bd0nalds0n

Called Sunset Porsche in Oregon. The discounted motors are gone. I can get a 3.8 X51 for around the same price, but have to eat the core charge because they won't accept a 3.4 for a 3.8. FWIW, they said the sale motors were gone on the first day...

Dharn55

Try Suncoast. When I was struggling with my engine I talked with both Sunset (where I buy almost all my parts) and Suncoast. Sunset had to have an apples to apples core (i.e. 3.4 to 3.4 or 3.6 to 3.6) but Suncoast said they could do a 3.4 to 3.6 with only the difference in core charge, which is only a couple of hundred dollars, being charged.

Now two other things.

First. a 3.4 to3.6 swap is not a simple thing. It is more than just a black box to do the VarioCamPlus. There are differences in the fuel supply, CanBus vs. wire, guages, etc. etc. Talk to some of the owners who have tried this swap. Soem have had success, and others nothing but headaches. There is a place in Georgia (other than Roock) that claims to do them, but charges about $7,500 plus the cost of the engine.

Second, why have you already decided to reploace the engine without knowing exactly what caused the intermix. I am telling you that if it is a cracked head, and it was not driven too much with the intemixed fluids, you can fix it for a few thousand dollars. I did mine myself, other than the actual fix of the cracked head, which was done by a shop in Costa Mesa. Or a new head is about $2,800.

bd0nalds0n

There's a bunch of coolant coming out as steam from the exhaust. I believe that means cracked cylinder or the cylinder slipped.

I will have the shop pull the motor. Actually, one shop said they drop the oil pan and pressurize the cooling system. Depending on where the coolant comes out, they can tell whether it's the head or the cylinder.

Suncoast is in Florida, right? I'll call them tomorrow.

sehorntx

Will double everything Dharn55 says, as he is helping me generously trying to help me through the repair of my cylinder head crack - in the same place I might add. Unfortunately for me I have cracks in both the 1-3 and the 4-6 side. Keeping the Machine shop in business. Have learned a helluva alot taking the engine out in my garage and going through the process. Not as daunting as one might believe at first!

Ahmet

How did you rule out a headgasket?

Jake Raby

These engines don't blow head gaskets.. I haven't ever seen that occur yet. The heads will crack before the head gaskets blow!

Ritter v4.0

Yes- Porsche are to be lauded for their excellent gaskets.
Heads, RMS, IMS etc. not so much.

Rickker

This is correct. I have first hand experience with a 2003 3.6 X51 engine transplanted into my '99C4. There are MANY costly things that have to be changed, if you use the "traditional" swap method. Not only will you need a new computer, rear car harness, engine harness and a 3.6 type high pressure AC line, but if you have a C4, it gets worse. You will need a 2002-2004 instrument panel, if you want the cruise control to work. You will need the 3.6 type of ABS and PSM modules, if you want these features to work. This adds thousands of dollars to the cost of the swap. Now, there are some shops who will do the swap by reprogramming the 3.4 computer and adding a black box to handle the variocam plus function. In my opinion, this is a far better way to go IF the shop can do this properly. There is a thread by Paul996 about this alternate method of doing the swap. If I had it to do over again, I would have had a replacement 3.4 engine installed. Frankly, there is not much difference in performance with the 3.6 engine, even the X51 version.
....Rickker

JR944

I know of a used '99 996 motor in Denver. If you could get the car here, it could be installed for a total of about $6,000-6,500. (search on my user name for details if interested).
Joe

jrgordonsenior

Say what? That's just silly....

A stock 3.4 motor with open exhaust and a lightweight flywheel dyno's right at 250-255 rwhp. Most X51's dyno anywhere from 300-315 rwhp, a minimum increase of 25%. Even the stock 3.6 is noticably more poweful especially when the variocam+ kicks in....

Rickker

I was afraid this would happen. Let's just say that you don't notice any difference in ordinary street driving. The X51 actually has less low end torque than a regular 3.6. The extra power with the X51 starts at about 5000 rpm. I agree there is a significant difference on the track, where you are generally always between 4500 and 7000 rpm. However when driving around town, you might come out of a corner in 2nd gear and about 2500 rpm. You put your foot down and shift into 3rd at 4000 or so. This is where I say there is very little difference between a 3.4 or a 3.6 or a X51 3.6. What you feel in regular, part throttle street driving. The track is a totally different ball game.

