Top End Help
 

I'm trying to help a friend who's in need of a top end rebuild on a 3.2 Carrera. On the surface it seems pretty straight forward, remove heads, send off for valve job, install new. New chain rails, gasket set and a few odd's and ends. Lot's of while you're in there, but considering how simple a engine drop is, I dont think it makes sense to go nuts in this case. Obviously if 6 valves are bad they will be replaced, but no titanium bits in this case.

Anyone farm this out recently? I know there are a a lot of variables, I'm trying to figure out a realistic cost if outsourced.

Thanks for any info

Spent more than a little time crunching these very numbers. YMMV

I have a couple quotes in the $1600 range for the head work as well as the actual cost when I had the 930 engine rebuilt. This includes r&r the heads, new guides, seals and exhaust valves. Intake valves are "if needed" and I think around $500. It also assumes reusing the springs, etc.

"Assembly" stuff like ramps, gaskets, return tubes, etc should be < $300.

Conventional wisdom says if the heads are off, replace the studs, r&r the rods and replace the bolts.

I end up around $4k with all the above, all DIY except the headwork and rods.

Thanks Greg

With the rod issues I would go with a full tear down. From what I was told, the bottom end isn't a tough as an SC's. (as in durable not difficult)

Greg,
On a 22-year-old engine (or so), why not replace the springs. Fresh springs, even stock, should protect at least somewhat from overrev. If I had to do it over again, I'd pony up for racing springs and protect even more (since my top end was the result of a "money shift" at SP).

PS: Had fun running with you at M-O. Can't wait until next time, unless you up your engine...

Peter

You can do rod bolts (the "weak" link) and bearings without splitting the case. Not as easy, but doable.

Actually, the quote for the rod r&r was from Rennsport Systems and included ARP bolts and JWE bearings (Steve, among others, believe the Glyco bearings are crap). When I asked about installing the ARP bolts without splitting the case, the reply was he'd pre-stretch the bolts and give me a straight torque value. Gotta think that makes the job easier.

Did the work include resizing the big an little rod ends? What was the turn around?

Yup, I heard the same from Billy (Performance Auto) - PITA to find Genuine Porsche, and more expensive, but with so many recommending against, worth the time and expense.

Yep. Measure, rebush and resize. $1400 for the set, bolts and bearings included. I don't know w/r/t the turnaround time.