Not with track-appropriate pads and good fresh DOT4 fluid.

 

My bud's brand new boxster S blew its engine w/ 15K miles.

 

Brand new meaning '09+? If so, that must be one of the first 987.2 DFI engine failures.

 

Sure thing, tool. The LSx motors are fine on the track provided the extra quart of oil is added (per the owner's manual) and there isn't some crazy aftermarket tune or internal parts.

I've pushed my two Vettes harder on the track than you can even dream about and have had no oil starvation issues or any other reliability problems. Only "issue" is oil temperature during summer track days and that is because I have never added extra oil cooling capacity.

On the other hand, I have lost count of how many non GT3/TT 996 cars that I've seen spewing blue smoke in the pits and grid area. It's a joke.

My opinion (and many facts substantiate my opinion) is the 996 (non GT3/2/TT motors) are disposable pieces of crap.

 

As much as I disagree with St4rk's statements... your comments about the 9x6 series engines are very disappointing. There were RMS issues, and the occasional IMS issue... other than that, they were damn wonderful engines.

 

If that is your opinion, then I am perfectly fine with that. If you had good luck with your former 996 car, then more power to you (though I recall you had many problems, though not related to the motor I believe). Anyway, I have heard from too many 996 track owners and seen too many telltale signs of sick 996 motors at track days to have a positive opinion of them.

I may be stereotyping all 996 motors when maybe it isn't fair, but that is what I've heard and seen. Sorry if that disappoints you.

 

Almost all of my problems stemmed from mechanic stupidity... which was very sad. I'm interested in these issues you've seen at the track... that engine (minus RMS) has always been quite great. Oh well.

 

I can tell you that 987.1's don't do well w/ high g's at the track, esp. w/ R compound tires (which to be fair, Porsche recommends against using).

My CS got oil ingestion at the track, and made such a plume of smoke that I eradicated the track's mosquito population.

Another friend blew his engine in the same way, but Porsche overnighted a replacement engine from Germany, and re-installed his aftermarket exhaust, plenum, etc. + overlooked his reflashed ECU.

It would have been $16K otherwise, and Porsche engine (& other part) costs would lead me to favor a Corvette for a track car...unless I had lots of disposable cash, in which case I'd get a GT3 RS.

 

I find these failures quite odd. I really want a Porsche CS next but am worried about these issues. Honestly, I may go to an autox here and there and a few HPDEs but nothing serious. I am fairly surprised there are issues at the track.

 

If you go to porsche planet (formerly Cayman Club), there was a long thread petitioning Porsche to provide a fix for on-track oiling issues.

I know of a couple of local S2000's that have done it, as well as Z06's. A friend w/ an Elise has told me their engines are only good for ~10K when tracked regularly.

What I'm trying to point out is that it's not uncommon for cars to break/wear faster when subjected to high stress conditions. I still think Porsche is among the best overall at making cars that are track-ready off the showroom floor, and good for the drive to/from it.