OK, that's all I wanted to say. Didn't mean for this thread to go off topic.
...Rickker

bd0nalds0n

Every shop I have talked to has suggested that the engine is toast once I described all the symptoms. While this may ultimately prove to not be the case, it's my current working assumption. Even with intermix Porsche suggests rod bearings. Parts/labor eclipse replacement. While it might be safe to fix or replace a cracked head (if that is the problem), clean everything up and go, I'm inclined to go with a more thorough fix.

I am leaning towards getting a used 3.6 out of a crashed-in-front 2005 with ~30k miles. There is a local guy in SD who comes highly recommended and has done similar transplants before. It will involve reflashing the DME and dealing with VC+, which IMO is the only way to go. If the car needs further tuning, I can head up to BBI in Huntington Beach.

Compared to what I've been through with the 928, this should be a cakewalk.

I would really like to find a 3.6 X51 or 3.8 X51, but I'm not dead set on it. The car will never see the track. But it would be nice to have a bit more grunt. Interesting to hear that the X51 might have more top end at the expense of low end torque, but maybe not all that surprising. Sounds like in any event the 3.6 is an improvement over the 3.4. I do not want another early model used engine going in. Now it's just a question of used vs new, and I'm leaning towards a "newer" used engine as reasonable compromise between cost vs risk of being back where I started in less than 2 years.

I appreciate the additional commentary. It helps to narrow down the choices and it's nice to hear differing opinions.

jyoteen

FWIW, I got an email from LA Dismantlers having crate engines avail for sale. Here is the list.


Porsche Factory Remanufactured engines!!
Los Angeles Dismantler for Porsche, for 911, Boxster Cayman & Cayenne

TWO YEAR FACTORY WARRANTY*!!!



PORSCHE Factory Rebuilt Remanufactured Engines Clearance SALE Limited Quantities

We are proud to offer these fresh engines from Porsche.

These engines are revised with updated parts and components that improve durability and longevity. They are professionally rebuilt to the highest standards by trained Porsche technicians. These engines have had all the necessary updates to ensure longer life and better performance.

Rebuilt Porsche engines are often preferred over brand new because of the updated parts. This is a limited time; special offer. Quantities are very low and available on a first come first serve basis. Please call to confirm availability before ordering. These engines are going fast. No guarantee on availability until confirmation of stock.

Included is a 24 month, unlimited mile warranty. Warranty will cover parts and labor if installed through a licensed Factory Porsche dealer. Warranty covers parts only if you have it installed at a non Factory Porsche shop. Void if race driven and only applicable to the car the engine was specified for.

Possible upgrades; 2.5L to 2.7L, 3.4Lto 3.6L or upgrade your 3.6L to 3.8L. Again the warranty is void if you install the engine in a vehicle it was not specified for stock.

Porsche engines come with the engine loom, control units must be purchased separately.

This is a rare opportunity to get a Porsche engine for thousands less than they typically sell for. Once the stock is gone, that’s it. Please contact us if you have questions regarding your core and/or to get a shipping quote to get this amazing offer out to you.

Check out these low prices:

(3) 986100922BX 2.7L Boxster Manual $10,120 ex

(5) 986100922FX 2.7L Boxster Manual $9009 ex

(3) 986100922GX 2.7L Boxster Tip $9009 ex

(2) 9861009241X 3.2L Boxster 550 Spyder Tip $10,120 ex

(1) 987100920BX 2.7L Boxster/Cayman Manual $9009 ex

(4) 987100921GX 3.4L Boxster S/Cayman S Tip $9009 ex

(2) 987100922AX 3.4L Boxster S RS Spyder Manual $10,120 ex

(1) 996100970DX 3.6L Turbo X50 Tip $18,018 ex

(2) 996100970DX 3.6L Turbo GT2 X50 Manual $23,166 ex

(2) 997100970 X 3.6L Turbo Manual $18,018 ex

(6) 9A1100901AX 3.8L Carrera PDK Tip $10,120 ex

(4) 987100920CX 2.7L Boxster/Cayman Tip $9009 ex

(3) 996100970HX 3.6L Turbo GT2 Manual $23,166 ex

(2) 996100970SX 3.6L Turbo GT2 X50 Tip $18,018 ex



Los Angeles Dismantler
(818) 767-7243
Mon-Friday 9:00AM-6:00 P.M PST
Saturday by appointment only