phillipj

etwd, Your opinion is your opinion and I repect that. The fact is that the 3.4's have a very bad reputation. I had one good one (a 3.4) and one bad one. This site is about intelligent conversation not name calling and insults. Your nasty posts have no place on this forum. We are trying to solve problems here not create more. Phillipj

Huh????????? :unsure: Maybe a few members here would beg to differ on the "bullet proof" nature of the 3.4.

I think I saw that on E Bay :D

My advice would be to spend a bit more money and get a low mile 2002 or up with the 3.6. The high mileage 3.4's are cheap for a reason....... Or even better get an early Turbo... At least it won't blow up and set you back $10 to 15K

Alex, I have heard that it may be better to get fiberglass over plastic. Supposedly the plastic is much heavier and cannot be repaired if damages. Where the fiberglass can be repaired. I really like the look of that "turbo Style" bumper with the link I sent you. I saw a Boxter with that bumper and it looked very nice. Just personal preference. Good luck! Hopefully my car will be completed before the end of the year. I'll keep the site posted on my progress. The only positive is that I will have the 3.6! Phillip

Check out this bumper as well. It's pretty sweet http://www.betterbodiesmotorsport.com/inte...umpers1/996.htm

Update. Will buy new 3.6 from Sunset Porsche in Florida for $8500 plus $2300 core. They will give me $2100 for my 3.4 core Amazing thing is that you can buy a 997 3.6 or 3.8 for $8000 (same price) but the core charge is $8500 and $11,000 respectively... Go figure

Thanks for that. No I can eliminate at least one option! Amazing they are still in business Phillipj

Alex, I had their bumpers on my old 996. They are very good quality and fit well. I highly recommend

PM me. If you are ready maybe we can do it together and get a better price

Thanks RFM. I will add that to the search.

Update . We are looking for another engine. The one I was going to buy turned out to be bad. The search continues......

Just wanted to update my situation on my blown 3.4 motor delimma.......... :angry: I have decided against going with another 3.4 motor from Porsche. If I'm going to spend this kind of money I'm not comfortable with another 3.4 I'm going to do a 3.6 997 engine swap. I found a 997 3.6 engine(a much better engine than the 3.4) with 12k miles from a theft recovery. I got a one year warranty on the engine. :clapping: Roock Autosport in Atlanta is going to do the conversion. They have pioneered this swap. They reprogram the existing 3.4 DME and add software and electronics to run the Vario-Cam. The Porsche PSE and cruise control will still function properly. They will warranty their work for 1 year as well. They have a facility in Los Angeles where the work will be done. The total cost will be about $10,500 to $11,000. :o (Yikes that could buy a lot other stuff I really need like food). And yes I know that I could "buy a Turbo" on E bay for "blah blah blah" dollars. Fact is I would take a total loss if I sold the car "as is" with a blown motor. I bought the car for a little over $30k and would be lucky to get $10k for it in it's current state. Being in the money managment business I ran many scenarios for my delimma. My calculator told me to fix the car and drive it for a few years. I will update everyone on how the project is going and the end result. The project should start in about a week and the car will be finished by the end of the month. We will see.......... :rolleyes: Phillipj

Maybe you can buy mine lol! I'll give you the "pancake batter" in the crankcase and cooling system for no extra charge.... Seriously, thanks for the great info. Phillipj I wish you wisdom in making an informed decision. In any case, I am open to discuss buying your fried engine. I believe a core charge of around 500 bucks is the going rate these days, depending on the issues it has. Joost I'll let you know what happens. If I have th e swap to a 3.6 done the 3.4 will be part of the deal and core will be discounted fom my overall cost. Phillip

Maybe you can buy mine lol! I'll give you the "pancake batter" in the crankcase and cooling system for no extra charge.... Seriously, thanks for the great info. Phillipj

Thanks, that is great information. Phillip

The rebuild option is now out of the question. Also out of the question is giving the crooks at Porsche $11k for a 3.4 when a 3.6 is $8,500

Thanks for the info Darn. Yes I will not take a total loss on the car. And yes I should have just got the Turbo but hindsight is perfect isn't it! Thanks again, I will contact the fellow in Gorgia. Phillipj

Thanks but that doesn't help

Does anyone know of someone who does the 3.4 to the 3.6 (996)engine conversion in the So Cal area? I need a new engine for my 2000 996 cab and the 3.6 from Porsche is $2,500 cheaper than the 3.4 ($11,010) (go figure.) The 3.6 with the X-51 package is $1500 cheaper than the 3.4. What the heck is up with that? If I was going to replace the engine thought it might be worth looking into the conversion. I know this involves reprogramming the DME and some other issues. If anyone can refer a shop to me in my area I would appreciate it. Thank you, Phillip

I did some research on line and found what I was looking for. If anyone would like to replywith information specific to Porsche's I would appreciate it. Thanks

Wonder if someone can educate me. What exactly is a "leakdown test"? How is it done and what kind of data does it give? Should I have a Porsche specialist do this or can a general mechanic do it? I'm going to have it done this week on my ailing engine. Thanks in advance

I have been searching my options for my blown 996 3.4 engine. I found a place in Downey, California that does Porsche engine rebuilds. They are called "Motor Meister". They have been in business for many years. I haven't been able to speak to anyone there yet (because of the holiday.) From their website they apparently specialize in air cooled 911's. But they also do 996 engines. Here is a link to their site http://motormeister.com Just wondered if anyone has heard of them or done business with them. Thanks, Phillipj

Thanks for your reply. I'm looking at my options. A rebuild or a new one. I really can't sell the car because it would be a total loss. Wish I still had my old 99 (which was trouble free) but unfortunetly I crashed it and totaled it. Well I can't change what happened. I'm a bit hesitant to go with the new Porsche motor with a one year warranty. It could do the same thing after one year. Looking to a similar fix like you did. There are a couple bulders here in So Cal that rebuild and fix the weaknesses inherent in Porsches design. It's only money.. It's not like I have Cancer. Really pi$$es me off though.

Thanks for the great info, The overheating (water pump) scenario sounds plausible. Interesting enough though I didn't get any warnings that I was overheating. I certainly wouldn't have continues to drive the car if I did. Temp was normal and oil pressure was normal. When I drove the car home (the last time I drove it) it was running fine. I obviously haven't started it since I saw the oil in the coolant resivoir. This would lead me to believe that hopefully the damage is limited. Any other insights you may have would be greatly appreciated Thanks again! Phillip