If you are in the market for a used 911, checking the engine number should be one of your main considerations because engine-swapped 911s are not as uncommon as one might think. The location of the engine number is underneath the engine, in most cases, or next to the fan housing.
The 911 engine number check is comprised of information that can help you determine facts and data about your engine and car. It includes the year of manufacturing, engine type, cylinder number, and the sequential serial number of the engine.
The engine number will also tell you if your 911 is naturally aspirated or turbocharged. No matter the case, it’s always a good idea to obtain as much information about your car as possible, because this will be much appreciated when it comes to resale time.
Porsche 911s usually offer dedicated VIN, Engine numbers, and transmission numbers. Checking all of these is useful to make sure you are completely informed about your 911 model. Furthermore, these numbers can also tell you if the car has been stolen, or wrecked sometime during the car’s lifespan.
Porsche Engine Number Codes
As mentioned previously, these codes are mostly located underneath the engine or next to the fan housing for most 911 models. But, if you are unable to locate the engine number, you should look into your owner’s manual to find the right location.
The engine code consists of a few digits, and all of them are there to inform you about different aspects of your engine. If we take the engine number of the Porsche 964 for example, the engine number could be something like 62L18726755.
The number 6 represents the number of cylinders (6-cylinder engine), the number 2 stands for a naturally aspirated engine. If the second digit was a 1, it would indicate a turbocharged engine instead.
The third character is L, and L stands for the production year, which in this case is 1990. The third digit in general stands for the production year and it ranges from K for 1989 up to R for a 1994 model year. From the 4th digit up to the 8th is a dedicated engine serial number. Engine codes differ slightly between the different generations, but the essential idea has stayed the same.
Porsche 996 engine code
Porsche has changed the engine numbering system a few times, but there is some information lurking in the depths of a bunch of Porsche owners forums about how some specific engine model generations are designated.
A 996 engine code is located underneath the engine, and it could say something like M96/0569508315. In this case, M96 represents a type of Porsche engine, and the 05 bit represents a more specific Porsche engine indicator.
The number 6 represents the number of cylinders, just like the one on the Porsche 964 engine number listed above. The number 9 also refers to the engine displacement/version. Number 5 represents the year of manufacturing, and the last 4-5 numbers usually indicate the serial number of the engine.
If the code included M97, as opposed to M96, that would mean that the car in question has an updated version of the M96 engine. It’s still fairly unclear as to what all the different models could mean, so you should definitely contact a Porsche specialist/dealer for further information.
Porsche transmission number
In addition to a dedicated engine number, Porsche 911 models also come with a dedicated transmission number as well. The transmission number from a 1971 Porsche 911 looks something like this: 7118734. And just like the engine number system, Porsche has changed the transmission number system a few times throughout history.
The first digit (7) represents a transmission made for a 6-cylinder engine, the second digit, which in this case is the number 1, represents a 5-speed std ratio, and the third digit represents the model year, which in this case is 1 = 1971.
Later on, Porsche changed the second digit for a newer version of the transmission, but the essential idea has stayed the same. The transmission number is also usually located underneath the transmission housing, but if you are having trouble locating it, check the owner’s manual for further info.
If you need more input about the engine or transmission codes for 911 models, consult a Porsche dealer/specialist because they have a lot of first-hand experience of solving such issues.
FAQ Section
What if I can’t find my engine/transmission/VIN code anywhere?
Engine codes are usually stamped onto the engine, or in close proximity to it, the same story goes for the transmission code. But a VIN is usually located in multiple places such as the footwell area, underneath the windshield, and on the engine itself.
If your VIN has been removed then you should contact the DMV immediately, because this might indicate that your car is stolen. If you can’t find your engine/transmission number, it might also mean that something was done to the car, and you should contact your Porsche specialist for further info.
How often do 911s need an engine replacement?
A designated engine number is mostly there to make sure that your engine is where it belongs, but sometimes some Porsche 911 need a full engine replacement, and this is not all that uncommon for a few really high mileage cars.
Porsche expects a 911 engine to last about a few hundred thousand miles. This means that you should not worry about ever needing to replace the engine, but if you do end up finding a mismatched model and engine production year, this could indicate an engine-swapped 911.
Should my VIN, engine, and transmission code match?
Many Porsche owners have debated whether these 3 codes need to match or not. And it’s still fairly unclear, but it seems like the codes do not have to match because Porsche has changed their numbering systems numerous times.
Keeping track of all the codes for all the models can be kind of difficult. If you have any doubts, contact an experienced Porsche specialist.
