74goldtarga

I have a post over on the 991 GT3 forum as I am considering selling my '07 GT3 and purchasing a 2014-2016 GT3 but I am only now learning about the details of the engine issues with the 991.1 3.8L engines and the finger follower related failures and engine replacement. Overall are the Metzger engines more reliable? Any engine can fail and the 991.1 cars are definitely faster stock but maybe I should just mod my 997 and enjoy it rather than spending the extra $$$ for a 991. I am thinking maybe the 3.6 is the sweetheart engine of the GT3 family.

bweSteve

hmmm,... well my first reaction was that the 3.6 AND 3.8 were both sweatheart engines in the 997 GT3's, since BOTH are Mezgers!!

but yea, I hear ya on the 991.1 3.8. I would not consider a 991.1 for those engine issues alone. I have a friend who had a beautiful Sapphire Blue 2014 GT3 for 4 years & put 60k miles on it. He had the heads replaced TWICE, once for the finger follower issue, and another time for some intake valve issue. That car had a LOT of problems & repairs over that timeframe. Of course he was daily commuting in it, and put a LOT of miles on it,.... but still....

and regarding your comment about "spending the extra $$$ for a 991",.... The way the 997.1 GT3's & RS' are selling these days, and how the 991.1's are dropping, you might even pocket some money.

but seriously,... if you really have the itch to move from 997 to 991,... Skip the .1. Go straight to the 4.0 in the 991.2. ... even if paying more, you might actually even spend less over the term of your ownership!!

christallon

Yes the Mezger is that good! It makes beautiful sounds and HP, all at the same time. It's bulletproof and it'll be what makes the 997 GT3's and GT3/RS's of the 3.6, 3.8, and 4.0 variety the cars to own. They were also made in far less quantities than the 991 and likely the 992 GT3/RS varieties. Low production always wins. 997's climbing, 991's dropping...

Oh.... Mezger's Rule!!!

JB911

Because Mezger

mchrono

Mezger is legend.

991.2 4.0 is good too. probably a good time to buy as people are bored of them by now and/or excited about the 992. Thats how that goes.

brake dust

Porsche Motorsport never raced with the 991.1 GT3 engine. In the early days of the 991 RSR they used to race with the Mezger engine. It appears that there was no confidence in the 991.1 engine. The 991.1 GT3 is really quick and has the 10 year engine warranty. But not sure if the replacement engines have fully corrected the design flaw. Am sure the 991 guys can tell what replacemnet engine appears to be best.

JB911

Yeah, I recall those days when the 991 RSRs were running the proven Mezger engines. But I don't know all the specs and timeline on the first and subsequent generations of the post Mezger GT3s. I do remember that after a lengthy investigation into the engine fires, it was determined that some shops were forgetting the oil soaked rags inside the compartment after a wipe down following their oil changes. That's what started the fires since the 991 engine is sealed off in the rear section unlike the 997s. I'm sure there were other reasons but I recall reading the oil soaked rag article/bulletin.
Issues with the engine and heads I was never aware of, but when the manual transmission option was re-introduced many owners had issues, I think it was a problem with 4th gear-
Til this day, 99% of the GT3 rallye cars are 997s with the 991 rarely seen competing-it's nice to see them "testing" the Mezger for so many years, especially if you include the 996 years. There are some 997 4.0s competing as well-sacrilege!!!

pissedpuppy

if you're going from a Mezger to an early 991, good luck and enjoy your purchase

edit: sorry, that wasn't meant to sound like a douche, but I think the Mezger might be a little more bulletproof (if there is such a thing)

bsquare

have you spent much time in a 991 GT3? it is a totally different experience to a 997. i'd find a way to spend at least a day in a 991 before proceeding, regardless of the potential engine problems.

christallon

I see you have both an 08 RS and standard 2007 GT3 with SW 4.1 and 3.9 uprated motors. Which do you prefer? Would you do both differently if you knew then what you know now about each motor, or are you happy with both as is. Is the 4.1 a stretch for the 3.6 motor? Curiosity here...

Thanks,
Chris

JB911

From the 991 forum:

bsquare

The 3.9 is the "normal" GT3 experience turned up to 11. Same delivery and response, just more power.

The 4.1 is still the linear NA experience, but with so much extra torque it drives quite differently. You can toodle around in 3rd and 4th most of the time. It requires a bit more care since it has enough torque to break the tires loose in almost any gear above 3000 rpm. It doesn't smack you like a turbo, you just have to pay attention.

The 4.1 is a big jump from 3.6, but it isn't a stretch or unreliable. It does cost about 2x vs a 3.9, though.

turbo_jimbo

I feel like I NEED to experience this for myself now...

Spyerx

the 3.6 Mezger motors are very reliable.
3.8 less so, mostly cam actuators
991.1... they have more mechanical gremlins

bweSteve

in your opinion, are you saying the bolded statement above for both RS & non-RS?

... just trying to jog my memory,... but from what I recall,... non-RS do not have the same problems as with cam actuators, cam bolts coming loose, NVH w/ LWFW (hence the need for ATI harmonic balancer)
(incidentally & non-related, there were production runs of cam actuator bolts that had problems too, but P Motorsport were not using the same as what regular production line used w/ aluminum core / steel outer shell type bolts)

I say all of this, because the OP for this thread did not specifically call out RS. In fact I think he is actually asking about non-RS GT3.

... just so we can be crystal clear