New Member/Owner -'04 C4S

Hi all � long time lurker, first time poster. Recently decided to jump into the 996 pool for a number of obvious reasons; IMO most unique 911, price v. performance and for its simple balance of classic yet contemporary characteristics. Also, despite how much I love my DD L494 RRS and taking it off on dirt trails, I missed driving my 335i from years ago and was looking for something fun and engaging to drive around . Also the RR forums are boring�.people complaining about wood trim. About a month or so ago, I purchased a salvaged Arctic Silver 6-spd C4S. Its awesome, drives fantastic, engine is in great shape, PSE sounds amazing. Its got a few other goodies like aluminum pedals, dials and sills. PO also had EVOMS, IPD plenum and GT3 TB installed. I decided to go down the salvage route because I knew I could get a good deal on a good car if I looked for the right things. I�m not a collector � if these go up great, this one cant get any lower. Also, from reading on here even folks who did all the PPI, looked for clean low-mile cars still wind up having to do heavy parts replacement and sometimes still get hosed. Based on that, I figured may as well just get the best cheap one I can, rip it apart and replace everything for less than the cost of a �good one�. The C4S I found had minor front end damage (no airbag deployment), no leaks from rear � at all, Michelin front tires (someone cared. Sumis on the rear though), only owned in southern states and California (lowest risk to bores�.so I hear), full clear bra, and 85k miles (not too low and not too high) clean exhaust tips. Downside � very limited maintenance history. Insurance company likely salvaged the car because the driver side top of the tub was slightly bent but everything works as it should and the panel gaps are even � no damage to condensers/rads. After checking all the fluids, and driving it 150 miles � I love the car. No leaks, oil pressure good, voltage good, no codes, brakes are 90%, tires are F-80% R-60%, CA Smog passed, no exhaust smoke at all, oil is clean (for 5k miles since last change). Pulled out the IMS (pics attached) to install the �solution� and the old one is in great shape, no damage to the seals, no grinding and it spins as it should. Objectives: � Check for catastrophic issues (timing, etc.) � Baseline maintenance (fluids, etc.) � Replace critical wear components � Replace common non-critical components, as required Current status: On a lift with engine and transmission out (wallet out also) � No catastrophic issues found � No leaks � seals and hoses seem ok � Suspension is fine Checking: � Vacuum � Compression � Pressure test coolant sys. � Sump + oil filter � Suspension/bushings Installing the following: � IMS Solution � done! � Low temp thermostat Replacing the following: � RMS � not leaking, records show changed a while back, but changing anyway � AOS � vacuum is good but engine is out� � Spark Plugs � Coils/boots � as required � Oil Cooler � Clutch/PP � Water Pump � Alternator � looks dirty and makes noise � Coolant tank � All fluids Am I missing anything? Doing this all cash BTW, not digging a hole for myself. Shop is a trusted friend. Car is being put back together end of the week. Front end damage (will post pics of repaired car once I get it back from the shop and clean it up a bit) Trans Out Engine Out IMS + flange removed - will be sent to LN Bearing itself - 86k and in great shape

Welcome to the fun. Impressed you took on the project I see in the first pic. Whoa - I would have walked on by. Your listing of work is also impressive and seems pretty complete for the known items...my only contribution is for you to consider new fuel injectors and engine mounts and transmission mount. Enjoy!

Wow. Interesting purchase and plan. Very cool!!

At least someone cares enough and has the courage enough to take her home and make her right. It feels good to make your car right again, because of your actions, not luck or money to have someone else do it. Welcome! Can�t beat the value of these cars, they drive awesome, and like you said, can�t really go down in value from here on out.

Totaled cars can be a great buy if you get something with certain damage and have the know-how to fix stuff. Unfortunately, there can be a lot of risk with that as well. Good luck, looking forward to the progress.

Good luck! This will be interesting to follow and you've got some brass doing this. Looking forward to the progress as you get this back on the road.

Welcome! Following... Not wanting to put too many miles on my 40AE, I'm itching for a project 911 and a cosmetically-salvaged C4S is a very interesting prospect!

Wow incredible project and thanks for sharing! Yes, to the AOS, and agree on the injectors. You might have mentioned changing the fuel filter and checking the pump, but if not, please add that. Nice💪🤙

Congrats on the project....sounds like a good find!

Thanks all, very excited to actually drive it again, I've only driven it twice before it was taken apart. I will get some more pictures hopefully next week, I don't think engine trans can go back in before the weekend. Regarding the integrated fuel pump/filter and injectors - the engine runs incredibly smooth and no codes, I was planning to do these at 100k (at 86k now) along with a UAOS once that matures. I have never had injector problems on any of my cars before 100k in the past (BMWs), do these injectors typically begin to degrade/fail at 80k?

