BruceP

Think of the difference between a 996 and an older 911 as being like the difference between hang gliding and smoking a pack a day. The older car is like the cigarettes... sooner or later, you're going to pay the price. The 996 is like hang gliding... really fun and, most likely, nothing will ever happen. It's just that if it does, it's messy.

Loren

Sometimes the stud breaks and sometimes the bolt on the shaft breaks.
Pic one too late for the stud breakage. Pic two flange bolt sheared off (saving most but not all of the engine).
(photos courtesy Tool Pants and RennTech)

JDSStudios

Loren
Thanks for posting- I have a better idea now.

I am just curious:
1. What changes were made by Porsche, and
2. If their silence is fear of a class action law suite
3. Fear to be responsible for the repair bills?

John

Tippy

Awesome pics Loren!!!

Sucks for the owner.....

Glenn

Oh crap - that picture should have come with a warning. I had to look away - quickly.

BruceP

I think a better question is, why has nobody been able to certify a class? One suspects that perhaps the numbers are too small. Being silent didn't help Toyota.

My speculation, and it's only that, but here's what it smells like to me:

These engines are not fundamentally suited to the use they get by a lot of drivers. There is no permanent, comprehensive fix without starting from a clean sheet of paper. Porsche will do this eventually. In the meantime, they are better off not saying anything and buying us off with cheap replacement engines until the cars are so old that they can't reasonably be held responsible for failures. A healthy aftermarket for rebuilding will eventually emerge to fill the void, and the 996 will eventually pass into history as a 911 better suited to hot-rodding than to preserving for posterity.

You heard it here first.

Loren

Interesting also is that the 997 facelift (MY09) get a new engine (and PDK transmission).

"New engine generation with direct fuel injection (DFI):
- 3.6-l boxer engine with 345 hp (+20 hp), 390 Nm (+20 Nm)
- 3.8-l boxer engine with 385 hp (+30 hp), 420 Nm (+20 Nm)"

"7-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK)"

Benjamin Choi

It's about damn time j/k

I can totally see the pre-2009 997 guys doing one of the following three items:

1) Aggrandizing their current car's merits by citing reasons why it's better than the '09s like oh I'm glad I have the 3.6 because now I can supercharge it reliably v. having to wait for DFI to settle with the aftermarket vendors oh it's too much power I'm still learning to exploit the limits of my car as-is so no need for more power blah blah
2) Looking to dump their cars asap cuz they now feel less adequate with their non-DFI 3.6/8s
3) 1 & 2

I'm looking forward to how the '09s look and if the aerokit changes any. I definitely like the introduction of the LEDs in front and rear. I find the 997's rear light lens a step backwards from the 996. It's too reflective and bright.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/blogs/autoc...olkswagen.aspx

Mother

Interesting, but still on the fence weather these hold up better. Wonder if they are using the same crankcase or has this changed.

Benjamin Choi

I was perusing through the 997 GT3 forum and not to perpetuate rumors so typical of forums... but given our space here in the world, it sounds like RMS isn't exactly foreign to that special group either.

So I'm not so sure us wondering if these hold up better is truly reflective of how these engines hold up given the big picture which I've come to learn from sources that have done some leg work... hold up just fine.

It's all speculation, but I guess it's what makes this forum go?

So my point is, I'm just going to accept it on its own merits and wish for those that do buy it, to enjoy it without any worry just as I am with my M96.

And to continue the positive good feelings, did you guys know the M96 is one of the lighest Flat6s made? just a little over 400lbs with the flywheel or something like that. The 6GT3's engine is over a 100lbs heavier! Same goes with the Turbo engine.

Mother

I agree with the bigger picture concept except when I stub my toe it's just hard to see the bigger picture. Maybe extended warrenty if so lucky and consider the engine outcome moot.

dresler

Anyone have a high mileage 3.6 have an IMS failure? No? Just as I suspected.

jury_ca

Who else makes a flat-6 besides Subaru? So if we're only one of the lightest....