One benefit I've read is that having the pistons/crank horizontal instead of vertical means the pistons aren't fighting gravity on the compression/exhaust stroke.

I can't believe you left out the 1,000 BHP Flat 10 Porsche dominated racing in the 60's? with. Back in the Sterling Moss, Steve McQueen days... Steve drove one for a movie even.

 

lower center of gravity. Duh

 

12 cylinders or more was a paramiter..... sorry, H16 > flat 10

And Steve McQueen? that has to be the most overhyped gear head of all time...... Seriously, why is he held in higher regard than Jay Leno when it comes to automobiles??????? (honest question. And yes i've seen many of his movies. When it comes to acting tallent, he leaves alot to be desired.)

 

As he very tactfully stated, it allows for a lower CoG. Beyond that, it will also run smoother due to the moving parts are opposed instead of all of them going in the same direction. I read somewhere that the Subie boxer engines were the smoothest running 4cyl in production.

 

I miss mine

They're pretty awesome but dont make enough power for the cost. Thats why I changed sides

 

if you wait till spring time i will fly down and drive it up for you!

 

I don't know, that blouch powered, white bubble butt STi had everyone salivating...and then it ran on the dyno.

 

You are a flip female, and FAS has to occur at some point. Some of us have assumptions that are probably spot on.

Good luck, Ryan! $450 seems pretty reasonable. What is their success rate on these types of infractions?

 

hey yahu what do you think about SE evo's compared to MR ones?

 

Well if you plan to abuse the tranny you will want the 5-spd. It isn't necessarily power that kills the tranny but power + tracking. I've never actually driven a 5-spd so I don't know how it is on the freeway but some people say it isn't much more rpm than my 6th gear at 70.

If I were you I would try to drive or ride in both. Preferably one that is close to stock since that is likely what you are looking to get. If the 5-spd is to your liking then I would open my options past the SE, even.

The SE gets you the diamond black, or platinum BBS rims. Most people like other rims as it stands anyway so that may not be the biggest draw. There is the red stitching on the seats and the lip but you can buy the lip for a couple hundred (in CF even) and I think that the stock black IX seating is pretty nice either way (much nicer than the VIII seating).

So really it all boils down to the transmission. If the VIII feels fine to you then I say open your options knowing that you really aren't leaving anything on the table.

 

I put IX interior in my VIII. I couldn't stand the blue recaros... what were they thinking?! Especially in a red car.

If you can find an SE that doesn't have many miles on it and you want to keep it 100% stock, I'd get it. Otherwise just get a regular IX. There is no reason to have the 6 speed imo... they are fragile, and a lot of people are replacing them with the 5 speed anyways (Aaron for example).

 

i wouldnt say the 6spds are "fragile" , they just cant take gobs and gobs of power/torque and it depends on what you do or plan to do with ur car....

i dont have any issues with mine, and its treating me well. then again i wont be hitting 400+ anytime soon BUT holds up in autocross just fine.

 

Porsche Caymans S new DFI engine is actually one of the best balanced engines there is. The newer Subie motors are quite good but their are a few design parameters that leave alot to be desired imo.

 

You're right, I shouldn't have used the word "fragile"... more like "less stout than the 5-speed".

 

Also to be defined is gobs and gobs of power/torque. I have thrown 500+whp/410+lb-ft and mine isn't showing signs of grenading. I don't track my car so I don't drive the **** out of some of those known smaller gears. I also maintain my fluids pretty well and generally don't abuse my car. 40k+ miles and still on the stock clutch even!