moralman

With the 997 engines beginning to clock up the miles, what are the best options for an engine refresh? As cost of cars are pretty much exorbitant from where I'm from (Not much chance of swapping a 997 for newer models or GT3/turbo as the cost run into the hundred of thousands). Therefore I'm looking to refresh the engine.

Currently running a 2008 997.1 C4S, from what I have gathered there's:
- Brand new crate motor (Cost prohibitive and not even sure if they still stock them at the factory)

- Used motor (Unknown history, possible design faults in stock motor (bore score, IMS etc)

- Rebuild motor (Flat6, Hartech etc. High cost? Reliability?)

- Motor swap from other models, complete transplant? (Feasible? Tech problems?)

Any suggestions on what route I should go? Too many options with too little knowledge haha

911-997

Is there anything wrong with your engine?

moralman

Nothing major I hope (sometime smoke blowing out of left exhaust on startup, relatively high oil consumption 0.5litre / 1000+ km.)

Looking for options to future proof the car.

FZP

Where are you based?

moralman

Sunny car-ownership unfriendly Singapore

FZP

That potentially rules out my idea. Although not completely as Hartech in the UK are highly respected engine builders. They do a lot of international builds im told.
It would mean shipping your engine to them of course.
In the UK, if a car comes up for sale that has a Hartech rebuild, It's more values than a standard car.
Good luck with your search

moralman

I did consider sending either the engine or maybe just the block to Hartech/Flat6. But I do have to consider the downtime on when the work can be ready, the other alternative may be to source a block in the UK and have them work on it and swap it out when it reaches me.

Petza914

If you're concerned about downtime, Flat 6 is also affiliated with RND Engines where they have Flat6 rebuilt motors on the shelf if you want to maintain the stock specs of the motor but with some of Flat6's upgrades like the Nickasil liners, etc. Info is here - http://rndengines.com/

With smoke coming out the left tailpipe only, it sounds like you have a scored bore and will need to do something in the form of a rebuild or replacement.

Transplanting a different motor (GT3, Turbo, etc) in is not a simple project.

911-997

Scored cylinder for sure

FZP

I unfortunately have to agree with the above. Would be surprised if it isn't tbh

moralman

Thanks guys, will be looking at RND / Hartech / Flat6 options to see what works best.

911-997

How many miles on your car?

moralman

62k miles on the car

vern1

Don't you think you should find out exactly what the problem is before you drop a whole new engine in? It might be scoring but you should at least scope the cylinder I would think

AWDGuy

he's got all the symptoms. I went straight to engine tear down once I got those symptoms. didn't scope it. I was 99% sure.