We couldn’t let this one go without comment.
Automotive engineer and content creator Jimmy Oakes has established a strong following with his latest vehicle builds, engine swaps, drifting and more.
And it’s his latest project that’s really got people talking because he’s swapped a Ferrari-built Maserati F136 V8 into a 1978 Porsche 911 SC, in what is a bold fusion of Italian performance, German engineering, and even some Japanese motorsport heritage.
Nick named the Porrari, a combination of Porsche and Ferrari, the original 3.0-litre six-cylinder boxer engine has been replaced by a naturally aspirated 300kW Ferrari/Maserati F136 flat-plane crank V8 from a 2007 Maserati Quattroporte.
Not an easy task you might think and it wasn’t.
Before any upgrades could be considered, the 48 year-old Porsche needed a comprehensive restoration.
It became one of the biggest aspects of the project, requiring the entire chassis to be stripped and restored.
As part of the process, the roof had to be scrapped but was upgraded with a carbon fibre roof skin from EP9 Autosport.
Most of the bodywork and paint was carried out by Anthony Mendoza, who was an essential part of the team.
His extensive fabrication meant the factory wiring was effectively lost, so a custom harness was created by Wired by Trap, which helped ensure the engine, ignition, and Link ECU G5 Voodoo Neo 6 engine management had a reliable power supply.
When it was time to install the V8, Oakes and his crew fabricated a cradle that also supported the 996 Porsche 911 transmission once the two were mated by a Kennedy Engineered Products bell housing.
The same company also provided a custom clutch and flywheel.
In such a tight space, the Porrari needed custom headers and an exhaust system to breathe properly.
These were fabricated by local legend James “Bopper” Moran using Stainless Bros materials.
Not wanting to miss an opportunity, Oakes decided to upgrade the engine to individual throttle bodies using parts from the E90/92 BMW M3 S65 engine with assistance from Ding Dong Drift, who designed and 3D-printed custom adapters and trumpets.
The result was better throttle response and a great induction sound as the F136 climbs to its 8000 rpm redline.
Since the 911 was air-cooled, the team cut the front tub to accommodate a radiator and fan but ran into issues with the factory gas tank, so opted for a 10-gallon Radium fuel cell mounted behind the new rad.
In turn, this meant a number of new water, fuel and electrical lines running through the car.
The solution was a removable tunnel down the centre of the chassis to allow direct routing and easy access.
During the V8 installation, the rear suspension was removed and later replaced with significant additional bracing, allowing them to remove the torsion bars and update to custom Stance Suspension coilovers.
In search of additional rigidity and safety, a full rollcage was built by Accurate Fabrication in Bristol, CT.
With more than double its original output, Oakes decided to add both style and a wider footprint by converting the “narrow” body to a widebody using metal fenders welded to all four corners by close friend Brian Hall.
With the rejuvenated body painted in glorious Porsche Guards Red, the team was able to fit 17×9.5 inch front and 17×10.5 inch rear RAYS VRX-10 wheels with 235/40 R17 and 255/40 R17 Accelera 651 Sport tyres.
The brakes are Porsche Boxster four-piston Brembos at each corner using EBC rotors and Chase Bays lines.
“This build wasn’t about taking the easy route,” Oakes said.
“It was about building something that makes people take notice and then showing them how we did it. In my opinion, it’s projects like this that keep car culture exciting.”
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