Specializing In Proven Performance Solutions
for
the Porsche Boxster and 911
986 & 996 INNOVATION
Raby Enterprises and Aircooled Technology was established in 1997, specializing in the type 4 engine, used in the Porsche 914, a mid-engine predecessor of the Porsche Boxster. A target of scorn, the type 4 engine was the "black sheep" of the industry, ignored and misunderstood until Aircooled Technology came around and changed its image. We proved the type 4 could both provide performance and longevity, even rivaling six cylinder aircooled 911s of the time. Likewise, the modern horizontally opposed flat six engine used by Porsche in the Boxster and 911 is designed to be less expensive to mass-produce than the high-performance engines utilized in the 911 Turbo, GT2, and GT3. Porsche never intended the 986 and 996 engine to be the ultimate in performance, just as the type 4 was the lesser engine used in the 914, where Porsche fitted six-cylinder 911 engines in the 914-6. Porsche currently offers rebuilt stock engines with trade-in of your tired or broken core engine, but offers nothing for a performance oriented package short of installing an X50 for almost an equal cost of the vehicle when new, still based off of the lesser 986 and 996 engine. Our program is intended to address known and yet to be discovered flaws in the 986 and 996 engine while providing upgrades to push the performance limits of these undervalued workhorses of the Porsche stable.
When asked "why" we are venturing away from our core aircooled Porsche VW heritage we simply say "for the challenge". When embarking upon our quest for a more highly developed variant of the Porsche 914 engine over a decade ago our response was the same. We intend to apply the things we have learned while recreating the former "Black sheep" Porsche 914 engine to our Boxster and 911 program. In just over a decade of intense development and application our efforts with the 914 engine have been recognized world wide, the 914 is no longer the "Black Sheep".
An ever more prevalent list of problems have plauged the 986 and 996 engines, including rear main seal leaks, intermediate shaft and bearing failures, cylinder head cracks, and most damaging, the "D" chunk cylinder cracking, as well as issues with the oil breather and VarioCam. In 2007, LN Engineering became aware of the need of an aftermarket option to allow for the replacement of the cast-in cylinders with a solution that would improve strength and reliability while allowing for improved performance from nikasil plated bores in larger than stock bore sizes.
Alone, LN Engineering's services are great for shops and engine builders looking to possibly offer an alternative to a factory crate engine, but unfortuneately, most shops do not have the tools nor the knowledge to tackle such a project. LN Engineering approached Aircooled Technology with the knowledge that our dedicated facilities and talented staff could easily take on the challenge of offering complete engines utilizing these upgrades as well as the many others that would be required to take the 986 and 996 engine to the level of Porsche's factory GT2, GT3, or Turbo engines. This will be even more important as PCA has introduced a spec Boxster class allowing the platform to be used in competition which breeds failures and will undoubtedly uncover design and component inadequacies of the 986 engine.
In addition to having recently expanded its facilities to accomodate new projects and having installed another new Land and Sea engine dyno specifically for research and development, in accepting this challenge, Aircooled Technology has also purchased a 1998 2.5L Porsche Boxster that will undergo a complete revitalization utilizing LN Engineering's rebuilt block as well as development of custom camshafts, performance cylinder heads, billet rods and stroker cranks, tuned exhausts, and other products and services similar to our offerings for the aircooled Porsche VW platform. We have partnered with Hoffman Automotive Inc., LN Engineering, R&R Racing Products, Staggs Racing, Tangerine Racing, and many other leaders in the automotive aftermarket to offer enthusiasts and engine builders alike proven performance solutions for the Boxster and 911. We encourage those interested in pursuing a performance Boxster or 911 to visit the Aircooled Technology website at http://www.aircooledtechnology.com to learn more about the pedigree that comes with parts and engines we offer as well as countless customer testimonials.
Products and Services
Stage I
"Bolt-On"
upgrades including software programming, intake, and exhaust system
modifications designed for do-it-yourselfer with guidance provided
through detailed instructional video guides compiled by Raby
Productions.
At this point, two routes are possible - normally aspirated, or turbo.
Normally Aspirated
Stage II
LN
Engineering Nickies cylinders. At this point, displacement is key to
increasing useable power and flattening the torque curve for increased
drivability and overall performance. With LN Engineering's proprietary
aluminum alloy, which is up to 66% stronger and has twice the cooling
capacity, larger bores can be done safely while improving longevity and
reliability. Nikasil plating, as used in the 911 Turbo, GT2, and GT3,
provides additional horsepower from reduced friction and improved wear
characteristics over that of stock cylinder alloys. R&R billet
connecting rods are optional, but highly recommended.
Stage III
Camshaft
upgrades. Now that you have more displacement, you can effectively run
more camshaft lift and duration, to increase overall torque and peak
horsepower.
Stage IV
Cylinder
head upgrades. Although we plan to incorporate head upgrades to improve
reliabilty and longevity in Stage II and III, at this stage larger, CNC
reshaped ports and chambers, as well as larger valves will improve the
horsepower potential of the engine.
Turbo
Stage II
LN
Engineering Nickies cylinders. At this point, since we plan on the
engine being turboed, thickwall Nickies cylinders significantly thicker
than stock cylinders are installed to increase durability and
resiliency to increased cylinder pressures and the engine is fitted
with dished pistons. Depending on intended boost levels, larger bore
sizes can also be done to improve off-boost performance. Engine is then
fitted with a non-intercooled single turbo setup intended in allowing
0.5 to 0.75 bar boost. R&R billet connecting rods are optional, but highly recommended.
Stage III
Alcohol/water
injection system for the Boxster to improve anti-detonation resistance
under extreme conditions, as form factor for the installation of an
intercooler is not possible on the Boxster because of packaging. Boost
up to 1 bar. For
the 911, since packaging is not a problem, an intercooler will allow
for increased boost of 1+ bar determined by IC size and efficiency.
Email us at info@flat6innovations.com to schedule an appointment to discuss your plans.
Take a sneak peek at Stage II...
Shown below is an upgraded 986 or 996 engines fittled with proprietary LN Engineering "Nickies" billet Nikasil-plated aluminum sleeves. Big bores currently available for $3899 including pistons, rings, and pins.
COPYRIGHT RABY ENTERPRISES INC 1997-2008
FLAT6INNOVATIONS
IS A DIVISION OF RABY ENTERPRISES &
RABY'S AIRCOOLED TECHNOLOGY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
LN ENGINEERING
Visit our other sites to learn more about Raby Enterprises
http://www.simplehorsepower.com
http://www.flat6innovations.com
http://www.rabyproductions.com
http://www.aircooledtechnology.com