Got a 986S; now getting a Vertex engine

[thstone]

Originally Posted by AdamT

A little update. The shop here had a delay getting started on the car, so they didn't get the new engine in until late June. Unfortunately, it made a loud noise. My shop here was great, already having contacted Vertex and made arrangements by the time I knew about the issue.

Vertex was quick to get the ball rolling on making it right -- they had the car picked up in SC and hauled to FL, so they could diagnose and repair or replace the engine. They picked the car up last Thursday and returned it today. My shop advises that it's up and running, but they are finishing some of the peripheral stuff and final reassembly. They want to spend some time driving the car tomorrow to make sure everything's dialed in and nothing's dripping, but I should have the car back by Friday.

In a perfect world, the first engine would have worked and I'd be a couple of weeks into enjoying the repaired car. That said, both my shop here and Vertex were great at moving quickly to get the unexpected issue taken care of (on Vertex's dime, for two-way transportation and correction of the engine issue). While it's a shame the first time was a no-go, I'm satisfied with them backing up their product.

Eager to get the car back (if all is well and it's done by Friday, I'll get to take it on a nice 150 mile road trip to see some family this weekend). Fingers crossed, and I'll report some impressions when I have the key again.

BTW, they went ahead and replaced all the coolant lines (original and soft, likely from the intermix); the clutch; the CV axles (the boots were torn); and all the original ignition coils. I hope this means I'm set for a while, except for going through the suspension at some point.

Good to hear that you'll be back on the road soon!

[Oliver356986]

Originally Posted by AdamT

Sure, Phil. It's Complete Car Care on Gervais Street, just a few blocks from the Capitol here. Note that there is, just a block or two away on the same street, "Firestone Complete Car Care." Not the same place at all.

CCC is an interesting one. On first glance, it looks like a regular tire-and-lube place, and the bulk of the cars you see on their lifts are American, Japanese everyday kind of cars. If you pass there every day (as I have for years), though, you notice that they are rarely without at least one or tow Porsches hanging around. For that reason (and the fact that they are three blocks from the office I had at the time), I started taking my string of 90s and early 00s Mercedes to them several years ago. They were always excellent, knowledgeable and reasonably priced.

When I got the Boxster, that was why I approached them (even though my office is now a very hot 6-block walk back from there). Some of the mechanics there have raced Boxsters, and they're knowledgeable, enthusiastic and practical.

I can't quote for you their rate; I took a very boring 3-year break with a late-model Lexus and haven't had occasion to visit them during that time. I'll be getting a nice big bill from them in the next day or two, though, and I'm glad to shed some light at that point. I do know that I've always found their tabs to be cheaper than the independent Mercedes-centric shop I had used before finding them.

This was more of an answer than you were looking for, but if you look them up on street view, you may think I'm crazy (if that was taken on a day that everything on the lift was a Chrysler minivan, Civic or Camry).

This will be by far the biggest job they've ever done for me, but I have never had a bad experience (including this one, at least so far).

Do note that they are very busy most of the time, and I have rarely been able to get a car in and out of there in a day (even for minor things, like motor mounts). It's never been a problem since I'm nearby, but you might want to call ahead and make sure they have arrangements in place if you don't want to spend a night in Columbia.

Hello Adam,

I was wondering if you have any more insight on this vertex engine? I am in a similar situation...I have a 97 Boxster and was about to have IMS bearing replaced and found metal in the sump...My options are pretty slim and I cannot fathom spending 20K on one of the RND engines on a car that's only worth 10-15K. The vertex engine looks like a good option but wondering if you have had any further issues as it has now been a few years since your last post. Thank you !

[BYprodriver]

Originally Posted by Oliver356986

Hello Adam,

I was wondering if you have any more insight on this vertex engine? I am in a similar situation...I have a 97 Boxster and was about to have IMS bearing replaced and found metal in the sump...My options are pretty slim and I cannot fathom spending 20K on one of the RND engines on a car that's only worth 10-15K. The vertex engine looks like a good option but wondering if you have had any further issues as it has now been a few years since your last post. Thank you !

I don't think he is still around since this thread post is over 3 years old. You should search the internet for comments on Vertex engines, I wouldn't by one! Do it nice or do it twice!

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by Oliver356986

The vertex engine looks like a good option.....

It isn't; it is little better than a much cheaper junk yard engine.

[Stl-986]

For what they charge for their rebuilt engines you could replace a 2.7 3 times and still be less then what they charge .

[husker boxster]

Be sure to check what material is used for the cyl liners. If it's not alum, your engine will run hotter, which is not a good thing.

[BYprodriver]

Originally Posted by Stl-986

For what they charge for their rebuilt engines you could replace a 2.7 3 times and still be less then what they charge .

I prefer driving my car over removing & reinstalling engines.

[mikefocke]

Lots of wrecks have perfectly usable engines in them a list here. It is old but good shops tend to stay in business. https://sites.google.com/site/mikefocke2/listsofsources

[sfkjeld]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

It isn't; it is little better than a much cheaper junk yard engine.

I wish I’d read your comment a few years ago. At least I’d ask what you know about the Vertex motors.

