Another Marsmallow Roaster.......

[White64Goat]

And a high dollar one at that.....................

Porsche has confirmed rumors that it has suspended sales of its high-performance GT3 model after several reported fires.

“We have asked dealers to stop selling the 911 GT3 until we can analyze reports of engine problems in a very small number of vehicles,” said Nick Twork manager of product communications at Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
In total, it is believed as many as five cars have suffered from fires.
The issue is related to the new 991 generation GT3, which went on sale only recently for the 2014 model year. Often described as a race car for the street, the GT3 is powered by a high output 3.8-liter flat-six making 475 hp.
The GT3 retails for $130,400.

[chrisl]

I wonder what it is about super high performance, high-revving NA cars (458 and GT3, specifically) that causes them to catch fire. Is it just coincidence, or is there some common component that tends to fail around 125hp/L or so, especially on larger engines (since the S2k didn't have this problem)?

[f0rge]

Originally Posted by chrisl

I wonder what it is about super high performance, high-revving NA cars (458 and GT3, specifically) that causes them to catch fire. Is it just coincidence, or is there some common component that tends to fail around 125hp/L or so, especially on larger engines (since the S2k didn't have this problem)?

Well the 458 was glue in the rear wheel arches, not the engine itself. I think it's just a coincidence. You've also got some Tesla's burning to the ground and they don't even have engines.

Seems more related to low-volume cars being used as daily drivers or at least more frequently than weekend cruisers. The companies can only put so much time and effort into testing the cars, and that is often done without the final bodywork of the production cars.

[n2oinferno]

Originally Posted by chrisl

I wonder what it is about super high performance, high-revving NA cars (458 and GT3, specifically) that causes them to catch fire. Is it just coincidence, or is there some common component that tends to fail around 125hp/L or so, especially on larger engines (since the S2k didn't have this problem)?

I think it's "HOLY SHIT THIS EXOTIC/EXPENSIVE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE!" and then people take notice.

Nobody gives a shit if a Saturn is on fire on the side of the road.

However, yeah, when a company halts sales or something, then you know there was a problem.