87 Intake differences
#1
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87 Intake differences
So, taking apart my early 87 (squirter block/flip up spoiler) and noticed the delta between early and later S4 intakes.
Easiest way for me to see the difference is the ridges on the center cross-over on the later ones. reading through another thread it mentioned that the fuel rails are also unique to the different intakes.
Intake part numbers are the same.
Rails look and match up. I haven't taken measurements but they look identical.
My early engine is a TBF motor. So looking to see what parts are interchangeable.
Questions;
1. Can the early intake go on the later block?
2. Do the fuel rail need to follow?
3. Any other differences that I need to consider when thinking about interchanging parts.
I understand about metal contamination with oil system components.
Overall really pleased with how clean the TBF motor is. I drove it for Two years. I did not baby it either. Chinese water pump looks OK too.
Looking to swap in from early engine;
Thanks
Easiest way for me to see the difference is the ridges on the center cross-over on the later ones. reading through another thread it mentioned that the fuel rails are also unique to the different intakes.
Intake part numbers are the same.
Rails look and match up. I haven't taken measurements but they look identical.
My early engine is a TBF motor. So looking to see what parts are interchangeable.
Questions;
1. Can the early intake go on the later block?
2. Do the fuel rail need to follow?
3. Any other differences that I need to consider when thinking about interchanging parts.
I understand about metal contamination with oil system components.
Overall really pleased with how clean the TBF motor is. I drove it for Two years. I did not baby it either. Chinese water pump looks OK too.
Looking to swap in from early engine;
- All timing gears and rollers
- Cam covers
- hopefully intake and rails
- injectors ?
Thanks
#2
My understanding is the intakes are interchangeable as long as you maintain your fuel rail set-up as is. Later rails mount directly to the manifold and early ones employ a spacer. Another difference I noticed is that my '87 left side cover has a tapped hole in the round boss, whereas my replacement '90 is not tapped.
Of additional interest to me is why Porsche added these ribs? Looking at your picture it appears the flappy shaft mounting boss on the later casting is taller - maybe an illusion. Did they add the ribs for aesthetics? Added stiffness during the inside machining? Perhaps the flappy valve and shaft are different in size and they used the ribs as a differentiator? Maybe all of the above? Casting tooling is just not changed for no reason. Maybe a Porsche big-wig said "I don't like the look of that". The ribs do continue on the underside, so I'm assuming it is for a functional reason, like stiffness, or to hide the look of additional material added locally. Interesting.
Of additional interest to me is why Porsche added these ribs? Looking at your picture it appears the flappy shaft mounting boss on the later casting is taller - maybe an illusion. Did they add the ribs for aesthetics? Added stiffness during the inside machining? Perhaps the flappy valve and shaft are different in size and they used the ribs as a differentiator? Maybe all of the above? Casting tooling is just not changed for no reason. Maybe a Porsche big-wig said "I don't like the look of that". The ribs do continue on the underside, so I'm assuming it is for a functional reason, like stiffness, or to hide the look of additional material added locally. Interesting.
#3
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Thread Starter
Thanks for the reply,
You are correct about the difference in flappy valve heights.
I imagine that as long as I keep the rails matched with intake, I should be ok.
Later today I will try to find where the need for the spacers originated
You are correct about the difference in flappy valve heights.
I imagine that as long as I keep the rails matched with intake, I should be ok.
Later today I will try to find where the need for the spacers originated
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#5
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I don't recall the rubber buffers, but I have a handful of very thick aluminum washers that have come off early and late 87 intake manifolds. Those manifolds featured longer 6mm studs, too.
#6
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Early ‘87 intake:
#7
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#8
My early 87 has the aluminium spacers. I suspect they were changed at some stage because the rubber ones would probably deteriorate over time and cause the injectors to come loose and then you would have a catastrophic fire.
I have not read anything about this, it is only speculation.
I have not read anything about this, it is only speculation.
#9
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They were likely replaced with metal spacers because new ones are ~$25 each and you need four of them,
and cause the injectors to come loose and then you would have a catastrophic fire.
The stand-offs are, however, very important in locating the height of the injectors during assembly. If they are too thick or thin the lower o-rings will not seal and you’ll have false-air (aka a vacuum leak), but still no fire. Now, upper o-rings on the other hand are a different story: any upper o-ring leak is a car fire.
I have not read anything about this, it is only speculation.
#11
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Another data point, I have a squirter-block and flip-wing, and the fuel rail spacers are aluminum.
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#13
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The aluminum spacers were provided by Porsche. Where else cold they come from from?
#14
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So,
I now have both the rubber bonded (2 years old) and the aluminum spacers.
Preference?
Does this then mean that rails and manifolds are interchangeable?
Still cant see any difference in the intakes as far as mounting heights/thickness, other than the flappy valve.
I now have both the rubber bonded (2 years old) and the aluminum spacers.
Preference?
Does this then mean that rails and manifolds are interchangeable?
Still cant see any difference in the intakes as far as mounting heights/thickness, other than the flappy valve.
#15
This thread just reminded me that I had an early '87 intake and fuel rails stored together just in case I needed to do a swap. Then I took all my intakes and gave them to Roger to have him PC them for retail sale........I need to go rescue that one before it's sold and someone ends up in a scenario where they have an intake and the fuel rails don't fit. Sigh.