"4-cyl 911 motor"

[Will98D]

How many of you read the article in Excellence this month on the 200hp 4-cylinder 911 motor the guy put in a 356? I had to scan it due to time constraints, but it looked pretty neat. I wonder how much the whole thing would cost at the end of the day?

[DonNewton]

Lots. -6 (any size) would be cheaper.

[skline]

I have never heard of a 4-cylinder 911 motor. Did they make such a thing?

[mike mueller]

I think they go for about $13K or so......

skline wrote: I have never heard of a 4-cylinder 911 motor. Did they make such a thing?

They started (a Porsche specialist shop, NOT Porsche) removed two cylinders from a /6 engine....now he has the cases cast to his own specs.




Very trick, but costly

[sean_V8_914]

a guy named Dean Polopolus made his own case, and using 6 cylinder parts, created a 4. It is a very cool toy but I did not understand the benefit.

[M. Hendrix]

Originally posted by sean_V8_914
a guy named Dean Polopolus made his own case, and using 6 cylinder parts, created a 4. It is a very cool toy but I did not understand the benefit.

The explaination of the expense.



M

[sammyg2]

200 hp from a 4 cylinder porsche engine would be equivalent to a 300 hp 6 cylinder engine for much less money all things being equal.
Tell me again why the 4 would be a good idea?
Seems like you could buy a 3 liter and disconnect 2 spark plugs and bank the extra cash

[73/2.0 9forteen]

Gary Emory at parts obsolete uses's them in some of his project's.
http://www.partsobsolete.com/4_cylinder_911_motor.htm

[skline]

Ok, well in my opinion, they must have too much money and too much time on their hands to cut up a 6 to make a four. I still cant see the point. I would rather have the 6.

[M. Hendrix]

Originally posted by sammyg2

Seems like you could buy a 3 liter and disconnect 2 spark plugs and bank the extra cash

LMAO! Is this an offer to make one... dare I say... cheap?

I swear.



M

[ein 6er]

i think the guy is >really< into 356s. and you know some guys will do when they're really into a certain model.!! (-:

it's my understanding that the 6cyl engine is too long to fit in a 356 without cutting. and then it apparently adds extra weight to the rear and throws off the balance.

you've got to admire the engineering that went into it.

i'm thinking ... put 2 of 'em together for a 914-8!! yeahhhh!!!

doug

[skline]

Now that would be a good one. Air cooled Porsche flat 8. I would buy that if I could afford it.

[AJS]

Quite a number of years ago, I read about the Fittipaldi brothers racing an 8 cyl. mid engine VW built by coupling 2 VW motors crank to crank. An interesting car to say the least. It was apparently campaigned with some success in the Brazilian roadracing scene. I recall they tipped the top of the windshield back ito the cabin to create a ducted air intake for the motors. A little off topic, but thought you'd find it interesting.

I did see a picture of a flat 8 VW based motor built by some guy in one of the Scandinavian countries. Cast his own cases. Very well done, as I remember.

Andy

[mikester]

The article was very interesting, I think something we always overlook is that our cars are by design nimble and fast. Even with the stock setup all I feel I lack is acceleration. So putting a lighter engine in that produces a good amount of power would always be better than a heavy engine that produces a ton of power. You end up with a heavy car and end up NEEDING that power more than just being able to use it.

I think a 4 based on a 6 is a very cool idea and if I were a racer and could get away with it in the class I wanted to be in (and had the deep pockets) I'd love to try it. After reading the article I spent a couple of hours scouring the internet for more info but found very little.

Basically, the guy cut the middle two cylinders out and grafted the case back together, he had to do the same to the heads I believe as well. He ended up with a very light and powerful engine.

Nifty eh?

I think I'll just go for a nice 2.0L one day myself.

[yoh!!!]

The idea is not so new... these 4's based on 6's are the closes things to the Fuhrmann engines used in the 550 Spyder and other successful porsche race cars (mid 50’s to 60’s). The Fuhrmann engines had a different way to drive the cams (Koenigswelle common on older motorcycles)
And I guess these modern 4's based on 6's go into spyder replicas, wanabe 356 GT Carrera 2 and such. I like the idea - and definitely cheaper and more available than the Fuhrmann’s…

Flat 8’s…Porsches 8’s were supposedly developed from the 911’s flat 6’s. And used in Porsche race cars like 804 and 908 …


Patrick

[sammyg2]

Hay I got an idea, I'll take two flat sixes, cut the middle cylinders out of them, and weld em together. Wham, flat 8

I gotta admit a flat 4 from a six has a certain amount of cool factor but it reminds me of the guy who builts a 1/4 scale ferrari. Way cool to look at, no way can you not admire the ingenuity, but what a waste!
I'm just looking at it from an engineering stand point. maybe if I was more emotional I'd get it.

[auh]

Sounds like a 912 engine to me

Right? 911 with 4 cylinders is a 912?

Adam

[mikester]

I think the development is a great project, for someone else. =-)

But I'd be happy to build one to replace my tiring engine if the price point were right. Reading the article, it sounds like the guy is making a kit with all the fabricated parts included. Everything else is available via the 911 parts bin.

That makes it pretty uncomplicated I think...

[mike mueller]

auh wrote: Sounds like a 912 engine to me

The 912 motor and the 911 motor have nothing in common, well, maybe a nut or two might be the same.

The early 912 motors are similar to 356 or bug motors and the '76 912e is basicly a 914 engine.

[auh]

When I said sounds like a 912 engine, I meant 912 the car, not engine.

911 with 4 cylinders is what a 912 is, right?

Adam