Maverick1

So are you saying that the 2007-2009 Turbo years are based on a different engine, a dry sump than the 2010-current Turbos.
Is the 2007 Turbo engine actually dry sumped?

TT Surgeon

Yes, the 07-09 basically share the same motorsports proven gt1derived engine with true dry sump, ie no oil pan.
The 9a1 is the same engine as the base carrera/boxster in turbo format, oil pan and all. This is the cost saving road Porsche has chosen.
Do a search this topic is widely discussed both pro and con.
I'm biased.

James88

I don't like the sound of that at all, I wonder if this cost cuting has anything to do with VW now owning Porsche and we all know what VW are like.

TT Surgeon

Maybe it's a better engine, who knows?
I'll wait until they actually race the 9a1.

aa909

but isn't a dry sump engine superior for racing? I wonder if they will race a modified version of the 9a1 engine

TT Surgeon

Yes, and they are going to have to. Up until now, they've still ran old reliable. I think this yr they have to switch over.

aa909

the thing is the mezger engine has proven to stand up to significantly more HP than what comes from the factory, and that's not even including the guys who've changed the internals and are pushing 900-1000hp. The 9a1 has a loooooooooong way to go to instill that kind of confidence and performance

speed21

I'm going to sit on the fence with the 9a1 for now as I don't know enough about it and i'm not convinced anyone on outside of PAG really knows enough about it either beyond the usual speculation and naysaying that goes on in the face of advancements in technology. I know there are issues with the PDK having power limitations (that has been established) but the 9a1 engine, beyond the sumping arrangement the engine is an unknown quantity in terms of the strength of its core components (block, crank, rods, heads).

To date I have not seen anything tangible put on the table that would support the idea that the 9a1 engine core is weaker than the Mezger core. Therefore, to make a qualified call, the new 9a1 engine would require dismantling to properly evaluate whether it had any genuine internal limitations that would legitimately place it behind a Mezger in terms of core strength and reliability. And until that happens speculation will remain rife.

Be mindful progress has taken the new engine beyond the Mezger in both stock hp and general efficiency. The new GT3 and 991turbo/ GT2 engines will be one way of measuring where the 9a1 has headed/advanced beyond Mezger. Reliability and performance being two hallmarks of Porsche, I can't see them designing an engine core that is unable to accommodate significant power upgrades as each model cycle continues forward.

TT Surgeon

I would tend to agree in theory, the proof is in the pudding when they actually race the new engine.
One fact, with the tts 530hp/pdk released, they released the ultimate 911 turbo, the gt2rs, in that case they picked the old engine and 6 speed manual gearbox. One ponders, if the new engine was so great, why not use it and it's mate the pdk in the gt2rs?
Only time will tell, I've had both, I'm biased.