If anyone's interested ...

[Matt Holcomb]

... I have a little update on the engine.

Well, I've done 2,500kms now post the rebuild, and I'm in shock! I had no idea these engines could be this good! I've just returned from a 100km jaunt, and the engine feels considerably freer.

For those of you who remember, my engine, an MFI 2.7 (911/83) with GE-60 cams, 10.5:1 JE pistons and racing springs and titanium retainers, was rebuilt by a man named John Gregory. John has been rebuilding Porsche engines -- and modifying them -- for over forty years; he is regarded as Australia's foremost expert on pre-CIS engines.

Nearly every time I visited him while he was working on my engine, he would tell me (when I wasn't asking!) how much power this engine was going to develop, and how explosive -- and elastic -- it was going to be. He would also stress that it was going to deliver its power very smoothly: it was going to be almost turbine-like, a quality that's often lost when these engines are rebuilt by people who lack John's experience. I would always nod as though I understood. But judging by his eyes, he knew I was clueless, and would politely smile, knowing that between 2-3,000 kms, I would finally understand.

Well, now I understand, and I'll try to help you guys understand, too.

First gear is savagely explosive: before you have time to even begin to comprehend the sheer urgency of the engine, the needle is at 7,300rpm, and I have to shift into second. Once you shift into second, it's like another engine has been dropped in behind you: this one is throatier, angrier -- scarier. It snarls, it growls, it shrieks, and in these voices it's always asking you if you really know what you're doing -- if your soul is prepared for what your right foot wants to do.

But you run out of road before you get a chance to prove whether or not you have the balls. I can't imagine what it's going to be like when I have a chance to really waltz with the devil, and I'm almost frightened -- and the engine, which John estimates is developing close to 270bhp, is suffocating with only one tailpipe and an airbox! Oh, and I still have the temporary distributor, and the MFI pump can't be optimised until my distributor, currently being rebuilt, is ready.

It's good enough as it is! Certainly, I have more power than I really need. With another 30-40bhp, I'll have a car that I fear will be far, far beyond my abilities as a driver.

Should I sell it?!


Matt Holcomb
1974 911 Carrera 2.7 Euro
1975 Mercedes-Benz 280SE
Dedicated Homepage
Engine Rebuild Homepage
Porsche Owners Gallery Profile
Pelican Gallery Profile

[makaio]

Matt, I can't believe you would even joke about selling your car, after what you just went through!

Great description!

[pwd72s]

I had the distinct pleasure of driving a real '73RS once. A lightweight model, set up for hillclimb competitions in Europe. Short gears. Your description remind me of that drive...it's a fact, not all 2.7's are "created equal".

[Adam]

I've sampled the delights of Matthew's 911 before and after the rebuild and the one thing that truly stands out, to me, is not the urgency of the power delivery or the smoothness of the motor, but the melodic crescendo that begins as a rumble, starts to roar and before you know it, is screaming toward it's 7k + rpm limit!

This car is amazing. For every 1000rpm it climbs, the motor exudes a totally different engine note. I imagine it's a lot like early 911 race engines. Now my humble 175bhp CIS 2.7 feels like a tame econobox compared to this permanent "Mr Hyde" and I yearn for a set of SSIs and higher comp pistons. I was amazed that after a fairly thorough workout, the engine temps were as cool as my own car!

I think Matt's car could easily rev past the 7,600 rpm limit. Perhaps that's a question for Warren. How high could you rev a motor like Matt's?

[Matt Holcomb]

Makaio,

Barring any unforeseen financial woes, we'll never part company.

Having said that, if I ever found the money for an original '73 RSR, I think I could place an ad for the Carrera!


Pwd72s,

That's it, I'm going to go for a drive!


Adam,

Man, it was scary how quickly -- and how close -- the tach needle hit what was really 7,600rpm, but which looked dangerously close to 7,800 - 7,900rpm.

What's even scarier is that it felt like the engine was asking for more!

Of course, it wasn't my intention to hit 7,600rpm -- I'm still getting used to this engine!


Matt Holcomb
1974 911 Carrera 2.7 Euro
1975 Mercedes-Benz 280SE
Dedicated Homepage
Engine Rebuild Homepage
Porsche Owners Gallery Profile
Pelican Gallery Profile