cringely

My 2002 996 engine just shrapneled itself to death at 100,500 miles. Yes, I did have the LN IMS bearing replaced at 77,700 miles.
My options (and questions) are:
1) repair the engine (no idea what this would run as it will cost $700 to $1000 to tear down the engine just to get an estimate)
2) replace the engine (my local mechanic who I trust recommends this, initial estimate is close to 20k$)
3) sell the car to someplace like Parts Heaven (I live in San Diego so this is the closest place like that I know of) and a) buy another Porsche, or b) buy a new inexpensive sedan

If I decide to replace the car (and not spend the est. 20k$ to get a replacement motor with a guarantee of sorts), should I stick with a 996 or go to a newer car (which sounds attractive, but will cost more). And what should I get for the 996 w/blown engine should I sell it as is?

I'd very much appreciate the forum's thoughts.

P.S., I live in California; thus any engine swap must meet CA smog/ARB requirements.
and yes, I love the 996 (much nicer than my 911SC), but would not be adverse to stepping up to a 997

c4racer

option 4 - convert to a LSx motor.

Cost - could be done for $15K or so

http://www.renegadehybrids.com/911/LS-1.html

RngTrtl

im with c4. It makes the best sense for the money. Turbo power with the same motor weight and the kit from renegade is pretty much complete. Ive thought about doing this while I have a good motor I can sell.

johnireland

Lots of other questions to answer. Do you like the car you have? What condition is it in sans the engine? What do you mean "shrapneled itself to death"?

Did pieces of the engine literally fly all over the road? At what rpm and under what driving conditions did this happen? It might be worth at least looking at your engine to see what the acutual damage is and what exact part failed. Your estimated price of $20k for a new engine doesn't seem very precise. What if parts from yours are salvageable, or you can find another engine from a car that was totaled for $10k?

If your heads are undamaged you might consider only buying a new bottom end and using your heads and all the other external gear that sits on your motor.

The devil you know vs the devil you don't know...if you were really happy with your car it makes sense to stay with it. If you were itching to make a change than now seems like the right time. But if you are buying another preowned car you are back to ground zero and may have to start all over and the cost may be as much as just putting another engine in your existing car.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Kalashnikov

If you want to repair the car with used motor, you are looking at $10k-$15k to spend. If you are looking at Fla6 repair, you are looking at $20k to spend.

As-is you have $5k-$7k roller. If you do the renegade conversion, you must realize that you immediately alienate almost all of the potential Porsche buyers in the future. LS1 is awesome, but only a true DIY enthusiast will be excited about the LS1 powered 911. Everyone else will pass on the deal.

I would dump the roller and get something else.

c4racer

Here is how I think about the math:

sell roller - net $6K
buy similar 996: $18K
Net loss: $12K

rebuild or used M96 motor: $15K
Car value once done: $17K
net loss: $10K

renegade LSx conversion: $15K
car value once done: $15K (absolute worse case)
Net loss: $15K

So for $3K more that selling the roller and buying another working 996 you can have one with a motor that will not fail, is cheap to maintain and makes a bunch more HP and TQ.

I still think that's what I would do.

JayG

Could have registration/smog problems in California, so a LSx swap is probably not an option

Kalashnikov

^^ If you wanted to keep the 996 for a long time, LS1 is a best solution in my view too. But if you are trying to sell the car within the next few years, 996 with LS1 would be very hard to sell and you would get nothing for it as a trade-in from a dealer.

jumper5836

my choice would be to repair the engine if possible (probably 12-13k) or find a rare used engine

Cuda911

Hey Cringley,

I'm dealing with the exact same thing. Here's a link to my thread, which should provide all the info. you want to know.

https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...today-and.html

Also, forget the LS swap. It will be way more than 15K, I already researched that.

RRTEC

Buy a cheap sedan (3 series BMW or something like it) with cash.. Keep the 996, man up and DIY the car yourself as you have time. The car is virtually worthless as is, spend the time and learn something new..

cringely

I live in California; thus any engine swap must meet CA smog/ARB requirements. I'm not mechanical inclined, so any work would be done by a third party.

and yes, I love the 996 (much nicer than my 911SC which also lost a motor which is why I stepped up to the 996), but would not be adverse to stepping up to a 997

sfv_rider

Sell the 996 as an intact roller, weep at your loss, console yourself with a replacement 997, you'll move on to your next love and the 996 episode will be forgotten.

I'm a "rip the Band-Aid off quickly" kind of guy.

911661

There is a complete running engine in Craigslist in California for sale they're asking $6,000 probably can haggle that price down

Imo000

Sell it as-is.