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 GTS review – why Porsche's T-Hybrid is also one of the best
Porsche 911 GTS – front
In-depth reviews

Porsche 911 Carrera GTS review – why Porsche's T-Hybrid is also one of the best

A new turbo-charged hybrid engine and chassis upgrades have injected personality and huge capability into the 992.2 GTS – it’s one of our favourite mo…
31 Jul 2026
Porsche 911 GT4 R revealed – the Cayman’s dead and Porsche needs a replacement racer
Porsche 911 GT4 R front
News

Porsche 911 GT4 R revealed – the Cayman’s dead and Porsche needs a replacement racer

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…
25 Jun 2026
Porsche confirms no electric 911 as it revises product plans
Porsche 911
News

Porsche confirms no electric 911 as it revises product plans

As it works through one of the toughest patches in its history, Porsche announces an action plan designed to revive its lineup
24 Jun 2026
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
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Can electric beat petrol? Alpine A290 meets Mazda MX-5 – car pictures of the week
Mazda MX-5 v Alpine A290
Features

Can electric beat petrol? Alpine A290 meets Mazda MX-5 – car pictures of the week

Alpine’s A290 is under consideration by evo contributor Peter Tomalin as a replacement for his MX-5. A comparison is in order…
19 Sep 2026
Gunther Werks Turbo review – part Porsche 911 Turbo, part hypercar
Gunther Werks Turbo
Reviews

Gunther Werks Turbo review – part Porsche 911 Turbo, part hypercar

Gunther Werks has built a Porsche 911 Turbo with hypercar performance. Can it be worth £1.25million?
20 Sep 2026
Lamborghini Countach LP400 (1974-1978) review – Italy's most iconic supercar
Lamborghini Countach LP400
Reviews

Lamborghini Countach LP400 (1974-1978) review – Italy's most iconic supercar

The Lamborghini Countach set the template for all supercars that would follow. But does the real thing live up to the legend?
21 Sep 2026