3.2 Euro Piston and Cylinder Upgrade

Rot 911 · 10-19-2003, 06:36 PM

As I understand from reading the Porsche Red Book my '86 Carrera had 207 hp. The Euro version, due to higher compression, had 231 hp. Is this 24hp difference solely the result of a difference in compression? Around here the highest grade premium I can get is 93 octane. Will that be sufficient if I go with the Euro P&C's? Finally, assuming my present 3.2 P&C's are good, do they have any resale value? I'm trying to justify the expense of the Euro upgrade. Thanks for any and all help here.

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

A more economical way to do it would be to keep your cylinders (if they are good), and add JE high compression pistons. Keep in mind though, that the Motronic system used on the 3.2 has no compensator for pinging and detonation, so if the compression is too high, you will need to have a custom chip map made.

Make sense?

-Wayne

Rot 911 · 10-20-2003, 05:57 AM

Wayne, do you carry the JE pistons? I don't see them listed.

kstylianos · 10-20-2003, 09:05 AM

Kurt,

Don at EBS is the guy to talk to for JE pistons. www.ebsracing.com

BTW: JE calculates their compression ratios by using a deck height of 1mm and factory head volumes. If you want to dial in a specific CR and are having your heads refinished or heads fly cut, I would have them cc'd prior to ordering the JE's. You may want to verify that the JE's have the same wrist pin to piston shelf dimensions as the Mahle/KS so you can use your old P's to measure your deck height prior to ordering as well. You can specify any piston dome volume you wish. I have a spreadsheet that will calculate the CR given bore, stroke, deck height, piston and head volumes. PM me if interested.

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

We currently don't carry them, but will be in the near future...

-Wayne

BK911 · BK911's Garage

You may be able to mill your heads a little to bump the CR up half a point or so. Then reuse the P/C's. You are having head work done anyway. Mill the chain housings as well. You'd have to CC everything to make sure, but I would do that anyway to match CR's across the cylinders.

I haven't done this, but I have heard from others who have. Sounds like it should work.

Good luck!
BK