fritz:
..... "but given that the engines still seem to blow up left and right " ......

Seriously?  Any info on cause or nature of the failures?   

Oiling of the valve-train (camshaft and finger-follower interface) is insufficient (lots of wear on cams and valve actuators).  Said to be cured with 2016 3.8L and all 4.0L...


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16 Cayman GT4, 73 Carrera RS 2.7 Carbon Fiber replica (1,890 lbs), 06 EVO9 with track mods. Former: 73 911S, Two 951S's, 996 C2, 993 C2, 98 Ferrari 550, 79 635CSi