What is the best year for stock 3.6 engine and why????
 

Hi guys, Ive heard go with a 964 3.6 because they have better cranks, better rods, better everything. The 993's are supposed to have worse rods and inferior other engine parts but more HP. Do guys who race porsches use 993 or 964's. Id love to hear from folks who know about these engines from inside out. You guys who build the engines for racing, if you were to get only one 'STOCK' engine, which one would it be???? What is the best year for stock engine and why???? What are your thoughts on the varioram engines for racing and street???? Thanks again for all your help!! Mark
84 Coupe

It'd be hard to get worse connecting rods (at least the bolts) than the 964. The 993's liability, from a track point of view, would be the hydraulic lifters. OBDI versus OBDII seems to be less of an issue than it used to be.

Steve Timmins' page has a breakdown of the pros and cons of the different motors.

I'm happy with my 964 3.6, but a Varioram 3.6 is more powerful.

here's the Steve Timmons page
www.instant-g.com/

I picked a 95 engine as I didn't want to deal with the ODB2 and I didn't want to pay the extra1.5-2k for the varioram. I spend that money on cams and rod bolts and ti springs, etc. the engine should rev to 7200 and be very reliable. we plan for 300 HP. plus, a idiot like me wont have to mention with valve adjustments. but as Jack said, hyd lifters are not the best for the track.

I'll add that guys have been successfull and happy with both 964 and 993 engines (as well as problems with both). The hp diff is not that much with free flow exhaust on the 964 which gains 20 or so hp (the exhaust was the restriction on the 964's). Just make sure to have the engine checked out fully and maintenance records verified/reviewed if possible.

Lets see the 993 crank is 1kg heavier, has 1.5mm thinker flanges and narrower rod rournals all this contributes to greater strength and ridgitity. They were able eliminate the harmonic balancer from the front of the crank as a result.

Best depends, I have both an OBD1 '95 993 and an OBD1 ROW 3.8 vram. They are both great engines, and better platforms to start w/ than 964(not that the late '92 up 964 is bad ;) )

the exhaust isn't the only improvement on a 993 either, MAF sensor, valves are bigger and lighter , friction reduction, rods and the rest of thee recipricating rotating assembly are lighter etc.

Some of these changes and the use of CAE for the crank and recip. pieces are mentioned in the Aichele engine book too.

Now, is bone stock the real issue? Are you willing to do a few 'small' changes? i.e. solid lifters?

There is nohing wrong w/ hyd. lifters, they are good 7500rpm easily.

Probably wouldn't want them on a pure race car but dual purpose or mostly street they are fine.

They are lighter than mechanical adjusters, but heavier than shim type.