993 Gets VW Turbo VR6 Engine Swap

993

The 993 generation of the Porsche 911 is widely regarded as the best all-around iteration of the legendary sports car. It was the final generation of the Porsche with an air-cooled motor and a modern take on the classic style of the 911. So, it's no surprise that many of us like to see them preserved and celebrated in their original form. 

Photos: Fast Car

VW Engine in a Porsche?

So when a build like this one comes along, it will naturally be the cause of a good amount of controversy. Not only has it received visual modifications that will earn a collective sigh and a shake of the head from purists. But also, it gets V6 power from a MK3 VR6 VW Golf. With that said, we'll have to wait until the end of this story to pass judgment. 

>>Join the conversation about this VW Turbo swapped 993 right in the Rennlist Forum!

Search for a Donor

Having worked extensively with VW products for years, Bradley Black of Louisville, Kentucky was looking for a different kind of project. The idea was birthed in his mind of putting a VR6 engine into a classic 911. His search quickly brought him to an unfinished '70s Porsche project, which he had to put aside due to excessive rust. So, he moved on to a 964 option. 

>>Join the conversation about this VW Turbo swapped 993 right in the Rennlist Forum!

Mangled 993 Shell

The 964 was a cabriolet, however. Which wasn't ideal for Black's project. Then, his search brought him across a mangled 993 shell. With no engine or transmission, and damage to the front end, it was a perfect starting point for Black's project. He set out to fix up the 993's frame, and the 964 came in handy there, given the fact that the two chassis have similar structural elements. 

>>Join the conversation about this VW Turbo swapped 993 right in the Rennlist Forum!

Dropping in the VR6 Motor

With the chassis fixed up, it was time to drop in the VW V6. Black built a turbocharged setup for the motor, and through countless trials, errors, and months of hard work, he was able to get the powertrain working properly. Still, it took several shakedown runs to get it to a point where it can run reliably. Getting a proper amount of air into the engine bay for cooling was one of the biggest challenges, but Black was finally able to get it right.

>>Join the conversation about this VW Turbo swapped 993 right in the Rennlist Forum!

Looks to Match the Spirit

The appearance wasn't a priority at first. But Black realized he wanted to give the Porsche a menacing look to match its performance. So the silver paint was replaced with this flat gloss black hue. The 400+ horsepower 911 was also fitted with a wide body kit and a big GT2 rear wing, which also help with air intake duties.

>>Join the conversation about this VW Turbo swapped 993 right in the Rennlist Forum!

Finishing Touches

Rounding off the impressive build are chassis improvements courtesy of Rennline. The Porsche aftermarket manufacturer out of Vermont is also responsible for the custom work in the interior. The cabin has a no-fuss, bare-bones setup optimized for performance.

While many of us might not approve of the work done to this Porsche, the backstory is certainly an interesting one. And it's somewhat of a relief that no perfectly good 993s were chopped up to create this beast.

>>Join the conversation about this VW Turbo swapped 993 right in the Rennlist Forum!

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