997 M97.01: from 3.8 to 4.0 with Nickies
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NSC, the definitive answer to bore scoring, and the chance to increase displacement. Bore scoring affects the M97 engines of the 997.1 versions, the GTs aside.
Engine block upgraded to 4.0
Bore scoring is a problem that, from 1997 to 2008, affects every Boxster, Cayman and 911 with the M96 and M97 engines.
The main cause is the coating coming away from the pistons.
At Valentin Motors we sleeve the block with the one definitive solution to this problem: NSC.
In some cases we take the displacement from 3.8 to 4.0, with new NSC sleeves and new forged 4.0 pistons.
What do you gain?
Two things, essentially. On one hand a sleeved block with a quality that lasts the life of the engine, thanks to NSC. On the other, more performance.
Why do it?
Once bore scoring has taken hold in an engine, there are few good options. In practice, one.
Sleeving in steel or iron is a short-term fix with no guarantees.
Does it affect the value of the car?
It does. Selling with documentation showing the block is NSC means the cylinders and liners are sorted for the life of the engine: bore scoring disappears for good, and the sale carries far better assurances.
Preventing bore scoring
- A sound service history.
- A cooling system in good order, to reduce the chance of a localised hot spot in a cylinder.
- Not using the car exclusively for short trips, with the engine running rich.
- Checking the injectors and the MAF.
- Changing the oil regularly, every 12 months.
The solution to bore scoring on a Porsche
The only definitive solution is sleeving all six cylinders in NSC, Nickies.
Note: sleeving one or several cylinders in iron or steel is not the solution. These blocks were not designed for steel liners, and the manufacturer never supplied oversize pistons for sleeved blocks.
If you would like more information, get in touch.