Stage 1 engines are offered for all years and models of “daily driven” Porsche Sports Cars from 1997- 2008 fitted with M96/ M97 engines. This excludes the Turbo, and GT3 models, see our other selections for information on these models.
NOTE: The “Stocker” and “Stage I” engines have been hardest hit by shortages and inflation. This is because of the mostly OEM components that it uses. Due to this, the cost for a “Stocker Engine” parallels (and can exceed) that of a “Stage II Track Performer” series engine.
Due to the extensive development that has been accomplished with larger displacement engines, Stage I FSI engines do not require any enhancements to the vehicle ECU or engine control unit. This is commonly known as “ECU Tuning” or just “Tuning”. This practice is commonly utilized by others, but here at FSI it is not necessary.
Flat 6 Innovations Stage 1 engines are not “racing engines”. These are daily driver engines that revitalize the vehicle, with more power, increased reliability, and longevity. All of this, without compromise. The Stage 1 engine is not developed for any sort of track activity; including, HPDE, Track Days, Autocross, Time Trials, or rallies.
Put simply, if the activity that you are taking part in requires the use of a helmet for the driver, then the Stage I engine is not developed for your application, and you must choose a Stage II engine.
For a dual purpose engine developed for HPDE, Autocross, and also street driving please see our Stage II Track Performer options by clicking here.
Stage 1 engines are offered in complete form only, we do not offer any “short- block” or “long- block” engines like the factory, or mass producers offer.
These other engines are not complete, and are best described as “some assembly required”. We’d never trust critical assembly of our engines to be carried out by another facility, or person; so, we choose to do things differently from the rest, and do it “all the way, or not at all”.
Our engines are supported with a full program that fits your vehicle with our engine, with all processes being carried out under our roof, beginning with engine extraction, and continuing until the vehicle is restored back into service, fitted with it’s new Flat 6 Engine, then tested using one of our four Dynamometers. This service is referred to as the “Exclusive Service”, so pay attention when inquiring, as our “Premium Service” does not include removal, or installation of the engine into the vehicle.
If the “Exclusive Service” is chosen, vehicles return home after a 120 mile break- in/ testing regimen. This ensures we are delivering a proven engine, that’s fully tested, and ready to be driven from day one. We offer extensive resource materials for vehicle owners following our reconstruction processes. This information will support the vehicle for the first 120,000 miles of it’s new life. Resource materials include video, charts, timelines, and pages of specific information on the topics of servicing, and driving your Porsche fitted with our engine. We also supply you with all the documentation from our processes, including photos of the teardown, and assembly, as well as videos of the testing sessions.
Whether you choose the “Exclusive Service” or the “Premium Service”, you’ll be getting the same quality of engine provided for your Porsche, the only major difference will be the timeline for completion, and who will be performing the removal, and replacement of the engine. We have a program for everyone, but we only work with the shops who have been hand- picked by us, after attending one of our hands- on Porsche engine technical classes, offered by www.theknowledgegruppe.com
We do not work with other facilities, as they are not vested in the process, and have nothing to lose if they fail to follow the protocols we have mandated as part of the procedures.In some cases, where the “Exclusive Service” is chosen, we will receive the customer’s vehicle at our Georgia location, and completely process your engine, from your car, fit it back to the vehicle, and ship it home, ready to go. Yes, shipping is easy, and we will guide you through the process to ensure there are no worries. Shipping is also not difficult, and often times its less money than paying local sales taxes in your home state (if we ship your vehicle, there’s no sales taxes to be paid). We have exclusive arrangements made with the best vehicle shippers, and will refer you to them for their services, getting rates that we have negotiated with them. We typically have vehicles at our facility from 20+ states/ Canadian provinces at any given time. We’ve shipped over 700 Porsche cars, over the years.
For those who do not wish to ship their vehicle, we do work with 30+ Certified Installers worldwide who have attended Mr. Raby’s hands- on training classes offered by www.theknowledgegruppe.com. In most cases where the “Premium Service” is chosen, these Certified shops will extract your engine, ship it to us for our reconstruction process, then re- install the engine upon the completion of our processes. We have a full support program and resource material set that these installers will follow. We will be live on the phone with them when the engine is started in your car for the first time. In some instances we will use one of our engine dynamometers to test the engine, and verify function prior to shipping to our Certified Installation facility. We’ll go over all the options with a scheduled phone chat, and make sure you understand the differences between the services, and what’s included in each.
