Putting my 996 front end together, need help!

Hello! A few weeks ago I bought my first Porsche. It�s quite the project as it needs work, almost in every part of the car� I�m trying to put together a �shopping list� for the car, specifically the front end. I�m guessing the car in some point of it�s life have been in some minor accident as I�m finding broken plastic tabs when going through the car. As far as I understand I�m missing both of the air ducts, on the right side of the car I�m missing all the mountings and the radiators (is it a water and a AC on that side as well?). I�m guessing there�s some sort of plastic guard underneath as well? On the left side I have two radiators (the condenser needs replacing). I�m realizing now that the hose in front of the condenser probably should go to the other side of the car? Isn�t there suppose to be som �padding� on the front bar? Here�s the biggest one, nothing left but the hoses and cables. Close up. Thanks!

Tha blue connector looks like it should go into headlight? Looks very similar to headlight connector if it's not. Obvioulsy best thing is to compare to other side and keep in mind that pretty much all front is identical to 986, which should save you some money. I don't have part numbers, sorry, but I recommend inspecting all connectors and if some are damaged, but on ebay with connectors still attach. Then you could depin connectors and install wires into new connectors. About 8 years ago I bought Boxster from copart with similar damage and had to replace condenser, radiator, wheel bearing etc. Was definitely fun project. Where did you get your car from? How much was it? Is it convertible, coupe?

So both sides are identical? There�s both a radiator and a condenser? Thanks for the tip regarding 986, there�s a whole other world regarding price compared between 986 and 996. It�s a forest green coupe C4 with beige interior (I love the combo with green and beige). I�m located in Sweden and it cost me roughly 9 000 $. The car has been of the road since 2012 and I see it as my mission to bring it back to it�s former glory!

Nice! and yes, as far as I know both sides are idenical. Thats a good and bad thing about boxsters and 911s being so similar. 996 is not as "unique" as other 911 generations, but parts are a lot cheaper because of boxster. That's roughly how it should look on that side. Obviously with that cover/housing you can't see everything Many many years ago I made video of replacing radiator on boxster. The video quality and sound were very bad as I was very new to youtube back then. Not sure if that video will help you, but here it is You Tube I have about 8 boxster videos there, all bad quality, but maybe some will help you in rebuilding it.

There is no padding on the aluminum bumper of my 996tt. In removing bumper cover for usual cleaning, I find the the two sides to be exactly similar in connector points and fasteners used. are there headlight spray washing outlets? Looks like a satisfying project to source the parts (cheaply) and reconstructing.

Great news, then I know which parts I need to find to complete my front end! It seems my car has the aero kit/GT3 look so I need to find a fitting bumper as well. Tips where I can find one in good quality in the aftermarket?

Quotes source post: 20671686

I've done a couple cars similar to yours, maybe worse. Since car hasn't run for almost 15 years, and you have no idea of how it ran before, or why it was left in its current condition, a lot can happen, especially sitting idle for that amount of time... My advice to you, is to make sure engine runs ok before you plan your next steps. What I did was get some pvc tubing that fits the radiator hoses on the side of car that has nothing there.You can basically go to the home depot store and get some 90� and straight sections of pvc to construct a U turn and connect both radiator hoses together bypassing that side radiator for troubleshooting purposes. IIRR it was something like 1.5" pvc tube ? Just plug off the small vent tube with a bolt and clamp. Actually, after looking at your pics, since those hoses on the 'empty side were just left open might be a good idea to back flush them with a garden hose then air pressure from engine side and get anything that might have crawled up there flushed out. Then Fill system with distilled water and maybe a qt or 2 of all purpose coolant from Prestone thats compatible with all other coolants, its green and fine for this purpose of just keeping corrosion form starting. I'd use a vacuum system to fill it with, but thats not really needed just less time to get it purged completely. Check engine oil for level/condition. If oil looks good, go with it for the test. If not, then R&R as needed, no need to get expensive oil at this point, a few oil flushes would be good after decades of no use/sitting. Start car and listen to engine, let it warm up at idle keeping reservoir full. See how engine sounds and runs, if its good go for short drive around block. As long as you just drive car very easy at low rpm 1 radiator will work fine, I've done it and temps will stay at 180� or so, keeping it under 3000rpm. I actually drove car around locally short drives, for months with 1 radiator in the winter here in Fl. Just keep an eye on temp gauge as you might have more air to purge out. If you let it sit over night after it fully warms up, with cap on reservoir tight, it will pull in any needed coolant from reservoir by the morning. Keep the purge valve bale in up position. Then go for anther short test drive to see how the car works giving you an idea of whats going to be needed, or if its worth it to even start on this journey... This is just to test engine/drivetrain/etc, and let you know what else might be damaged and needs replacement/work without spending any real amount of cash other than some pvc/distilled water/time. If engine doesn't run right, has intermix, has bad rod knock, etc,,, then you can plan your next steps.... jmho

