It sure would be nice if these things were flat-8's

[EarlyPorsche]

Oh and to note, I make mention of this to this todays Carrera and not the early cars. Them being flat-6's is fine with me but now its simply time to "grow up."

[EarlySport]

Originally Posted by EarlyPorsche

The 8 would just make more sense. No reason it would have to be less green either. A 3.6 or 3.8 flat-8 would work too. Like the little ferrari V-12's and such.
...

What makes you think that adding cylinders without increasing capacity would make more power?

It would definitely add to rebuild costs and complexity, and engine length ( bad in a rear engine car.. )

[Az911]

Originally Posted by Formerly Steve Wilkinson

Oh, so we _must_ have eight or 12 cylinders? Oh, dear, I'm off next week to pick up a six-cylinder car for a week of testing, puts out something as yet undetermined in the low/moderate 500-hp range, does 0-60 in the mid-threes, goes damn near 200 mph, kicks the scheiss out of 997 Turbos and costs (ostensibly) $70,000.

Nissan GT-R, with a pissy little V6. I guess I just can't count high enough.

Good luck at finding one that actually sells for $70,000.00 plus at the end of the day it's still a nissan.

[Az911]

Originally Posted by EarlyPorsche

Oh and to note, I make mention of this to this todays Carrera and not the early cars. Them being flat-6's is fine with me but now its simply time to "grow up."

There not not been a need to "grow up" Porsche is selling more cars at a high profit margin then even before. Why fix something that isn't broken?

[copbait73]

Originally Posted by haycait911

didn't they build a 914 with a flat 8 for a Porsche family member?

Yes, their 60s vintage F1 motor was a flat 8 four cam. This engine was installed in numerous different chassis. They also built a flat 16 in the 917 flat 12 timeframe. However, the flat 16 was rejected in favor of the TURBO 917 flat 12; still their ultimate racing engine.

[EarlyPorsche]

Originally Posted by Az911

There not not been a need to "grow up" Porsche is selling more cars at a high profit margin then even before. Why fix something that isn't broken?

Corvette SS

[RWebb]

true for a flat 6 boxer

an inline 6 also is well-balanced, tho not to as many orders

a V-6 is inherently unbalanced (but have fun ANYWAY Steve!)

most v-8's have a 2o imbalance (or all do; there is something about arranging the throws on the crank but I don't recall what exactly it does)

- however, the nice "rumble" that we all like in the US style V-8's is due to the 2o imbalance... so it is not all bad.

Generally, the number of cylinders will be optimal for a certain displacement. Too many and frictional losses increase rapidly. Too few and the size of a single cylinder is bad for the physics of the combustion process.

Balance does enter into the sizing however - the 944 & 964 only went to the huge (~3L) sizes they did when they could run the Mitsu design balance shafts. Personally, I just hate the idea of balance shafts...

and BTW, no one mentioned the 16 cyl. motor Porsche made...

[Porsche-O-Phile]

IIRC the only configuration that naturally has perfect balance at all positions/speeds is a V12.

[Flieger]

Yes, displacement effects the optimal number of cylinders but generally 6 or 12 is the best. Ferrari F1 cars, back when technology was allowed in the early '90s, were 12s out of tradition and sound. The rest of the field was Ford V8s and French V10s. On high-speed circuits like Monza, the normally piggish Ferrari was fast due to the horsepower at the top of the rev range, while the Fords in the Benetton with Michale Schumacher really cleaned up on tracks like Monaco. The V10 was in-between.

The teams traded some high horsepower for low-down torque and better fuel economy without the frictional losses. The good balance of the V12 was negated by its length, which interferes with aerodynamics and weight distrubution. This is the reason Ferrari accepted the V10

[Flieger]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

IIRC the only configuration that naturally has perfect balance at all positions/speeds is a V12.

Multiples of 6. The best is a horizontall-opposed 6 or 12

[juicersr]

[QUOTE=
Nissan? You're still driving a Nissan...[/QUOTE]

Ouch! Hey man, i drive a 350Z when the weather sux

I have often wondered the same thing about the eight. Seems like a smaller displacement rear eight wouldnt be THAT much bigger, and would allow more flexiblity from power standpoint. Love the six, but only the air-cooled variety. The 908 engine made pretty good reliable HP.... begs the question of what some development in a street car would have resulted in.

Wonder wut the 914/8 drove like?

[pksystems]

It's time for Porsche to go to a lighter turbo H4..... I am

[gungadin]

Emorys have a 908 in their stable. Here's the link to pictures but it's chilling to see in real life.
http://emorymotorsports.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=87&Itemid=87

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by EarlyPorsche

.... Turbo's are ok, but turbos are so against the Porsche mentality of refined engineering.

What?? Who put the first turbos on the street? Who won the most races with Turbos? I see businessmen driving Turbos in everyday traffic simply because they can. And, the sound of a well tuned exhaust on a six is only second to a 12 cyl. Just my opinion.

[equality72521]

Originally Posted by milt

What?? Who put the first turbos on the street? Who won the most races with Turbos? I see businessmen driving Turbos in everyday traffic simply because they can. And, the sound of a well tuned exhaust on a six is only second to a 12 cyl. Just my opinion.

What he said...

[EarlyPorsche]

Originally Posted by milt

What?? Who put the first turbos on the street? Who won the most races with Turbos? I see businessmen driving Turbos in everyday traffic simply because they can. And, the sound of a well tuned exhaust on a six is only second to a 12 cyl. Just my opinion.

They could have invented the turbo for all that matters but in my opinion the addition a 2 more cylinders would have been smarter at that turning point. Adding to the what is already there (internal combustion engine) would be a clean approach instead of adding expensive, and less reliable (in comparison to just adding more cylinders) equipment. I mean the competition is getting a little stiff guys; how much boost and how big of a flat six can Porsche build?

[equality72521]

Originally Posted by EarlyPorsche

how much boost and how big of a flat six can Porsche build?

So far I'd say:

GT2

Engine Cylinders 6
Displacement 3.6 liters
Engine layout Rear engine
Horsepower 530 hp
Torque 505 lb.-ft.
@ rpm 2,200 - 4,500 rpm
Compression ratio 9.0 : 1
Manual
Performance Top Track Speed 204 mph
0-60 mph 3.6 s
0-100 mph 7.4 s

[EarlyPorsche]

What about when the Corvette SS comes out though? 600-650hp for $100,000 even. Thats Carrera GT/Enzo power.

[haycait911]

Originally Posted by EarlyPorsche

What about when the Corvette SS comes out though? 600-650hp for $100,000 even. Thats Carrera GT/Enzo power.

you hope it won't happen, waiting quietly, afraid to think it could come true, a fun thread and controversial in a good spirited way. and then....it happens....someone mentions the "C" word.

WTH, forget a flat 8, maybe porsche should go with a V8. I heard a couple of american car companies have done well with it.

[ninesixfour]

Do these cars really need more power? I'd rather see the 998 lose 400 pounds than gain another 50hp.