I'm in the process of rebuilding my 3.4. My current question from the experts is:
What are the cons of not installing the oil/coolant intercooler? I understand that it is there only to warm the oil up faster, helping the emissions numbers. I can handle driving the car gently for a little while longer if it eliminates a potential oil/coolant intermix failure. Any thoughts?

 

Its an oil cooler not a heater.

 

thanks. that comes nowhere near to addressing the question.

 

It does if you think about it for a secomd. Its a cooler therefore, designed to cool the oil. The heating of the oil during cold start is a secondary benefit. Considering how small the radiators are, how burried the engine is in the rear and the fact that Porsche added the deck lid fan as an auxilary back up system, it should be pretty clear that these engines need all the cooling they can get. The oil cooaler in another radiator.

 

+1

It helps warm the oil faster which reduces the time that the engine is below operating temperature (when most wear occurs for a street car), and acts as a radiator when the oil is hotter than the water. It's a win-win.

If you're worried about intermix, replace it with a new OEM part and don't think about it again.

 

 

My thoughts exactry.

 

Wait, I thought it was an atmosphere heater, to help bring the atmosphere up to operating temperature more quickly. I'm confused.

 

I don't pretend to be really knowledgeable about these cars but a 3.4 isn't a turbo and NA cars don't have an intercooler, right?

 

That was my first thought then I read the thread. He was talking about the oil/coolant heat exchanger instead.

Agree with others there's a reason for it to be there hence should not be eliminated.

 

Severe engine damage from oil break down due to overheated oil.

 

When I read the title of this thread yesterday; I refused to open it and read what's going on. Now I regret caving in. This is the equivalent of going to the weird part of YouTube for me. What has been seen can't be unseen...

 

wow.... this is what happens when Porsche cars depreciates.

 

Aw dammit. Don't say that. I hope that this place doesn't go to crap because of the lower prices for these cars. Are there, dare I say it, "ricers" among the 996 goers?

 

I don't think there are, nor will there be since the modding them isn't even close to being fast food employed rice modders, nor are oem parts/repairs, nor is insurance in comparison. I think 996s are safe.