Okay, so I just got word from my mechanic that the motor is done (once it warms up to operating temps it blows coolant into cylinders and has a bad sound coming from the bottom end). He doesn’t recommend rebuilding it, not a lot of positive response from that route. He recommends a new motor put in or sell as is.

A little history, it’s a ’99 6-speed with approx. 91k miles currently on it. I’ve had it a year now, putting about 7k on it since then, and have auto crossed it once. I was ready to take it in for its 90k service but got an opportunity to track it (PDX driving school), so I went to that first. On a hot day, on the second morning session it overheated bad (rather instantly) on me and I shut it off and towed it to the mechanic the next day. I’ve never had heating issues before with it (did something break?).

Now the dilemma, I think I would prefer to “off” it as is and start over, buying a new (to me) one. Is there a market for these cars with “no motor”? Would someone want it for a project track car maybe?

If I do go with a new motor, one option I found is a long block from “Motor Meister Engines” out of southern CA for $6k. Has anyone heard of or dealt with them? My other option would be from Sunset up in Oregon. If I put a new motor in it (for about $11k total), I know I’ll be “upside down” in the car, but would be willing to keep it for a while. It seems like others who’ve dropped a new motor in have had good luck with them?

Sorry if this post sounds “scatter-brained” but I kinda feel that way right now. Being on a “limited” budget and just getting into the p-car world, I’m struggling with the thought of a huge (for me) repair bill to my main car!

 

i'd get the reman motor from sunset and call it good.

 

any pics of the car?... some may be interested in turning it into a track car.

 

Here's a pic of the car. I can add more later and list more info. if anyone interested.

 

those look like AMG wheels

 

I feel bad for you, buddy......I am not sure what a 99 with no motor would go for but I am inclined to say buy the Sunset motor, install it and sell it.

As a 2nd owner of a 99 with 30k miles on it,(my dad had it as the 1st owner) I am especially alarmed by these blown motor threads. At first, and for a long time I have been in denial that there is a problem to all 99 3.4liter 996s. Then, last week, I had a oil sending unit failure out of the blue that sent my oil pressure dropping. Fortunately, it was repairable for 250.00 but lets just say I was completely unnerved about this and the thought that this car could cost me an additional 11 -15k to fix to replace a motor. Especially, while I was at the dealer, the service manager let me know very strongly to consider selling my car. Apparently like it or not, to the Porsche Dealer, 1999 996 motors are considered time bombs. This really sux as I enjoy the car, have a bunch of mod $$ in it as well as a new exhaust that just arrived today. Not to mention the money I have spent in the past 2yrs is well over 4500.00 for (maint and replacing failed parts) ....the joy of a low mileage 1999...

So I am also contemplating selling my 99 very very soon for either a 2002+ 996 TT or a 997 something.....both of which do not have the engine plagued issues that the 1999 3.4liter motor apparently has. At least I can try to maximize the selling price while the damn thing runs. Now I am thinking of whether to take off all or most aftermkt parts to sell or just liquidate it all with the car

any advice?

 

yep. if you like the car that's what i would do. that way you know what you are getting.

g/l

 

I just went through the same thing my friend and I am VERY sorry. I don't know what your financial situation is but I went ahead and spent the $12,xxx on the new motor. At the end of the day it's the right thing to do and its no fun but it's the right call.

Sunset is a good call - they should be able to get you the motor and do the labor for about $11,500

Sleep on it...it's a tough thing to swallow but I did a TON of research and it's the right decision

 

MCM97, I followed your thread and used a lot of your info. and research, thanks! As of now, Sunset quoted me $11k + $2660 core charge, $300 shipping each way, and $1250 for a new clutch and flywheel etc. I'm looking at install on top of that which my indy is still getting back to me on that cost. I don't know if cost wnt up for the reman engine or you got a smokin' deal??? The "Motor Meister Racing Engines" can rebuild it punching it out to a 3.8 (40 hp gain claim) with steel sleeves and forged pistons, new clutch and flywheel for $13k plus shipping car to So. CA. I give them my car and they do all the work in their shop. Decisions, decision .....

 

Stay away from Motor Meister! I read so many horror stories from them on pelicanparts forum. I would go with Strasse Auto in Costa Mesa as I had great experience with them and their motor will run right about $7k installed.

http://www.strasseauto.com/

 

$7k? is that for a rebuild?

 

Pricing on my 3.4L engine was $8800 or so like four weeks ago....strange

Granted...I beat the stealer up pretty badly

 

I have 8k on my strasse auto rebuild. Working great so far.

 

Thanks for all the good input and help! I'll check into Strasse today and see what they say. It's looking like there's not much interest in the car "as is" so far.

 

again, best advice is to go with reman new motor from porsche. bulletproof. 2 year porsche backed warranty. drive the snot out of it with peace of mind. all this buying from vendor strasse, motorcoach whatever the heck you call them does not buy you peace of mind and would actually hurt resale whereas a reman.... makes it all good. so you save a few thousand... you'll lose that much in resale if not more.

i would never buy a 996 with an aftermarket rebuild. i would prefer a reman engine over the original 10 times out of 10.

and don't think the Turbos don't have issues. they have tranny 2nd gear pop out issues. even in my small circle of porsche friends, a buddy with a 996TT had to spend $7K (covered by aftermarket warranty luckily) to get rid of leaks and all this other crap in his engine that was babied.

grass is greener....