Looking for a replacement engine
#1
Racer
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Looking for a replacement engine
Hello all,
Let me start by saying this is not meant to be another thead about 996 engines biting the dust. I am trying to look forward.
A couple of days ago, my wife and I were on a trip to visit friends in Buffalo, NY. About 50 miles from our destination, on the NY Thruway, there was a clattering sound, smoke, and we pulled off to the shoulder. I looked in the engine bay, and all was fine. But there was oil on the ground. Looking underneath, I saw a gaping hole in cam cover on the driver's side. The attached pic tells the story. To me it appears that the chain broke, and the resulting jamming action broke a hole in the cam cover casting. (and who knows what kind of internal damage as well).
All of the above occurred to the original engine of a '99C4, with just over 100,000 miles on othe odometer. I have owned this Carrera for less than one year, and, up to now, enjoyed over 6000 miles of trouble free driving. Prior to this catastrophe, the engine was great, lots of top end power, good low end torque, and no oil consumption since I owned it.
Anyway, I am now exploring my options:
1. Have the engine repaired, if the internal damage is not too great)
2. Purchase a replacement 3.4 engine from a Porsche dealer
3. Look for a used 3.4 engine from the Rennlist or wider Porsche community
4. Consider this an opportunity to move up to a more powerful engine.
It is option #4 that I am asking for advice and recommendations from you.
How easy or difficult is it to swap in a 3.6, 3.8, GT3 or TT engine into a 1999 C4? I expect one would need the wiring harness and computer from the engine to be imported. But what about other things? Will the above engines fit in the engine bay, and mate up the the '99C4 6-speed manual transmission?
Any advice on the above will be appreciated, and if any of you have a spare engine kicking around, please let me know.
...Rickker
Let me start by saying this is not meant to be another thead about 996 engines biting the dust. I am trying to look forward.
A couple of days ago, my wife and I were on a trip to visit friends in Buffalo, NY. About 50 miles from our destination, on the NY Thruway, there was a clattering sound, smoke, and we pulled off to the shoulder. I looked in the engine bay, and all was fine. But there was oil on the ground. Looking underneath, I saw a gaping hole in cam cover on the driver's side. The attached pic tells the story. To me it appears that the chain broke, and the resulting jamming action broke a hole in the cam cover casting. (and who knows what kind of internal damage as well).
All of the above occurred to the original engine of a '99C4, with just over 100,000 miles on othe odometer. I have owned this Carrera for less than one year, and, up to now, enjoyed over 6000 miles of trouble free driving. Prior to this catastrophe, the engine was great, lots of top end power, good low end torque, and no oil consumption since I owned it.
Anyway, I am now exploring my options:
1. Have the engine repaired, if the internal damage is not too great)
2. Purchase a replacement 3.4 engine from a Porsche dealer
3. Look for a used 3.4 engine from the Rennlist or wider Porsche community
4. Consider this an opportunity to move up to a more powerful engine.
It is option #4 that I am asking for advice and recommendations from you.
How easy or difficult is it to swap in a 3.6, 3.8, GT3 or TT engine into a 1999 C4? I expect one would need the wiring harness and computer from the engine to be imported. But what about other things? Will the above engines fit in the engine bay, and mate up the the '99C4 6-speed manual transmission?
Any advice on the above will be appreciated, and if any of you have a spare engine kicking around, please let me know.
...Rickker
#2
Hope this isn't too obvious but did you look here, a couple posts down...
https://rennlist.com/forums/996-forum/455130-anyone-in-need-of-a-motor-3-6-x-51-a.html
https://rennlist.com/forums/996-forum/455130-anyone-in-need-of-a-motor-3-6-x-51-a.html
#5
Rennlist Member
Sorry to hear about this but a 3.6L X51 is a good option worth considering:
http://www.6speedonline.com/forums/9...y-broke-2.html
http://www.roocksport.com/main/tuning.php
http://www.6speedonline.com/forums/9...y-broke-2.html
http://www.roocksport.com/main/tuning.php
#7
Racer
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i think the chain broke, then jammed up inside causing enough pressure to break the casting wall. Now, why the chain would break is another question...
We were driving along at a leisurely 65 mph in 6th gear, about 2800 rpm, when this happened.
...Rickker
We were driving along at a leisurely 65 mph in 6th gear, about 2800 rpm, when this happened.
...Rickker
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#8
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Hope this isn't too obvious but did you look here, a couple posts down...
https://rennlist.com/forums/showthread.php?t=455130
https://rennlist.com/forums/showthread.php?t=455130
....Rickker
#9
Three Wheelin'
Just drive your car there...then drive it back....no paper worries that way! Make a vacation out of it...I don't think an engine swap takes more than a day....I think. Good luck!
J
J
#10
Instructor
To Rikker,
Not to insinuate anything, but just curious on what kind of oil you and the previous owner were using. This doesn't sound like your typical failure mode. Sorry to hear your misfortune. Sounds like you're maintaining a positive outlook though.
Not to insinuate anything, but just curious on what kind of oil you and the previous owner were using. This doesn't sound like your typical failure mode. Sorry to hear your misfortune. Sounds like you're maintaining a positive outlook though.
#11
Racer
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....Rickker
#12
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Isn't this a possible outcome of the 'all too common' Intermediate Shaft failure, where the end shears off leaving the timing chain to wreak havoc?
Has nothing what so ever to do with oil choice - it's a design 'feature' of the 99 block.
Has nothing what so ever to do with oil choice - it's a design 'feature' of the 99 block.
#14
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#15
Racer
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...Rickker