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Hope your project is going well! Any news on the exhaust? Did you decide that the Akrapovic full race titanium exhaust wasn't up to par? Any updates to the engine ? Thanks for a great thread
First, I believe that, in general, Akrapovic makes the best after market exhaust system for modern (i.e., liquid cooled) Porsches. Having said that, titanium, even the special grade of titanium with multiple coatings used by Akrapovic, has its limits at high temperatures and is prone to oxidation. Third, as Akrapovic must produce exhausts to a longevity standard, the titanium used by them is of a certain thickness which, if one is concerned about only weight and not longevity (as is the case relative to what I want to accomplish), could be reduced. Therefore, and having reviewed the other after market exhaust systems for a 911R, I have concluded that the best option for me re weight (I do not subscribe to claims of substantial increase in HP although one exhaust system might (in absolutely equal conditions [including temperature, altitude, etc.] on absolutely equal engines [including condition of every part [including, but not limited to, the entire induction system including filters] with absolutely equal components in each exhaust system, i.e., if one has 400 cell cats and another has 100 cell cats or no cats, equal conditions do not exist) yield 3 to 5 HP more than another (with possibly a reduction in torque), is to build a new system. Such system will have Inconel headers with certain other parts being thin wall titanium. Will not be the longest lasting but will best address my goals. As to the engine, are you referring to the 911R engine or the 4 valve air cooled engine we are trying to develop? P.S. Development of the carbon fiber gearbox is well under way.
I was looking to the 911R engine but the air cooled engine sounds fantastic! I love the idea of bringing the R back to the original 1967 911R ideology. I contacted DB carbon about fabrication of a inner door panel in carbon but they were unable to help. Not sure if it would add that much lightness but seeing the original doors as just shells, would love an even starker version in a modern day analog. I also was privy to a set of Turbo S carbon fiber wheels but I think they are of similar weight to the Magnesium ones and I'm not sure they would withstand the rigors of track life. Do you think the carbon fiber gearbox and oil cooler with give good longevity? Obviously all very cool....
As to interior components such as real carbon fiber door panels (as opposed to parts such as are made by firms such as DB Carbon which, generally, are but carbon cloth laminated to a plastic or other substrate), while they are certainly able to be produced, in case of an accident, they could be very dangerous as they could splinter and actually serve as daggers into your flesh. Of course, other materials such as Kevlar could be mixed in to provide tear resistance but this would add weight and detract from their appearance.
As to living up to the history of the original 911R as the lightest 911 of its era, that is exactly my intent.
With respect to carbon fiber wheels, at this stage in their development, they are almost identical in weight to magnesium wheels. And, as you suggest, given heat and other issues, I would prefer BBS magnesium.
Finally, we would not have made things such as the carbon fiber oil tank or the gearbox if they did not have substantial longevity.
Update: Wheels completed. Aluminum Lithium Calipers completed. Carbon Clutch completed and ready for testing. Other carbon components (e.g., induction system, main engine mount, etc.) to be completed by November 14. Drop Links completed. Exhaust scheduled to be completed by January. Carbon Fiber Gearbox to be completed in Q2, 2020.
Update: Wheels completed. Aluminum Lithium Calipers completed. Carbon Clutch completed and ready for testing. Other carbon components (e.g., induction system, main engine mount, etc.) to be completed by November 14. Drop Links completed. Exhaust scheduled to be completed by January. Carbon Fiber Gearbox to be completed in Q2, 2020.
Hey Bob, thanks for the update. Can’'t wait to see and hear more about the finished product.
And, by the way, thank you so much for commissioning BBS to produce these wheels for the 911R. They're ’my all-time favorites. Trying to get BBS to finish a set in OEM Satin Aluminum, but no luck so far.
Last edited by bluehorseshoe; 10-31-2019 at 03:19 PM.
04-26-2019, 01:07 PM
