Originally Posted by GC996

Congrats on the purchase. You will love the 996.2.

First thing I would do is enjoy the drive home and get to know the car by listening to everything and feel for everything on the drive. forget the radio. Your soundsystem is the car.

Second, I would take and oil sample when you get home and send it into speediagnostics to see what you have in your oil.

Third, I would organize the complete service history of the car to see what was done and when. This will tell you how many oil changes to what parts were replaced with what and when. This will allow you to develop a proactive or reactive hit list (depending on which mindset you have) to your next steps.

Next, I drop your sump and cut open your oil filter to see whats in both. Then i would scope the bores from the sump to see what you really have in your bores.

Then, assuming the bores look good and your oil test is good, I would then develop a hit list of service, part replacements etc. Based on the service history dates and procedures.

Bullet proof the engine first, then suspension, brakes, tires. Save the pretty stuff for last because it does nothing to keep the car running nor handling properly.

When bullet proofing the 996.2 would want to pay attention to the 4 key areas of catastrophic failure, all of which are easily mitigated.

1. AOS failure - can lead to intermix (coolant and oil mixing) as well as hydralock (cylinder cracking). Look at getting the UAOS track version as a replacement.
2. Water Pump Failure - can lead to a plastic fan blade bit breaking off and lodging in engine causing excessive heat and cylinder cracking. Replace the oem pump with another oem pump every 5-7 years and you should be golden.
3. IMSB Failure - you mentioned you had an LN IMSB. The question is which one and when was it put into the engine. If it was the Retro, you will have to replace it with a new one after ~7 years or so. If it's the Solution, you will never have to replace it.
4. BORE Scoring - assuming you dont have it after testing the oil and sump oriented borescope, then you need to employ a set of common sense procedures to prevent it. Sure, more frequent oil changes, fresh fuel injectors, common sense start up procedures are pretty easy to do if you are aware of them

A well serviced 996 and its M96 engine is very durable and can be enjoyed on the track and street. The more the previous owner did, the less you have to spend. Records are key and will fill in the roadmap. Looking forward to hearing more about it.

Enjoy.

Originally Posted by fastrack1

This was excessively helpful. Very much appreciate the detailed write up and will follow those instructions. Flying down to FL on Thursday and driving it back home. Super excited.

Originally Posted by Charles Navarro

Here are some steps you can take to help prevent bore scoring:

https://lnengineering.com/products/w...e-scoring.html

Also, since it was mentioned that the car possibly had an IMS Retrofit previously fitted, here is where you can look up your installation (if registered, by VIN or IMSB serial number) and when the bearing should be replaced:

https://imsretrofit.com/ims-check/

Originally Posted by fastrack1

Thank you for that info. Unfortunately they did not register the IMS retrofit although there is receipts and an IN engineering sticker on the car. I spoke to IN to see if they happened to have it based on that serial number or VIN but they don't. I'm still pretty confident all is good on it. The prior owner was just not the type to register it or understand the importance. He didn't even know it was an issue until they recommended a replacement while the vehicle was being serviced for another issue. I did have it bore scoped but only by pulling the spark plugs which I realize is not the best method. Once I get it home this week, I will pull the sump and also have the oil tested.

Originally Posted by fastrack1

So I just picked up a one owner no accident 2003 996 that is completely original. It has been well maintained and all necessary maintenance done but most parts on this car are now 20 yrs old.

What would you start upgrading or replacing first? Not necessarily for performance sake just for age sake? Maybe top 5 things I should deal with?

IMS and clutch have been done.

Originally Posted by 808Bill

UAOS
IMS Solution when the time come up again