[occb2]

I'll tell you. I went through all the same problems. I ended up searching and searching. You can do two things. One. Buy a 996 turbo, gt2 or gt3. All of them have no IMS problems because they don't have one.

All 996 and 997 have the same problem with the IMS. Early 996 have cracking head issues.

People say the a 2002 and up 996 have less issues with the IMS and RMS. Not true. My best friend owns a porsche repair shop and I can tell you that its just not true.

Other thing is that the IMS and RMS issue are over rated. Not all of the 996 have the problem.

I ended up getting almost the car you are describing. A 2002 996 C4 Cab. It had a bit more miles on it than I wanted. Around 94,000 on the car. The thing was that the IMS had been done and the engine was upgraded by LNM with new piston and cylinders to a 3.8 under 15,000 miles with new clutch and light weight fly wheel.

I could have got a 2001 for 23ish. The 2002 with all the upgrades came out to around 28 but let me tell you, that it is the best porsche I have ever owned. Faster than my 930. Also its the best of both worlds. It came with a factory hard top. Let me tell you I thought I would hate it, thinking that there was going to be tons of wind noise. Not at all. Very nice. I've only driven the car for about 3000 to 4000 miles and it does have a few things that I don't like, the flywheel rattles at a light with the clutch out. I was told it was what I have to deal with due to the light weight flywheel and that they all do that. The convertible top micro switch works when it wants. To solve that when the top is coming up I have to put a pencil in the switch and all problems solved.

All in all that is it. You will enjoy a 996. Don't stress yourself over the IMS and RMS. Get a PPI from a good shop and you will save yourself $ in the long run.

My next thing is a 996 turbo. I've been searching for them and they are very reasonably priced. They are going from high 30's to $50,000. Wife won't let me have two of them so we will see. Good luck and again I have seen 996 and 997 that have high miles with the orig. IMS and RMS. I have seen 996 and 997 with 30,000 miles with blown IMS.

Also in answer to your question. Like I said my friend owns an independent porsche shop. He replaced a 3.4 with a factory 3.6 replacement. Brand new from Porsche. The owner put around 30,000 miles and the IMS blew on that one. No method to the madness.

Get a car and get the LNM update. Every time you do a clutch get a new one. You should be fine.

Robert