SVX vs 993 Carrera

Chiketkd · #1 10-19-2005, 03:13 PM

I've been doing some research lately on the 993 Carrera and Carrera S (produced from '94-'98), to determine just how their engine's performance stacks up to a stock SVX - the results are interesting...

The most effective way to evaluate an engine's output, is to look at the MEP value which takes max output, displacement and the rpms at which max output is attained into consideration. MEP is calculated by: BHP/(rpm*displ) (note: rpms are in kpms or rpm/1000; displacement is in liters)

Subaru SVX:
230bhp @ 5,400rpms
228 lb-ft @ 4,400rpms
3,317cc displacement
MEP = 12.84

993 Carrera:
272bhp @ 6,100rpms
243 lb-ft @ 5,000rpms
3,600cc displacement
MEP = 12.38

993 Carrera S (with variocam intake induction system):
285bhp @ 6,100rpms
251 lb-ft @ 5,250rpms
3,600cc displacement
MEP = 12.97

Needless to say, Subaru developed one amazing engine for the SVX which is truly a world-class performer!!!

For those of you following my threads, this is a continuation from these two:

http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/showthread.php?t=22955

http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/showthread.php?t=27471

-Chike

SilverSpear · #2 10-19-2005, 03:23 PM

Chike what's this variocam intake induction ? how does it work ?
Any general idea about it?

Chiketkd · #3 10-19-2005, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverSpear

Chike what's this variocam intake induction ? how does it work ?
Any general idea about it?

Here's the simple answer:

"VarioCam is an automobile variable valve timing technology developed by Porsche. VarioCam varies the timing of the intake valves by adjusting the tension on the timing chain connecting the intake and exhaust camshafts."

http://www.worldhistory.com/wiki/V/VarioCam.htm

-Chike

spinn360 · #4 10-19-2005, 06:17 PM

So the engine is great but would our svx beat the porsche in a race. I doubt it. But still cool info. Maybe if we could lighten up the car to say 2700 lbs instead of 3600 lbs and put in the 6 speed sti tranny and uh well just more wishfull thinking.

#5 10-19-2005, 06:55 PM

If you can shave half a ton off of the car and still have it look like an SVX you're one hell of a person. It would be much easier to add more power, and better gear ratios.

Chiketkd · #6 10-19-2005, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spinn360

So the engine is great but would our svx beat the porsche in a race. I doubt it. But still cool info. Maybe if we could lighten up the car to say 2700 lbs instead of 3600 lbs and put in the 6 speed sti tranny and uh well just more wishfull thinking.

I'll say this:

The 993 Carrera 2 and 2S were available with a 4 spd 'tiptronic' automatic transmission. They weighed in at ~3,100lbs and had factory 0-60 ratings of 6.6s for the Carrera 2 and 6.3s for the Carrera 2S. I stumbled across a site where they listed a 1/4 mile time of 15.09s for the tiptronic Carrera 2 and 14.60s for the Carrera 2S.

The fastest 0-60 I've seen for a stock SVX in a magazine test was 6.9s and a 1/4 mile of 15.4s...and that's with tall 3.545 gears and a curb weight of 3560lbs.

-Chike

SilverSpear · #7 10-19-2005, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiketkd

Here's the simple answer:

"VarioCam is an automobile variable valve timing technology developed by Porsche. VarioCam varies the timing of the intake valves by adjusting the tension on the timing chain connecting the intake and exhaust camshafts."

http://www.worldhistory.com/wiki/V/VarioCam.htm

-Chike

So it's like the tensioner of the "timing belt" is automatic connected to the car's ECU. When this ECU gets an order for "Power" mode (Kick Down on GAS) the tensioner adjusts automatically by either loosening or tightening the belt affecting the cams position for the optimal configuration... is that it?

Landshark · #8 10-19-2005, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiketkd

I'll say this:

The 993 Carrera 2 and 2S were available with a 4 spd 'tiptronic' automatic transmission. They weighed in at ~3,100lbs and had factory 0-60 ratings of 6.6s for the Carrera 2 and 6.3s for the Carrera 2S. I stumbled across a site where they listed a 1/4 mile time of 15.09s for the tiptronic Carrera 2 and 14.60s for the Carrera 2S.

The fastest 0-60 I've seen for a stock SVX in a magazine test was 6.9s and a 1/4 mile of 15.4s...and that's with tall 3.545 gears and a curb weight of 3560lbs.

-Chike

you're comparing an air-cooled RWD car to a water-cooled AWD car.

wouldn't the 996 C4 and C4S be a better comparison?

#9 10-20-2005, 12:16 AM

I don't believe so. Those cars were two that were out around the same time. So it's better to compare them to each other. That was what Porsche had to offer at the time, and this is what Subaru had to offer at the time. Otherwise you might as well compare the SVX to the 997. Just because it's a RWD air cooled car doesn't mean it shouldn't be compared to other cars that aren't RWD or air cooled. However if the RWD bit still gets to you a better comparison would be to the 993 Carrera 4 or Carrera 4S.

Landshark · #10 10-20-2005, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THAWA

I don't believe so. Those cars were two that were out around the same time. So it's better to compare them to each other. That was what Porsche had to offer at the time, and this is what Subaru had to offer at the time. Otherwise you might as well compare the SVX to the 997. Just because it's a RWD air cooled car doesn't mean it shouldn't be compared to other cars that aren't RWD or air cooled. However if the RWD bit still gets to you a better comparison would be to the 993 Carrera 4 or Carrera 4S.

Porsche also had the 911 Turbo, 928, 968, and the 959 to offer at the time. why not use one of those?

Chiketkd · #11 10-20-2005, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Landshark

you're comparing an air-cooled RWD car to a water-cooled AWD car.

wouldn't the 996 C4 and C4S be a better comparison?

I've been speaking to members over on Rennlist about the 993 Carrera. The 4spd Tiptronic transmisison wasn't offered in the C4 or C4S. The awd drivetrain added 50kg to the weight of the car, so if an awd tiptronic C4 or C4S was ever offered, the performance numbers would have been slower.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Landshark

Porsche also had the 911 Turbo, 928, 968, and the 959 to offer at the time. why not use one of those?

The 911 Carrera is used as a benchmark in the performance automotive industry. It used a n/a 3.6L flat six that was similar in layout and relatively close in size to the one used in the SVX.

-Chike

Chiketkd · #12 10-20-2005, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Landshark

you're comparing an air-cooled RWD car to a water-cooled AWD car.

wouldn't the 996 C4 and C4S be a better comparison?

Like Thawa mentioned - the 993 and SVX were roughly sold during the same time.

Maybe I should have compared the SVX to the 964 911 Carrera? It was sold between '89-'94, used a 3.6L air-cooled flat six that made 250bhp and 229lb-ft. Also, both cars were developed in the late 80's...

-Chike

Landshark · #13 10-20-2005, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiketkd

Maybe I should have compared the SVX to the 964 911 Carrera?

maybe you should compare resale values, too.

Chiketkd · #14 10-20-2005, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Landshark

maybe you should compare resale values, too.

The purpose of this thread isn't to say that the SVX is better than a 964 or 993 Carrera - just that the EG33 Subaru developed is on par with the flat 6 engine used in a world-class performance car of the same era. Nothing more. Period.

-Chike

benebob · #15 10-20-2005, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spinn360

So the engine is great but would our svx beat the porsche in a race. I doubt it. But still cool info. Maybe if we could lighten up the car to say 2700 lbs instead of 3600 lbs and put in the 6 speed sti tranny and uh well just more wishfull thinking.

Easier done than said

. Oh and a stock 92 SVX will weigh in at about 3750 wet.