Need advice on blown motor

Okay, so I just got word from my mechanic that the motor is done (once it warms up to operating temps it blows coolant into cylinders and has a bad sound coming from the bottom end). He doesn�t recommend rebuilding it, not a lot of positive response from that route. He recommends a new motor put in or sell as is. A little history, it�s a �99 6-speed with approx. 91k miles currently on it. I�ve had it a year now, putting about 7k on it since then, and have auto crossed it once. I was ready to take it in for its 90k service but got an opportunity to track it (PDX driving school), so I went to that first. On a hot day, on the second morning session it overheated bad (rather instantly) on me and I shut it off and towed it to the mechanic the next day. I�ve never had heating issues before with it (did something break?). Now the dilemma, I think I would prefer to �off� it as is and start over, buying a new (to me) one. Is there a market for these cars with �no motor�? Would someone want it for a project track car maybe? If I do go with a new motor, one option I found is a long block from �Motor Meister Engines� out of southern CA for $6k. Has anyone heard of or dealt with them? My other option would be from Sunset up in Oregon. If I put a new motor in it (for about $11k total), I know I�ll be �upside down� in the car, but would be willing to keep it for a while. It seems like others who�ve dropped a new motor in have had good luck with them? Sorry if this post sounds �scatter-brained� but I kinda feel that way right now. Being on a �limited� budget and just getting into the p-car world, I�m struggling with the thought of a huge (for me) repair bill to my main car!

Several Rennlisters have shared your pain. There have been recent inquiries about 99s w/out a motor, but no doubt price will determine interest. Sunset has good pricing and they are reputable to deal with.GL

If you are planning on keeping the car, then installing a Porsche supplied remanufactured motor (which has all the latest updates) would be my choice. Don't forget, the engine does not come with the flywheel and clutch (so budget for that) and as the car is a 99, unless the coolant tank has been changed to the updated one, now's the time to change it and the updated coolant hoses and pipes.

Thanks GMS for the heads up on additional parts if its a keeper still. Still don't know if this thing is a keeper though? If I can get a decent price for it as is, I'll probably unload it and find another one, putting the money and effort into that instead!

motormeister has the worst reputation on rennlist. You would be better off having the local McDonalds staff rebuilding your current motor.

Quadcammer, could you elaborate a little on they're bad points, thanks!

long story short, they use cheap used parts from other engines lying around, their machine work leaves a lot to be desired, their assembly is sloppy, parts are dirty, and their engines often fail quickly, or burn oil like its going out of style.

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OMG, that was hilarious. They can't even make a burger correctly. You must of smoked the head gasket when you overheated.

I would go the Porsche reman'd motor route. These motors have all the fixes and the car should be good to go for at least 150k miles. You also get a warranty.

what is a '99 worth w/out an engine? Anyone want to guess? I bet someone would be willing to pay $9K or $10K but not sure...what do you think?

Sorry to hear of the problems but if you are keeping then you can try Strasse Auto in Newport CA, They have a good rep and I have one of there rebuilts and just now breaking it in. They come with one year warrenty for around $6500 bucks and is running great so far. They seem like a good group of techs there contact Robert [phone removed] and see if they have one in stock it took weeks for them to build me one. My past local Indy shop with 20 years of exp said to stay clear of Motor Meister Engines and that was good enough for me. Of course if your budget is larger I would get the Porshe rebuilt. GL

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Closer to double in my opinion.

Thanks for all the good info. so far. I was hoping I could unload the car for $12k with the new tires and options, etc. on the car. Don't know if that's a realistic assumption though???

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HEY! Don't be knocken my double decker with secret sauce burger.

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In my opinion, his original estimate was much closer. There are fairly high mile 99s selling with engines for about 21-23k. Regardless of how much a reman engine costs, you are taking a bigger hit on resale due to oddity, the unknown reasons for why there is no engine, and because your buying pool will be MUCH MUCH smaller. Id pay about $10k for a mint 99 without an engine.

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this was the logic I was using when I through out the $9K to $10K number...but I have to admit, it seems like you'd be getting a lot of "stuff" for $10K. If you had time/desire you could probalby part it out for more.

