Northern NJ shops for possible rebuild?

Well, the time has finally come for my '99 996 C2 Cab. After replacing the AOS and the valve gaskets, transfusions of almost a quart of Mobil1 every other day, enough redlines in 1st thru 3rd to keep it moving and not blow the clutch... she's finally called it quits after 124k. Starts, then dies immediately. Repeatedly. I could, theoretically, ride the clutch and keep it revving and rolling, but if I let up on the gas for even a second, she's done where I sit. At this point, it's just choking on its own lubricating vomit it seems. Not sure if it's that the seals are shot (though I'm guessing so), but it's clearly the end of the line for now... a few local garage guys all said I'm staring at a rebuild. I've had work done on the 996 (and my 968 before it) by Gene at Autohaus and Tony at Performance Plus. Both were excellent. As this may very well not be a small, short, inexpensive job, and I do still want to keep this car for a few more years (at least until my wife won't divorce me over a 993 TT), I'd prefer to leave it in good hands. In a perfect world, I'd even add a few mods to liven it up a little while it's in there. Not sure of the approx. cost if it's indeed a rebuild that's necessary, though I'm dreading it. Any thoughts on who might be best to handle this? No issues taking it back to Autohaus, don't believe Tony is still at PP, and not been able to vet recos for Powertech (though heard good things third-hand). If anyone has any experience with anyone specifically, helpful bits of advice ("start drinking heavily" is one I've heard of late), etc. I'd truly appreciate the info.

I can introduce you to my guy if you are interested. He is not a Rennlist sponsor so I would have to PM you his info. https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...with-pics.html

Try http://www.rocsauto.com/ Rich knows these engines very well, did my IMSR for me and all my work.

I was satisfied with the work I had done at Powertech. Top notch shop, not cheap - but fair.

I use Gene at Autohause, but I would check with him, or anyone you decide to bring the car to, and make sure they are comfy doing 996 engine rebuilds. I think Gene is more of an air cooled 911 guy when it comes to engine rebuilds, but I could be mistaken). Make sure they know about the updates for the while-they-are-in-there stuff (RMS, maybe IMS bearing, etc).

Thanks all.

Powertech http://www.pwr-tech.com/

powertech did an ok job for me but i found them a bit pricey. I use protosport in pompton plains, but from what I know, they focus more on air cooled and turbo stuff. Gene at autohaus is good and the shop that Chao used gets good press from the guys I drive with, so you may want to look at them too.

Gene rebuilt my transmission about 10 years ago............had no issues............

I didn't do anything serious there, just routine service, but bodymotion looked decent as well.

Precision Motorsports in Califon NJ is another option. Will (Owner) and John are great to deal with.

Quotes source post: 9176712

I used Will for all my 944 repairs. I was sad when he left the Morristown location!

PowerTech all the way!!! There is no price for good mechanic work.

I owned one of their 944s. Spotless and perfect despite its age and odometer reading (above 250K).

Well, it's apart as we speak. Can be rebuilt, which is a good thing. The bad thing... estimate for the complete rebuild, from a 3.4 to 3.6, upgraded IMS bearing and all known updates, etc. etc. looks to be hovering around $15k. Ouch.

That is not bad. A 3.4L crate engine is more nowadays. Keep us posted on the rebuild.

Will do.

Another vote for Precision Motor Sports; Will and the team provide quality work.

Does the 15k include install? Will the newly bored holes be lined with Nickasil? Who did you get a quote from? I recently called Paul Miller for a quote on a refurb engine and it was like 16+k with the Porsche 10% discount and 18k for the core. Becareful doing this it often will end up way more than you think. I had this done on my 99' 996C4 two years ago and then it blew again just this November.

Quotes source post: 9223846

There are two excellent threads that clear up any mysteries with rebuilding a reliable M96 engine from a 3.4 to 3.6. https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...6-rebuild.html https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...he-finale.html

Just to follow up... got the car back a couple of weeks ago. Unreal. Truly a different car with the costs held close to about $23k all in. Granted, the parts list was just about four pages long, and included a full clutch and cab top replacement, so IMO still worth it. Bringing it back for an oil flush/change (think there's regular 20w50 in there now to break it in) and a checkup in the next few days... been keeping it below 5,000-5,500 rpm during the break-in period, but with about 1,400 on it now (two long trips, shifting and varying speeds throughout, helped that move along) it's ready to be set free. Only issues I've had are a recurrence of an old one where the car won't turn over if more than two or three starts/stops in a short period, and I'd need to wait about a half hour and off it would go... last time it was thought to be a short somewhere with the ignition and replacing the switch made it go away for a while. Other thing is now a problem with closing the top (separate thread a-comin' on that one, particularly since the allen nut seems to have been sheared off and I can't even manually close it in the interim) but overall I'm thrilled with it. Thanks again to everyone for the advice and suggestions leading up.

wow, $23k is no small amount. Glad you're happy with the results though.

