Engine Replacement Advice

[heliguy]

Originally Posted by Cbonilla

I have a 2003 Boxster S that suffered a catastrophic engine failure at 105k miles. Lots of metal in the oil pan and filter. All signs are of an IMS bearing failure

My shop is willing to work with me on installing a used engine (if we can find one at a price that makes it all worthwhile).

But my shop (a well respected lcoal shop that does a lot of race prep in addition to service) feels that staying with an engine from a 2003 S will make that swap more straight forward. They also think that it should be an engine from a tiptronic.

Can you offer any insight on this? I know that I should go with an e-gas engine, so to me that says 2003 and later, but that about exhausts my knowledge

What differences are there between 2003 and 2004 or later engines? What difference does the tranny it wa mated with make? Are these significant and would they make the job harder?

To keep costs down I would even consider a 2.7, as they may be more common and cheaper.
Would any thing other than an egine from a 2003 S Tiptronic require changing the car's electronics -- I know these are expensive parts so if we can use the ones now in the car it would probably help
Anything else I should be thinking of?

Just trying to figure out my options and costs. Rest assured that if we go this route it will get an upgraded IMS bearing before it gets installed.

Any idea on what I should expect to pay for compatible engines?


Thank you,

Carlos (who is not a very happy Porsche customer - this failure has left a sour taste in my mouth)

What part of Maryland are you in? Also read my experience on engine replacement, "$10,916.83 later".

[Cbonilla]

Originally Posted by heliguy

What part of Maryland are you in? Also read my experience on engine replacement, "$10,916.83 later".

I'm just outside of DC. Car is at Auto Sport Systems Group in Fairfax. Can you point me to your post where you detail the cost of your odyssey? Search didn't find it

[Cbonilla]

Thank you all, this is not an easy decision. If I can keep the cost below $7-8k I will probably go ahead and do it

CB

[achillies]

There is an 04 "S" engne for sale on Rennlist now. $4500

[fanguy]

I just put in google "Boxster engines for sale" and found many from 2300 to 11k. There there just do research and figure out which option works for you. Maybe rebuilt, swap. or could be walk away.

[Cbonilla]

Originally Posted by achillies

There is an 04 "S" engne for sale on Rennlist now. $4500

Thx, I'll take a look

[Cbonilla]

Originally Posted by achillies

There is an 04 "S" engne for sale on Rennlist now. $4500

This seller is raising some red flags for me.

Alhough he is listing it on Rennlist, and describes himself as "Porsche aircooled lover for over 43 years as factory trained me", he has only been a rennlist member since January 2016. He is not a membre of RennTech or 986forum under that name. He is selling on pelican, but only joined on 10/9/16. Looks like he has only participated to sell stuff and not on the forum itself

He responded to an email with:

"Engine was removed for a 996 install that was supercharged!

Engine has 46,000 miles on it out of 2004 car and I did IMS upgrade while out on engine stand.

It was run within year and is secured inside and turn it over on a regular basis as plugs were removed and lubricant installed to preserve it and is stick and condition is great."

His ad has pics of the engine showing it on a stand, with detail of the IMS bearing. Problem is that the pics doesn't match up with the LN pics of a genuine bearing (although he never claims it was an LN replacement, I believe that is the most common). Compare

Is it Genuine? – IMS Retrofit
Boxter S Engine 2004 46,000 miles $4,600 all offers considered! - Rennlist Discussion Forums

Although he does have an attractive web site, he doesn't have a street address and doesn't exist on Yelp

All in all, too many red flags. Or am I being too unreasonable?

Update: He listed the same engine on Pelican with a different picture. Another reader posted that picture as coming from an Ebay ad!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-boxster-cayman-996-997-parts-sale-wanted/931719-boxter-s-engine-sale.html

From a post on Pelican selling a 930 trans:

I was trying to buy this transmission about 6 months ago on rennist. while we were working on a deal, I noticed his post was removed form the forum, when I asked him he said he removed it..... I contacted the moderator and was informed it was removed and flagged for being a scam. I informed him I changed my mind and what I had learned. Larry followed up with a rude email... so yes, all signs did point to being ripped off.


As of now I'm thinking "If it looks like a duck..." and I'm steering clear

Carlos

[Mad Max]

Originally Posted by achillies

There is an 04 "S" engne for sale on Rennlist now. $4500

I agree with the red flags and that it was a boosted engine. Need more info about donor car to be sure.

[Smallblock454]

Hello Carlos,

my personal opinion is that you have always check a used engine before you put it into your car. So if you want a good engine you have to check and replace some things before you put it in the car. And that will always cost some money. And all this LN blah blah… but OK, i have my own opinion when it comes to these things.

But OK, what i don't like if someone has cut wiring and hoses. That means the person who removed the engine was in a hurry to do it. And from my personal experiences that is not a good sign.

Regards, Markus

[Cbonilla]

Originally Posted by Smallblock454

Hello Carlos,

my personal opinion is that you have always check a used engine before you put it into your car. So if you want a good engine you have to check and replace some things before you put it in the car. And that will always cost some money. And all this LN blah blah… but OK, i have my own opinion when it comes to these things.

But OK, what i don't like if someone has cut wiring and hoses. That means the person who removed the engine was in a hurry to do it. And from my personal experiences that is not a good sign.

Regards, Markus

I agree, tempered by the (slight) reassurance of going with a known dismantler with a warranty (such as it is). But it gives enough time to make sure it runs and do a compression test, etc. Sometimes the distance makes it impossible -- I might consider an engine from a private party if it was close enough and could be started. Oherwise there seems to be no alternaitve than to pay for reputation