Skip advert
Advertisement

You can now buy a 12,000rpm engine upgrade kit for your air-cooled Porsche 911

Swindon Powertrain has designed a 24-valve engine upgrade for 964 and 993-generation Porsches rated for up to 12,000rpm

Swindon Powertrain 911 head upgrade

Porsche claims that the new 911 S/T is the most exciting 911 road car yet, but certain specialist manufacturers might have something to say about that. The appetite for 911-based restomods from the likes of Singer and Theon Design shows no signs of slowing, and in the wake of this trend, Swindon Powertrain has devised an engine upgrade kit to take air-cooled 911s to the next level. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

The British engineering firm's new retro-fit cylinder head, compatible with 964 and 993 models, unlocks the ability to rev to 12,000rpm thanks to completely redesigned valvetrain components and airflow geometry. Provided the rest of the motor is built to take advantage of these parameters, the kit opens the door to what could be the ultimate air cooled 911 engine. 

Porsche designed 964 and 993 engines with two valves per cylinder, but Swindon Powertrain’s solution uses four valves per cylinder. Each valve is smaller than before and formed from titanium, which allows the engine to spin up to higher revs without putting undue stress on the rockers. 

Aside from the headline rpm figure, the kit also provides significantly better air flow into and out of the cylinders by doubling the number of valves (Swindon Powertrain has measured improvements of 40 and 60 per cent on the inlet and exhaust flow respectively). Cast from aerospace-grade aluminium, the cylinder head kit also saves 3.5kg compared to the standard setup.

All the major components required to fit the new cylinder heads are included, such as valve springs, caps, shims, finger followers and cam shafts, topped off by a new set of cam covers. Swindon Powertrain can also supply custom pistons to utilise the full potential of the new heads, along with inlet porting and unique cam profiles tailored to the engine’s specs and intended use. Costing £29,950 plus VAT, Swindon Powertrain offers a one-year warranty with each cylinder head upgrade kit.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Porsche 911 Carrera S review – the daily 911 that’s quicker than a GT3
Porsche 911 Carrera S – front
In-depth reviews

Porsche 911 Carrera S review – the daily 911 that’s quicker than a GT3

The Carrera S has supercar-baiting pace and a £120,500 starting price. Is it the sweet spot of the 911 range?
15 Apr 2026
The Porsche 911 GT4 Challenge is coming, and it might be the most confusing model ever
Porsche 911 GT4 Challenge
Spy shots

The Porsche 911 GT4 Challenge is coming, and it might be the most confusing model ever

Porsche is readying its replacement for the Cayman GT4 Clubsport racer, the 911 GT4, and we’ve spotted it completing its final testing ahead of its la…
14 Apr 2026
Porsche 911 review – more complex than ever, but still the best sports car
Porsche 911
In-depth reviews

Porsche 911 review – more complex than ever, but still the best sports car

The 992-generation 911 has taken time to reveal its character, but it’s evolved into a sports car with enormous breadth and ability
10 Apr 2026
The Porsche 911 is 'idiotic' to some, so why do I find it so captivating?
Porsche 911 GT3 RS – front
Opinion

The Porsche 911 is 'idiotic' to some, so why do I find it so captivating?

What is it about the 911 that continues to captivate? Meaden has some theories
6 Mar 2026
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Manthey Porsche 911 GT3 RS Nürburgring lap proves 1250bhp isn’t enough
Manthey Porsche 911 GT3 RS Nurburgring lap
News

Manthey Porsche 911 GT3 RS Nürburgring lap proves 1250bhp isn’t enough

The 992 Porsche 911 GT3 RS with the Manthey Racing kit has finally recorded an official Nürburgring time, and it makes Corvette’s 1250bhp ZR1X look a …
17 Apr 2026
The BMW Z8’s last chance at redemption – car pictures of the week
BMW Z8 front
Features

The BMW Z8’s last chance at redemption – car pictures of the week

Perfect ingredients, imperfect whole. But was the Z8 really deserving of its lowly three-star evo rating? We give it another chance
18 Apr 2026
I used a £440k Lamborghini Aventador SVJ as my daily drive, and it's not the car you think it is
Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
Long term tests

I used a £440k Lamborghini Aventador SVJ as my daily drive, and it's not the car you think it is

Supercar usability has come a long way, as the SVJ ably demonstrates
17 Apr 2026