Ducati Sporting Club UK > General > Idle Chat > Anyone ever owned a Porsche

[SlowLearner]

Its definitely VarioCam !

http://www.qv500.com/porsche993p2.php

[John W]

Sorry, but there are a number of errors on that web site, or rather, things I do not believe to be true.

for a start, the engine did not up its capacity to 3.8L when going to 285bhp. the only 3.8s (as standard anyway) were the RSs, although the larger barrels can be brought as performance parts upgrades.

the information here: http://www.idee.demon.nl/
is taken directly from the sales literature.

Also, here: http://www.performance2and4.co.uk/993_1_n.htm
refers to it as varioram, which from memory is written somewhere on the engine (probably induction).
Here are details of how it works: http://www.instant-g.com/Products/36...sion/VRAM.html

Hope that helps.

[SlowLearner]

....so the porsche manual that i have in my hand must be wrong then !

[007]

Originally Posted by SlowLearner

....so the porsche manual that i have in my hand must be wrong then !

Crikey, us Ducati owners really know our stuff

[John W]

I don't think this is really helping in terms of buyer information, but since you asked here goes.

I can only think your referring to a 996, as the 993 definitely does not have variable cam timing.
I was so certain that I have gone and checked the owners manual for my car, and the various porsche books I have.
The real killer though is that I happen to have a full set of original porsche service manuals, and can categorically confirm there is one cam per cylinder head, one drive sprocket per cam, and each cam is driven by its own dual chain from the intermediate shaft, which is directly driven by the crank.
no variable valve timing anywhere in any of that.
if you want to check, this is Volume 1 - general engine, section 15. There is a nice diagram on page 15-15.

Now in the same volume of the manual, in section 24, page 24-11, there is an exploded diagram of the varioram sytem and it is entitled '911 carrera [RS] engine with varioram induction system'.

I also have a copy of PorschePET, the electronic parts catalog. nowhere does it have a link to 'variocam' for the 993 when searched.

FYI Variocam adjusts the timing between the intake and exhaust cams, as first used in the 968, and then used in the 996 (a different type of system though, called variocam-plus). Given that the 993 only has 1 cam per cylinder bank it is imposible for it to have variocam

try doing a google for 993 variocam and it saysdid you mean varioram...

Do I win a prize for being technical geek/pedant/tosser (delete as appropriate) of the week

[Paul996]

Thanks for all that, I now the in's and outs of the engine.

What are people getting in terms of fuel economy, which I think is a mad question if you want to own a Porsche. But at 20K miles a year it can make a difference.

Cheers

[007]

Originally Posted by Paul996

Thanks for all that, I now the in's and outs of the engine.

What are people getting in terms of fuel economy, which I think is a mad question if you want to own a Porsche. But at 20K miles a year it can make a difference.

Cheers

Get one, but IMHO not a boxster. May I suggest one of the last air cooled 911's (3.6 flat six, 280bhp) around M reg, for your budget you may stretch to get a really good model, but you won't be disappointed.

If you pick the right model, a Porsche will provide as reliable a super car as one good wish for.

Soft tops are all typically well engineered, and fuel a econmey not bad at all, say 20-26mpg ish.

Regards.

[John W]

my 993 C2 gives 24mpg, as I said in a previous post.

The boxsters and 996s are meant to be far more efficient - nearer 30mpg from memory.
Last time I visited the main dealers they had an article saying on a road test the boxster was more fuel efficient in town than the SLK and some other convertible too.

At this stage if I were you I'd go test drive one. The new ones drive just the same as the older ones, its only the equipment and finish that has altered.
At least you'll know whether its worth still considering or not.

If you have the money to buy one yo won't regret it, and itwill probably depreciate less than any other car for similar money.