Singer, Williams Team Up to Build 500-HP Air-Cooled Flat-Six Porsche Engines

A few lucky resto-modded 911s will be graced with this air-cooled motor.

byGabriel Loewenberg|
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Good news, resto-modded Porsche lovers. Singer Vehicle Design and Williams Advanced Engineering have teamed up for a classic car that will have fans of the classic air-cooled flat-six 911 engine all hot and bothered. Three Singer clients will be getting restored and modified naturally aspirated, air-cooled, 500-horsepower flat-sixes made in concert with Williams for their Singer-customized 911s. Yes, you read that right: a naturally-aspirated, air-cooled, 500-hp flat-six in the back of a classic 911. 

Singer, in order to meet the needs of these three customers, partnered with Williams (yes, the Formula One Williams people) to put together a lightweight, high-powered resto-mod. What started life as a 3.6-liter flat-six that put out 247 hp will end up as a 4.0-liter, 500 hp banshee.

According to Singer's press release, these are some of the specs and modifications that were done to the engines:

  • 500 HP
  • Four-valve cylinder heads
  • Engine speed range extended beyond 9,000 rpm
  • Dual-oil circuits
  • Cylinders and pistons with titanium con-rods
  • Aluminum throttle bodies with carbon fiber trumpets
  • Upper and lower injectors for improved performance
  • A carbon fiber air-box with active multi-stage resonator chamber for mid-range torque optimization
  • Inconel and titanium exhaust system optimized for thermal performance
  • CFD optimized and enlarged engine cooling fan
  • Ram air induction system with pressure recovery in intake plenums
  • Lightweight materials, including titanium, magnesium and carbon fiber are used extensively to reduce component mass and vehicle weight.

If memory serves, the stock engine red-lined at around 6,500 to 6,800 rpm. The Singer/Williams mods will have it pushing more than 9,000 rpm. The 1991 911—or 964 if you will—has a curb weight of around 3,100 pounds; after Singer is done with the cars, they will most likely come in under that. So, you're looking at a (probably) sub-3,000 pound, 500-hp 964. This is the stuff of dreams. 

"Helping our clients realize their unique vision for a reimagined Porsche 911 with the help of automotive royalty is very much a privilege," Singer founder Rob Dickinson said in the press release. "Singer is delighted to be working with Williams Advanced Engineering and Hans Mezger to offer our clients a 'next level' of restoration and modification services for their Porsche 911s.  With careful and dedicated development, this iconic air-cooled engine has much to give both its existing devotees and a generation of new enthusiasts.”  

You read that right. They pulled legendary Porsche engineer Hans Mezger out of retirement for this project. 

Singer will be announcing more partners and all the details when the first Williams car is revealed in September. Until then, you'll have to settle for drooling over the engine.

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