993 question

[ginger toss]

Can anyone tell me if there is an easy way to identify a varioram engined car from the others, plus when was the varioram introduced? Is there much difference in the performance and prices?
Thanks in advance.

[chris_n]

The word "varioram" cast into the inlet manifold sat right on top of the engine is the most obvious clue! Sorry!

[ginger toss]

fair enough!

[manek]

Varioram came in in 1996 I believe. It boosted power from 272bhp to 285bhp, mostly above 4500rpm. Would you notice it? Depends I guess how often you explore the upper rev ranges...

[chris_n]

In an attempt to make up for my previous, facetious post, I would add I've never driven a varioram equipped car myself but people who have say the gains from varioram are in mid range torque rather than out and out power. Some people swear varioram 993s are the only one's to have, others reckon otherwise. There was a recent post on here about this IIRC, might be worth a search.

Chris

[welshchris]

They don't all have 'varioram' cast into the inlet manifold - mine is varioram and just plain.

Chris

[chris_n]

Damn - that'll teach me to be a smartarse!

One the other hand, are you absolutely sure yours has got varioram?!

[MauriceC2S]

VRam first appeared on the 993RS in '95, does indeed give a very broad torque curve as well as extra peak power, and makes for a very flexible, relaxing drive on the occasions you might want that. A little added complexity, 'tis true, but seems to be very reliable (picks up phone to renew warranty!). Tales of little or no performance improvement, lower top speed need to be set against the extra weight most of them carry, and those beautiful wide hips!

Mine has acquitted itself well @ Bruntingthorpe VMax days, the only faster 993s had extra puff (TTs) or bigger cylinders (RSs)....

Cheers, Maurice

[welshchris]

Absoltely sure!

[ginger toss]

so do variorams command a permium, or is it a case of finding a good car and stuff whether it has variocam or not?

[oldtimer]

I think varioram came as standard with the later cars and was not available before then so price will sort itself out ie later car more expensive all else being equal

[craigw]

how are you fixed for oct 12th Maurice ?

[chris_n]

As it became the standard 993 engine from the 96 model year onward you will tend to find it on the slightly later more expensive 993s, so in that sense I guess it does command a premium. People tend to emphasise in ads that a car has varioram so it is obviously considered a selling point with a value associated.

Personally if I were in the market for a 993 I'd consider it a nice to have but choose a mint non- varioram car over a dodgy varioram model.

[domster]

Remember as well that later varioram 993s had the later wiring loom, which doesn't pretend it is a homebase BBQ after 10 years If you are getting an earlier 993, check that the loom has been done.

[MauriceC2S]

Hello, Craig

I'm saving myself for Donington on Oct 30th - would you like an analogue photographer, marshal, or assistant whipper-in on the day, tho'?

Cheers, Maurice

[ginger toss]

domster, anything else that I sould be aware of?

[MauriceC2S]

Further to the VRam topic, someone on 'that US forum' did a comparison on output through the range of the two variants - here's the rub FWIW.
>>
V-Ram vs non V-Ram

Back to the original question about Varioram vs. Non-Varioram. I did some crude conversions from Newton-Meters to Foot-Pounds and KW to HP to create an Excel spreadsheet. The conversions are not exact, but I used the same formula on both Varioram and Non Varioram, so any errors should at least be comparable. I was surprised to see just how big the difference really is – especially in the midrange!

Varioram Advantage
RPM HP Torque
1000 0 0
1500 0 4
2000 1 9
2500 9 9
3000 20 20
3500 27 31
4000 24 36
4500 12 14
5000 8 4
5500 10 8
6000 14 4
6500 22 10
>>
I can't swear to the accuracy, of course. The other side of the penny is that earlier cars had different gearing which many US people retrofit for track use - there is a gap between 2nd and 3rd on later cars which a broader torque curve will compensate for. But the US vogue for gearing 6th as normal 5th wouldn't work for Brunters - I got 6,500 in 6th regularly last time!

Cheers, Maurice

[domster]

ginger toss said:

domster, anything else that I sould be aware of?

I am not an expert on 993s - or any Porsche come to think of it - just spout a lot of bollox about RSs and know of a few things that can go wrong with various cars.

993s are much more sorted than 964s, but the wiring loom was a problem. The later the production year of the model, the better the car tends to be.

I'd get an independent inspection and check for normal stuff like accident damage, clutch, brakes, excessive smoke from exhaust under acceleration when warm etc.

Cheers
Domster

[manek]

Note that the 993 wiring loom issue is now an official recall, so the local dealer will replace it for free.

[domster]

That is true

LOL, it wasn't tho' when Scottster's 993 started to misbehave like Old Sparky in a thunderstorm (a couple of years back). Porsche even had the temerity to tell him to get lost and that there wasn't a fault - only for them to issue a recall about 6 months later, where they had to eat humble pie and pay him back for the loom he had fitted.