Porsche Boxster Engine Rebuild
This page covers engine rebuild work on Porsche 996 and 986 models, focusing on intermediate shaft bearing failures and repair options. The shop has completed several rebuilds averaging around $10,000, making it a practical alternative to Porsche's $20,000 rebuilt motor price.
- All rebuilt engines have had failed intermediate shaft bearings, and in some cases the shaft can be upgraded to an LN Engineering three-row bearing or the IMS solution if the shaft is straight and usable. In the last two cases the shaft could not be salvaged, requiring purchase of a 997 intermediate shaft with a larger bearing.
- The IMS solution is not currently available for the 997 intermediate shaft, so the shop would prefer that option if enough usable core shafts were available. The 997 shaft is considered a good answer in the meantime.
- The average rebuild cost runs about $10,000 for removal, overhaul, and replacement. With Porsche charging close to $20,000 for a factory rebuilt motor, having the shop do the work is becoming a realistic choice for many owners.
The average cost to remove, overhaul, and replace a Porsche Boxster engine is about $10,000. This makes a professional rebuild a practical option compared to purchasing a factory-rebuilt motor from Porsche, which can cost close to $20,000. Most rebuilds involve failed intermediate shaft bearings on 996 and 986 engines.
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- 996 vs 997 intermediate shaft bearing. Not larger new bearing.
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- Another happy customer
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- Parts laid out ready to assemble.
We have now done several rebuilds on the 996 and 986 engines. All of the engines we have rebuilt have had failed intermediate shaft bearings. Some years ago we saw an early engine with the D chunk cylinder wall failure, but that customer elected not to repair the engine. In the case of the intermediate shaft bearing failure the intermediate shaft can sometimes be upgraded to an LN engineering three row bearing or the IMS solution. To do this we need a usable intermediate shaft, the damaged bearing must be removed and the shaft must be nice and straight. In the last 2 cases we were unable to salvage the damaged shaft and had to buy Porsche’s latest 997 intermediate shaft. This shaft has a much larger bearing as shown in the pictures. We feel this is a good answer, but would probably choose the IMS solution if we could get enough useable core intermediate shafts. As of right now the IMS solution is not available for the 997 intermediate shaft. There are several more pictures of one of these engine rebuilds under the 996 engine rebuild section of this blog. The average cost has been about $10,000 to remove, overhaul and replace one of these motors. With Porsche now charging close to $20,000 for a rebuilt motor having us rebuild a motor is becoming a viable option for many people.