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No, not really degrade or fail at 80K. But here is the deal...you have an engine out at 80K and the injectors are easy to replace with the engine out. However, with engine in and say 5 years away you are at 100+K, the injectors (along with a lot of other stuff) will probably need replacing. And, they are a PITA to replace with the engine in the car, almost undoable. I think take advantage of your engine out and replace them all. After all, your 04 is 16 years old. I would have to check but I think Porsche has updated the injectors (read upgraded).

Welcome the C4S club!!! The never-ending chase of refreshing bits on a 18 year old car. Always giving me something to do.

I need to make friends with a shop owner

Ok, so it has been a very long time since I started this thread. Long story short, all is going well and I have just been too busy to post anything. The actual assembly of the car took around a couple months as other priorities came up at the shop and I was in no hurry. Got all the work done for $1,100 labor + parts about another $4,000. Lots of things replaced as mentioned in the first post, but happy to report no surprises. I have put about 2,500 miles on the car since getting it back together and it has been a lot of fun. I have been taking it pretty easy until I get to know it a bit but did get it our on a drive up Palomar mountain last week and pushed it in the corners (hanging out between 2nd and third but mostly just 3rd). I must say it was one of the more fun drives I have ever done the handling, feel of the car and the sound of the engine/PSE really put a smile on your face. I don't know why you would want much more power in a road car (I cant believe I am saying that). One additional modification I made was replacing the factory SSK with the FF shift right solution and I think it dramatically increased the feeling of the shifter. With regards to the engine, I have not heard any weird sounds or ticking and there has been no smoke or unusual oil consumption. I have used roughly 75% of a 1qt bottle of oil over the last 2.5k so that seems pretty reasonable, could also probably bore scoring and I should go burn the car immediately.... Cool story for those that like 996s, as I am sure many of you do, I was driving along the coast behind one of my buddies in his F430 (he was driving the C4S) and someone stopped along side him and complimented the 996 - he hates 996s and was very sad. The F430 is a gated 6sp manual, very fun and a whole different animal btw - pic of the two below. For the money and time I have put into this thing, rolling the dice with all of the horror stories you read on here, I have to say I don't think I could have done better but time will tell. Enjoy some pics and a video of the engine at hot idle and some revs - sorry the camera fell down whilst recording. Let me know if you hear anything weird! Engine Sound: https://1drv.ms/v/s!AnW3qjVYATCVkx0T...rrA24?e=h7hx3Q Cheers from San Diego

Drive it like you stole it!! I also have a silver 4s and have racked up 29,000 miles in less than 2 years. PSE is awesome, 3rd gear through the twisties puts a huge smile on my face, and i agree, who needs more power in a street car.

" Based on that, I figured may as well just get the best cheap one I can, rip it apart and replace everything for less than the cost of a “good one”." Being a long time lurker, I'm surprised you didn't heed the saying "the cheapest Porsche you can buy, will be the most expensive Porsche you've ever owned"... If it is indeed a "forever car" (which would make sense given the price you paid and the salvage title) I'm surprised you didn't use "The IMS Soultion" when you had the opportunity - the labor would have been the same and the part only another $1k. The difference will be way more than used up when you have to change out the bearing again... In any case, good luck with 'er

I think he did. From his first post: "Installing the following:� IMS Solution � done!"

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Thanks! IMS Solution is in there, registered and working well!

OP - The twists look great against the silver. What a great car to snake the canyons with!

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he even posted a picture of the old one, which btw was in perfect condition.

Congrats! ‘04 C4S owner here. So glad to hear your story about restoring your car to its rightful state! I love driving mine for more than an hour—at that point, it’s almost like it smooths out and settles in. It just feels right. I DO hate the South FL drivers—everyone wants to drag race me. Arghhh! Plus, down here, there aren’t any twisties. I’m jealous of you California guys. TC

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no twisties here is a bummer, as for the drag racers, just get a Audi S8 to sit next to the 996!

Welcome to the group. I remember seeing this car and considering buying it myself. Instead I picked up a car from the east coast that had a 3.8L in it. Long story, but here's my build thread https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...e-rebuild.html . Let me know if you need any help. I don't have a ton of experience with the cars yet like some of the really knowledgeable guys in here do, but I have been doing a lot of research in the last 6 months for my project. Best

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Thank you, really appreciate that. That is quite the effort you have undertaken, WOW! Mechanically this car is pretty sound, I am hoping to just do annual maintenance on it and oil changes every 6 months for a couple years before dropping the engine again and maybe doing a rebuild around 100k to a 4.0. So far my only real issue with this thing is the MOST amp not turning on reliably. I've done some searches and it seems like a common issue for which there is no discreet fix.