running in 996 - Page 1 - Porsche General - PistonHeads UK

Mate of mine just blew the engine of a 996 Targa - Porsche happily fitted another at no cost - running in time is 1000 miles. I think there may be a bit of 'get used to it or you'll bend it' going on. BTW Superlight... me too Steve www.R500.com

Are the new 996 engines weaker than the 993 engines?

On my 996tt the garage told me to keep it below 4000 revs for the first 800 miles and then go free for all! The manual said to keep below 5000 revs for the first 1800 miles. I chose to combine the two. 4k upto 800 miles, then easing on more revs as the car neared 1800 miles. 2000 miles arrived when crossing into Germany, 5 minutes later the car "crept" from 220 km to 315 km in 6th gear and appearred to be lapping it up. Since then I occasionally take the engine to about 6250 revs and the engine has run fantastically. I think the 1800 mile manual suggestion is a combination of both running the car in and getting you used to the car as previously suggested. DAZ

RR, yes, they are notoriously 'weaker' than 993 engines but you have to remember the 993 is the last (and most advanced) of 30 odd years of engineering evolution. The 996 for the most part is new so they're having a couple of teething problems, still far fewer than most mind you. (TVR of course don't have teething problems, it's just considered normality )

The ex-dealer mechanic that services my 993 tells me that he goes back frequently to the dealership (Glenvargills in Edinburgh) and that there are inevitably a number of 996s sitting in the workshop with their engines out. In his opinion, the 993's engine is far more reliable (but I would say that, wouldn't I....?)

I'm terribly old-fashioned, but I wouldn't really cane a road car until about 3,000 miles, and even then I'd rather wait until it had done 5,000 before using top rpm on an autobahn for a couple of hours without a break. I don't suppose you could find an autobahn like that anyway! I have it in my head that if you want a trouble-free road car for 20/30k miles it's more likely to work out if you're gentle to start with. Did anyone read the article in Car about the yellow Turbo in Australia? This guy claimed he saw 195 (in a Tiptronic!), and kept up a fair old speed for the whole 1,000 mile journey. No problems despite the intense heat.

When I did my 315kmh (195mph) stint it lasted for about 20 seconds then I dropped back to varying between 180 and 230 kmh on the derestricted sections of the autobahn. I haven't read the article but 195 in a tiptronic? Hmmmmm. On the above stint the engine reving from 5k to 6.5k revs in sixth gear is rather quick. As I understand it the gear ratios for the X50 and the standard turbo are the same. I would say if the final drive ratio on the tiptronic is the same as the manual then it may be possible. I think Porsche tend to be a little conservative with their figures at times. BTW 195mph on the speedo is exactly 6,500 revs in the manual car, so you haven't yet gone into the red or hit the limiter at 6,750. DAZ

Hi Just surprised by the 2002 996 running period of 1800 miles (or was that 1400 miles). This is a lot higher that many other cars. Is this more to get you used to the car rather and about 1000miles of running in? Any views.