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Thread: 906/Carrera 6/911R motors - characteristics

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  1. #1

    Question 906/Carrera 6/911R motors - characteristics

    There are a few of you on this BBS that own the above mentioned cars (any variant of the 2 liter, twin plug, 906 cammed motor). What I am interested in getting is a nice, first hand description of what the motors are like in these cars. I've been going back and forth with Tadd trying to abstract what these motors are like, but all we have is conjecture.

    From idle up to redline, I am curious. How does it behave in traffic versus on the track; do you have to slip the clutch a lot? Would you even attempt to drive it in traffic? Does it even idle without serious bucking and popping?

    I have wanted to build a 906 clone motor, but would really like to hear how drivable these motors are on the street. From there, I believe I could comfortably make a decision on configuration.

    If you guys have one of these cars, please indulge me with a description of how the car behaves. I might even be able to muster up a cigar in thanks.
    Kenik
    - 1969 911S
    - 1965/66 911
    - S Reg #760
    - RGruppe #389

  2. #2
    I can provide you dyno results
    Attached Images Attached Images     
    #rennfrog

  3. #3
    Kenik:

    Having driven quite a few 2.0 race motors with 906 cams and all that, there is no way I'd ever call such combinations anywhere near streetable.

    Now, I realize that many folks have differing opinions about what constitutes "streetable", but this setup comes in last.

    Now, take all those components and install them into a 3.4 to 3.6 and it becomes a docile, easy to drive, street motor that still pulls hard to 7800 and can be raced. Even a good 2.8 with a 906-type cam is FAR easier to drive,....

    IMHO, small-displacement, powerful engines with race cams are simply not fun in any kind of traffic.
    Steve Weiner
    Rennsport Systems
    Portland Oregon
    503.244.0990
    E-mail: porsche@rennsportsystems.com
    http://www.rennsportsystems.com

  4. #4
    Senior Member RennTyp's Avatar
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    Hi kenikh,

    I just joined the registry and have posted a picture of my 68 TR on the show my ride thread. I bought the car 4 years ago when its original 901/02 engine was installed. This had the factory rally kits 1 & 2 but still had S cams, 40 IDAs, S port / valve dimensions and single ignition. As chance would have it I then came across a genuine 901/20 engine that had been taken out of a 906 prototype. The temptation was too great and I embarked on installing it in the TR. What seemed like it should be a fairly simple exercise ended up taking a year to complete. For example one thing I had forgotten was that 906 engines were installed the other way round so the throttle linkages, inlet manifolds, timing chest covers and tinwork all need replacing. Anyway we ended up rebuilding the engine from scratch and the anticipation of driving it for the first time was immense.

    Am glad (and relieved) to say that the result was spectacular. After running the egine in carefully for 500 miles I took the car down to Classic LeMans in 2004 for its first outing. Although I was still limiting myself to 6,000 revs the gain in power and torque over the 901/02 engine was very noticeable all the way through the rev range. The engine was also remarkably tractable - it would pull cleanly on full throttle from 4,000 and if you were careful with the gas was quite driveable between 3,000 and 4,000 in traffic. Needless to say it was happiest with the throttle wide open and the exhausts blaring! I drove it round the full LeMans circuit during the parade laps before the racing started and the noise of the megaphones bouncing of the main grandstands on the pit straight had to be heard to be believed! I have a bit of in car video which I will try and see if I can post somehow (any tips anyone on how I do this?).

    The engine now has about 2,500 miles under its belt and has freed up nicely. I've had it dyno'd at c.210hp - we didn't ring it's neck to find out exactly how much it would produce at the top end but the power curve was still near vertical at 7,750 and it should run to 8,200 or more. Because of the lighter flywheel and internals the engine loves to rev and consequently it is easier to drive as it was intended - flat out. Having said that it is quite happy in traffic and only complains if you try and run on part throttle below 3,000. The only situation it becomes difficult in is when the car in front is doing 25 mph - too slow for 2nd gear and too fast to get the 901 box back into 1st without a very nasty noise!

    I had some trouble initially with setting the IDA46s up. It is running with small jets in the interest of driveability rather than ultimate power. It is also worth mentioning that while the engine has 906 cams and 906 valve sizes the ports are 911S dimension. This just happened to be how the engine was configured when I bought it but this combination seems to be responsible for producing better tractability than the 901/20 is known for. I have a friend who has driven my car and a 911R and he noticed the difference.

