Porsche M9X Engine Builds Made Easy

Porsche owners looking to save money on a build have some great options from LN Engineering.

One of the key concerns of owning a Porsche is the cost of maintenance. That is true with most high-performance machines, but like many European brands, Porsche vehicles have a reputation of being particularly expensive to keep running right. The most expensive mechanical repair is an engine rebuild, but with help from LN Engineering, just about anyone can rebuild the M9X engines in the 996, 997, Boxster and Cayman.

According to our friends at Rennlist, the DVD series created by a group of members is so detailed that even a novice mechanic can rebuild a Porsche M9X engine. Rennlist members Jake Raby, Charles Navarro, and Tony Callas worked together to create Focus On: M9X Engine Assembly, a true step-by-step video that walks viewers through the build from loose parts to a complete engine.

Building a Porsche Engine

The Porsche M9X engine build video series consists of 20 “stages”, each of which walks the viewer through a step of the process. The Stage 1 and 2 videos look at installing a crankshaft onto the carrier. Stage 3 looks at attaching the connecting rods, Stage 4 looks at preparing the engine block for the pistons and Stages 5 through 10 walk the viewer through the piston installation process. Those first 10 stages cover 353 minutes, or about six hours. That length should provide an idea as to the level of detail of each step.

As the video continues on, it looks at installing the oiling system, the cylinder heads, the valve train, the timing chain and the rest of the M9X Porsche engine components. In the end, this video series has more than 15 hours of instruction.

As mentioned above, the team behind this video series is comprised of three members of Rennlist, all of whom are experts in the Porsche mechanical world. Raby (pictured above) is the developer of IMS Retrofit and IMS Solution while also being the owner of Flat 6 Innovations, Raby Engine Development, Raby Aircooled Technology, and The Knowledge Gruppe. Navarro is the owner of LN Engineering and Callas is a former professional race who now runs Callas Rennsport. With their combined knowledge, they make it possible for someone with little mechanical experience to build an engine for their Porsche 911, Boxster or Cayman. Best of all, the DVD series isn’t where they stop helping.

Book-smart Videos

In addition to the DVD series outlined above, LN Engineering also has a pair of books and an array of tools for Porsche owners. If you are building an engine for your 996 or 997, the company offers a Fastening Specifications manual that applies to your project. These books are great for anyone who plans to do engine work on their 911, even if they are experienced mechanics. Best of all, these books don’t just focus on the engines, including torque specs for the transaxles, suspension systems, and other mechanical components.

Finally, if you are building an engine for your Porsche with the help of the DVD series and one of these books, there might be some unique tools that you don’t own, but you need for the project. LN Engineering can once again help, offering a rental program for the Faultless Supplemental Engine Assembly Tool Kit, the Faultless Wrist Pin Tool Kit, and the Rear Main Tool Kit. The rental program will save you a bundle, which is ideal for anyone who only plans on building one engine.

So, if you are considering a used Porsche 996, 997, Cayman, or Boxster with an M9X engine and you are concerned about the longevity of the power plant, LN Engineering has everything that you need to build your own new engine.

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Patrick Rall

"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

Rall can be contacted at QuickMirada@Yahoo.com

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