The Ultimate Singer 911?

When it comes to restomods, Singer Vehicle Design needs no introduction. Since 2009, the California-based company has been reimagining air-cooled Porsche 911s through a bespoke restoration program, and the results speak for themselves.

We’ve featured a few Singer builds on Speedhunters over the years, and Dino has a shop tour and drive story headed to the site very soon, but today it’s all about a special collaboration with Williams Advanced Engineering that’s come about through three clients requesting a “new level of restoration and modification services.” The initial result of this partnership is a 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat-six good for 500hp and 9,000rpm+ engine speeds.

Williams Advanced Engineering, part of Williams Grand Prix Engineering Group, has been tapped by Singer to create technical modifications and components for the higher-spec machines, and it all starts in the engine room. The much-lauded Hans Mezger-designed Porsche 3.6-liter engine from the 1990 911 will provide the basis for the builds, with enhancement from Williams (with Mezger as a technical consultant) lifting its specification to new heights. Stretched to 4.0-liters, the flat-six features four-valve cylinder heads, titanium connecting rods, aluminum throttle bodies with carbon fiber trumpets, a carbon fiber air box, and Inconel and titanium exhaust systems among many other upgrades. As we mentioned, 500hp is the result, but just look at the thing!

Singer_Willams_2

Commenting on the collaboration, Rob Dickinson, Founder of Singer Vehicle Design had this to say in the official press release: “Helping our clients realize their unique vision for a reimagined Porsche 911 with the help of automotive royalty is very much a privilege. 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.”

If you’re anything like us, this teaser from Singer will have you itching to see and hear the engine in action, and luckily, it seems like we won’t have to wait long. The first car, a 1990 Porsche 911, it set to be unveiled next month.

Brad Lord
Instagram: speedhunters_brad
brad@speedhunters.com

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1

This is crazy!
So cool!
Can I get with 2 cylinders missing?

2

I'm looking at an engine that is Air cooled, NA, 9000 rpm, only 4.0L and yet puts out 500HP
By contrast, the new 3.8L watercooled turbo engine in the new 911 turbo S puts just 20hp more.
So what's the catch? Is this engine horribly unreliable or heavily polluting (or *gulp* both?)

3

I would guess that the oil/air cooled engines take a bit longer to get up to temperature than their water-cooled decedents. This would mean less complete combustion for a longer period of time after a cold start. Either the catalyst would have to have an additional metal loading to compensate, or it would pollute more.

As mentioned, however, maybe 10 cars that may or may not ever get driven... Doesn't really matter in the big picture.

4

Numbers aside, if you haven't driven a Mezger engine'd Porsche at full chat then I'd encourage you to beg, steal and borrow until you get the chance – amazing bits of kit that just keep pulling like a train right up to the redline.

5
Alceu Colnaghi Filho

You're looking at an engine that will have 10 units running around, if so... Then, who cares about pollution in this case?

6

The catch is that its expensive. These are super low production motors, handmade from the very best materials and technologies. I wouldn't be surprised if it cost several times the price of a new 911 crate motor.

7

I wouldn't be surprised if it cost several times the price of a new 911.

8

The 997.2, 991.1/2 GT3RS makes 500HP out of its 4.0L in naturally aspirated guise. It's not impossible. But there's also 20+ years of developement between the 3.6 Metzger and the current engines.

9

U just compared watercooled to aircooled?

10

So, what is the difference? Porsche switched to water for emission, not for power. With water you can cool the critical parts around the exhaust valves. Oil is more viscose and it suffers from heat. So with this engine you need to change the oil after a hot race :-( Also air cooled is loud because the fins help emit the sound to the air (and not the good kind of loud coming out of the exhaust). I miss a CVT between the fan and the crank to regulate temperature.

11

Looks very tidy, and now I have some idea of what I'm looking at when a Porsche is opened up lol.

12
Spanky Mc Lugnuts

Why would I want an engine with 2 quarter pannels? Is that supposed to be couch?

13

Look like air intakes to replace the standard glass

14

note the 'overfenders'!

15

Kinda a shame to stuff that thing where the sun don't shine.

16

Now that's pure WORK OF ART. Astonishing Craftsmanship!
This one should make a lovely sound as well!

17

Just imagine the intake noise coming through the cabin... That air box looks like the rear shelf and just how it draws from the 3/4 windows.

I truly wonder how much compression and what the cam specs they are using.. possible variable length intake runners? to gain some torque down low since the motor is designed to spin 9000+ rip-ums.

18
Anthony Speciale
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19
Brennan McKissick

That is is beyond, "work of art." I know I'll never get to see or hear one in person but if that doesn't epitomize #goals for at least aircooled Porsches then I don't know what does. I love the air intakes, that's an awesome idea. I'll be eagerly awaiting the reveal of the cars Singer puts out with this motor.

20

This is awesome! I don't even want to know what something like this would cost...

21

Man, I've never liked Porsches, but that is a thing of beauty!

22

"The Ultimate Singer 911?"
For a moment I was expecting to see RWB Singer

23

The catch is cost.

24

From Singer Vehicle Design's web page footer;

'Out of respect for Porsche, and to respect Porsche’s trademark rights, this incredible machine should never under any circumstances be referred to or described as a "Singer," "Singer 911," "Singer Porsche 911" or a "Porsche Singer 911," or in any other manner that suggests that it is anything but a Porsche® 911®. '

You might want to change the title if you want to run more features...

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