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Just picked up a 2002 with the 3.6. I had an 01 with the 3.4. What are the differences? And pitfalls? I have noticed a slightly different exhaust note and feels smoother and faster by a hair. Gratuitous pictures:
3.4 has VarioCam which moves the intake camshaft in one-step relative to crankshaft. 3.6 has VarioCam Plus, which moves the intake camshaft variably and changes the lift of the intake valves. I don't yet know how reliable and costly to repair one system is compared to the other.
3.4 uses two-row IMS bearings which can fail but are less likely to do so than early 3.6 single row bearings, and as I understand later 3.6s have a larger non-removable bearing that is the most reliable of the three.
I have never understood my official Porsche sunshade. Why in the world they can't make one that actually "fits" our cars is beyond me. Mine does the same thing that yours does in the pictures and I have never found a good way to hold that side up except to use the sun visor.
I have never understood my official Porsche sunshade. Why in the world they can't make one that actually "fits" our cars is beyond me. Mine does the same thing that yours does in the pictures and I have never found a good way to hold that side up except to use the sun visor.
Nice car!
^^^ Unbelievable right? I think, just add a small strip of Foam Core to the top edges where they're supposed to sit on the sun visors - I haven't done it yet, but that's my plan...
Just picked up a 2002 with the 3.6. I had an 01 with the 3.4. What are the differences? And pitfalls? I have noticed a slightly different exhaust note and feels smoother and faster by a hair.
Weight is the other part of the performance equation, and weight is highly dependent on cab/coupe, Carrera 4/2, and Tip/6-speed options. Was your 2001 also a cab Carrera 4?
I have never understood my official Porsche sunshade. Why in the world they can't make one that actually "fits" our cars is beyond me. Mine does the same thing that yours does in the pictures and I have never found a good way to hold that side up except to use the sun visor.
Nice car!
I have one from Covercraft and it fits perfectly. Really nice product.
I have never understood my official Porsche sunshade. Why in the world they can't make one that actually "fits" our cars is beyond me. Mine does the same thing that yours does in the pictures and I have never found a good way to hold that side up except to use the sun visor.
Nice car!
I was planning on attaching a couple of small suction cups on mine. Then I saw another member that popped a couple of holes with nice eyelets and a short bungie of the RVM.
- The 3.4 coolant tank is ~$600, the 3.6 coolant tank is significantly less.
- The 3.4 requires more labor for certain Variocam repairs
- The 3.6 might be more sensitive to D-chunk failures
- The 3.6 has drive by wire vs 3.4 has a real cable (cable being more attractive imo)
Curious to why the 3.6 only has 20hp more, I would think Variocam Plus vs Variocam would be a huge advantage? Or is it just better for MPG and stuff we don't care about?
One other thing to note: the 3.4 has 5 timing chains, the 3.6 has three. The Variocam system has a few more components. Not that it matters as both systems proved fairly reliable. I have had (3) 3.6 engines. The first suffered a spun rod bearing and ejected thrust washers. The rebuild, number 2, D chunked. Number 3 is a used long block I picked dirt cheap. It runs great, but its a ticking time bomb. Notice- no IMS issues ever.
I got to spend some time with a detailing client of mines 2004 911 cab, I have a 99 cab. The car did feel slightly smoother and a touch faster and I will say the exhaust was a little better sounding. Other than that not much felt different to me. Did the 3.4 always have a dual row IMS or was there a single row version before they went to the 3.6?
I got to spend some time with a detailing client of mines 2004 911 cab...I will say the exhaust was a little better sounding.
Love the sound of our stock exhaust 3.6. Cruising it has a barely audible whine like when flying a turbine helicopter, and accelerating a nice deep growl.
I have never understood my official Porsche sunshade. Why in the world they can't make one that actually "fits" our cars is beyond me. Mine does the same thing that yours does in the pictures and I have never found a good way to hold that side up except to use the sun visor.
Nice car!
Originally Posted by dporto
^^^ Unbelievable right? I think, just add a small strip of Foam Core to the top edges where they're supposed to sit on the sun visors - I haven't done it yet, but that's my plan...
I can get it into a happy spot where it stays where it should. Then when I come back later, its fallen down again. You would think an official product would fit rightly....
Weight is the other part of the performance equation, and weight is highly dependent on cab/coupe, Carrera 4/2, and Tip/6-speed options. Was your 2001 also a cab Carrera 4?
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Curious to why the 3.6 only has 20hp more, I would think Variocam Plus vs Variocam would be a huge advantage? Or is it just better for MPG and stuff we don't care about?
I don't know for sure but it definitely gets better highway mileage. Averaging 26.4 and I saw 29 for a good bit.
08-26-2019 | 11:59 PM
3.4 vs. 3.6, pros and cons
