Porsche Heritage Moments: Lessons From Le Mans Legend Norbert Singer

Origins Of Porsche’s Turbo Story

Forget bolt-on upgrades. Turbocharging was both a necessity and a revolution at the same at the same time for Porsche, back in the early 1970s. While Porsche had a pretty successful stint in the late 1960s with race cars like the iconic 917 powered by naturally-aspirated engines, the competition was getting fierce, and more power was needed, and fast.

Also, facing new regulations that limited engine displacement in endurance racing like Le Mans, Porsche sought alternative ways to maintain competitiveness. Turbocharging offered a solution, allowing smaller engines to produce substantial power. Embracing turbo tech wasn’t easy, but the rewards were well worth it.

The challenges of turbocharging

The decision to go turbo was a calculated risk. But the fight wasn’t just about engine internals. The challenge was that of smooth power delivery. While early tests of turbocharging were promising, the trade-off for power was sluggish throttle response. Norbert Singer and his team tirelessly tweaked and tuned the engine to minimize turbo lag.

After all, every millisecond counts in racing and they had to find a way to increase downforce without increasing drag. Porsche developed rear wings and body kits that maximized downforce while keeping drag in check. This balance was crucial for scorching lap times. He also adds that partnerships with racing teams like Penske were invaluable, and real-world testing provided crucial feedback, allowing Porsche to refine both engine design and driving dynamics.

Porsche 917/10

The first car that Singer touched upon in the film was the Porsche 917/10 a groundbreaking sports prototype race car, that emerged in 1972. Designed to compete in the Can-Am series, the 917/10 was a radical departure from its predecessors, boasting a lightweight chassis and a potent, naturally aspirated 5.0-liter flat-12 engine capable of delivering up to 660 horsepower.

However, as previously mentioned, Porsche’s ambition extended beyond naturally aspirated power, leading to the development of the 917/10 Turbo in 1972. This iteration incorporated a pair of KKK turbochargers, transforming the 5.4-liter flat-12 into an absolute powerhouse. With an astonishing 1,150 horsepower on tap, the 917/10 Turbo became a force to be reckoned with, dominating the Can-Am series and setting new standards for turbocharged performance in motorsport.

Porsche 911 Carrera RSR Turbo

The second car to feature in the film was the Porsche 911 Carrera RSR Turbo. At its heart was a turbocharged mill but this time with a downsized flat-six engine, but still based on technology that had been previously explored in the Can-Am series with the Porsche 917/10. Displacing 2.1 liters, delivered an impressive 500 horsepower.

This smaller displacement, combined with advanced turbocharging technology, allowed the RSR Turbo to achieve impressive power while improving fuel economy and overall efficiency. The 911 RSR’s success at Le Mans solidified Porsche’s position as a leader in both racing and turbocharging technology. The lessons learned from the 911 RSR paved the way for future generations of turbocharged Porsche sports cars, including the iconic 930 Turbo and the modern-day 911 Turbo.

Porsche 936

Singer wraps things up with a white Porsche 936, a Group 6 race car built by Porsche in 1976. It was powered by a turbocharged flat-six engine, displacing 2.1 liters. This engine produced an impressive 540 horsepower, giving the 936 a top speed of over 200 mph. The 936 was extremely successful in racing, winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1976 and 1977. It also became the first turbocharged car to win Le Mans, proving the effectiveness of this technology in endurance racing.

To find out more about why Porsche has been obsessed with Turbochargers for over half a decade, celebrating 50 years of this revolutionary engine tech, watch the entire episode of "Porsche Heritage Moments.”