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YOUR RESEARCHUpgraded engine due to IMS failure?
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Replace engine
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Luckily, it was still under warranty and Porsche replaced the engine.
Leading evidence: 'Replace engine' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Replace engine' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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How's it going everybody. My father has a 2003 C4S that suffered what must've been an IMS failure a couple years ago. Luckily, it was still under warranty and Porsche replaced the engine.
I read somewhere on here that the engine Porsche puts in is upgraded? What exactly is the difference?
[Off topic] I'm looking into getting him the clear side markers. Is there any preferred site to order from?
Also, any cheap or essential mods you guys recommend?
I could be off, but it's not a better engine, rather it should have had a better IMS bearing installed which is one of the most common causes of engine failure. Search IMS in this subsection and you'll find a million threads from the past month regarding the IMS bearing.
"Essential mods" are completely subjective. Other than a Gundo Hack (search for it on youtube), different wheels, shift ****, and lowering springs I plan on keeping mine stock.
If it was "a couple years ago" The replacement engine should have the reliable RMS & bigger diameter IMS bearing version of the original bearing.
Only mod I would do "for your father" is the Michelin tires best suited for his driving style & weather.
I concur with Ryan...not a better engine and in some ways possibly worse. From mid 2005 onwards (I think; the real Porsche gurus will correct me) the IMS design was changed again, to a version that CANNOT be removed by pulling it externally--you have to split the case to deal with it. I think you can determine which case design your engine has from the engine number. To the best of my knowledge it retains the same basic "failure modes" as the original '03 engine, it just has far fewer years and miles on it.
Of course it could have been that something broke the IMS bearing and not that the IMS bearing just decided to fail on its own. At this point many people like to just assume the IMS is the fault or source of the larer engine failure...or as you said "what must have been...".
If you think the car has a chance of becoming a family keeper, consider leaving it exactly as it came from the factory. At a certain point in a car's age, mods begin to be frowned upon and detract for the car's value. They say "someone screwed around with this car."
