The Difference Between a Porsche 993 Turbo and a Porsche 993 Turbo S

This worked out much better than I could have ever hoped for. Last week in this post I offered myself out as your free Porsche research assistant (the offer still stands) and I’ve received a number of question this week via email as a result of that post. Yesterday, in this post, I discussed Seinfeld’s 1997 Porsche 993 Turbo S that is currently for sale at TruSpeed Motorcars. So, how very appropriate is it that the first question I get to answer was/is “What are the main differences between a 993 Turbo and a 993 Turbo S?”

Porsche 993 Turbo vs. a 993 Turbo S

• The Porsche 993 Turbo S is a product of the Porsche Exclusiv department (more on this in a later post)
• The Turbo S has two larger K-24 Turbo chargers
• The Motronic engine control unit received an electronic upgrade
• The Turbo S has an additional oil cooler installed
• The dual exhaust was modified and included Quad round tips vs. the dual ovals on the standard turbo
• Combine the above with a few other minor engine improvements and this created an engine that produced 424 hp or 25 hp more than the standard turbo
• There is an ongoing debate as to the weight of the Turbo S vs. the standard Turbo. Supposedly due to the larger turbo chargers, full leather and carbon interior that was standard on all S models, the weight could possible be 66lbs heavier than the 3307lb standard Turbo, thus negating some of the HP gain

The info above captures most of the mechanical differences between the two cars. That leads us to the second part of this post

What are the styling difference?

• Yellow brake calipers vs. “Big Reds”
• European front spoiler with brake cooling ducts
• Full-leather (including air-vent louvers) and carbon fiber interior with aluminum gauges was standard
• Carbon fiber door sills with Turbo S script
• Carbon fiber shock tower braces
• Aerokit II rear spoiler from Porsche Exclusiv
• Quad round exhaust tips (instead of two ovals as noted above)
• Air scoops in rear fenders
• Wheels were matt finish vs. gloss

I’m pretty sure I’ve captured the major differences, but if I’ve missed anything let me know. Tomorrow’s post takes a look at one of Porsche’s earliest (and perhaps most ugly) designs.