Rebuild a 996 engine over Winter?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 570
Likes: 450
From: Malvern, PA West Philly Burbs
Rebuild a 996 engine over Winter?
Coming over from the 997 forum seeking some advice from the experts. I'm toying with the idea of buying and rebuilding a 996 engine during the Winter dulldrums here in the northeast. I have a 997 but would like to pick up an early 996 soon.
A few questions:
1) Am a crazy? I am a relatively competent home mechanic with decades of wrenching experience. Have dropped 911 engines in the past for servicing and clutch replacements etc... I have an indoor heated garage with a lift and an un-holy amount of tools.
2) Any recommendations for a parts supplier for a well used but not destroyed engine?
3) 3.4, 3.6?
4) Price expectation?
5) Any video links or books you would recommend? I am working my way through YouTube.
6) Anyone familiar with a machine shop in the Philly area that has experience with watercooled 911 engines?
I am open to any and ll input. Thanks!!
A few questions:
1) Am a crazy? I am a relatively competent home mechanic with decades of wrenching experience. Have dropped 911 engines in the past for servicing and clutch replacements etc... I have an indoor heated garage with a lift and an un-holy amount of tools.
2) Any recommendations for a parts supplier for a well used but not destroyed engine?
3) 3.4, 3.6?
4) Price expectation?
5) Any video links or books you would recommend? I am working my way through YouTube.
6) Anyone familiar with a machine shop in the Philly area that has experience with watercooled 911 engines?
I am open to any and ll input. Thanks!!
Rennlist Member
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 362
Likes: 438
From: Signal Mtn TN
Response to tour questions:
1. No
2. DC auto
3 3.4 is for 99-01, 3.6 is for 02-04. You need to decide what generation of 996 you want because the engine and car electronics are different so you can’t just put a 996.1 engine into a 996.2 and vise versa without having to change many other electrical components ( ECU wiring harness and instrument cluster to name a few)
4. $20-$25K if you do most of the work yourself if you use high quality parts and do a full rebuild with head work
5. I would buy Jake Raby’s video and book on Rebuilding an M96 engine.
6. I would use LN Engineering for crankcase and Hoffman Automotive Machine for head work. they have the most experience with M96 engines.
Hope this helps and good luck with your project.
Mark
1. No
2. DC auto
3 3.4 is for 99-01, 3.6 is for 02-04. You need to decide what generation of 996 you want because the engine and car electronics are different so you can’t just put a 996.1 engine into a 996.2 and vise versa without having to change many other electrical components ( ECU wiring harness and instrument cluster to name a few)
4. $20-$25K if you do most of the work yourself if you use high quality parts and do a full rebuild with head work
5. I would buy Jake Raby’s video and book on Rebuilding an M96 engine.
6. I would use LN Engineering for crankcase and Hoffman Automotive Machine for head work. they have the most experience with M96 engines.
Hope this helps and good luck with your project.
Mark
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 49
Likes: 25
From: Chester County, Penn.
You’re not crazy in fact I saw a boxster rotting near Charlestown park that I thought of bringing back to like but 1) I don’t have the space for it and 2) I don’t have the experience it would likely require.
anyway I’m around the corner and happy to lend a few hands to the job!
anyway I’m around the corner and happy to lend a few hands to the job!
Rennlist Member
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 7,044
Likes: 5,604
From: Illinois
Coming over from the 997 forum seeking some advice from the experts. I'm toying with the idea of buying and rebuilding a 996 engine during the Winter dulldrums here in the northeast. I have a 997 but would like to pick up an early 996 soon.
A few questions:
1) Am a crazy? I am a relatively competent home mechanic with decades of wrenching experience. Have dropped 911 engines in the past for servicing and clutch replacements etc... I have an indoor heated garage with a lift and an un-holy amount of tools.
2) Any recommendations for a parts supplier for a well used but not destroyed engine?
3) 3.4, 3.6?
4) Price expectation?
5) Any video links or books you would recommend? I am working my way through YouTube.
6) Anyone familiar with a machine shop in the Philly area that has experience with watercooled 911 engines?
I am open to any and ll input. Thanks!!
A few questions:
1) Am a crazy? I am a relatively competent home mechanic with decades of wrenching experience. Have dropped 911 engines in the past for servicing and clutch replacements etc... I have an indoor heated garage with a lift and an un-holy amount of tools.
2) Any recommendations for a parts supplier for a well used but not destroyed engine?
3) 3.4, 3.6?
4) Price expectation?
5) Any video links or books you would recommend? I am working my way through YouTube.
6) Anyone familiar with a machine shop in the Philly area that has experience with watercooled 911 engines?
I am open to any and ll input. Thanks!!
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 82
Likes: 7
From: Central Ohio
I did an engine-out project on my 2000 C4 3.4 last winter.
1). No
2) Not sure, but be careful of bore scoring.
3) 3.4
4) I spent about $3,500 and did all work myself. Replaced: Clutch (Press plate, disc, master & slave cylinder), flywheel, AOS, oil cooler, RMS, IMS (DOF from TuneRS), water pump. Did not remove heads. Rock Auto has very good pricing for German parts (Don't buy Chinese). Also, Pelican Parts, FCP Euro. Use Auto Atlanta for parts diagram and part numbers.
5) Y-Tube Man in a Garage is great. A lot of detail. Bentley 996 manual, and 101 Projects.
6) No. I'm in Columbus, OH.
If you are in for an interesting experience consider getting a 996 roller and do either a Chevy LS or Honda K24 swap. That will keep you busy.
Either way, do your research first!
1). No
2) Not sure, but be careful of bore scoring.
3) 3.4
4) I spent about $3,500 and did all work myself. Replaced: Clutch (Press plate, disc, master & slave cylinder), flywheel, AOS, oil cooler, RMS, IMS (DOF from TuneRS), water pump. Did not remove heads. Rock Auto has very good pricing for German parts (Don't buy Chinese). Also, Pelican Parts, FCP Euro. Use Auto Atlanta for parts diagram and part numbers.
5) Y-Tube Man in a Garage is great. A lot of detail. Bentley 996 manual, and 101 Projects.
6) No. I'm in Columbus, OH.
If you are in for an interesting experience consider getting a 996 roller and do either a Chevy LS or Honda K24 swap. That will keep you busy.
Either way, do your research first!