Carrera GT - Eight year engine out service (Pic heavy)
Discussion
Just over eight years ago I took delivery of my Carrera GT. It remains my favourite car; it has done nearly 20,000 miles, and every single one of those has been memorable. It has been to France, Germany, Belgium and Italy. It has been on the Nurburgring, and here at home it’s been to Bedford Autodrome.
The service schedule calls for the engine to come out every four years, in particular to allow for the valve clearances to be adjusted. My understanding is that this can, in fact, be done with the engine it situ, but it is a no brainer to follow the recommended service schedule and allow the car to be fully checked over.
As ever, the chaps at Porsche Reading could not have been more accommodating and professional. I was able to visit the car mid disassembly, and also arrange for Richard from Refined Detail (and his colleague) to detail the car down to its last fastener whilst it was in a state of undress.
I put up a similar post four years ago, and people seemed to enjoy seeing detailed photos of the car and the amazing engineering under the skin. So, I hope you will enjoy these photos as much as I do.
First, the engine:
Inside the engine “cradle” with the engine removed:
The lacquered carbon fibre was cleaned and polished:
Wheel arches and liners were cleaned:
The wheels were given a fresh coat of paint and lacquer. As they are magnesium it is important to keep a good protective coating on them, as the metal would otherwise oxidise.
All the undertrays were removed and cleaned:
Some of the wishbones were also removed and cleaned up:
I had the wings behind the front wheels removed and repainted, as these do suffer from gravel rash (even with paintfilm protection). Other parts of the car, like the roll hoops were also removed and cleaned.
For the first time, I had the front clamshell removed so that the area around the inboard suspension could be cleaned. We also replaced the follower springs on the front suspension, and lubricated the joints. The pushrod suspension is a very cool feature of the car – pure race car.
The front suspension and brake set up is also engineering art in my view.
Other areas were also cleaned up:
Old paintfilm was removed and renewed:
The engine was refitted:
The seats were removed to give a good clean to the interior:
Two generations in one photograph:
The finished car:
And in its natural home:
Hope you enjoyed.
The service schedule calls for the engine to come out every four years, in particular to allow for the valve clearances to be adjusted. My understanding is that this can, in fact, be done with the engine it situ, but it is a no brainer to follow the recommended service schedule and allow the car to be fully checked over.
As ever, the chaps at Porsche Reading could not have been more accommodating and professional. I was able to visit the car mid disassembly, and also arrange for Richard from Refined Detail (and his colleague) to detail the car down to its last fastener whilst it was in a state of undress.
I put up a similar post four years ago, and people seemed to enjoy seeing detailed photos of the car and the amazing engineering under the skin. So, I hope you will enjoy these photos as much as I do.
First, the engine:
Inside the engine “cradle” with the engine removed:
The lacquered carbon fibre was cleaned and polished:
Wheel arches and liners were cleaned:
The wheels were given a fresh coat of paint and lacquer. As they are magnesium it is important to keep a good protective coating on them, as the metal would otherwise oxidise.
All the undertrays were removed and cleaned:
Some of the wishbones were also removed and cleaned up:
I had the wings behind the front wheels removed and repainted, as these do suffer from gravel rash (even with paintfilm protection). Other parts of the car, like the roll hoops were also removed and cleaned.
For the first time, I had the front clamshell removed so that the area around the inboard suspension could be cleaned. We also replaced the follower springs on the front suspension, and lubricated the joints. The pushrod suspension is a very cool feature of the car – pure race car.
The front suspension and brake set up is also engineering art in my view.
Other areas were also cleaned up:
Old paintfilm was removed and renewed:
The engine was refitted:
The seats were removed to give a good clean to the interior:
Two generations in one photograph:
The finished car:
And in its natural home:
Hope you enjoyed.
I should have added to the first post that the only thing the car needed was a new oil seal around one of the oil pumps. The clutch remains as strong as ever - still around 30mm (new 31, finished 28mm), and the wear rate has slowed considerably.
The car is now on Michelin SuperSport tyres which are a big improvement - as many have said - over the original PS2s.
I tend to agree about a high water mark - certainly for analogue super sports cars. The over engineering, the simplicity and the sheer driving involvement are close to peerless in my view.
Cheers
The car is now on Michelin SuperSport tyres which are a big improvement - as many have said - over the original PS2s.
I tend to agree about a high water mark - certainly for analogue super sports cars. The over engineering, the simplicity and the sheer driving involvement are close to peerless in my view.
Cheers
Many thanks for sharing, a masterpiece - when they were 300k I thought they were undervalued and were a possible purchase for me within 3 years..... now just a dream unless values drop. Being a lambo guy this is by far and away the only Porsche I truly lust after.
I was very very happy with the noise of my V10 lambo .... but i know the Carrera GT is the daddy of the V10's. What a monster.
If I could only own one car.... it would be a decatted F50 or Carrera GT
I was very very happy with the noise of my V10 lambo .... but i know the Carrera GT is the daddy of the V10's. What a monster.
If I could only own one car.... it would be a decatted F50 or Carrera GT
Absolutely stunning car and I'm glad to see your 'nut washing' OCD level on a scale yet to be defined 
For me there are very few cars that match the desirability of the CGT (McF1, Zonda and not much else). Never quite got the beautiful exposed carbon/wooden gear-knob combo though.
You are a very lucky boy indeed, thanks for sharing Stefan
For me there are very few cars that match the desirability of the CGT (McF1, Zonda and not much else). Never quite got the beautiful exposed carbon/wooden gear-knob combo though.
You are a very lucky boy indeed, thanks for sharing Stefan
stefan1 said:
I should have added to the first post that the only thing the car needed was a new oil seal around one of the oil pumps. The clutch remains as strong as ever - still around 30mm (new 31, finished 28mm), and the wear rate has slowed considerably.
The car is now on Michelin SuperSport tyres which are a big improvement - as many have said - over the original PS2s.
I tend to agree about a high water mark - certainly for analogue super sports cars. The over engineering, the simplicity and the sheer driving involvement are close to peerless in my view.
Cheers
You should try Cup 2s next - they're even better! Love the pics and lovely to see that you're using it. Such a shame when they're left inside.The car is now on Michelin SuperSport tyres which are a big improvement - as many have said - over the original PS2s.
I tend to agree about a high water mark - certainly for analogue super sports cars. The over engineering, the simplicity and the sheer driving involvement are close to peerless in my view.
Cheers
stefan1 said:
I should have added to the first post that the only thing the car needed was a new oil seal around one of the oil pumps. The clutch remains as strong as ever - still around 30mm (new 31, finished 28mm), and the wear rate has slowed considerably.
The car is now on Michelin SuperSport tyres which are a big improvement - as many have said - over the original PS2s.
I tend to agree about a high water mark - certainly for analogue super sports cars. The over engineering, the simplicity and the sheer driving involvement are close to peerless in my view.
Cheers
Thanks for the photos. Fully agree about the cgt, wonderful machinesThe car is now on Michelin SuperSport tyres which are a big improvement - as many have said - over the original PS2s.
I tend to agree about a high water mark - certainly for analogue super sports cars. The over engineering, the simplicity and the sheer driving involvement are close to peerless in my view.
Cheers
Gassing Station | 911/Carrera GT | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff