Serious Engine Damage...

[thstone]

So, it looks like it was more than just an AOS that failed last weekend while racing at AutoClub Speedway. Eric and the Hergesheimer team checked the oil filter and below are some pic's of what they found.

In all fairness, the engine has 136,000 miles, 89 track days, and more than 10,000 runs up to redline (and a few slightly higher than redline!). Its is a testament to Porsche that a stock engine can take this kind of use at all.

Oh yeah, original IMS bearing.

Disassembly will start tomorrow to find the cause of the failure. After that, probably a full rebuild. Hergesheimer Motorsports says that they can get it done in time to race at Laguna Seca at the end of the month.

[jaykay]

My condolences....sometimes these things are for the best though...... For a nice new engine!

[BruceH]

Ew! That is a lot of abuse though. Good luck on the rebuild, anything extra in mind?

[Porsche9]

Bummer but sounds like you got a lot of use out of the engine. Maybe a good time for some upgrades? Keep us up to date on what you end doing.

[Tucker2]

That is a LOT of metal....wow. Please post your new engine progress.

[seningen]

Ouch, hope that's rebuildable.

What was the failed mode/symptom

Since I track my Boxster S
I too am curious what happened

Mike

[Dlirium]

Originally Posted by Tucker2

That is a LOT of metal....wow. Please post your new engine progress.

Yes - please do. I have 116k miles, original IMS, and was at LS last weekend racing! I feel like I'm not far behind you...

[Chuck W.]

Originally Posted by thstone

the engine has 136,000 miles, 89 track days, and more than 10,000 runs up to redline (and a few slightly higher than redline!). Its is a testament to Porsche that a stock engine can take this kind of use at all.

It is great to see the engine held up so long with that kind of use. If MY Boxster can come close to that kind of durability the engine will out last me!

[thstone]

Tear down will commence today. Should know the failure mode by Friday. Will post up some pic's as soon as I get them.

[seningen]

Originally Posted by thstone

Tear down will commence today. Should know the failure mode by Friday. Will post up some pic's as soon as I get them.

Thank you for sharing.

Mike

[Perfectlap]

tough break but it looks like you got your money's worth. Are you planning some while you're in there upgrades?

As far as the mileage and track use, I'll be the dissenting voice and say that Miata engines run this kind of mileage and track time without such consequences and certainly not at such cost.
Not to put down Porsche, just to point out that when it comes to stock engines doing non-stock duty, zee Germans (save for the GT3 stuff) are a long way from the Japanese on durability.

[recycledsixtie]

I am sorry to see your engine break up. Be interesting to see the cause and if you do the engine up to the same specs.
G.

[Ian c]

Excuse me for answering on your behalf tom .

This is a spec boxster car , so engine must be early 2.5 and all engine internals must remain stock .
(Apart from sump system and ims bearing)
Batch matching/balancing is the only thing allowed afaik ...

[BYprodriver]

Tom, have you considered obtaining BigJake's "CPO" engine?

[Jamesp]

Replacing the engine instead of rebuilding will likely save you thousands. If I we re rebuilding I'd start at the crank and work my way out. Rings are $1200 so the originals may be fine, but completely clean the pistons so the grooves are clean, rings too.

[Jake Raby]

Rings are $1200 so the originals may be fine, but completely clean the pistons so the grooves are clean, rings too.

And don't fare well when installed in cylinders that are .005" out of round...

The rules of this class are ridiculous, the only thing thats legal is building a patched together engine from worn out parts.

[Ian c]

The only rule is stock .
How you go about it is your own concern .

It's probably one of the fairest rules in Motorsport .
It means the driver wins , not necessarily the drivers wallet ....

I alluded to the 964 carrera rs engines in my post about batch matching .
It's about all you can do .
It makes for the start of a perfect level playing field

You could probably make one hell of a "stock" engine with all your spare parts jake ....

I know there's no money in it , but it would be good for rep points



.

[thstone]

There are always "risks" when racing purely stock engines and a lot of racers move out of Spec Boxster and into other classes where the rules allow engine mods that improve reliability under racing stress for this reason.

Unfortunately, as several others have said, the rules are fairly strict in Spec Boxster racing so while I'd love to install a 3.6, I'm going to have to stay with a stock 2.5 which will be built from the ground up by Hergesheimer. I am confident that Eric, Mark, Cory, Evan, Tyson, Ted and the rest of the HRG team will build me the best engine possible within the rules.

[jb92563]

Ugh...sickening sight to see that kind of metal in there.

Sorry to hear youre engine let something go.

Time to comb the dismantlers for a suitible spare to rebuild.

[com3dorm3]

Sorry to hear about the engine going kaput. Looking forward to the diagnosis and the new build news.