Flat6 Innovations

First off, we need to see if I can repair the engine. At that time I'l know what collateral damage exists, and if a repair doesn't fit the picture, then we'll know what to do from there. No other approach makes sense. With 113K on the clock, its worth repairing an updating, as long as the issue isn't terminal, or the collateral damage isn't too wide spread.

The used engine is like someone else's X wife, you usually end up finding out why he got rid of her. Today a good used engine is like a piece of precious metal, and they really don't exist.

For the LS, well, that would be your choice, but if I wanted an LS, I'd just sell the car broken and buy a damn Vette....Thats just me.

Now, make sure that whomever locally that tries to diagnose the engine doesn't run it as part of the process. With every rotation of the crankshaft more and more damage is being done. This is taking out the heart of the engine through the possibility of debris passing through the oil system, and etc. I see people diagnose these things to death all the time. Just the amount of time the engine was ran to shoot that video rendered more damage done to the components of the engine.

We push cars around the shop, and won't start them, until an invasive inspection is carried out to see what's going on. One second separates life from death, resurrection, and salvation possibilities. No noise is a good noise within an engine.

Once we see if the engine is repairable or not, then the choice can be made with good judgment. How long you want to be without the car determines a lot in regard to my program, where nothing big bore happens fast. Calendars, and clocks don't impact things around here.

Salty Springs

Gnar

I have an 05 4S with 112k on it. I had a VERY SIMILIAR tic in the motor and of course feared the worst. Had it flatbedded to Vortex Motorsports in Tampa. They diagnosed the problem as a failed Catalytic converter. I said "how sure are you?
they said 100%. Had the old cats replaced with new xpipe hi flows 200 cel cats. It now runs perfect. My tic was very noticeable out of the driver side exhaust.
Good Luck

501Max

I would send it directly to Jake for his opinion! I have a FSI engine, and developed a great relationship with Jake during my engine build. Jake's knowledge of these engines is a well known established fact. Jake's word is gold with me.

My FSI engine is a beautiful thing, delivered on time, without hassles, turn-key, and ready to rumble.

ZX9RCAM

My 996 was with me for 11 years, had 125K on it, and I was always worried about bearing failure.
I left my house after warming it up, drove less than a mile and suffered "D chunk", no warning at all.
I had never heard of it before, until after it happened, lol.

Flat6 Innovations

Mode of failure #2 of 29!

I hear that all the time on the failure hotline.... Most people are buying these cars with no understanding of what can happen. I see this mostly from the older folks that in general, do not fancy online forums, facebook, and etc. Unfortunately these folks make up a large part of 996 buyers these days.

AWDGuy

I've been in your shoes. it sucks, a lot. Feel your pain.

gnarbowski

Going into the purchase I knew dann well what I was getting myself into. Life goes on. To be honest, the reality of having to do a rebuild isn't that bad when new displacements are involved. I know Jake's work pretty well and the idea of having a upgraded race engine along with the ims solution seems ideal. Some people pay for medicine to help with their M96 anxiety, I'd rather pay to have the engine fixed correctly.

bpu699

The average new Hondas or toyotas can reasonable do 125,000 to 150,000. That's a car that drives at 1500 rpm most of its life. Some of these car do a million miles, but most don't. Go on cars.com and search for cars with 150,000+ miles. Rare.

Maybe I am old school, but once my cars hit 100k miles I figure I am driving on borrowed time, and anything can happen.

To expect a sports car, that gets rung out to 6000 rpm on a regular basis, to last much over 100,000 miles is optimistic. The old bullet proof cars needed valves and other work at 100k miles.

A 996 motor, or boxster motor, is not an 911 sc motor. The 996 motor is blessed with self destructive tendencies, that will occur as mileage rises.

Despite that, I was thinking about picking up a high mileage 996 or boxster as they are dirt cheap. But I have realistic expectations. To buy a 115,000 mile Porsche for peanuts and expect longevity doesn't sync with my life experiences.

Sure, some cars may make 200,000 miles. Some grenade at 30,000 miles. Anything over 100,000 miles is a gift...

Schnell Gelb

There are few cars as expensive to own as a 'cheap' Porsche. Ask me how I know .....
Caveat Emptor.

Montychristo128

I fear I'm in this camp too. The good news is once we have fixed all the issues, we hopefully rest easier than the lucky bastards that have yet to have any major/terminal issues.

Its life, and as you suggest you get to play the upgrade game, and for those in the know, Jake's engines are probably one of the few things you can do to a 996 that seems to actually add value.

(I have no affiliation and am not using his services for my rebuild BTW).

I thought about an LS swap, but a Frankenporsche is just that. A 911 has a flat 6, that is just how it is.

We will get to drive them like we stole them once fixed, and damn the dent to the wallet.

Good luck and enjoy the process.

gnarbowski

Thanks for being positive, that's the kind of feedback I was looking for.

Woodman71

I love my 996 and all, but if it blew up tomorrow I don't think I love it enough to spend more than its original cost to me to get the engine rebuilt. Blasphemy, I know.

groovzilla

You sound totally clueless and should be over in the Ford Motors Forum. 911's have no problem reaching 175 - 200K miles when properly serviced.
As a matter of fact, if your price point is limited, it is sometimes wise to buy a 911 at the 100K mark considering major services like clutch/suspension/belts are ready for another 75K.

Op hope your car has minor issue and all the best.

gnarbowski

Thanks my car has been serviced and taken care of. I don't think it was driven too much this winter, which we all know is a no no with these engines. It came with a 3" binder of documents dating back many years.

bpu699

We are talking about 996s, right? Would love to see evidence of all the cars with 175,000 miles.

Good to hear. Thanks. Having owned a 911s, 911sc, 930, 996, boxster s, 914, 944turbo, etc, etc... Nice to be clueless...

Older 911s are durable, 996s and boxsters aren't. That's why they are cheaper than a toyotas when you hit 100,000 miles. Boxsters can be bought for $6000.

Even 911s may need expensive work to go over 100k miles... Not all, but many.

Anything from head studs, to leaking heads, to valve guides, to thermo reactors, Yada, Yada... 930s often need valve jobs at 60-70,000 miles.

The older Porsches were known for durability. The 996, not so much. That's pretty self evident.

And I love Porsches. Have since I was a kid. But to confuse a 996 with 100,000+ miles with reliability, is wishful thinking.

There is a reason flat 6 is busy...


The op isn't into his car for a lot of money. He has options. Hell, the car might be just fine.