Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

Where is it now and is it still running ?, asked this question on Pistonheads where there was a 9 page thread on it and no one replied .

Spooky.... I asked Diver944 for very same question a couple of weeks ago! It was advertised for £6995 eventually and then disappeared. Reg G629 UAM. Around May last year?

To be frank it was a 200k+ turbo with a 968 short engine and a 2.7 head, add say £1k for the rest and I'm not suprised it took a while to sell. If it still had 968 rods perhaps it was a bang waiting to happen.

Can't comment on the value but given the huge number of 944 parts Baz had when I picked up the rolling shell and box of bits that is now my car I cant see why he would go to the trouble of machining pistons, building the engine and not put some turbo rods in. Even more so as early 968 rods should be replaced if the engine is apart anyway.

I dont know how far he wanted to take that project, you could say why didn't he put forged pistons in so it could run more boost. Changing the subject what pistons are you using ?.

At present, 968 pistons, early turbo rods. Been running for a couple of years and about 10kmiles now. Not a big power monster but very little lag and plenty of torque.

It would be convenient for me to run machined 968 pistons but I think it would be risky to run over standard boost, what boost are you running ?. Plus I think there were 2 different types of 968 pistons, Mahle and KS.

Having talked to Barry when we tested it on track I doubt that very much. He seems to be a very meticulous and proper engineer. After building the engine he put many thousands of miles testing into it before even considering selling. He has great pride in his reputation and wouldn't put it all on the line if he didnt think it was up to it.

I would have bought it in a flash if I didn't already have a Turbo at the time - it was a totally refreshed car with new 3.0L engine and made 350lbft still using the standard turbocharger, wastegate, exhaust, AFM and 0.8 bar of boost. Replace those four items and increase the boost to a modest 1 bar and I bet you'd see 350bhp and 400lbft from low revs and across a broad range

I'm only running 10 psi at the moment as the pistons aren't machined, so high compression. It made 324 ftlb @ barely 8 psi on the rollers (broken boost control). Not big numbers but the power is always there making a very fun road car.

I'm only running 10 psi at the moment as the pistons aren't machined, so high compression. It made 324 ftlb @ barely 8 psi on the rollers (broken boost control). Not big numbers but the power is always there making a very fun road car.

I agree, Barry is a proper engineer though I dont think big output was ever planned for that engine. The reason I resurected the thread is entirely about the machined 968 pistons, and how they lasted. I understand for the next engine he had pistons made.

This was a great package if all you want is less lag and more torque using the parts as used by Barry.

However I would really recommend against increasing the power further with a MAF kit, exhaust or bigger turbo, as you would then find shortcomings of the standard rods and machined pistons really quickly.

But as decent rods and pistons and this would be a typical 3.0 turbo engine, typical additional cost of these parts is between £1500 and £2000, plus about another £2k on MAF kit and exhaust, maybe another £1500 on a good turbo and you can see how it can get out of hand but at the same time give you some serious 996 T defeating power!

Judging by the prices I'm finding for Mahle or Wossner coated pistons plus forged rods and machining and lapping an Alusil block £1500-£2000 seems a bit light . I thought that would be less than plated sleeves and JE pistons but there's not much in it either way. I've heard of 968 rods letting go but not much about machined pistons/rings failing or even if the pistons are cast or forged ?.

Any rebuild would need the lapping, thin wall liners or plating, as well as gaskets, seals, belts, bearings etc.

I was just meaning if someone was thinking of building one like this but having a bit more poke with a free'er flowing exhaust, bigger turbo and a maf kit, it should really have an extra £1500 to £2000 spent on getting some proper turbo 3.0 pistons and some good aftermarket con rods.

I asked about buying the engine with a view to replacing at least the rods but Hartech wouldn't sell it seperately. I haven't read of anyone breaking 968 pistons/rings but I wouldn't want to find out the hard way either.