The Porsche M97.77R is a 3,824 cc, water‑cooled flat‑six petrol engine produced between 2006 and 2009. It powered the rear — engine Porsche 997 GT3 RS and featured dual overhead camshafts (DOHC), four valves per cylinder, and Bosch Motronic ME 7.8 digital fuel injection. In standard form it delivered 309 kW (420 PS) and 405 Nm of torque, with a redline of 7,400 rpm.
Fitted exclusively to the 997 — generation GT3 RS (including limited editions like the 3.8 RS), the M97.77R was en…
Production years 2006–2009 meet Euro 5 emissions standards (EU Regulation (EC) No 715/2007;.
The Porsche M97.77R is a 3,824 cc water‑cooled flat‑six petrol engine engineered for the 997 GT3 RS (2006–2009). It combines DOHC, 24-valve architecture with dry-sump lubrication and forged internals to deliver motorsport-level responsiveness. Designed to meet Euro 5 emissions standards, it balances track capability with street legality.
| Parameter | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
Displacement | 3,824 cc | |
Fuel type | Petrol (RON 98 min) | |
Configuration | Flat-6, DOHC, 24-valve | |
Aspiration | Naturally aspirated | |
Bore × stroke | 102.7 mm × 76.4 mm | |
Power output | 309 kW (420 PS) @ 7,400 rpm | |
Torque | 405 Nm @ 5,500 rpm | |
Fuel system | Bosch Motronic ME 7.8 sequential injection | |
Emissions standard | Euro 5 | |
Compression ratio | 12.0:1 | |
Cooling system | Water-cooled with dry-sump oil system | |
Turbocharger | None | |
Timing system | Chain-driven DOHC with hydraulic lifters | |
Oil type | Porsche Motorsport 10W-60 or Porsche Longlife 0W-40 (A40) | |
Dry weight | 185 kg |
The Porsche M97.77R was used exclusively in Porsche's 997 GT3 RS platform with rear-mounted, longitudinal orientation and no external licensing. This engine featured motorsport-specific components—including titanium rods, forged pistons, and dry-sump oiling—and was never offered in non-RS or road-focused models. All adaptations are documented in OEM technical bulletins.
Engine Finders UK Ltd, which operates EngineCode.uk, can pass your enquiry to engine suppliers in the UK. The service is for vehicles in the United Kingdom, with UK delivery or fitting. This is a commercially connected service, and sending an enquiry does not confirm diagnosis or compatibility.
Diagnostic reminder: If a technician has recommended replacing the engine, you can send an enquiry to engine suppliers in the UK. Confirm the diagnosis first: an engine-code record does not diagnose a fault.
Field reports and technical service bulletins highlight component wear patterns under high-load operation. Adherence to manufacturer service intervals and approved fluid specifications is critical for long-term reliability.
Analysis derived from manufacturer technical service bulletins and industry workshop records. Repair procedures should follow manufacturer guidelines.
The most common questions about engine codes, what they mean, how to find them and how this database works
The M97.77R is extremely reliable for road use but demands rigorous maintenance under track conditions. Rod bearing wear is the primary concern in high-RPM applications; Porsche recommends oil analysis and bearing inspection every 20,000 km for track cars. With proper care, road-driven examples can exceed 100,000 km without major issues.
Top issues include rod bearing wear (track use), hydraulic lifter collapse, VarioCam solenoid faults, and dry-sump cavitation from improper oiling. These are documented in Porsche service bulletin TSB-GT3-2008. Oil analysis and strict service intervals are critical for longevity.
Exclusively the 2006–2009 Porsche 911 GT3 RS (997), including the 3.6L and limited 3.8L variants. It was never used in standard GT3, Carrera, Turbo, or non-997 models. All are rear-engine, water-cooled, track-focused layouts with 420 PS output.
Aftermarket ECU tuning is common on the M-97-77R platform, but increasing boost or altering engine parameters accelerates component wear, impacts emissions compliance, and may void vehicle warranties. Any modifications should be evaluated carefully by a qualified specialist.
