I vote for the Carrera 3,2

Relatively simple engine, DME controlled, the most economic of all 911 engines and more power than the SC. Also quite reliable, hydraulic tensioners etc..

It all depends on how one interpret the word "best".

Best sound? Best power? Best for tuning? Etc.

Best overall - I think the best was to think about it is this:

You have a rolling chassis. You can pick one engine to put in it. What do you choose?

Now, c'mon SC guys... I know you guys have some cult-like devotion to your 180bhp CIS controlled engine, but really - In the scenerio above, given the choice between a 285bhp 3.6 Varioram and you 180bhp SC, are you really going to pick that SC engine?

Given the rarity of some of the engines in the poll, I select one of the more plebian: The 2.4 MFI S. Not too may votes for this one, but a few. The reason is it was also the pincacle of a series such as was suggested about the 993. No electronics, minimal smog, as much HP, or more, as many of it's immediate sucessors.

I'm talking about all engines in stock factory trim. If you start with what is good about what from an individual component perspective, that's another thread (and I thinld it already appeared).

Anything in or out of an SC. They are plentiful and reliable. Now, if I could just convince my wife to put her SC engine in my T, life would be very good.

would it be fair to separate the 90-92 engines from the 93-94? Just read new issue of Excellence and it appears that the 93-94 3.6 addresses all the problems with the 90-92 engines.

feel the joy of CIS goodness...

I'm also a big fan of 2.2 w/MFI, but I don't think I'd put one in a later car.

I guess it would depend on how you look at an engine.

I have passed the point where I see them as a stock, in the car, item. If you look at them as to what can easily be done to up grade or transplant them that would give you a different perspective I think.

Water cooled 911s aren't really a 911 are they?

So then you look at the aluminum cased 911s starting with the early Carrera Wayne is fond of all the eay to the 3.6 Varioram.

The Vaioram is just the extension of the 3.2 Carrera in reality, motor management and all. But a 3.6 Varioram has to be the ultimate engine available "off the shelf". That said they were taking the Carrera aluminum case and building some incredible engines early on. The SC was just a NA Turbo after all, built hell for stout as its track record has shown.

I voted with my money and time for the SC case...rebuilt to more modern specs of course and still hell for stout...as a 3.4 twin plug with lots of torgue for the street. Bet there were some engineers wanting the same thing back at Porsche in '78.

I love the raspy note of the early cars. I know the history of one SC intimately. I'd like to drive a car with a 3.6 before I vote.

I'll vote when I have a valid opinion. That will be after I've driven every motor on the list. Until then, do I just vote for whatever the motor is that is in MY garage?

i vote for 2.0-2.2-2.4,
seems like these motors have an unchallenged reliability/longevity.

For output/simplicity/reliability/fuel efficiency/emissions/adaptability to early cars, it would have to be the ROW 3.2 Carrera motor. 231hp bone stock, ~240hp w/ a very mild chip, and about 1/2 the cost of a 3.6 swap in an early car. If you can find one, though. That's the catch. Used 3.6s seem to grow on trees, if you have the $$. :cool:

I voted for the 2.7 RS simply because when you hear that motor in full cry nothing else matters :D

"911SC (1978-89)" ---Wayne's Poll

Did Porsche make an SC from 84-89? I thought they quit in '83? If I am wrong, then I apologize. If I am right, then the poll is invalid, due to a confusing ballot.

I hope the results don't have to go all the way to the Supreme Court to be decided.

By the way, my hanging chad should count twice...right? So, Wayne please add another to the 84-89 Carrera 3.2! ;)

1600S... 40PBIC Solex Single Bbl Carbs. No electronics, no emissions. ;)

SCWDP muuuhahahaha!

It's hard to compare Turbos and NA's but if were talking NA's I'm with Warren on this. 3.0RS. It has it all, power, reliability, and adaptability, not to mention the sound. It's more powerful than a SC or US Carrera, virtual tie with a Euro 3.2 Carrera and only exceded by the 3.6.

Less adaptable would be the 3.8 RS.

The V10 Carrera GT is the most incredible motor that Porsche has ever offered the general public but since adaptability is part of the equation then it can't play.

If you want brute force that can be applied to a 911 body. That's easy the 3.6 GT2 turbo motor.

So I guess I can't vote since none of the motors I mentioned are listed in the poll. :(

Why did you make the polll multiple choice?

Indeed, a good engine, but only 20 or so buit. We'd also have to include the '74 RSRs then too. I was referring only to production engines in the poll here...

-Wayne

*some* of the problems - not all. Keep in mind that the engines are still relatively new, and we're still discovering...

-Wayne

All good comments. I made the poll multiple choice, as some might be tied. The early engines were good, but decidedly low on power and finicky compared to the late model Motronics.

I'd have to say that since the 3.2 and 3.0 are very similar, I'd give the nod to the 3.2 due to the increased HP and the Motronic system, which is light years ahead of CIS. The 3.6 - still too complicated and new to really be competitive in this poll. The only thing it really has going for it is the fact that it has more power. It's not easy to adapt (compared to the 1989 and earlier models), and it has a bunch of design problems, some of which were never fully worked out...

-Wayne