Comparing the 986 engine to 987
 

I was cleaning my 2007 987 engine today for the first time since I got it late last summer. It now has 9k miles on it. I noticed several things seem much better designed. The air intake looks to me like a far better. The oil tube is finally better, the AOS is reachable, the coolant tank appears to be totally in plan view. It just seems less cluttered. It looks like they listened to the frustrated mechanics out there. I posted a pic of the air intake with the filter door off and with it on.

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1357001983.jpg
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1357002002.jpg

Will have to take a peek at my mom's 987 when I change the oil for her tomorrow. It definitely looks visually cleaner. Hers still has the trunk-mounted coolant tank (2005-2006).

But underneath its the same.. Its just a new name for an M96 at our level, oh and it comes with a non-retrofittable IMS bearing and even more plastic internal components.

Yup couldn't agree more. And this little 2.7 puts out almost as much HP as my 3.2. Hopefully the 2.7 IMS will behave :). My 3.2 is happy with it's retrofit.

2.7 987 engines are horrible about losing intake lifters.. Keep that oil changed and use something with real levels of Zinc!

While the 2.7 might come close to the 3.2 in HP figures, thats not real power... Real power is found in torque values and where they are in the RPM range and thats where the 3.2 really kills the 2.7 and not just at peak advertised power.

LOL @ Jake ... a ray of sunshine as usual. :)

how about the 2.9 with PDK vs. the 986 3.2 manual . i would be real curious to see how they match up ? i have been starting to see lots of 09 base cars with PDK up for sale for reasonable money lately while 3.4 DI cars still are almost 50 grand !

so strictly mechanically speaking, which pre-981 engine do you like most?
As in 1999-2012.

I consider all M96/ M97 engines the same. At our level we consider them all an equal playing field that we can reconstruct.

When the DFI engines started in 2009 another set of challenges were conceived.

The absolute worst engines are from 01-05 model years.

Whip, nice engine detailing job! Good work.

so what makes a 2000 2.7 engine better than a 01-05

are you telling me that my 3.4 996 supercharged engine, project engine is better than a 3.6 996 engine :dance:

thanks

Yes, I would like to know too. I bought a 2003 model as everyone said these were the most sorted 2.7L engines.

Dont get an earlier car if possible they said!

The 2000 is better because it has a dualrow IMSB, the most durable IMSB made by Porsche. The 996 3.4 is the worst choice for forced induction because it has the thinnest cylinder walls of all M96 engines. The cylinders may be out of round already even before supercharging.

Why would Porsche replace the 2000 ims double the most durable they made with something less durable from 01-05

That's a good question, Porsche changed the crank to IMS chain & drive gears around the same time to quiet their operation.