Anyone have a Raby rebuild yet?

[Jake Raby]

My specialty is the M96 engine, the GT3 isn't of much interest to me.

When we build engines the customer just needs to supply a car and a core engine, it is our job to design the package and sort the parts.

[Lobo1186]

thanks for clarifying. I was under the impression that the gt3 motor was m96 based. my mistake.

so what M96 motor is best for you to work your magic on? is there any that has more potential than others?

[Jake Raby]

Our procedures make all M96 engines equal.. Pretty much we can start with anything and end up with a standardized, upgraded unit.

[smshirk]

Revised the post

[smshirk]

I have one of Jake's rebuilt engines. I have put about 2000 miles on it so far and not only am I not complaining, I have been raving about it to everyone I know. I opted to keep the stock exhaust, only because I don't like the drone of the after market systems. I have the lightweight flywheel which contributes greatly to the throttle response and torque perceived in street driving. I chose every other available performance option at the time.

I did not have a blown engine at the time I decided to go for the 3.6 upgrade. This 2001 986S is the third M96 car I've had, and while I never had an engine failure, it was always in the back of my mind. My first Boxster was a 97 and I loved the way it drove and handled but just didn't have the uumpf I was used to. I decided to get one of Jake's engines the first time I read about the work being done in conjunction with L&N. Going for the full blown performance upgrade can be an expensive proposition for a car that is depreciating in value, but I can't think of a better car to spend the money on than a Boxster. The chassis and brakes are up to the task of the additional power already, and while I have not heard Jake say so, I would imagine the upgraded internals would make it feasible to go to the next level of performance with a single turbo.

I don't have any specific performance numbers right now, but I can attest that the car is much quicker and easier to drive fast than my E46 M3 or the 996 I sold while Jake was building my motor. In fact, I believe it is faster than the 930 I had back in the 90s but that was a long time ago and my memory isn't as good as it once was. I know for sure it is easier to drive hard. On the highway it is phenomenal. I can cruise at 70 in 6th gear and pass easily and quickly without a downshift. It is of course a lot more fun to drive in 4th gear at 70 and blow past traffic but in 6th I can get close to 30 MPG. As I said previously I kept the stock exhaust at least for now, but the sound of the intake is so intoxicating, along with the additional displacement, that I have a very hard time keeping my foot out of the accelerator just driving around town. Driven hard the sound reminds me of cars worth 10 times the money.

Reading here that Jake is concentrating on helping DIYers get going with these upgrades is great news. There are thousands of these cars out there that can be bought for not very much money. If you can build an engine yourself and get it back in the car you could have one very nice and highly reliable machine for the cost of a Camry or less. If I could get away with it and stay married I would pick up a 996 and do the same thing, but I need to sell a few cars and a motorcycle before I can even think about it.
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[StevenC]

My 2001 S goes in for the 3.6 upgrade in late December and I'm really excited about it. I also will get most of the optional stuff. Can you let me know what additions you had done to it? Does it include deep sump? What torque and hp are you pumping out now?

[BYprodriver]

I have the next best thing to a Raby rebuild, a Jake Raby trained rebuild. I have 200 miles on my 3.2 - 3.6 rebuilt engine. After attending Jakes 1st M96 engine rebuild class in Feburary 2010 I rebuilt 2000 Boxster S engine with LN Engineering sleeves, JE pistons & rings, R&R rods, new timing chains, wear pads, tensioners,billet tensioner paddle, oil scavenge pumps, spin-on oil filter & magnetic drain plug. Balanced all recepricating parts. Since my CA registration expired while the engine was out & required passing a smog check to renew & drive on public roads I got it tested with 30 break-in miles & it passed easily with about half the emissions it had 2 yr. ago @ 78,600 miles. With only 200 miles on the engine & a strict 4000 rpm redline, it is much smoother & has enough added low rpm torque to make righthand turns in 3rd gear instead of 2nd. IMHO as a former PCNA test driver this modification/upgrade makes the Boxster a far superior driving experience over a standard 996.

[RandallNeighbour]

BYProdriver, thanks for posting the info above. I'd love to learn how to tear down and rebuild a Porsche motor with LN parts and learn from Jake one day. That would be a blast.

[mts]

BYprodriver - Congrats on completing your build!! I am jealous!!

[BYprodriver]

Originally Posted by mts

BYprodriver - Congrats on completing your build!! I am jealous!!

Thanks Guys, once I get this first engine broken-in I am anxious to start on the next & shop for a Boxster S in need of revitalization. I must say to build 1 engine after $10,000 for parts & special tools, transportation to Georgia & 4 months of your life, just shipping your Porsche to Raby drive is more cost effective.

[StevenC]

I also commend you on your efforts. I do not at present have the time or the space to accomplish what you did. My 01S ships to his facility in December for rebuild. Hope to keep in touch with you to get any add'l feelings regarding the performance of your car. Again, congrats!

[Jake Raby]

Originally Posted by BYprodriver

Thanks Guys, once I get this first engine broken-in I am anxious to start on the next & shop for a Boxster S in need of revitalization. I must say to build 1 engine after $10,000 for parts & special tools, transportation to Georgia & 4 months of your life, just shipping your Porsche to Raby drive is more cost effective.

And people wonder why my engines aren't cheap... That sentence from BYprodriver is classic.

smshirk is coming to pick up his Boxster with a Raby 3.6 installed later this evening after it's 2,500 mile service and oil analysis.. His car is one of my best builds to date, perfect HP and TQ balance, all within a very broad and usable power range. No drones, no negatives just well balanced performance.

StevenC just initiated the purchase process of a big bore Raby 3.6 for his Boxster.. We look forward to completing his project in the early spring of 2011.

[Dragonwind]

Very nice! I wish I had the $ for one, but until then I'll keep running my 2.5 that has 101k on it now. She still runs strong at least!

Chris

[Kroggers]

I have a quick question to Jake. I had a look on your web site, and found this interesting option - your 4.0 Performance engine. I found it hard to understand, but is the price you list for a replacement engine, or the price to rebuild and upgrade my current engine?

[hasanulbanna]

hi, gusy thanks for all. in the very ideal posting.

[healthservices]

Wrong thread...

[Reebuck1]

Anyone know when Jake will publish his rebuild book it was supposed to be out by now. Thanks[/I]

[fasted911]

question 1. for Jake what would cause a secondary pump (from heads) to seize or freeze to the point that you cant turn it ;once is out of the head.causing one of the heads to crack on a 2000 Boxster S.

[Jake Raby]

Originally Posted by fasted911

question 1. for Jake what would cause a secondary pump (from heads) to seize or freeze to the point that you cant turn it ;once is out of the head.causing one of the heads to crack on a 2000 Boxster S.

That didn't cause the heads on a 2000 Boxster S to crack.. They crack for no reason.

2000 Boxsters are notorious for this issue, I have 3 here now all the same condition.

[fasted911]

to be specific. secondary pump froze. broke metal tab that fits into timing chain gear.than I bought this car like that. what do you think; change secondary pumps every 30k miles or so.