Technically, the car still has a RUNNING engine in it, just not a healthy one .... and for how long (can you say hydraulic lock!)? The only plus sides to buying it "as is" that I can see are: A) a cheap 996 for track project, or B) an entry level 996 with a fresh engine vs. the same price for a high mileage entry level 996.

I feel your pain. Mine went immediately to hydro lock and I laughed as the AAA guy insisted I let him try and jump it before he could flat bed it. Donkey. Strasse Auto also did my motor. He is very knowledgable and I was happy with the work and warranty, but the sting never goes away. My guess is you can pay him $6500 and sell the car for $20K or pay Porsche $11K and sell the car for $24K with the 2 year warranty. Either way, it works about the same for you in the end. I recommend fixing it as cheaply as possible, holding on to it until there is about 6 months left on the warranty (at least you can get some worry-free enjoyment out of it) and then dump it to someone with 6 months of warranty left. It may never fail again, who knows? Good luck, and I feel your pain. I know that does not help much.

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run don't walk

I'm curious, what would you be expecting to sell for "as-is"?

racesx... contact me.. I am interested in a car for a project.. Email me off my contact profile

I PM'ed you earlier today. I may interested too.

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Heres your chance Hans.

For those of you interested in the car AS IS, I’m posting here (easier for me to all), I want $12k plus shipping/delivery charges. I don’t know if this seems like a fair price but I’ve invested a lot of work into it and don’t want to just “give” it away! Basics: '99 C2 Met. Blk ext. w/ graphite grey int., 6-speed, premium sound, sunroof, full power seats (no heat), litronics, USA M030 suspension, brand new Yoko ADVAN Neova AD07 tires on ATP (AT Italia) 18” rims, B & B headers, Schnell CAI, Smoked corner markers, mesh screens in front bumper, minor body work to driver door and driver front fender (falling object damage, not in a crash) and complete front end re-paint, body otherwise straight, int stock except for modded for double din stereo (AC relocated below but new stereo not in), seats wheel shifter and e-brake show ave. to above ave. wear. Everything works obviously as it was a good weather DD for me! I can provide more info. and pics on the car upon request.

Here's a pic:

If you will be keeping the car for a few years at least, then a new engine from Porsche is the way to go. 2 year warranty from Porsche I think is worth the extra cost.

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I'm definitely curious, but I know it's biting off more than I can chew right now. I think after a lot of evaluation I would go with an air cooled roller for that project, I just don't have the energy to be a pioneer on the water. I'd wind up needing to find a G50 anyway (so it seems) because of the G96 bell housing and shaft orientation, and if the water plumbing can all go into the rear deck it's probably better should it spring a leak, at least it would be behind the rear wheels. Ahhh, sportbike first I think, and supercharge the 996 after the warranty expires.

Would you be interested in a stock trade plus cash for the B&B headers?

I replaced the engine in my '99 4 months ago with a factory engine from Sunset. It was more expensive but the peace of mind (and 2 year warranty) were worth it for me. I'm also selling it. However, I still don't regret putting in the factory engine. Go with the Sunset motor for a little more and you won't have to worry about it again. My factory motor also came with all new accessories like starter, water pump, power steering pump, etc. Put the new factory package in and drive off worry free.

Al-x, sorry man, but I've got enough headaches right now, don't want to take on any more by trying to part it out or swap parts for some extra cash. Only sell it all as is package deal or pony up with a new motor in it! Thanks for the offer though.

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Thanks, you never know unless you ask right

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Do you think they are good for 150K from where he is or until he hits 150k on the clock? If they have a life of 150K then they are getting back to the reliability of the old air cooled 911 SC which I thought were bullet-proof motors since I had one and ran it hard and had 145K miles on it before I sold it. TDK

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Yea, pioneering cost a lot of time and money. Air-cooled's probably have a lot better platform to start from I believe too. Less electronics.

Thanks to those who have shown interest in buying it as is, we'll see what happens next. Thanks also to everyone for the good advice, at least I have some good options now to look at! I'm just hating life these days, missing the car like hell though ................. !

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Yeah you said it, with water I'm still not sure how one could run without key components like the immobiliser, or without a DME at all (ideal). I feel like the smog part would work on the parallel system just as if you went with a 930 roller, but no clue how to handle coexisting systems. While I have a lot of interest, just no time and I'm sure there's something more fun to do with the "trial and error" money.