jgriffin56

It turns out to be cheaper to buy a Porsche Factory Rebuild than to rebuild it yourself and it comes with a 2year warranty for about $12K to $15K out the door.

The dealers are replacing the 996 RMS with the 997 RMS and it seems to be working quite well!

If I am not mistaken, if you have a dealer put in the new engine you will get a 2 year/24000 mile warranty with the engine and labor. I also understand you can haggle a deal with them for the labor and engine and even call around to different dealers for a better price. There is also a place in Torrance CA, a Rennsport that is supposed to be the expert place for Porsche motors. Hope this helps

I have heard from several sources (PCA Tech Q&A) that OEM brake pads are best for just street use. Some track cars use PAGIDS but there are at least 4 kinds and you have to be careful that you are not getting the super race (very hard) pads. Also check the DIY section of this site and there is a list of needed parts for a brake pad replacement. Porsche requires replacing even the retainer at each and every changeout plus the other parts. Also if changing out the OEM pads with the brake warning system, you may find that aftermarket brands may require to to drill out a small hole in the pads for the sensors. There is also some great pictures in the DIY section that show just how to do it as well. Also alot of DIYs on brake pads will say to disconnect the caliper from the brake lines, but is you are careful just suspend the calipers with good wire out of the way if you are also swapping the rotors. I was also told that european rotors should not be ground, that replacement is required because of thickness and tolerances.

This is an interesting subject. I was a a concours judging event this summer and one of the judges was checking to see if the tires gave off a black smudge when he ran his fingers along the tire. One car tires were just givin g off all sort of black smudge. He looked very disgusted and proceeded to mark off a deduction on what one would consider a very cherry GT3. I use the stuff the dealers use which is Autosmart Super Tire Dressing #9. Autosmart's phone number is 323-462-8686 They may be able to tell you where you can buy it. It was only 9.95 for a quart. Can be diluted 1/2 for interior dressing ( wouldn't use on leather, use Surflex's Leather "SOFFENER" Conditioner). Autosmart on tires dries dry and looks good for weeks. (04 C4S Cab Spd Yellow)

I agree, I personally like the 996 over the 997. I have an 04 C4S Cab in Speed Yellow and I think the looks are cool. One thing I do not like about the 997 is the back engine lid "hump" which the 996 does not have. However the 997 has some real good improvements such as horsepower increase, better RMS and adjustable shocks, and wide body in the "S" model. If I liked the 997 over the 996, then I would buy one and sell my 996. ANy of the "improvements" that you suggested would cost you bucks and decrease the resale value of the car.

I have an 04 C4S Cab and my cab top mechanism does not look anything like the picture that was provided. My top has a hole-type receptacle in the top of the roof above the windshield. My top really rattled as well. However, I was still covered under my warranty, and the dealer just put a new part to replace the old part. I have also heard of using a product called Krytox ( Porsche # 999-917-557-00), which is a grease that you use to rub on the rubber lining that meets the roof to reduce squeeking. As far as cleaning the top I have used several products. I have used Cabriotop, which come in a spray bottle. Problem is using a spray can to apply, means that you have to tape off the paint , glass and plastic parts which come into contact with the top. What I am using now, are the 303 products that are waterproofing and sunproofing as well. I clean the top with 303 Fabric/Vinyl Cleaner ( let dry throughly) and then use the 303 High Tech Fabric Guard. Both products come in pump spray bottles, so I use them in the liquid form. Follow the directions on the cleaner, either diluting or full strength. However I use the 303 Fabric Guard as as a liquid, putting some in a plastic cup and using a foam paint brush to apply the fabric guard. This way you do not have to tape off any parts and just wipe immediately if you get some on the paint, etc. Looks good and really is a good waterproofer as well. If it is really discolored, you can use a cab top black ( see Google), but I have not needed to since I do this process about twice a year. Hope this helps

Better late then never: If you have problems with all of the above, you can remove the 5-6+ phillips head screws that hold the top part of the box to the body. remove and replace the filter, wipe out the box, and rescrew down the phillips screws. By the way, the phillip head screws will not come out when fully loosened. Just don't tug too hard on the top box to mess with the MAF sensor. This way you may not have to remove the rubber intake as well.

Just my preference: all of these systems seem like great additions, BUT, there is something to be said for keeping my P-Car completely original. I show my car once in awhile (04C4S) and the judges are very against moving the original units, and adding and cutting out for speakers. Believe it or not, it devalues the car when selling it, especially to an "officinato" P-Car person. The way I have been told to upgrade the system is to replace the unit with an upgraded Becker Sound USA unit that is MP3/iPod capable such as the BECKER p224, and replace the speakers with the same size, and add an amplifier in the the trunk. I know that this is not something you want to hear, but the adds in the PCA magazine are full of people searching for the stock radio parts, to make their cars original...... Just a note of caution!

I don't run Cargraphics, but I higly recommend FabSpeed Sport muffler exhaust system. Good sound, great fit and nice looking (chrome) with stainless steel parts. Great addition to my 04 C4S. The people at FabSpeed are great to talk with and will explain everything.

Yee-hah :D You and Orient are absolutely correct. Two pins on bottem of box. One grommet stayed in place, the other had fallen out. This morning I removed the entire box and immediately saw what was going on. I am intrigued as to why the PET didn't show/list the part. I wonder if anyone else has found porsche parts on their car that are not in PET....?