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porsche 911 - Page 3

post #31 of 43
9/5/08 at 2:15am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Southern-Nupe View Post
My car utilizes DOHC's, but I do respect the LS engines.
Each to their own I guess. I find them boring. The sound boring, and if they're anything like some of the older Commodores (or V6 powered versions) are slightly less interesting than watching paint dry.

I should really drive an LS powered Commodore to compare I suppose, but to be honest, I'd rather drive a Hyundai Excel than my mothers 3.8ltr V6 Commodore. THAT'S how boring I find those cars are to drive. I actually once got motion sickness while DRIVING my mothers car. This from someone who hopped of a 24 hour flight from Melbourne to London with a spring in his step, who doesn't get seasick, who can easily read in the back seat of a moving car, and who loves driving.

As for the Porsche, I guess being air cooled would save weight. I'd be so worried about having a performance engine in a road car without proper ability to cool it though. I suppose for racing, assuming you could get enough airflow, it'd reduce the number of things that could go wrong. ie. No blown radiator hoses, exploding water pumps, or leaky radiators.
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post #32 of 43
9/5/08 at 9:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shraka View Post
As for the Porsche, I guess being air cooled would save weight. I'd be so worried about having a performance engine in a road car without proper ability to cool it though.
I'm all for radiators and water pumps, but seriously? Do you know how many liters of oil a 911 takes? Ever wonder why? Air/oil cooling works fine. And a 3.2l normally-aspirated Porsche motor makes 214hp -- that's like 70hp/liter. It's hardly the most stressed engine in the world.
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post #33 of 43
9/5/08 at 11:00am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bigbjorn View Post
I'm all for radiators and water pumps, but seriously? Do you know how many liters of oil a 911 takes? Ever wonder why? Air/oil cooling works fine. And a 3.2l normally-aspirated Porsche motor makes 214hp -- that's like 70hp/liter. It's hardly the most stressed engine in the world.

I'm not an engineer, but air cooling seems silly to me. Really the proof is in the pudding and Beetles and air cooled Porsches go pop, especially when standing still.

I thought 70hp/ltr seemed low (I think in kw mostly). I just checked and even my little VTiR makes 92hp/liter. It's big brother, the Type R makes 108hp/liter. Mwahaha.
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post #34 of 43
9/5/08 at 12:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shraka View Post

I thought 70hp/ltr seemed low (I think in kw mostly). I just checked and even my little VTiR makes 92hp/liter. It's big brother, the Type R makes 108hp/liter. Mwahaha.

That's what he meant. The engine is not highly stressed.
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post #35 of 43
9/5/08 at 7:04pm
I have a 911. I personally love the design. It is timeless. 993 IMHO is the height of classic Porsche engineering.

But be warned, these things are finicky as hell. Every single incarnation of the air cooled 911 had some sort of problem. Pre 74 are expensive and have rust issues. 74-77 2.7s are almost all project cars. 3.0 has a lot of issues with the engine management system, but still considered one of the most reliable. The 3.2 is a great engine with modern engine management, but a lot had valve guide issues.

IMHO If I bought another I'd want one that was just back from a fresh, well documented rebuild. That's probably your best bet.

Still they look great and are fun to drive.
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post #36 of 43
9/5/08 at 11:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tahoe_snow View Post
But be warned, these things are finicky as hell.
Still they look great and are fun to drive.

I'm a huge fan but I agree, they are very finicky. If buying used, a complete service history and pre-purchase inspection is a must - this can't be stressed enough. Even with the best effort to get a good example, there's still no guarantee the car will be mechanically flawless.
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post #37 of 43
9/6/08 at 7:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by arnach View Post


Get a 993 Turbo S. You won't regret it, when you're driving it, at least.
I forgot to say....that's nice!
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post #38 of 43
9/13/08 at 9:01pm
Hi nice post about Porsche 911...You have given complete info about this...thanks a lot......
===============================================================
simmons
Used Cars
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post #39 of 43
9/13/08 at 9:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tarmac View Post
That's what he meant. The engine is not highly stressed.

I know, I was agreeing.

But hey! I've got a better analogy now. Porsche is like Honda. They start with a flawed platform (front wheel drive / rear mount engine), give themselves disadvantages (air cooled / small displacement + naturally aspirated) and then proceed to make a kick arse sports car anyway. I should love Porsche, but I can only bring myself to like them, no further.
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post #40 of 43
9/13/08 at 10:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shraka View Post
...They start with a flawed platform (front wheel drive / rear mount engine), give themselves disadvantages (air cooled / small displacement + naturally aspirated) and then proceed to make a kick arse sports car anyway. I should love Porsche, but I can only bring myself to like them, no further.

What about the all wheel drive?
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post #41 of 43
9/14/08 at 7:00am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shraka View Post
I know, I was agreeing.

But hey! I've got a better analogy now. Porsche is like Honda. They start with a flawed platform (front wheel drive / rear mount engine), give themselves disadvantages (air cooled / small displacement + naturally aspirated) and then proceed to make a kick arse sports car anyway. I should love Porsche, but I can only bring myself to like them, no further.

Actually, Porsche makes rear-wheel-drive (RWD) cars.
Some of them, such as the Carrera 4 and the Turbo versions, are all-wheel-drive.

You are correct that the rear-mounted engine is a handicap. On the 911, it is so far to the rear that it overhangs the rear axle. More recent versions have improved on this flaw, but it really is an ironic tribute to Porsche that they have been able to take such a flawed design and make such a great car from it.

The engine positioning issue is why the Cayman is regarded by quite a few people as being an inherently better car than the 911, as the Cayman's engine is not positioned as far back and thus it has more neutral weight distribution. If only the Cayman had more power... but then it would start to usurp the 911's position in the Porsche constellation.
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post #42 of 43
9/14/08 at 7:38am
Quote:
Originally Posted by JayJay View Post
What about the all wheel drive?

Err, I was talking about HONDA using front wheel drive, and PORSCHE using rear engine as their primary platform. Obviously Honda also makes a RWD, the NSX, and the S2000. But even with the S2000 they gave themselves the disadvantage of making it a soft top.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Journeyman View Post
Actually, Porsche makes rear-wheel-drive (RWD) cars.
Some of them, such as the Carrera 4 and the Turbo versions, are all-wheel-drive.
As above, yes I know that. I was talking about Honda sticking to FWD, and Porsche sticking to rear engine. Similar attitude. Same with Honda sticking to N/A while all other Japanese manufacturers put turbos in most of their sports line, and Porsche sticking with air cooling. Engineers having fun turning disadvantages into advantages.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Journeyman View Post
You are correct that the rear-mounted engine is a handicap. On the 911, it is so far to the rear that it overhangs the rear axle. More recent versions have improved on this flaw, but it really is an ironic tribute to Porsche that they have been able to take such a flawed design and make such a great car from it.
Just like Honda with front drive. I personally think Honda should have just done rear drive for either the Integra or Prelude, but oh well.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Journeyman View Post
The engine positioning issue is why the Cayman is regarded by quite a few people as being an inherently better car than the 911, as the Cayman's engine is not positioned as far back and thus it has more neutral weight distribution. If only the Cayman had more power... but then it would start to usurp the 911's position in the Porsche constellation.
Indeed.
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post #43 of 43
9/17/08 at 11:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by arnach View Post


Get a 993 Turbo S. You won't regret it, when you're driving it, at least.

BEST. CAR. EVER.
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