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lol, well that would be extremely hard for me to test, or maybe even impossible, but I figured you (or someone) would ask such a difficult question.I have thought about that, and it deserves a discussion/answer/,theory. And I find this type of discussion much more interesting/productive than discussing the pro's/con's of the fried egg headlights of the 996's, or the best placement of the cup holders, subjects that have all been beaten to death...
Heat cycles/thermal fatigue usually are associated with metals that have internal stress trapped inside after cooling. The internal stress can cause cracking if not relieved prior to putting in service. This is not a problem with GFRP ( glass fiber reinforced polymers) because they are very flexible and no internal stress is created in the process.
GFRP degradation due to temperature can be a problem. The general study is the continuous temperature (or operating temperature) that a GFRP can withstand without degradation is about half of the "short term" maximum temperature.
Since I have tested the "short term" temperature to 500F ( could be much more ) , then the general knowledge is the continuous temp (working temp) of at least 250F (possibly more) without degradation is extremely plausible.
The Boxster has been working fine, no changes in temp. I am pleased with the outcome of the temperature test of the GFRP fine mesh that is installed. I am still under the opinion that the GFRP mesh will work equally as well as the welded steel zinc coated fine mesh. Just depends on which one is easiest to work with...
Headed out in the Boxster to dinner, with no worries that the GFRP will melt
Got around to making some "catch screens" from fine mesh (.125) welded wire(27 gauge) still using the .250 (1/4) mesh welded wire as the main frame, since this is what I had originally wanted but had a hard time finding the welded wire in a small .125 mesh. The one made with fiberglass fine mesh is working fine and will remain, but these will go into my other cars !!
The Boxster 3.2 with the fiberglass mesh screens installed has been working fine, no change in temps.
From an engineering prospective, the general "rule-of-thumb" is 0.2USGPM per BHP of coolant flow.
This means for a 996.1 (300bhp) at WOT requires 60GPM coolant flow, at 1/2 throttle 30GPM, at 1/4 throttle 15GPM.
If I get real frisky, I'll take one of my left bank 1 case halves and set it out on my driveway, install the catch screens and a water pump. Figure out a way to spin the water pump at various speeds, then hook a radiator hose to the thermostat inlet and to a bucket of water and measure the flow with and without the screens..I think it will flow the required 60GPM, we'll see.
I have been told that , but haven't seen it "officially" in print from Porsche, so I take it with a grain of salt. What's also interesting is I was told revisions always start with 00, why on earth would Porsche need/ want to revise an M96 water pump 57 times?
Maybe to track failure rate of different production runs / warranty claims.
The Boxster 3.2 with the fiberglass mesh screens installed has been working fine, no change in temps.
From an engineering prospective, the general "rule-of-thumb" is 0.2USGPM per BHP of coolant flow.
This means for a 996.1 (300bhp) at WOT requires 60GPM coolant flow, at 1/2 throttle 30GPM, at 1/4 throttle 15GPM.
If I get real frisky, I'll take one of my left bank 1 case halves and set it out on my driveway, install the catch screens and a water pump. Figure out a way to spin the water pump at various speeds, then hook a radiator hose to the thermostat inlet and to a bucket of water and measure the flow with and without the screens..I think it will flow the required 60GPM, we'll see.
I hear ya on that !! At my age (63) and physical condition, I don't have the motivation I used to have.
If I were 30-35 years younger I would show ya some innovation on these m96 engines. But it requires a lot of physical and mental work. I would like to see more people here do some experiments, there is a lot of smart people here, but we are all probably all older and less enthusiastic..lol
Back in the early 80's I took a 96hp 4 cyl (2.0L T88-series SOHC non-Cosworth) German made Mercury Capri to 325hp (5.8 lb/hp) street trim. Nothing could touch it !!! (even today, no factory car under 100k could touch it)...Was my daily driver..
In the mid 80's I built a race tube chassis (1800#) and took the 96hp engine to 525hp (11k rpm's). Set some records with it..
Nowadays I just do little projects. I am re-powering my pontoon boat from a 70hp to a 150hp Black Max V6 ( rebuilding the 150hp 2-stroke), and will take me all summer. It took me a week to replace the water pump on the Boxster..lol
Last edited by Porschetech3; Aug 28, 2019 at 05:20 PM.
