Just purchased my first Porsche. An 03 C4s with a seized engine.



Apparently, the engine was fully rebuilt two years ago after it had failed. Two years later, and it was back in the shop again, needing another rebuild/new motor. That was the final straw for the seller's Wife, and the car went up for sale.

So, I am just exploring my many possible options for fixing the car. I have done a lot of reading, and made a few phone calls, and see there are many different ways to go. Any suggestions would be helpful. I am located in Toronto Canada.

 

Are you trying to DIY or you having shop fix the car?

What caused the rebuilt motor to fail? How many miles did PO get on the rebuilt motor?

You are looking at $10k+ to spend if you are not DIYing it.

Congrats on getting yourself a Porsche.

 

Thanks!

I will be having a shop do the motor.

I dont think the PO got more than 10k miles on the rebuild, from the records I can see. It was 2 years or less.

I dont know what caused the motor to fail. According to the PO and garage, they didnt pull the engine after the failure, and don't know exactly what caused it.

It looks like flat6innovations are the best way to go. I am just not sure if I can swing the cost. The build that I want from them would likely be over $20k by the time I am done, plus transport back and forth from Canada.

Another option is a local supplier who imports the rebuilt engines from the US. He didnt say who he gets them from. They are around the price you quoted plus labor to install at another shop. They come with a one year unlimited warranty.

Those are my two top choices, at the moment.

 

There is also the 'used' option. But after all the horror stories I dont think I would feel comfortable going that route. If it failed, I'd have MY wife calling for the sale this time around.

 

I'm curious why you bought a car with a bad engine if you are going to pay someone else to drop a new engine in. There are tons of working 996s out there for not much more than what you are going to pay for the work you are looking to have done.

 

Congrats and good luck. How about a Chevy V8? It's an option you should consider...

http://www.renegadehybrids.com

 

I wanted a c4s, and in Canada they seem to go for at least $32k and up. I guess they are cheaper in the US, but that seems to be the going rate up here. After reading about all the engine failures, the idea of getting one with a blown engine and having a freshly rebuilt and updated new motor installed, seemed like a much more attractive option that buying one which could fail at any time.

Plus, the car has a colour combo I like, a nice list of options, aftermarket hood and front bumper that I like, and will save about $2000 on taxes over a full priced model.

In the end, Ill likely pay total about the same as if I had just got a running one for $30k. However, Ill (hopefully) have a solid rebuilt engine and some peace of mind.

Before the Porsche I have owned four Audis. All C5 4.2 based cars (two A6s, an S6, and an RS6). On the first, the transmission died within six months. On the second, the transmission died within six months. After that, I just started buying them cheap with blown transmissions, and had them fixed. I guess I am using the same mentality with the Porsche.

 

Hey, thanks. I did call Renegade about the LS3 conversion. It looks incredible, but the total cost ($28k) is what will probably end up ruling it out. You never know, though.