With this stage of engine reconstruction we upgrade the engine internals, and apply big bore cylinders for added performance. The Stage 1 engine is designed completely around original equipment sub-systems and does not require ECU enhancements. At this stage of performance we can also utilize stock exhaust systems as well as stock intake arrangements, this allows the engine to remain emissions compliant while enhancing longevity, reliability and performance.
The owners of most Stage 1 engines select this package due to the seamless integration of the engine into an otherwise unaltered vehicle. The longevity and reliability enhancements are high on the list of those who want to keep their car forever and are not concerned with monetary investments associated with doing so. The added performance of these engines is simply considered a byproduct of the added efficiency of our hand-assembly and superior components.
LN Engineering Nickies cylinders are utilized in ALL Flat 6 Innovations engines because we developed them, and they solve problems and correctly allow for larger displacements. At this point, displacement is key to increasing useable power and flattening the torque curve for increased drivability and overall performance. With LN Engineering’s proprietary aluminum alloy, which is up to 66% stronger and has twice the cooling capacity, larger bores can be done safely while improving longevity and reliability.
Nikasil plating, as used in the 911 Turbo, GT2, and GT3, provides additional horsepower from reduced friction and improved wear characteristics over that of stock cylinder alloys. Starting in 1999 Raby Enterprises Inc (the parent company of Flat 6 Innovations) started developing “Nickies” with LN Engineering; so the technology that we use in each engine is something that we know better than anyone else. As a byproduct of this effort, and collaboration, Flat 6 Innovations was rewarded by 100% proprietary cylinder, piston, and ring profiles. These are not offered to any other company, despite what you may be told “by the other guys”.
Put simply, a Stage 1 Flat 6 engine makes more power, doesn’t break and features 100% USA made upgrade/ performance components, coupled to hand-craftsmanship.It is bigger, faster and stronger, doing everything in a gentlemanlike manner; until the throttle is stabbed.
Stage 1 engines retain the OEM fuel economy averages and do not have any drive-ability issues or other negatives due to our modifications. STAGE 1 ENGINES ARE NOT RACE ENGINES! These engines are often driven daily and on long trips. From the outside, no one will ever be able to see or hear the difference of the Flat 6 Innovations engine package, but if you take them for a ride their head will be spinning from the smooth astonishing power and concentration of torque in the mid-RPM-range.
The perfect buyer for a Stage 1 engine is a long term owner that wished to enhance performance, while increasing both reliability, and longevity. Stock sub- systems, like intake, exhaust, and etc are what this engine was developed to be optimized with. This means having your cake, and eating it too.
All Street Performer engines include the following major components that may be OEM new, OEM rebuilt, aftermarket re- manufactured, performance aftermarket, FSI modified or FSI re-manufactured:
- All Internal Gaskets & Seals
- Performance Connecting Rod Bolts
- Cylinder Head Bolts
- Hydraulic Valve Lifters (All 24 for 5 chain engines and 12 Exhaust only for 3 chain engines)
- LN Engineering Nickies™ Cylinder Sleeves
- Patented IMS Solution™ (Visit www.theimssolution.com for more information and details)
- Main Bearings
- Oil Cooler
- Oil Drain Plug (LN Magnetic)
- Air/Oil Separator (97-04)
- Total Seal/ JE/ CP/ Mahle Piston Rings
- Micro-encapsulated Case Half Bolts
- Micro-encapsulated Cam Cover Bolts
- Connecting Rod Bearings
- Spark Plugs
- Thermostat (LN Low Temp)
- Timing Chains
- Water Pump
- NEW OEM Clutch, Pressure Plate and Throw-out Bearing
Typical Displacement Increases for Stage 1 engines are as follows:
996 (1999-2004) Includes C2 base, C4, and C4S models
- -3.4L factory engines have increased displacement to 3.6L
- -3.6L factory engines have increased displacement to 3.8L
986S (2000-2004) Boxster S
- 3.2L factory engines have increased displacement to 3.6L
997.1 (2005-2008) Includes Carrera base, C2S, and C4S models
- 3.6L factory engines have increased displacement to 3.8L
- 3.8L factory engines have increased displacement to 4.0L
987.1 (2005-2008) Includes Cayman S & Boxster S
- 3.4L factory engines have increased displacement to 3.8L (R38)
(For the 987.1 we offer a 4.0L version of the Stage II at additional costs)
We also offer a “Stage I “Plus” that mixes the Stage II displacement with Stage I components, to create the highest performance street- only engine available from the M9X engine platform.
To receive a pricing/ performance quote for your Stage 1 Street Performer engine, submit a ticket through our sales support ticketing system. Your message will be replied to within 24 hours, even on weekends.