What do we know about 718's 4 cylinder engines ?

[Deschodt]

As far as I know, Porsche's choice of a 4-banger turbo on 718 Boxsters and Caymans was a failure commercially, people clearly prefer 6s. Me included. So much so that 981s are often selling for more than their early successors... That said I'm not anti 4 banger as the owner of a 1973 2002 and ex-owner of 2x912s!

I'm wondering if the press did not overplay this, I am sure they "sound" like subarus but more torque and less weight sounds OK, I'm not anti 4 banger turbos in a good chassis for less $ someday, maybe. Maybe not.. just curious, what is the scuttlebutt on these engines reliability wise ? Are we finally over bore scoring, bearing issues, carbon deposits ? I test drove a 4.0 Cayman GTS at Porsche experience recently (I know it's a 6) but it was such a fantastic car (for too much $) that it got me wondering if a cheaper tuned S (2.5 Turbo) should even make my wish list one day...

Just curious, whatcha know? Or is this board 100% aircooled nowadays ?

[aschen]

I have a 2.5L 718 GTS.

Its fast as hell. Way faster than one might think. The motor is super reliable. IT pulls all the way to 7500 rpm. Great chassis. Its a great sports car. Feels tossible.

4.0 GTS sounds better. It isnt any faster. IT was at least 25k more expensive when I was buying. No regrets.

[Deschodt]

Originally Posted by aschen

I have a 2.5L 718 GTS.

Its fast as hell. Way faster than one might think. The motor is super reliable. IT pulls all the way to 7500 rpm. Great chassis. Its a great sports car. Feels tossible.

4.0 GTS sounds better. It isnt any faster. IT was at least 25k more expensive when I was buying. No regrets.

Thank you, that is exactly what I was suspecting. The recent 4.0 GTS I drove sounded amazing but they are $25K over the original GTS or a recent S. What board is most into those lately ? I'd like to read up on those engine's reliability issues for a few months before I decide what to do when I return my electric monster lease.

[aschen]

Im mostly on 718forum. The reenlist forum is relatively active as well.

The s model can have issues with the VTG turbo electronics overheating when tracking hard on hot days. I believe there is a solution but the gts does not have the issue.

The motor is more or less precisely a Carrera-s motor reduced by 2 cyl.


One thing I will say that is counter intuitive: I think the 2.5T is well suited to 6MT. Just need to be in sorta the right gear and you have the torque.

PDK is great at making people look like a pro always being in exactly the right gear. This is more important for th 4.0.

981 are great cars as well of course, but 718 gts will leave one for dead. I think even including 981 gt4 in most cases.

[David]

If I could get over the 4 banger sound, I'd replace my 981 with one since they're much faster especially with a downpipe and tune. I've heard turbo reliability improves with a downpipe too but I haven't heard that first hand. Of course that's a track only mod