    I could ramble on for hours but in short I have no regrets. The 901/02 engine was great but the 901/20 is in another league altogether.

    Best regards,

    Philip
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  5. #5
    OliveR what are those collectors going to the megaphones???? Heater boxes or some trick exhaust?

    Kenik, My current application is a development of the 906 for racing only. Its awesome above 5500 and basically makes no meaningful power below it. It idles nicely at 1000-1200 but (due to the lightweight flywheel) you must revúp and slip the clutch to get it going. Judging from that I'd say that perhaps you can tame the beast by using a heavy flywheel to providde torque buyt you'll loose the fast spiinng nature of the beast (at least a bit).

    I guess that Philip's car perhaps has a stock flywheel to compensate and thus provide the driveability he mentions.

    My prior engine was a "stock" 906 spec and was more tractable than my current engine but it was still peaky and not for everyday driving. Again I had a light flywheel...

    Perhaps John can chime in on the effects of the flywheel and how much it could compensate for what he and I have experienced on race engines.

    Remember, with these low displacements, high revs are needed if you want to make power.

    Cheers, Juan
    Juan - Member # 321
    Ft. Lauderdale

    Mission Foods Porsche GT3 Cup USA Champion
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    Race cars and parts for sale; videos and photos at: www.alteregoracing.com

    "Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." -Sir Winston Churchill

  6. #6
    Moderator Chuck Miller's Avatar
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    Fantastic car Philip !!!

    I would agree with Steve as far as a C-6 motor with an ultimate race tune...

    However, after driving Stephen Childs T/R for 4 days in '04 I would completely agree with Philip....

    This car was initially well set up for long distance rallying by the Swedes ... then FIA raced through the early '70s... then brought back as a vintage rally/touring car by Mark Waring...

    It's set up is for speed, tractability and long distance comfort... and it doesn't disappoint

    I would have to talk to Mark, but I would imagine that cam and ignition timing have been pulled back a bit, and the 46's choked down slightly..... But the result is still brilliant... Sure, you have to keep the revs up (asspeshelly driving with a passenger) ... but once you 'get it', the rewards are wonderful...

    The car will idle, pull smoothly at low RPM, and SCREAM when you want it to.......

    And Oh that scream.... There's nothing like in the Porsche world...
    In my estimation the quintessential 911 symphony with about 4 different octaves all the way to 8000......

    Cheers Philip and welcome... and please more pictures...



    The Childs Gulf T/R then and now...
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    Chuck Miller
    Creative Advisor/Message Board Moderator - Early 911S Registry #109
    R Gruppe #88

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  7. #7

    What an overhwelming response!

    I didn't expect to get so much feedback, both on the thread and in PM! OliveR, your dyno runs would be interesting to compare to these:

    http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...highlight=dyno

    The reason I asked for impressions is that even though I have seen the dyno figures, the vast hole below 4000 RPM left me wondering what the car behaved like in lower RPM range. Additionally, nothing beats a narrative, seat of the pants assessment, IMO. I think you guys have answered that.

    BTW, the comments regarding the 901/20 motor with 'S' ports is more than I could have hoped for. Having these data points is invaluable. Now I am curious if anyone has MFI vs. carbs opinions and thoughts in terms of the driving experience.

    Keep them coming.
    Kenik
    - 1969 911S
    - 1965/66 911
    - S Reg #760
    - RGruppe #389

  8. #8
    [QUOTE=ErVikingo]OliveR what are those collectors going to the megaphones???? Heater boxes or some trick exhaust?

    These are our 906 SSI repro megaphones,no heater boxes,see pics of originals i've found.
    Attached Images Attached Images   
    #rennfrog

  9. #9

    Harold ..Cosley.. I am interested in the case and heads

    I am interested in the case and Twin plug heads..

    call me at (310) 456-8833 or Email to execmalibu@earthlink.net..

    Thanks

    Jeff

  10. #10
    My intentions are to build a very hot but streetable 2.0. I consider the 'S' cam too mild for my tastes (I know, I am sick) and find the low end characteristics of the 'S' cam too much of a compromise toward streetability. I could deal with more finickiness from my motor on the low end than the 'S' spec motors. Off the line torque is for sissies. I realize my definition of streetable might be different than most people's. RennTyp's posting pretty much summed it up for me.
    Kenik
    - 1969 911S
    - 1965/66 911
    - S Reg #760
    - RGruppe #389

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