All,

I'm considering adding the X51 Powerkit upgrade to my '06 C2S 6MT - not interested in going the turbo or S/C route for now. My car has ~47K mi and Porsche is recommending replacement of the crank & rod bearings with kit install. Is there anything else I should consider doing 'while I'm in there'? Maybe the L&N IMS bearing (my late '06 requires the case to be split anyway)? Anything I could reasonably do to increase the chances for avoiding the cracked cylinder head, slipping liners, broken rods that we hear stories of from time to time?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

If no one else says it, I will. That will be an INSANELY expensive "upgrade". For the $20k you are about to invest, I would much sooner sell your car and buy a turbo for the same money. You would get more performance and at least you will get your money out of the investment. The X51 kit will not add that much to the resale value of your car. I've actually never heard of anyone doing a crank up rebuild of a motor on this forum.
Realizing now from your equipment list that you really love your car. Still, this kind of mod cannot be removed and will not add real value to the car. Everything else could potentially be stripped off and added to a lower mile '08, for example. I would really consider those options. Get crazy and look at a '11 GTS, there are some bargains out there as many owners have dumped them for 991's.

 

Ryem3 is talking some sense here. Our cars are like ******. When they are new we treat them like wives. We baby them give them evertyhing they need. But when they get too expensive to maintain, which usually happens when they get older, it time to ditch them and get a younger better one. For sure we will also have more fun with the younger one.

 

Going to have to go with the team here...you are looking for power increase in a car that has relatively little ability to increase power. The C2S is a well balanced car stock. If it came with the X51 better yet, but if you have the itch for more power, the X51 may not scratch it. If you like mods and want high HP, you need to get into a turbo...

 

Suncoast actually has the full X-51 kit for $7k. When you look at the cost of similar aftermarket upgrades, I think at the current price, it's a steel (taking FI out of the equation).

 

I really like my car, and am not chasing horsepower as much as just wanting to get everything out of the stock motor that I (safely) can. Already have some of the X51 parts installed (headers, third radiator) so the cost of the remaining kit is only ~$6K + ~$500 for bearings + labor. Should have a quote today or Monday from the dealer for the job. I'm already expecting ~40 hours for the X51 but need to know how much more to do the bearings.

As far as alternatives, I'm not too excited at the thought of stepping up to a turbo (too expensive & too tamed for me). A lower mile '08 Carrera S just doesn't seem worth it for whats pretty much the same car I already have. Thought about an '07 GT3 but no back seats (I have kids) and looks a little extreme to me for my need for a daily driver.

Still wondering if there is anything else that could be done while I'm in there to head off some of the potential trouble spots with these engines - would love to get 200K+ miles out of this car. I really like it that much!

 

Let us know what the labor charge is when you get the quote. Thanks.

 

That's X51 parts only. They estimate labor at 50 hours.