Barn996

Look at recent threads posted about a California business that has engines for affordable numbers that Rennlist members have recommended.

dcdrechsel

A phone call to Don at EBS might be worthwhile .He has a good reputation on other forums .

ivangene

there seems to be some doubt as to the reality this can happen and can be diagnosed

well I can confirm both - We have seen not only valve spring break, but valves smashing pistons and making a hell of a ruckus - you can look in through the spark plug hole with a bore scope and take pictures of it - also seen one where there is some sort of a metal spike impaled into the head and the piston hitting it every stroke - car still runs!

we have no clue as to what the metal spike is - we think it is a piston ring/land they broke off - the car was taken home by the owner so we didnt get to tear it down - yet, maybe someday...its most interesting -

motors can be fixed and dealers are interested in fast in fast out - part swap, big money

stop going to the dealer and go to someone who repairs cars not replaces motors, maybe they can rebuild it - maybe not but at least they will consider it. My shop just did a rebuild on an m96 that was a D chuck and needed a new case - turned out very well....upgraded to a 3.6 while they were in there.....

look at options, none will be cheap, but many could be better

trendy996

Ya I've seen valves punch themselves into the piston tops. Just not through them completely. IMS makes sense. I'm still learning about these engines.
I replaced my 4-6 head for a total of 2500 and that was with arp headstuds. I used a oem used head that came with a warranty.
The dealer wanted a total of 10k to do the job. I quickly took it back after I heard that. If you love the car and want to enjoy it more without spending an arm and a leg just opt to pick up a used engine. I see them go for 6-8k all the time. The engine swap has got to be one of the easiest that I have ever done.
Two engine bolts, two trans bolts, a few coolant hoses, two quick disconnect engine harness plugs, two power steering lines, two axels, maybe the driveshaft, and a/c compressor. Then it will be laying on the ground in a few hours.

Good luck!

PS if you do want to sell it please let me know

Copple

Well I spoke to a reputable vendor that sells rebuild engines. They go through each engine and provide a year warrante with their work. They don't sell engines that they haven't rebuilt, so I know there is peace of mind for me that I'm buying a quality engine and not something that's been passed along from another car with questionable history. So a rebuilt 3.6 is 12.5k plus installation.

To add another variable they also have a 3.6 that's been converted to a 3.8 with high performance internals for 16.5... This pumps HP to aprox 375 and gives a nice linear torque band to boot. So that's an option as well.

In the end I have to decide whether or not I'm going to keep the car after it's been repaired. I've been toying with the prospect of selling for the past few months and picking up a nice 993, Lotus Elise, Acura NSX, etc... Not because I don't enjoy my car but I've been thinking it would be nice to try something new. So I'm approaching this from the standpoint of if I was looking at buying this car what would be important to me? Knowing that the engine was replaced what is the new engines history? Is it from a parted out 996, was it rebuilt, if it's a new engine how well was the work done? You get the picture. So I would look at what piece of mind the new engines source be in determining where to go from here.

I'm reluctant to put a lot of money into trying to fix the current engine because I don't want to keep throwing money into something when I could have bought a completely refurbished engine with warrante for a little more. Plus, whoever buys the car doesn't necessarily know how well the work was done unless it was from a reputable source.

So there are some options. Thanks for all of the feedback from everyone, I truly do appreciate it. Curious to hear what people say vs 3.6 or 3.8 for $4k more too.

Copple

I could also get a refund for my engine core provided its not blown apart in the neighborhood of $2-3k as well. Hopefully, since the car still has shown no signs of oil leakage the block itself is ok.

ZX9RCAM

Sorry to hear of your problems!

Mind sharing the name of the engine rebuilder?

Flat6 Innovations

Call us for a second opinion.. You are in South Carolina and very near us here in Georgia. Your car can join the rest from 18 other states and three other countries that currently populate our property.

I have one of my CPO engines in stock, or we may be able to resurrect yours. In the past month we've saved three engines that were deemed non-repairable by Porsche dealerships and are working on #3 now to add to that list.

Copple

The rebuilder is dC Automotive out of Raleigh, NC (www.dcauto.com). My dad is good friends with the Service Manager at his local Porsche dealer and he recommended them. I don't want to say which dealer because I wouldn't want to get him in trouble for anything, but he is a good guy that we've known for a long time so I trust his judgement.

Jack, I'll give you guys a call later today when I have some free time. I'm open to all options and I'm not in a rush to do anything. Just trying to do my due dillagance. Thanks!

txhokie4life

Just sent you a PM with a couple options and a recommendation you contact Jake,

Mike

nick49

In the end, it's just a motor that's in your car. Dealers are generally parts and assembly replacers any more, not ones to disassemble and actually repair anything. It's not a big money maker to do things like they used to be done and things are more complicated these days.

The indy near you may want the job. They will most likely drop the motor, pull the heads, access the damage and take it from there. Rebuilt heads can be found or yours can be repaired with new valves and guides as needed, resurfaced, possibly new lifters as well.

I'm assuming a chain related problem that need attention as well. GL with the fix.

Flat6 Innovations

Sounds like you have made your decision and thats fine.. Making the decision is 1/2 of the battle; we can't do them all and even if we could, we wouldn't want to.

Let us know what the end result is.

kdieter

If I had to have my engine replaced on my dime, I would without question buy one from Jake. I'd much rather have his re-engineered engine than one merely rebuilt to factory standards, or for that matter, by Porsche themselves. If I had a warranty that was paying for the engine, then I suppose Jake wouldn't be an option since he has said he doesn't accept payment from them, unless I misunderstood.

Flat6 Innovations

Thats correct. I'd rather turn a job down as waste time dealing with the warranty companies. (I do it routinely)

Byprodriver

Copple, here is the answer to your question: " Plus, whoever buys the car doesn't necessarily know how well the work was done unless it was from a reputable source."

Jake's CPO engine or yours sound salvagable too!