dporto

firecall

Of course - my understanding is only the articles I can find on the web and YouTube videos. I've read as many of those articles as I can and watched as many videos as I can find. I'm not a trained engineer or Porsche mechanic, so yes, like most people I get my info from the internet. So yes, it is very shallow. I'm not offended :-)

I'm just parroting what I'd read - or it may have been a video - which if I recall correctly was from a Porsche specialist. If I find it, I'll post it.

Anyway, I'm in no position to debate these things, which have already been debated to death. I don't have a fixed opinion on it... but many recent opinions do suggest that if the IMS hasn't gone already it probably wont, whereas the LNE part will need replacing on schedule :-)

Just what I've read. I'd love to be pointed to reference materials that are credible and not written by a garage that is selling the LNE replacement install :-)

DGI

Congrats on a beautiful car!!! I'll follow along with interest as my car is also a low option car with no IMS upgrade (even though seller claims it has been done i'm treating it as if it hasnt) and similar mileage (currently at 114,8xx). I'll be doing most of my own wrenching as well so maybe we can compare notes from time to time

Drive the hell out of it brother! I wish mine were a daily driver but I recently bought a different car for that purpose.

Good luck and keep us updated!!!

details

This is one of the many things makes the car world so cool--the many opinions. For years I wanted a Guards Red 911. But as I've (ahem) matured, I'd prefer to blend in and not be noticed as much. So Arctic Silver Metallic slathered on a 911 is flashy enough for me, especially on a DD! I've owned a black car and, while beautiful when clean, I don't have enough time and energy to keep one clean these days. White is high on my list too.

Now if I won the lottery I'd certainly have some bright colored cars in the stable. Reminds me, I need to buy a ticket...

details

You are probably right. Probably.

However, given the cost of a rebuild or replacement engine I'm not likely to gamble. I'm not in a panic to "fix" the IMS but it's something that I will address at some point in the future. There's a chance this is my "forever" car since there aren't many cars that could fill the shoes of a 911. A turbo is probably about it. Anything else either gets into big money or is out of the DD arena.

NuttyProfessor

In my opinion, you're making the right decision about removing the vinyl black portions and returning the car to the factory original arctic silver. I'm like you, I don't care for flashy colors. The others have given you some good advice on the motor. First things first, check the engine to see if it's a true Porsche "AT" replacement motor. If it definitely has the newer larger single row IMS found in the M97 motors, then I wouldn't sweat it. Just go out and drive the darn thing, but keep a watchful eye on the oil filter for metal debris. Enjoy!

details

Thanks! Congrats to you too! I'm envious of your wheel choices. I wanted the 18" Turbo Twists, but when I saw what a set of replacement tires cost compared to a set of 17" replacements I was okay with the base wheels. At least for the near term.

Yeah, without proof, the IMS upgrade didn't happen.

I probably won't "drive it like you stole it" too often for fear of tickets, but I will definitely stretch it's legs when opportunity arises. Suggestion: Once yours is more sorted sell your current DD and switch to the 996.

DGI

Im looking for either Turbo Twists (my car came with C4S wheels that wont work on narrow body) or Sport Design Wheels. To tell you the truth, for the right price, I'd slap on a set of 17s and enjoy cheaper tires also. I love sidewalls!!! I have always downsized when possible to get a nicer ride and more wheel protection from the terrible streets in Baltimore...

I'll drive this thing pretty often but seeing how it qualifies for "Historic" tags and my collectors car insurance is only $219 per year (no mileage restriction) its hard to justify bringing it to work with me. It'll get used plenty after work however depending on how my two boys fit in the back. I'm 6'6" so it may be a little tight behind me lol

details

No wonder it had Fikse on it! I'd bet the story of how the original wheels became C4S wheels is interesting. We don't have awful roads here in southwest VA, but yeah, for the time being I'll enjoy my 17s. Perhaps some day they'll host winter tires and I'll have some Turbo Twists with summer only tires.

Is that $219 full coverage or liability only? I'm paying ~$300 per year for liability only (at least that's what they said on the phone), which I thought was a reasonable price.

DGI

$219 full coverage with it insured for $15K.

Once I "restore" it and add some fun bits to it, i can add a list of parts, etc and adjust the agreed value to suit whatever I need.

My Fox mustang thats got a ton of work done to it is $400 a year but its insured for $25K I believe.

But again, this is not for "daily" use. Recreation, shows, dinners, etc are allowed but to and from work, etc isnt.

details

Looking at the link above and scrolling down a few items I noticed the "Expanding Nut for License Plate Bracket" and thought that's what I need. So I stopped by AutoZone on the way home from work last night and picked up some 1/4" nylon nuts that fit perfectly in the square holes in the bumper.


When I got home I grabbed the license plate hardware and oops, not gonna work.


The "tabs" should expand and lock the spacer block to the bumper. But in this case either the hole is too big or the expansion wasn't enough because only one of the screws had any traction and it was pitiful traction at that. Dremel too the rescue. I had to shave the tabs off and trim some of the plastic so the spacer block would fit flush.


Here's an image as I tightened everything down.


And here's what it looks like complete. Nice and snug.


Now I don't fear my front license plate falling off. And it only cost ~$3.00 for six nylon nuts. Sweet.

TAGS: 996 front license plate install

michaelo

On a Porsche, the fewer the options...the better the car. Less crap that will break. You did good. Change out the water pump, the white coolant tank and put in some new quality anti-freeze and your daily driver will love ya for it.

details

Thanks!

Well, the options list is what it is. Personally I'd love to have a few more, but it's (obviously) not a deal-breaker for me. While there are options I'd like (X51, 220, 982, 030) the only thing I really wish it had was heated seats (139, 340, 342). But I'll survive.

The car came with a few receipts a couple of which I am glad to have. It got a coolant reservoir in 2009, a left window regulator in 2010, and a brake booster in 2011. While it's been a while since the coolant reservoir was replaced I probably won't replace it soon. A coolant flush and a water pump might be in order though.

But first I've got to diagnose some oil drips...

808Bill

And if it is a factory replacement engine with non serviceable bearing, get the seal off of the bearing! The bearing then can sit in fresh oil (no need for DOF) instead of old trapped oil as the grease has most likely been washed away by now. At 50K my grease was gone...

michaelo

You can buy a new seat foam that comes with a heating element (and wire). . Then you just have to swap out the seat foam and wire it up a to a switch that is connected to your 12V battery. This is a very doable upgrade.