In the late eighties, Porsche developped an internal promotion based on a serie of races with the same car for each driver. It was called the 944 Cup and today, the 911replaced the 944 turbo. On the base of the new 911 type 993, Porsche developped the Cup 3.8.

The Cup is an evolution of the 993 RS CS, itself based on the 993 RS 3.8. Indeed, the Cup 3.8 has the same look than the RS CS with the GT2 style rear spoiler, side plastic protection, new three parts front spoiler featuring two lips and larger wings than the basis 993.

Nevertheless, differences are very important with the other models : the Cup has been designed for racing. 200 kg lighter, tubular body-arch for more protection and rigidity, liberated exhaust system (nevertheless, a catalysor is always present), racing tyres... The Cup is a racing car with all the preparation and the settings it requires.

Suspensions have been optimized while they are developed from the basis 993 and a lot of settings are available. The Cup also receives limited slip differential with 40% locking factor under acceleration and 65% under deceleration. Well, there's no place for hazard, just for racing efficiency.

The link between RS, RS CS and Cup is clear. That's the same body and the same engine. But the Cup 3.8 engine received some modifications to be a racing engine. The compression ratio raised up to 11.5:1 (a very high value allowed by a new anti clanking regulation ), twin spark ignition and a improved electronic control (Bosch Motronic M2.10). The exhaust system features two lambda sensor controlled catalytic converters. Unlike on the 993 RS engine, the Cup isn't equiped with Varioram system; as a result , the Cup isn't as performant as a 993 RS in retaking despite its light weight. With Superplus 98 fuel, Stuttgart annouced 310 hp @ 6200 rpm and a great torque of 370 Nm @ 5500 rpm; contact breaker operating at 6900 rpm.

The cockipt of the Cup 3.8 is functional : one single Recaro bucket seat with harness, three branches Momo handwheel, 4kg fire extinguisher on the right, no soundproofing elements, no carpets but door garnishing and instrument panel are conserved : maybe more weight could have been won.

The 6 gear speed box is very easy to use and like on the RS, there's no power steering. When you have a look on the external driving mirrors, you realize that the aileron is very present but it is not very ankward for rear visibility on the sides. Brakes are from turbo 3.6 with new pistons and brake calipers. With electro-hydraulic power assistance, the system keeps progressive and flexible. The last ABS standard make sure that the wheels can't lock but Porsche engineers said that condition to burst in the brake pedal lvery hard, wheels can be locked. The Speedline rims are looking like the RS one, but these three-piece light alloy wheels have a central locking system. With 8.5Jx18 front and 10J18 rear, the Cup receive 245 tyres front and 285 rear.

The behaviour od the Cup 3.8 is real excitement. You can only estimate it on circuit because the road isn't certified for road usage, as the 993 RS CS. The Cup behaviour is as much wild as the 993 turbo one is easy to understand. Indeed, beyond the awkward layout on the engine, Porsche engineers manage a real feat of skill with the 993 turbo : the excellent chassis combined with large tyres, integral transmission and engine flexibility have made this car one of the best handling one with a great facility. On the contrary, the Cup, which is a true rear wheel drive, despite optimized suspensions, is representative of the old 911 behaviour : the nose is very light compared to the rear that gives a big tendency to understeer at the entrance of a corner and to oversteer when removing your foot from the accelerator. The driver has to be very experienced because at the first hesitation, the race is finished !

The Cup 3.8 is engaged in the Carrera Cup : a internal championship with one type of car : the 993 Cup 3.8. In some countries ( like France or Germany ), there's an national Carrera Cup. But the best races come with the international Carrera Cup, where races are in prelude of Formula One championship on the best circuits in the worls. To promote this philosophy and to avoid any cheating, the factory deliver the Motronic electric control sytems after a balloting before each race. Of course, Motronic are the same and unmodifiable. The only settings are the choice of slick or rain tyres and geometry modifications.

Technical Specifications

Body
Based on 993 Carrera
Fiber glass front spoiler Rear plastic spoiler with adjustable wing section and air inlets on both sides for engine compartment air supply
Front hood out of aluminium
Rear and door windows out of thin glass
Rear side windows out of plastic
Welded-in roll cage and crossmenber out
Hood latches, air jacks Single arm windscreen wiper

Engine :
Air cooled Flat 6 cylinders Type M64/70
One overhead camshaft per cylinder bank 2 valves per cylinder
Compression ratio : 11.5:1
Bore : 102 mm
Stroke : 76.4 mm
Displacement : 3,746cc
Maximum power : 310hp @ 6,100rpm
Maximum torque : 370 Nm @ 5500 rpm
Sequential multi point fuel injection
Dual sparkignition
One central air inlet tunnel
Two stage resonance intake manifold
Electronic engine management
Bosch Motronic M2.10
Racing exhaust system with two lambda sensor controlled catalytic converters
Fuel : 98 Octane

Transmission :
Rear wheel drive
6 speed manual
Manual steering
Single mass flywheel with sport clutch
Limited slip differential with 40%/65% locking factor
Ring and pinion ratio : 9:31

Suspensions :
McPherson front axle
Multi-link rear axle with LSA-system
Front and rear struts with special Bilstein shock absorbers
Adjustable ride height
Dual springs with special springs rates
Front stabilizer 24 mm bar adjustable in five different positions
Rear stabilizer 18 mm bar adjustable in three different positions
Modified strut mounts
Stiff mounted subframe
Cross bar between front strut towers

Wheels & Tyres :
Three pieces light alloy wheels with center piece out of magnesium and central locking system
Made by Speedline in Supercup design
Front : 8.5Jx18 with 245/645-18 racing tyres
Rear : 10Jx18 with 285/645-18 racing tyres

Brakes :
Fixed caliper disc brake system with electro-hydraulic power assistance
Cross drilled brake discs, Bosch ABS5
Front : Brake calipers with 2x44mm and 2x36mm pistons with 322mm discs
Rear : Brake calipers with 2x30mm and 2x43mm pistons with 299mm discs

Electrical System :
36 Ah battery
Battery main switch

Headlights :
Litronic poly-ellipsoid main lights
High beam lights with variable focus-reflector system

Weight & Fuel capacity :
Empty weight : 1,100 kg
Fuel tank : 73.5L

Performances : 0-100kph : 4"9s
Top speed : 172 mph