Manifold

I rarely see GT-Rs at the track, and they tend to be in lower run groups. I see many GT3s at the track, and they tend to be in higher run groups. Coincidence? I doubt it.

Mike in CA

Tom, I see your and raise you .....

CRex

I like this review. Takes a stance, but still provides the relevant facts for one to consider the opposite argument. Sure the author waxes lyrical about this new combination, and I for one can't wait to see it at the track...

I'm a bit puzzled by the glowing comments about the engine across the board. First Harris, then this. Can just a bunch of conrods, crank and slightly modified valvetrain make THAT much difference over a standard 9A1 engine (which itself is brilliant, I've driven both S and non-S)? It's conceivable that the 9A1 was waaay overengineered to begin with, that the block had motorsports aspirations and was simply "dumbed down" in the Carreras. But it's equally possible that PAG is wringing the potential out of this engine with go-fast tack-ons early in its life cycle.

But should I care at all... It's no longer a Mezger so who gives a flying duck if this 9A1 goes out the door with the mid-cycle 991 refresh due in 3-4 years... PAG wants us to be agnostic to its provenance, as long as it sings and dances and rocks the bed...

10 GT3

An interesting note:

With the Mezger, both the engine and the 6-sp manual Getrag transaxle that attached to it premiered in both the race cars and the street cars within a year of each other. The 9A1 in consumer form was introduced in 2008 as well as the "PDK Dual Clutch Automatic" gearbox that attaches to it; yet neither have yet been released in a race car now 5 years later. Hmmmm.....

Macca

Id never heard Mezger mentioned so much until recently. Up till now my 993 of 13 years had an oil cooled engine same base block as used in the Gt1 and later GT3. Then all of a sudden Mezger becomes the catch word of the last few years. Its funny but the motor noters seem to mind this change the least.....

aussie jimmy

you haven't read the book?

jlee504

Guys, I'm on the wait list for a gt3 and a few dealers, but I've also owned a gt-r in the las t few years. It is no slouch on a track. The most mediocre of drivers could keep up with moderate to skilled GT3s on the track. I was passing GT3s on the track all the time.

I do want something more challenging, the GT-R made it too easy which was crazy.

I'm looking forward to the new GT3.

Jeff

Macca

Hi Jimmy. Yip. I bought the book about a year ago. I guess the way everyone talks of Mezger engine these days its like it was always something incredibly special. But Ive been driving such an engine for 1.5 decades and it was just an aircooled engine to me (after the GT3 was launched they called the bottom end of the block "derived from the GT1"). Derived from the GT1? Actually it was the same block as in the 964 originally. I just find it funny how fashion dictates the engine we have in our old skool cars was just and engine, then the FT3 arrived and it was "derived from the GT1". Then the 997.2 GT3 came along and now its a Mezger engine. Sounds like marketing talk to me.....

Macca

I have it on good account the engine in the new 991 GT3 & RS will be used by the motorsport program next year. Engineers working on the 991 GT3 project have been quoted as saying the engine is basically a whole new engine with just some base components common with the earlier 9A1. The Mezger designed engine harks back a lot further than the 996/997 generation cars. It was the basis of motorsports since the 80s. the 9A1 is relatively new by comparison and the new 991 GT3 should be considered a different lump altogether such are the extensive changes to 80% of the components. For years Porsche engineers have been asking for a new motorsports flat 6 engine. The Mezger engine was good but nearing the edge of its development for a production car like the GT3. These things take time in motorports. Porsche basically improve the same base architecture for many many years and build on experience with the platform. You will see. The new engine will become the basis for motorsports in 2014 & 2015 and the only unknown at this stage is its reliability, but the signs so far are good I think....the engineers at Porsche are very happy with the new engine as I understand it....

Manifold

Which run groups?

Mike in CA

From what I've read the only common components between the standard 9A1 and the GT3 motorsport engine are a re-machined block, cylinder head bolts, timing chain, and alternator. It's really a completely different lump in virtually every meaningful way. Saying it's "9A1 derived" is something of an overstatement if you consider the actual similarities.

CAlexio

Finally.. Some sanity in the last few posts.. The whole halo around the "M" word was really starting to be ridiculous.

I challenge anyone to tell me what was core the M engine which made it so special.. And how many of these parts translated from the original to the 997..

.. Just like the "gt1" derived block was marketing genius.. So is this metzler propaganda which the old timers are so taken with.. Hook, line and sinker.. It's marketing people.. All of it. Relax and stop dunking your head in the koolaid bowl at the Porsche party

TRAKCAR

I don't care about Mezger, don't care about Porsche.
I want durable fun involving track car that I can commute with.
We met Chris Harris at Sebring. The guy is as cool as he seems in his reviews except even more so. We were plenty annoying when he showed up in Sebring to the point where I tried to chase him around the track but could not keep up in an equivalent car. When I say chase think stalking.

He is my idol, and if he approves I must buy. simple.

Bla bla bla, I hope you are right.

Race it and I will be a believer

Bluehinder

So much animated discussion about a street car where the majority of threads are about leather, headlights, black headlight surrounds, which color is prettier.

CRex

Believe me--Harris was the difference that pushed me over the edge with this car. He exudes a level of understanding about the product and customer, and presents just the punchiest bits... We've seen a rather sophisticated (and intelligent) evolution from his early work at DR and Evo which sets him apart from the competition. Case in point, that certain "revered" brit journo who recently made a GT3 video littered with "oh my gawd" noises like a Z-list **** star in a ghetto internet porno...

I guess the point of my post is exactly this: the Mezger is a sentimental trinket which PAG wants people to forget. An engine is just an engine--do the motoring job well and it'll earn its place in due course. Folks like me have a modicum of reservation just coz it's street-derived and unproven in racing. Perhaps, in time, when folks like Sharky tear down this new piece of sliced bread we'll see the host of cool stuff going on and wax lyrical about the new block instead...