Track use exceeds 18 L/100km (16 mpg UK). Road-driven examples average 14–16 L/100km (20–18 mpg UK) in mixed driving. Highway cruising can reach 11 L/100km (26 mpg UK). The engine prioritizes performance over efficiency, typical for a homologated race engine.
Yes. The M97.77R is an interference engine. If the timing chains fail or jump, pistons can contact open valves, causing catastrophic internal damage. However, the chain system is robust under proper lubrication.
Porsche specifies Motorsport 10W-60 for track use or Longlife 0W-40 (A40) for road use. Change every 10,000 km (road) or 20 track hours. High-ZDDP content is essential for lifter and bearing protection under high load.
Comprehensive technical documentation and regulatory references
EngineCode.uk is operated by Engine Finders UK Ltd. It provides engine-reference information and an optional commercial enquiry service. It is not an official manufacturer website. Check the record's sources and confirm vehicle-specific details before relying on it for parts, repairs or replacement.
Our editorial standard prioritises relevant manufacturer documentation and official regulatory sources. The sources and verification status for a record should be checked alongside the data.
A statement is not verified merely because a source is listed. Where supporting evidence is missing or conflicting, the record should identify that limitation. Please report unsupported or inconsistent information.
Transparency in gaps
A missing or unverified value does not mean the manufacturer has withheld it. We distinguish information not yet verified, information not available to us, and information explicitly not disclosed by the source.
Regulatory Stability
EU regulations are referenced using CELEX identifiers for long-term stability.
EUR-Lex
EU emissions and type-approval regulations (e.g., CELEX:32007R0715, CELEX:32017R1151).
GOV.UK: Vehicle Approval & V5C
UK vehicle approval processes, import rules, and MoT guidance.
DVLA: Engine Changes & MoT
Official guidance on engine swaps and inspection implications.
Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA)
UK type-approval authority for automotive products.
Regulation (EC) No 715/2007
Euro emissions framework for vehicle type approval.
Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/1151
WLTP and RDE testing procedures for emissions certification.
GOV.UK: Vehicle Approval
UK compliance and certification requirements for imported and modified vehicles.
VCA Certification Portal
Type-approval guidance and documentation.
Records are subject to review and correction. Source links, dates and verification notes should be read with the technical information. Our Editorial and Sourcing Policy explains our standards and review process.
Found an error or missing source? Report a problem with this page. Include the field or statement concerned and a supporting source if available. You can also email corrections@enginecode.uk.
Copyright and permissions
Images and other material may be protected by copyright. Attribution does not by itself grant permission to reuse material. If you believe material on this site infringes your rights, contact copyrights@enginecode.uk with the page URL and details of your claim. We will review the material and take appropriate action.
Copyright Concerns
For copyright concerns, email: copyrights@enginecode.uk
Our Privacy Policy explains how Engine Finders UK Ltd uses information from visits, vehicle lookups, enquiries and messages. Our Cookie Policy explains cookies and similar technologies and how to change your choices.
For access, correction, or deletion requests, email: gdpr@enginecode.uk
Trademark Notice
All trademarks, logos, and engine codes are the property of their respective owners. Use on this site is strictly for reference and identification.
Ownership and commercial services
EngineCode.uk is owned and operated by Engine Finders UK Ltd. Alongside our reference content, we offer an optional replacement-engine enquiry service through Engine Finders and may identify relevant services provided by businesses connected with us. These commercial connections are disclosed. Using an enquiry service is not required to read our reference content.
Engine Finders UK Ltd operates this website. Our optional enquiry service has a commercial purpose. Our Ownership and Commercial Disclosure explains the relationship between the reference website and that service. Participating suppliers pay a fee or subscription to participate on the network and receive quote requests.
Use this record as a starting point for identification. Specifications and vehicle applications may contain errors or omissions. Confirm the exact engine variant and compatibility using vehicle-specific documentation and a qualified supplier or technician.
All external links open in new tabs. Please verify current availability of resources.