Same Engine On The 997 As 996 !?!?

Saw the new Road & Track and they have a preview on the new cars. They have a little blurb on the 997 and they state that the new 997 will use the same engine as the current (996) car, and the S model will be the one with the 3.8L, 350 hp engine. If this is true then Porsche might as well pack up and go home. No way I am getting another Porsche. I think the S model is just another way for them to charge Porsche owners more money. I have never been a fan of these "power kits." So us paying $75K+ for a Carrera or $120K+ for a turbo doesn't warrant Porsche giving us their best technology ? That is a joke.

Not a very dedicated fanman.

Well how much would you pay to upgrade to some roundie headlights?

Was R&T correct? If same engine, I assume the RMS problem may continue with the new model?

If that is true I would trade up my 02 c4s for a 01-04 turbo

If its the same engine, then Porsche really don't care about their product.

Are hp numbers really that important? Just for bragging rights or what? Don't 0-60 and 0-100 and 1/4 mile numbers mean a little more than a hp figure? My guess is that if it does come with 345hp from the factory, it will still do 0-60 and 0-100 in the same time as the 996 320hp as the extra 25hp wouldn't add more than 0.1 second and in reality is probably just compensating for extra weight they added in.

The point isn't horsepower, it's the perception that the 996 motor is not built as robustly as the Turbo and GT3 motors, which are more similar to the 993 motor. The RMS problems that have plagued the 996 motor is one example, but people feel because Porsche will not rebuild a 996 motor, preferring to replace it instead that the motor is seen as a "throwaway." (A new motor is what, $12k fresh out of the crate, compared to more than $30k for a 993 motor.) Vic

Won't the 997 have a dual shaft gearbox? If so, the hp will be much more usable. AS

I don't think Porsche ever does all they could do on power all at one time. They need to save some increases for subsequent years. The 25 hp increase should push the car close to 180 mph. If more is needed, one can wait for the S with up to 380 hp. I read (Autoweek) that the 6-speed manual is standard, but buyers can order a 6-speed Tiptronic with steering wheel mounted shift buttons, or a dual-clutch gearbox. Autoweek also said that there will be 12 new 911 models in the next 3 years (including a GT2 replacement), so at least one of those should fit just about anybody.

My question is still, if it's the 996 engine, will the inherent RMS problem continue into the 997 model? I would trade my 03 996 at end of warranty, but not if the 997 is the same engine.

If its the same engine as the 996, then it will have the same RMS problem.

I am also of the view that I won't be looking at a 997 until I'm convinced that the RMS problem is SOLVED. If it's the same engine, then I'd be very skeptical that the problem is fixed, given that it hasn't happened already despite, what, 5 years of production? I think all current 996 owners should make it clear to Porsche that we won't be considering a 997 until Porsche has taken care of their 996 customers. So far their approach has been to repair/replace engines until the car is out of warranty, then the customer is on his own with an engine that has an inherent design flaw, with a very high probability of exhibiting itself.

I guess I should have titled it "No horsepower/torque/displacement increase for the 997." I understand your point that torque increase is the key, and I agree with that. I was thinking that a displacement increase of .2 L would include a horsepower AND torque increase similar to the last increase. I personally would rather have an increase of torque than a hp increase. I would love to see 285 lb.-ft. of TQ. With Variocam Plus hopefully the torque curve would continue to improve. It is unfortunate that due to the safety requirements these days, and the widebody being standard that weight will increase. In an ideal world, I would rather have a 200 lb. weight reduction than a 20 hp increase, but the chances of that are very slim. As for racing on the street, track, etc. Yes, I have raced on the track with my friends M3, my other friends C5 Corvette, etc. And can honestly say that while they don't feel as nice, they are probably just as fast as our cars. With the new AMG's sporting 5.5L V8's (though more weight as well), more hp/torque increases for the Corvette, new Cobra coming out, new body style/ (probable) more hp for the M3, even the Japanese cars hp are improving, for Porshche to stay the same is actually a step back. I will pay for similar or better performance, but not worse. If our definition is 0-60 or 0-100 or 1/4 mi. than Porsche should accomodate us, or like it is doing right now lose more sales.