swajames

Sorry... double post...

Richard in NC

Big turbos can produce decent low RPM power & torque but what about turbo lag. How does it compare with the standard turbo?

Porsche GT2/GT3 always confused me. I'd expect GT3 to be the top model....

swajames

Porsche uses two turbos and a system called Variable Turbine Geometry. With VTG the angle of attack on the turbo vanes changes as the turbo spools up or slows down to help reduce lag without compromising maximum boost. The 997 Turbo also has an overboost feature built in which allows the engine to produce more than its maximum rated torque when necessary.

There's a link to a video on VTG here: http://www.porsche.com/usa/models/911/911-...indetail/drive/

redwhiteblue

Ya the whole porsche nomenclature confused me until I looked at the site. I believe I understand.

There are 3 models-boxster, caymen and 911

911 comes in various trims-carrera, carrera s, carrera 4, carrera 4s, 911 turbo, 911 GT3 and 911 GT2 and a few others.

The 997 people refer to is the model year-like e60 is to the 5 series, 997 is to 911.

So a current 911 GT3 is a 997 GT3. A current 911 turbo is a 997 turbo.

there was also a targa model which looked different from the others. So the carrera, targa, turbo and GT2/3 have distinct looks but are all "trim" levels of the 911. A bit analagous to a base 5 series, 5 series m sport and a true M5 and maybe an alpina B5-all the same base car with different looks to some degree.

996 refers to the e39 of the 911 porsches.

Anyway that is my understanding-very confusing naming method if ya ask me!

I always wondered why I would see 2 porsches that looked the same but one would say carrera and another something else etc.

Also I didnt know they were still making boxsters, I thought caymen replaced it but apparently it was an addition to the lineup.

What is sweet is the cayenne turbo-0-60 in 4.9 seconds. As fast as an m5 which is insane for a huge SUV!

studavis

Interesting question, and one that has brought out a great deal of quality discussion. Having owned four Porsches, and one on order, I can say I have never wore one out, but have been stranded twice. I would answer your first question simply by saying that Ferrari and Porsche are such low volume producers, that they are able to devote a significant amount of resources just to engine development. Ferrari currently holds the record on the highest horsepower per liter in a non turbo, which I think is 114 hp/l. By contrast, my stock 993 Turbo(S) on a good day, produces 424 Hp with the help of the two fans, and this is around 117 hp/l. Porsches nomenclature for naming the models appeals to both the unwashed masses, and the technical gear heads as well. You can call any Porsche 911 built since 1965 a 911. But the model cycle is about four to five years, and they all carry internal numbers, such as the 964, 993, and the 997. Another interesting thing about Porsche is that the cockpit layout has not changed much over the entire history of the 911. Pretty obvious to see where all of the R&D goes in the world's most profitable car company. I have driven almost all of the 911?s including the GT2, GT3, but the scariest Porsche on the planet was the old 930 Turbo. It dribbled off the line, but when that bad boy spooled up, you had better have your game face on, because that rear end lit up like an afterburner. The downside to all this power though, is the repairs; $2800 dollars on a blown turbos, $1100 on a new starters or spending three hours just changing the oil. My favorite memory of a Porsche repair was complaining about buying a $188.00 fuel cap, and my mechanic scowled at me, and held up a broken rotor from a GT2, and said if I could guess within a thousand dollars at how much the rotor was going to cost to replace, he would give me the gas cap. The rotor was the ceramic one, I guessed $5000.00, and he showed me the invoice from Porsche and it was $7900.00. I never complain anymore.

swajames

The GT3 and GT3 RS are getting 115 bhp per litre out of a normally aspirated (415 bhp 3.6l) engine!

SergeyM

Forget about GT3. I would gladly take Cayenne 4.8 V8 with 385 hp/369 ft-lbs tq.

525iEnjoy

The 87' 911 3.2L 469hp in the late 80's is a marvel in its self . The CTR Yellowbird. 0-60 in 4 secs without an airbag or possibly ABS brakes is scary fast.

pennetta

The engine's design and intended output is in direct relation to its intended use and it's customers expectations. The 911 Porsche is a sports car and does not make any pretensions to being anything else also the flat six engine is not also being used in station wagons, SUV's etc. BMW are mass produced where they sell enough and have a broad enough market to have both nuts like us driving them in addition to our Auntie Mirabel and soccer moms. When the engine is serving many different uses like BMW's engine where they are available across a diverse model lineup you can't be very specific and give the engine a narrow function. BMW is even adding a four door version of the new M3 in addition to the coupe and Cabriolet.

studavis

I stand corrected, the GT3 RS is indeed 115 hp/l. I just remember reading Autoweek and the blurb about the Ferrari having the highest horsepower per lt at 114.7, and the GT3 came out later, and I just sort of forgot to do the math.....