I bought one on Craigslist cheap. Never installed. Cost quite a bit to install ($5k). The car ran great for a year. Then threw a CEL. A cam shaft is 6 degrees off due to the variocam advance. Car still runs great, but it’s now is a rolling parts car. Will drive it until the slightest thing goes wrong. Then it will be scrapped.

I wouldn’t buy another Vertex motor.

[AdamT]

Sorry, I kind of disappeared for a few years. I see someone chimed in earlier this year looking for an update, and I'm sure this won't be useful for that guy.

Actually, it may not be that useful for anyone. I got the car back and, as I would usually expect with a job like this, had to return once or twice for tying up some loose ends.

Within a couple months after getting the car back from the engine swap, it got stuck in 3rd gear, and the shop tried several repairs and determined that it was an issue internal to the transmission and recommended replacement. I took it to another well-liked local shop for a second opinion, and they resolved the issue with a new shifter cable.

Then I got leukemia, and the Boxster sat in my garage for most of 2018. After getting back to somewhat normal in 2019, it had a few needs. The battery died; the ignition switch went bad. Nothing major, but the recovery from treatments was pretty brutal, and I was not up for spending much time working on it. It got driven maybe 300 miles between 2018 and 2020.

Last year, I was pretty much back to being a whole human being and figured COVID was a great time to tinker. The first time I tried, one of the top transmissions gave up, jammed the top and bent the clamshell a bit. At that point, I unhooked everything to get the top shut, locked the car and walked off. It sat until last weekend, when I put a new battery in it, and it started right up.

I am kind of amazed that the car runs fine and everything works as it should. I washed it off, so I can get it to the shop to take care of the top and a clatter from the rear end over bumps (bushings or motor/transmission mounts, I'm guessing). I was browsing back through recent threads on here and came across the recent reply to this one, so I'm giving it an update.

So to bring this current, my Vertex engine has lasted just fine for four years .... and about 2000 miles. I see some folks had bad things to say about Vertex on this thread, and of course I cannot tell you anything about the longevity of their work. I found their customer service to be excellent, and their pricing was very good -- in addition to the fact that they at least then had the remans on the shelf for immediate shipping.

Just driving the car a couple miles this weekend reminded me how much I love it, and I'm excited about getting it straight for Fall driving (I'm in SC, where it's too dang hot to drive a convertible in the summer). I hope I'll be able to give some (hopefully good) updates about racking up mileage on the no-longer-new engine.

Adam

[AdamT]

Double post removed.

[dghii]

Appreciate the follow up and hope you get a chance to finally enjoy the car as things start to cool down. Best of luck on your continued recovery!

[ike84]

Originally Posted by AdamT

Sorry, I kind of disappeared for a few years. I see someone chimed in earlier this year looking for an update, and I'm sure this won't be useful for that guy.



Actually, it may not be that useful for anyone. I got the car back and, as I would usually expect with a job like this, had to return once or twice for tying up some loose ends.



Within a couple months after getting the car back from the engine swap, it got stuck in 3rd gear, and the shop tried several repairs and determined that it was an issue internal to the transmission and recommended replacement. I took it to another well-liked local shop for a second opinion, and they resolved the issue with a new shifter cable.



Then I got leukemia, and the Boxster sat in my garage for most of 2018. After getting back to somewhat normal in 2019, it had a few needs. The battery died; the ignition switch went bad. Nothing major, but the recovery from treatments was pretty brutal, and I was not up for spending much time working on it. It got driven maybe 300 miles between 2018 and 2020.



Last year, I was pretty much back to being a whole human being and figured COVID was a great time to tinker. The first time I tried, one of the top transmissions gave up, jammed the top and bent the clamshell a bit. At that point, I unhooked everything to get the top shut, locked the car and walked off. It sat until last weekend, when I put a new battery in it, and it started right up.



I am kind of amazed that the car runs fine and everything works as it should. I washed it off, so I can get it to the shop to take care of the top and a clatter from the rear end over bumps (bushings or motor/transmission mounts, I'm guessing). I was browsing back through recent threads on here and came across the recent reply to this one, so I'm giving it an update.



So to bring this current, my Vertex engine has lasted just fine for four years .... and about 2000 miles. I see some folks had bad things to say about Vertex on this thread, and of course I cannot tell you anything about the longevity of their work. I found their customer service to be excellent, and their pricing was very good -- in addition to the fact that they at least then had the remans on the shelf for immediate shipping.



Just driving the car a couple miles this weekend reminded me how much I love it, and I'm excited about getting it straight for Fall driving (I'm in SC, where it's too dang hot to drive a convertible in the summer). I hope I'll be able to give some (hopefully good) updates about racking up mileage on the no-longer-new engine.



Adam

Sounds life you're living proof that one of beauties of life lies in one's ability to take an ass kicking and then smile while getting back up...good for you man, keep on smiling!

Sent from my SM-G970U1 using Tapatalk

[BruceH]

Originally Posted by dghii

Appreciate the follow up and hope you get a chance to finally enjoy the car as things start to cool down. Best of luck on your continued recovery!

Same here, thanks for the update! I hope you have wonderful fall weather for top down driving

[Radman]

Hope you get to enjoy the car. You've earned it!