Ok, this is kind of a weird one, but... a friend told me that a mutual friend's 993 is a 996 & that it is the last of the air-cooled 911's- it's a 1996- first off, I know the 993 is the last of the air-cooled cars & the 996 is the first of the water-cooled cars, not to mention, the 993 was definately made in 1997 (& maybe 1998?)... He says it has "996" on the title.... not sure how this is possible...? I'm assuming the owner's manual would say 993 on it somwhere...?

Anyway, the guy told me that the tag on the engine says "V8" as if it had a V8 engine in it... Now, I know that there has never been a V8 in a production 911 just as well as I know the 993 is the last generation air-cooled 911- I know it's a flat-six.... But, they both contend it says "V8" on the tag. I never even bothered to post here & had let the whole thing go as I knew they were wrong & I really didn't care that much to argue... But, I finally got to see the car the other night. It DOES have "V8" on it, although I don't really see it as being a reference to type of engine- I mean, it's just a letter & a #... Do all 993 engine tags have "V8" on them? Does anyone know why? Do all 993's have "993" somewhere in the VIN #? I didn't think to check the VIN, but regardless, there is no mistaking that car- the 993 has been my favorite car for some time now- well, since about 1995 I guess (although the 997 is a serious contender)...

Sorry for all the questions, etc, but any input on any of this would be greatly appreciated... I knew this would be the place to get the info....


thanks

 

On 993, serial number says 99 in it; next digit being 3 or 6 is just coincidence, apparently. My '95 says 993.

On the engine; look hard at the engine. Don't know why it says V8 - might be serial number coincidence; might be a engine transfer. Mine might say V8; might not. I don't give a damn and aren't going down to the garage to look at it - I know it's a 993 and that's all that counts.

 

The 993 is the last of the air-cooled flat-six Porsches. Flat-six, as in six cylinders. Not eight. In production from 1994 - 1998.

This may be a good starting point to learn about the car.

Porsche did have flat-eight motors here and there, but not for production vehicles.

Andreas

 

Your guy is operating under false assumptions and reasoning.

 

Just a simple thought, I dont think you would get a V8 into that engine bay with all the other "stuff" that would be required .....would you?

 

David,
One word: PORSCHEV.

Andreas

 

Dont you blasphem like that again young man....now go wash your mouth out with carbolic soap!

 

Is your friend v8 george from Alabama?? Whatever happened to him? Those were the days!!

 

Andreas....would it not be Porschevette or Porschevrolet....it actually fits .... the word not the engine!

 

David,
I think the company that makes actual conversion kits for this calls the end result a "Porschev". Something like Rod Simpson Hybrids I think.

Andreas

P.S. That carbolic soap tastes like sheit!

 

Thanks- as I said, I'm well aware (& have been for a good 15yrs) that the only engine ever put into a production 911 was a flat six (short of the 4cyl in the 912). The "V8" on the engine tag has to be something else, that's obvious- I'm just wondering what... And, more specifically, if ALL 993 engine tags have it- right on top of the tag, first line IIRC... Anyone care to open their hood next time they're in their car & let me know if it's not just a one car thing?

David- yes, a V8 will most definately fit into a 911- Renegade's been doing it for years- not sure to what success, but it's been done a few times...

Anyone else on the VIN- would a 993 not have "993" in the VIN #? seems to me that having "996" in the VIN would only be on a 996, but then, when my friend told me it was a V8, I gave up on him, thinking he was so far gone it didn't matter- turns out, it does say it. Although I'm still kind of shocked he actually believed the "V8" was an indicator of the engine type, considering the 911 history...

 

Look here to decode the vin #.
http://p-car.com/vin.html
#7, 8, and 12 should = 9 9 3

 

My VIN contains:
WP, which everyone knows means waterproof
AA, and I don't even drink
997
SS - after all, it was made in Germany
and
513, which is obviouly the horsepower. Or is it the torque, if forgit.

 

Yes John, those were the days.

 

Now if my VIN says 962, I'm gonna call Derek Bell Flat 6 it is.

Anyone here ever get the parts guy asking why you need 12 spark plugs? I'll bet this one guy I spoke with told his buddies the 993 has a 12 cylinder...