Quotes source post: 9175788

+1 Paul at protosport hates these engines... great suspension guy for these cars though. $23k is serious, glad you like the results...

FWIW, for the cost of the repairs/upgrades I could have bought a new Camry, but I couldn't bear to give the car up, to be honest. I'd say the cost of the rebuild and related was probably near $18k, with the rest going to the new cab top and the clutch replacement. Here's a partial parts list, without most of the detailed labor charges... 1.00 Boxster/996 Drive Belt 2.00 99337504906 996 Engine Mount 1.00 99642322904 1999 996 Throttle Cable 2.00 99710420103 3.8L Cylinder Head Gasket 1.00 106-996.99 3.4L to 3.6L Nickies Cylinders 1.00 106-996.3 99mm JE Pistons 3.6L - 996 12.00 99610312162 996 Rod Bearing - per half 1.00 99660612300 996/986 Mass Air Flow Meter 2.00 99610517552 996 Timing Chain Guide Rail 2.00 99610517353 996 Timing Chain Guide Rail 6.00 FGR6KQE 996/986 Spark Plug 2.00 99610112952 996 Thrust Washer 1.00 99311324501 Air Inject Check Valve 1.00 99311325003 Air Check Valve 2.00 99611111350 996/986 Exhaust Gasket*2 1.00 70-90 Clamp 70-90 German Hose Clamp 2.00 99904900740 Plastic Nut 1.00 Mach-FlywheelDM Resurface Dual Mass Flywheel 1.00 CHF202 Power Steering Fluid 1.00 106-08.4 IMS Retrofit Kit - Double Row 1.00 99610518056 Chain Tensioner 4.00 99938500409 Torx Screw 24.00 99610511552 Valve Stem Seal 1.00 Ship & Handling UPS Ground Shipping 1.00 99610090500 996 Engine Gasket Kit 2.00 99610517752 996 Timing Chain 46.00 99938500301 Valve Cover Bolt 2.00 99610517053 Timing Chain 996 3.4L Main Bearing - Per Half 1.00 99656117601 Cap Top Flap Motor - R 1.00 99656117501 Cab Top Flap Motor Assembly 1.00 99610517155 996 Timing Chain 1.00 99610516651 996 Timing Chain 6.00 99610311151 996 Wrist Pin Bushing 2.00 99610525300 996/986 Camshaft Adjustor Guid 1.00 OX128 996/Box/Cayenne Oil Filter 1.00 OILFILTERRECYLE Oil Filter Recycle 1.00 Mach-HeadSetM96 Mach Valves, Seats, & Replace 6.00 Mach-RodBush Measure/Rebush Rod - Each 1.00 99610519500 996 Tensioner Pad 1.00 90004100401 Circlip 1.00 660-1663 3/8th to 3/8th Coupler 6.00 BSSCI Clean Fuel Injector 1.00 99610715061 996 Oil Filler Tube 1.00 99970734840 Oil Filler Tube Seal 1.00 99611691100 996 Clutch Kit 13.00 Mobil-20W50-Q Mobil Drive Clean 20W50-Q 1.00 99610622652 Connecting Hose 1.00 25-40 Clamp 25-40 German Hose Clamp 1.00 99710121201 986/996/987/997 Rear Main Seal 1.00 Gasoline Gas 1.00 99610614756 996 Water Reservoir - 00 8.00 99907309209 996/986 Flywheel Bolt 6.00 99760210400 996/986/987/997 Ignition Coil 4.00 00004330105 Porsche Antifreeze - G 2.00 20-32 Clamp 20-32 German Hose Clamp 99610421554 Cylinder Head Cup Seat 12.00 90037813100 Hex Head Screw 1.00 Upholstery Install New Headline and Top

wow... thats a looooooong list. I would of went with the rebuild instead of the camry too.

Hi Folks... two years in and I figured I'd give an update... which is to say all is well. Top occasionally gets cranky, engine is burning oil at startup (but who the hell knows why at this point--will get to it this weekend), braved a wintertime subzero romp from NJ to Montreal and back, and still hilariously entertaining to drive to and from work every day. No trouble otherwise after 20k+ miles on the rebuild. (The sound you're hearing now is me feverishly knocking on wood...)