Apex996

Planning an M96 rebuild for a winter project.

Questions:
- Any caveats around a light honing of the lokasil cylinders to get a good ring seal?
- Will M97 3.8S int. manifolds fit the M96 3.4 or M96 3.6L heads?
- Are the timing chains on all 3.4 & 3.6L cams the same? (not main IMS chain)
- What is the service limit for decking the block or heads to true them up?

Also, has anyone disabled the secondary air injection ports that were cast into the US spec heads?

Anyone know the included angle of the Int/Exh valves ? Is it close to 28° ?

Thanks

Dharn55

3.4's are 5 chain engines and 3.6's are three chain engines, so no the chains are not compatible. You need to do some research on these engines before you undertake the rebuild.

Have you watched the YouTube on the Boxster engine rebuild. Have you gone through the Pelican Parts write ups on a tear down, have you gone through LoGrays rebuild posts?

I have some Porsche documents and information that has lots of information o. The engines, how they function, the differences between the VarioCam and VarioCamPlus engines, etc.

Ther are lots of special tools involved, some of which can be fabricated, and some worked around. If you are contemplating a total rebuild you should probably invest in a set of the tools.

Not to discourage you but it is worth it to learn as much about the engines and a rebuild before you decide to undertake the project.

Apex996

Hi Doug. yes I've been researching my options for months and have hit the items you referenced. All excellent resources. This will be about my 10th build but my first M96. Looks like a PITA actually but I like a challenge.

I realized the 3.4 & 3.6 cams use a different chain routes but was curious about some 3.4 to 3.6L conversions (not Nickies) I'd seen. I was thinking they both may use a similar chain "type" .. should have said cam gear style.

I need to get my engines both out and inspect everything. Asking questions on a forum is just going to get me in trouble.

- Bill

BigKraut

Porsche makes and sells plates to block off the ports left open after removing the secondary air injection system. At least they do for the 2.5L Boxster engines and I assume the same parts will work on the 3.4 and 3.6L M96 engines.

pmkazz

This sounds like the start of a very interesting post...

Apex996

Might be... we'll have to see what the final project winds up being. I may actually build 2 different engines to compare them and learn. Still in the exploratory stages.
As I do with all my projects I'll be documenting extensively and creating some sort of technical reference on the web for others.

Project Goals:
Increased longevity: No new ideas here. I'll be going to FSI & LNE to cover those issues.
Increased performance: Target is to at least meet X51 performance, although my expectation is that it can be greatly exceeded given enough time and $.

It appears that the M96 racing/modding community is both tight lipped and small. I spent years working with performance and racing vendors when I was building and racing non-Porsche engines. It will be interesting to see what some of my pals can come up with in the way of custom components.

Only time, testing and probably a few set backs will tell what the results will be.

- Bill

laz74

Monetarily speaking, the more you invest in strengthening and adding power to the M96 platform, the closer you get to GT3 territory. And the inherent flaws of the M96 will always make it vastly inferior to the GT1 engines - IMS, wet sump, etc.

From a cost/benefit standpoint, the project could quickly become unattractive. Just something to think about - my opinion.

Flat6 Innovations

Sounds like you'd benefit from my "M96 101" Engine Rebuild School. The next one is in December, all hands on. We cover all the questions that you asked in depth.
http://www.flat6innovations.com/clas...rebuild-school

Apex996

Jake,
I'd love to but I can be away for that long. I'll see you Nov 17th in Charlotte instead. Is Tony not going to be at the Charlotte class?

- Bill

Flat6 Innovations

Tony should be there, but Worldpac wants this to be the last class that we tag-team. He adds so much from a diagnostic approach using the PIWIS and etc and we make a great team. He should be there, but I don't suppose that its written in stone.

Apex996

First engine is here... Second engine on the way. Let the winter projects begin!

Apex996

Look what the tooth fairy dropped off today.

Imo000

You are having a conversation with yourself???

dotframe

subscribed!

jumper5836

This post may interest you. He is doing more of a repair then a rebuild.

https://rennlist.com/forums/rennlist...-of-these.html