Hello everyone, I bought my first Porsche a few weeks ago for $9,000.00. It's a '99 996 C2 with 90k miles, but unfortunately the camshaft variable timing actuator is going bad which causes an engine light to come on some of the time; the car has a rough idle and gets only 12 mpg but otherwise drives like a dream. I will need to take the engine out, but I was thinking it would be a good time to do engine upgrades.

What would you do? I've been hearing a lot about the the 3.8L nikasil cylinder and piston upgrades. Would you increase the displacement? Go with nikasil or steel cylinders? 4.0L? 4.1L? I've heard the 3.8L has more useable HP at a lower RPM. Would you change the camshafts? It already has headers and a cold air intake. What sort of ecu changes would you recommend? I've heard that it is essential to replace the rear main seal. What other reliability upgrades should I make sure happen while the engine is on the floor? I'm guessing that turbo or supercharger additions will be too expensive.

If you had a '99 996 engine, where would you take it? My budget is between $6-10k. Thanks!!

 

The weakest part of your engine is the cylinders, replace with LNengineering 99mm sleeves to increase strength & longevity & give you 3.6L.

 

Thanks! You wouldn't go for an even larger bore?

 

the sleeves are around $4k. With 10k you can, if you are lucky, rebuild the engine. I paid 8.5k out the door including taxes and did not do the sleeves. but you'll be pushing the 10 most likely.

You can purchase the sleeves from ln engineering and have somebody local rebuild it. And yes, you can bore it to 3.6.

 

Talk to Jake Raby at Flat Six Innovations, I believe he works hand in hand with LN with the sleeves and he knows more about the M96 engines than anyone on this planet.

 

No, thats the biggest you can go safely, unless you start with a 3.6 case.

 

Aren't there also some changes in the computer and electronics by going to a 3.6 from a 3.4?

 

I think if you use your same engine you will still use your same electronics even with a displacement increase. I think there is something on LNEngineering's website that says the engine management will adapt to such a displacement increase.

 

wow 9K for that C2 , thats a great deal

 

+1 for Flat 6 Innovations

 

If your at a 3.4 you can get a lower 3.6 but they'll maintain your 3.4 upper so that the computers and electronic can talk without issues. It won't be as strong as a 3.6 but stronger then a 3.4. As for the 3.8 it's a whole new ball game. Boring it out will cost $4k but it will require some more work. I have a quote from Vision motorsport for about $18k for all that work.... But it will be pushing 450 na