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Porsche’s brief venture into American open-wheeled motorsport through the Indy-adjacent CART series showcased impressive engineering. This 90-degree, 2.65-liter V8 crafted for the 1987 Indy Car World Series is a testament to that. Originally built for the automaker’s open-wheeled 2708 racer, the 800-horsepower powerhouse is now available for sale through RM Sotheby’s, minus its turbocharger.
This engine is up for sale at Sotheby’s Monterey auction, set to take place at Pebble Beach 2023. Expected to fetch between $80,000 and $100,000, it represents a distinctive piece of American motorsports history. Only a few engines were intended for the brand’s in-house racing effort, which faced limited success but marked Porsche’s bold foray into the world of open-wheeled racing.
Porsche only produced three 2708 chassis at its Weissach plant, making engines designated for those cars relatively scarce. The automaker later collaborated with March to manufacture additional chassis for CART series competition, although the endeavor struggled against established rivals like Chevrolet.
The quad-cam 32-valve engine can rev over 11,000 RPM and operates on methanol. Engineered by renowned Porsche engine designer Hans Mezger, who also crafted various other racing powertrains for the brand, it boasts an illustrious pedigree. Mezger was instrumental in developing the air-cooled flat-six engine for the original 911, launched in 1964.
The absence of a turbocharger may pose challenges for any potential swaps—although it would be eccentric to acquire a six-figure engine for such an experiment. However, a turbocharger could likely be sourced, possibly at another RM Sotheby’s auction, if the buyer desires a complete setup. This engine is best suited for a showcase rather than being shoehorned into a vehicle as a powerplant. If you crave 800 hp for your project, opt for turbocharging an LS engine as they thrive on such modifications. This Porsche engine is better suited for a spot in a museum or personal collection under the spotlight.
Bidding for the engine will commence on Thursday, August 17th, 2023.
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