Looking for either 3.2S (986S) or 3.4 (996) engine

[pkp4911]

Very bummed. I am long-time Porsche owner who recently went from tracking my 73 E Coupe (too valuable now) and bought an 03 Boxster S to play with. Despite extended sump, upgraded LN IMS, and over filling by 1.5Q at track, I lost a main bearing recently during first outing. 60K miles, no over rev, or overheating. For that matter, no indication or warning--just lost power, oil light came and fluttering sound just after coming out of turn. Pulled off and immediately shut down. Restarted after 5 min and while no noise, oil light flickered. Shut off. Got tow back to pits. Waited approx. 90 min to cool and restarted. No noise, no light, but quit immediately after running for 5 seconds. Towed to shop and guys pulled maf and got to start whereupon made loud, "shrill" noise. Shut down but obviously more damage done. Have not pulled filter or sump but assume the worst.
Based on advice from Dave at Dart, (Commerce City, CO--also from whom i bought car from 4K miles ago) looking to replace vs rebuild. Need a motor preferably under 100K with updates. Advice? Question: Does bumping to a 996 engine makes sense? (Not fully up to speed on additional costs or parts associated with such a conversion). Car is decent, no damage, new tires and low mileage on chassis. Everything worked. Car in Denver area.
Thanks!
Patrick
630.853.3640




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[BYprodriver]

1st of all Never over fill the oil past the full mark on the dipstick. I don't know if that contributed to the failure but it did not help. If you had changed the oil & filter the week before the race that may have prevented the failure.

If you replace your engine with a 2003-2005 3.2L or 2002-2004 3.6L longblock no "conversion" is needed. It will cost about $10,000 to get a good 3.6L into your car. There will be a few fittings & connectors that will have to be swapped over from your engine, & differences in the intake manifold. Once that is done install the 3.6L just like the original. Once its running you will want to have the ECU (DME) reprogrammed with the 3.6L program.

[Cajundaddy]

Pull the oil filter and sump to have a look. She may not be dead yet.

[pkp4911]

Prodriver, thanks for input. Oil changed less than 1K miles (after LN extended sump installed). Oil was filled to fill mark immediately after work finished until I got to track. Based on advice from MANY (including forums) I added 1 quart of Mobile 1 to compensate for oil scavenging/cavitation in hard cornering. I've used Mobile 1 for many years and don't wish to start debate re choice of oil. Despite the heat (mid 90's) I witnessed no overheating. I've raced, instructed, and done track events for over 30 years. Done my homework on the M96 and as a loyal P car guy, deeply disappointed that despite my efforts to mitigate the poor design, (wet sump, low capacity) the motor still let go. This was a low mileage motor at 60K.
$10K is not out of realm, but for that, an LS3 seems to be better option for track car based on inherent weaknesses of M96. Maybe an accusump would prevented.

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[Cajundaddy]

LS3 conversion will be closer to $25k all in. So far there is no indication that this motor "let go". I would do some more investigating before selling as scrap. Loud shrill noise could be a lot of things. Drop the pan. If it's full of grenade frag... game over. If oil and pan are clean, keep looking. The motor may be quite sound yet.

FWIW: I have been running a 986 Boxster on the track for 10 years (100+ track days on the same motor) and never met anyone who recommended 1.5 qt oil overfill. I do not.

[BYprodriver]

Not wanting to debate oil is why I didn't ask, however my 1st guess would be what you use. You should continue your homework on all the successfull LS conversions & Mobil 1

[pkp4911]

The advice on oil capacity was reinforced from local Porsche garage in Denver area. (The dipstick is reading just slightly over full btw.) That said, I might be running .5 over because I didn't agree with over filling by more than a quart either. The sump kit increases capacity by .5 quarts
Haven't checked oil filter or sump yet. Will do by end of week.
Regarding oil manu...I've run Mobile 1 in my 73 911 since rebuilding engine over 20 years ago. Pre-front mounted oil cooler, I tracked this car in a DE couple of times and saw high 200 degrees temp one time. (We quit while ahead that occasion.) Did a leak down just to be sure nothing harmed and every cylinder was within spec. I guess I believed the oil did it's job and never switched. We use Brad Penn at our shop as well. Would like to know what you all recommend in the M96 motors. Thanks again for input.

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