pcarfan944

While we're on the topic of the Rotary engine, here is a cool vid of exactly how they work.

http://www.mazdarx8.co.uk/upclose/vi...699&video=macs Download for 56k users!

http://www.mazdarx8.co.uk/upclose/vi...700&video=macf Cable modems here!

Pretty cool. They leave a lasting impression, especially with two turbos strapped on.

tifosiman

Late in the late 80's when sales for the 944 series were suffering, Porsche engineers test fit the Indy V8 motor in a 944. That poject was scrapped due to tooling costs really before it ever began, I don't know if it was ever finished, fired up, and driven.

Then a V6 version of the same motor came into the mix (rear 2 cylinders lopped off). There was a car built with that motor as well, in order to make it fit there were modifications done to the crossmember, brake booster, and hood (buldged). This car was actually test-driven and became a distinct possibility before the board shot it down (tooling and production costs were high for both the car and motor).

Next the engineers sourced an inline 6 cylinder (with 4 valves per cylinder) from BMW and built a 944 test-car with that. That car showed the most promise, as the motor fit under the hood and required few changes to the chassis and production line. The car impressed the test-drivers with the amount of torque, drivability, and smoothness. An agreement with BMW was struck to supply the motors and tooling was began, but the board once again shot this down. It was decided to modify the whole car (stick with what they had) into the "85% new" 968 and add a variocam (and other small things) to the S2 motor. By that time, Porsche's board had already decided that the transaxle series was on the way out and was just filling space and time until the Boxster could be released.

ApexCars

I've heard that many of the planes in WWI had rotary engines. Often refered to as the Handy Rotary Series planes. In those, the prop was attached to the engine case/block and the whole engine spun around a central fixed shaft. There was a type of ring with sweeps on it and each cylinder had a magneto with a contact so that as the engine spun, the magnetos made contact with the sweeps and fired the cylinder. Since so much mass was spinning, these engines made a lot of torque and could make extremely tight turns - in one direction anyway. Most of these were 16 cylinder engines I believe.

Shawn944

For anyone interested here is a page with some Saab V4 photos. It is actually a Ford engine. I beleive it is based on the 2.8 V6 which grew into the 4.0 V6 in the Explorers and Rangers etc...


http://www.saab-v4.co.uk/images/engine/gallery.htm


Shawn
87 944 Auto
97 Ranger

CT944

maybe he had the "dodge dart slant six factory option package". those were rare, i think ZERO were made!

J Chen

Hey you guys in the US should hunt around
for a SCAT V4 engine & transplant it into
a 931 or 951 & twin turbo the engine.
I understand that the engine weights about
180 lbs with accessories included. Makes good
hp too.