1983 Porsche 911 3.5L Engine-on-Stand by Canepa Motorsport & Rothsport Racing

The Audrain Collections has a spectacular Canepa modified “Outlaw” 1983 Porsche 911 SC Targa (G-body) which runs a 400+ HP engine built by Rothsport Racing. The original engine was tired and not being used. We decided to rebuild the engine as a running engine-on-stand for display and demonstration until the next Porsche project comes along needing a donor engine.

In 2023, Canepa Design in conjunction with Rothsport Racing did the build, and the spectacular results are what you see here.

The original engine was already in pieces, so it was completely disassembled, cleaned, and inspected, measuring the engine case, crank, connecting rods, pistons, cylinders, cylinder heads, and cam towers.

The engine reassembly process included:

Reassembled with new main bearings, rod bearings, rod bolts, and intermediate bearings. A new billet breather cover was installed. New updated Dilivar cylinder head studs were installed. A custom crankshaft pulley was mounted.

All external engine fins were media-blasted, and powder coated, prepped, and painted engine fan shroud. The engine shroud and tins were then installed. 

The Motec engine harness was fitted and installed, along with new fuel Bosch 315cc fuel injectors and billet fuel rails. Fuel lines were plumbed. Fitted and installed a new fuel pressure regulator. Installed and plumbed new intake vacuum port fittings and hoses. Installed a new idle stabilizer control valve. 

Installed air intake temperature sensor. The throttle position sensor was installed and adjusted. Installed new 48 mm air intake trumpets. Installed a new stainless 1 ¾ primary header set. Fitted and installed 997 GT3 muffler, flanges, and brackets. Installed muffler tips. Installed new NTK wideband oxygen sensors. 

The engine was then run on the dyno and performed a break-in procedure. Motec engine ECU at all RPM points were mapped. Performed multiple power pulls to confirm expected engine power output of 320 HP @ 6900 RPM, 265 ft-lbs torque @ 5800 RPM. Removed engine from the dyno test stand. Fabricate engine mount, rolling stand, and controls. The engine is now ready to run!