Blown Engine 550 Spyder AE

[RandallNeighbour]

Just heard the new boxster will get the all-new motor that won't have the same issues as our motors have now. I bet they'll have different catastrophic problems though :ah:

Mr. Raby, you will be in business for a very long time, guaranteed!

[blinkwatt]

Is the extra power the engine or other things like the 987 style intake?

[Pismo]

Does anyone have a source to find the differences between the standard S motor and 550 AE? Sometimes mistakes are made and corners are cut. I'm a "Trust but verify..." kind of person.
I don't think I can say I could tell a 258 HP motor from a 264 by the seat of my pants in normal driving and I've found Dynos come up with substantial differences in what are supposed to be identical motors. At an MBCA dyno pull, 3 stock well maintained '91 190E 2.6s had a spread of over 15 HP on what are supposed to be 158 HP motors.
Based on Jake's remarks I am now looking towards getting an extended warranty, any suggestions? The car's original warranty expires Oct. 4th.

[edevlin]

"Just heard the new boxster will get the all-new motor that won't have the same issues as our motors have now. I bet they'll have different catastrophic problems though."

Whats the word on the new Boxster engine, DFI or what?

Ed

[RandallNeighbour]

Pismo, ask your service advisor at the Pcar dealership which aftermarket warranty gives them the least hassle and pays out the most consistently. In fact, call a half dozen Pcar dealerships' service department and ask.

Some will tell you they're great to have, others say put the $2000-3000 of cash you pay for one in the bank and save it and you may never spend that much on the car for the time you own it.

ed, rumor has it the next boxsterS/caymanS motor will have DFI and no intermediate shaft. However, I think the base models still have the old motor. Not totally sure on this, but I seem to remember reading it somewhere.

[rick3000]

You got very lucky. It is too bad to hear that they still haven't fixed the IMS problems. You should try and negotiate an extended warranty at a discount because of this.

[ppbon]

The 550's engine is basically the same engine as the Boxster S for 2004.
The HP difference comes from a larger airbox/air filter (from the 987), a more efficient exhaust system and a different ECU mapping.
When the dealer replaces your engine, they won't replace the airbox, the exhaust or the ECU, so you should have your original HP.
The car may feel a little more sluggish than before, and that can be explained because you are getting a new (tighter) engine that needs to be broken-in again.
Once the engine has a few thousand miles on it it will get smoother and faster.
Don't worry about the new engine.
Be happy that it's now covered by a full 2 year warranty with no mileage limit.
Happy Boxstering,
Pedro

[MikenOH]

Has your dealer identified what caused the engine failure ?

Do a proper engine brake-in with the new motor:

1) Keep RPM's <4,200
2) For about 2,200 miles
3) Don't lug engine
4) Don't run for extended periods in the same gear
5) Change the oil and filter at about the 1,000 mile mark (not required by Porsche, just prudent advice)