1999 boxster engine blown , need help

[sturgedm]

My engine blew at only 37K in my 1999 boxster. After doing some research it seems this is fairly common event. Any ideas on how to proceed with Porsche N.A. to get relief since my warrenty is out? Certainly a Porsche engine shoud be able to go more than 37K!

[Britwrench]

Get all the documentation for the service work, including the invoices and a report from the shop where the car is now and then contact Porsche NA Customer Relations...
Make sure you note and document everything that is said and any phone conversations.
And good luck.

[kach22i]

A poster named "Doug & Juile" had a similar thing happen. I think he purchased a new out of the box crate engine from Porsche for $7,000. It had a two year warranty, but sold it as it was a bitter memory.

[Doug&Julie]

Yeah...been there, done that...

Oh shi...

[s2per]

Might be time to look for that '99 996 3.4 to transplant.

[85percent]

happened to mine too. I was suppose to have a 3.4L swapped in, but instead I went with a 3.2s w/ reprogrammed ECU. Runs really nice now, eh hem $12k later...

chances are, porsche won't help you unless you're a hardcore porsche owners club member and have owned porsches in the past. they kind of consider it a case-by-case basis.

[tommy55]

The engine on my 99 Boxter w/ 50k+ miles also blew. The Porsche dealer and Porsche Cars NA offered no financial compensation. I am also looking for advice on how to proceed.

[kach22i]

Originally posted by tommy55
The engine on my 99 Boxter w/ 50k+ miles also blew. The Porsche dealer and Porsche Cars NA offered no financial compensation. I am also looking for advice on how to proceed.

I thought you were in the clear after about 35,000 miles.

http://www.986faq.com/10-0/default.asp

10.3 1999 Model Year Boxster

The 1999 model year Boxster began shipping as of the 5/1/98. The only difference between these cars and the ones shipping on 4/30/98 is that the 1999 model year cars have a four year, 50,000 mile warranty. They also replace the zippered compartment where the top folds down with a plastic compartment with sliding doors. There are also some options that are available again, including Zenith Blue, Ocean Jade, and the non-smoker package. Also, the special colors, such as Forest Green are available again, although color to sample is not.

A certain number of cars produced during the first week of May had their vehicle identification numbers still showing that they are 1998 model year cars. You can tell by looking at the plate on the driver's side door jamb. It looks like this: (click to enlarge). If the build month (shown in the picture as 6/97) is 5/98, and the 10th character of the VIN is a "W", then you are in this category. PCNA has delayed most of these cars at Charleston and notified dealers. The dealer then contacts you and offers you $3,000 to accept the 1998 (with the two year, unlimited miles warranty). If you choose not to take the 1998, the $3,000 can be applied toward a 1999 model, but you go to the end of the waiting list for the car and have to start over from scratch.

Conversion Thread:
3.4-3.6 conversions

[BoxsterGT]

It is pretty common to see the 98.5 through 99.5 Boxsters & early 99 Carreras have their engines fail. A total mfg responsibility for Porsche, but.............

With complete documentation, the very best Porsche will do with these papers being waved in their face is to offer a replacement engine at a reduced ($7,000) cost.

A used 996 3.4 motor can be bought for $4-5000, and it is not difficult to turn around the intake & swap the fuel lines over from the Boxster.

So for that same $7k you could be driving a 300hp Boxster 3.4.

The 00 - 01 3.4 engines are a good choice, as well as the smaller 00 & up Boxster engines.

The 02 3.6 996C engine would be another option, but is too costly to install in a Boxster because of Vario-Cam Plus (BTDT). Its cheaper to fit a TTP twin turbo.

We are looking forward to the next engine upgrade challenge, fitting a 3.6 or 3.8 S into the Cayman. The German tuners have done it, so we can too.

Cheers,

Len



Note: Thanks Todd for pointing out the info on the intake plenum. I corrected my error above.

Len

[Doug&Julie]

Originally posted by BoxsterGT
So for that same $7k you could be driving a 300hp Boxster 3.4.

When I looked into doing mine, even with a used motor ($6500) it would have run me about $14k total including install. That's why I decided to go back to the stock 2.5 (factory remanufactured).

Although I did find out (too late) that a remanufactured Boxster S motor would have fit (with the 2.5 intake) for just a little bit more...which would have given me a motor with a warranty and 250 hp.

[tholyoak]

You don't want to swap the intake onto the 996 engine from a standard single plenum boxster, you are going to loose a lot of hp. Maybe using the boxster S one would work ok but the stock 996 motor fits just fine. The big cost on top of the motor when doing a 3.4 or 3.6 swap is 1) the DME reprogramming ~$1500 and the exhaust ~$2500-$4500 depending on what you decide to do.
The swap was 'realtively' cheap for me since I had a good engine with a TPC supercharger setup that I was able to sell to recover a lot of the cost.
Also I was able to do it myself so labour wasn't an issue.

Todd

[BoxsterGT]

How about a 300 mi 3.4 Cayman S motor with 295hp for your Boxster?

I have a motor available now for anyone who needs one.

Owner will likely take $7500 for it once his 997S 3.8 motor is installed.

For questions email me at len@autosportengineering.com

Cheers,

Len

[Porsche_Daddy]

Originally posted by tholyoak
1) the DME reprogramming ~$1500 and the exhaust ~$2500-$4500 depending on what you decide to do.
[/B]

Would the boxster manifolds not bolt up to a 3.4 or 3.6L block?

[tholyoak]

They bolt up but they are too small,(ID too small and primaries are too short) how do you think on the 3.2L porsche only got 78 HP/L while the 3.4L stock gets 88 HP/L. With a good exhaust and DME reprogramming you can get 95HP/L out of a 3.4.

I ran the stock boxstter exhaust on my 3.4 while I waited for my headers/cats and muffler to arrive. Trust me you will loose a significant amount of power in a 3.4 if you run the stock exhaust

Todd

[red9]

Do not mean to hijack thread-- has anybody got a Boxster engine that they want to sell-- cheap?

[Fast951]

One of the best upgrades I have seen is the 3.8L 997S in the Boxster. I spent the afternoon driving one, yes a conversion in the USA. I did the tuning on the car.. All I can say is wow. Now I want a turbo 3.8L to sit in my garage. Anyone selling a Boxster with a blown or a high mileage engine?

[red9]

I have a new(never installed in a car)996 Turbo engine that is for sale. If someone wants to trade a Boxster engine( any model) plus some cash I would be interested. Will look at trading any Porsche engine for that matter. ( Please note-- not a swap-- I would want cash adjustment in my favour or interesting engine of equal value)

[autowiz.net]

Interested in the engine swap, I am also in Atlanta, have a boxter and want to upgrade, what is the easiest/cheapest path?

[stew]

there is a motor for sale over on boxsterspec.com for 3500. 00 complete,sounds like a 99 motor. good luck

[YKS 971]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Porsche-Boxster-986-2-5-Liter-Engine-1999_W0QQitemZ180296704412QQihZ008QQcategoryZ33615 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Just found this.