First off, when the six cylinder engine breaks it's not easy or cheap to repair... Thats when the total "Porsche experience" is mostly felt...
My engine has an elevated initial cost, but if it breaks the repairs are simple and way cheap compared to the 911 engine, and a VW mechanic can repair it, or you can- no need for Porsche shops filled with pricks that charge 100 bucks per hour to do nothing..
I do have some engines in CT, one of which is 5 years old and owned by "Lenny C" a member here. It is installed in his 550 Spyder replica. He has made a testimonial on my website and its posted here
http://www.aircooledtechnology.com/cust ... index.html Note that his engine has given him service for 5 years and he has only had to send me a couple of emails with questions.. He might be in your area.
As for hearing the engine run: Don't put any stock in the way something sounds! Lenny's car sounds great, but the proof is in the experience of driving it and he might take you for a ride... Maybe-
The 912E is a great car. The engine in my car will have it's 100,000th birthday later this week- thats 100K flawless miles in less than 4 years (September 13 2002 was dyno day for it). I love driving my car, but I took it off the road earlier in the year because I almost got rear ended 4 times in 6 weeks! I started driving the Pinzgauer daily but it only gets 20 MPG, Vs the 35-40 I get in the 912E. I drive 83 miles a day round trip to the shop, so at 3 bucks a gallon it adds up quick...
Is it possible to have the Total Porsche Experience with a 4 Cylinder engine?
Thats according to what your definition of that is?? I'm not fond of the six cylinder engine, to me all Porsches are 4 cylinders without radiators and real "Carreras" have 4 cams that are bevel gear driven, not belt driven!
what you experienec with the Type 4 engine is totally different than the flat six, the engine has more torque at lower revs and doesn't need redline to make power.
Or "It's a great car and engine, BUT it sounds like my 74 Bus
If you are looking for a sound, you are buying an engine for the wrong reasons... I hate to tell you, but it's the truth....
My engines don't sound like that, because we have tighter tolerances and different materials than stock and the clackety clack is not noted like with a VW or stock TIV engine. My roller lifter development will be adding even a quieter sound for 2007 series engines (all engines ordered now will be delivered in spring 2007 and some qualify for the rollers already)
Here is a thread from a person who experienced one of my engines (2270 TIV) at the VW Classic earlier this year. He was another person that sound meant a lot to and as you will see he was impressed.
http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic ... ill#715955
remember that not much of the engine remains "as factory" after my work is completed, and my work is different from anyone elses, so nothing you may have heard, felt or experienced with a non RAT engine applies..
Sixes are a dime a dozen, I saw so many 911s(thousands) at Le mans that they all looked like Civics after a while.. The oddity there was 912s and they got more looks than most 911s!
Good luck with your decision making, it seems that you are to the point where we should begin dialogue. This page walks you through the entire process step by step, every engine I build follows this series of events.
http://www.aircooledtechnology.com/order-process.htm
I look forward to working with you.
BTW- do a search for Lenny, he browses the boards from time to time.