I can send you their info. I am sure they could manage.

Coopduc

Hawk- what do you think a DIY LS swap would cost? I don't think it's cheaper than an M96 rebuild.

HawkFan#12

i am not expecting cheaper, but you would get a hell of a lot more power with an LS.

IkoIko911

Scott Mann is the lead instructor for PCA and he owns Renegade Hybrids in Vegas: the ONLY thing Renegade does in LS swaps into Porsches. He can do the swap or sell you the kit.