I didn�t mention it, but the motor is in boxes beside the car� It�s gonna be a (almost) full rebuild with new sleeves etc.

Quotes source post: 20671952

Well, disregard my above post. $9000 for a basket case engine and front end body damage with missing parts..? You're a braver man then me to take on this project... Good luck, come back and let us know how its going or if you need any info....

Working cars here goes for around 30-40k usd.

Quotes source post: 20671979

Good rebuilt engine here go for $30-40K if you use a reputable engine rebuilder. DIY quality build, with all the good ancillary parts that will last, can be done for $20-30k depending on whats bad and whats needed. With engine in basket do you know what went wrong..?

Probably leaking head gasket and then rusted piston rings after the car has been sitting for a while. I�ve been quoted around $9k for an engine renovation (by a Porsche specialist). That includes new sleeves etc. This can if course be more expensive before the mechanic investigate my engine and performs various tests/controls. Hopefully I will end up with a ~$20k for a 996 with a newly built engine. Here in Sweden that car is easily worth $40k. I guess we�ll see.

Head gaskets rarely fail on the M96, a crack in the cilinder head is more likely. Check out hamheads.com for the inside story.

Quotes source post: 20671686

The white and black hoses/pipes that goes to each side, they end behind the headlights, is it pipe for headlight washers or anything else?

Knowing the Root Cause of the engine failure is essential to the successful repair/rebuild of the engine... If the engine has been cleaned a lot of evidence of the failure may be gone ( think DNA can't be retrieved )..... Hopefully the engine wasn't cleaned, just disassembled and put in a basket. Main Failure modes IMSB failure Hydrolock due to AOS failure Intermix/cracked head Spun Rod Bering/Oil Starvation Bore-Scoring D-Chunk If it were me I would try to figure out which of these caused the engine to be torn down....or eliminated as many of these as possible..

I believe this is the only backing behind bumper skin.�styrofoam�

Thank you Mpfaff! Do you what the two small hoses/pipes (one black and one white) is for? Are they connected to something or is it cables within them?

Headlight vent tubes.

Quotes source post: 20672006

Just the parts to build/re-build the engine will cost you well north of $9k - not sure about labor in Sweden� A wise man once said �the cheapest Porsche you can buy will be the most expensive Porsche you�ve owned�.

Update on the Swedish corpse! I found a guy near by which where parting out his 986 Boxster S. Lucky for me everything in the front where still on the car, apart for the bumper. i told the guy I wanted to remove everything myself, a good time to inspect and learn how everything is mounted! A nice bonus is that the car now have a center mounted radiator. Next week I�m starting my two week vacation with a visit to �my� Porsche specialist, and with me I will have all my motor parts. There seems to be something wrong the the upload of images, I can�t seem to work it out.

There are many worse summer projects than bringing a Porsche back to life. Bring it on!

Current status after the front has been assembled.