Porsche 550 RS Spyder – Specifications & Performance

Porsche 550 RS Spyder Specifications

Starting with Chassis 550-03 (the third Porsche 550 prototype), Porsche gave the 550 the latest Ernst Fuhrmann’s designed type 547 quad cam engine installed – 547-01, with duel overhead cams, duel distributors, twin plug ignition and a complicated, multi-section Hirth roller bearing crank.

Engine

Type 547: Four cylinder 4 cycle, box motor, air cooler, horizontal opposed, 4 overhead camshafts
Power: Approx 110 HP @ 6200 RPM
Bore: 3.35 in (85 mm)
Stroke: 2.59 in (66 mm)
Piston Displacement: 1498 cm actual, from formula cubic 1487 cm
Compression ratio: 9.5:1
Crankcase: Aluminium
Cylinders: Aluminium hard chromed walls
Cylinder head: Aluminium
Valves per cylinder: 1 intake, 1 exhaust
Valve operation: 4 camshafts driven by 2 vertical shafts
Crankshaft: Full roller bearing, built up
Pistons: Aluminium
Air blower drive: V-belt, crankshaft to generator shaft
Crankshaft-blower ratio: 1:1
Air volume: 1100 ltr/sec at 6200 RPM
Engine lubrication: Dry sump, with oil cooler and oil filter in main current
Firing order: 1-4-3-2
Distributor drive: Camshaft
Spark plugs: Temperature valve 260 – 280 C
Carburetors: Solex 40 PJJ or Weber 40 DCM
Muffler: 2 mufflers leading into 1 exhaust pipe
Clutch: Fichtel & Sachs, K 12 Porsche Special
Transmission: 4 forward speeds, helical gears, synchronized, 1 reverse

Gear ratio

1st gear: 11:35
2nd gear: 17:30 – 16:31 – 18:29
3rd gear: 23:26 – 22:27 – 24:25
4th gear: 27:22 – 25:24 – 26:23
Reverse gear: 1:3.56
Shifting: Ball and socket and push rods
Rear axle: Spiral bevel pinion, ZF lock type differential
Gear ratio: 8:35 – 7:31 – 7:34
Top speed: Approx 140 mph (220 km/h)

Chassis

Frame: Tubular, seamless steel tubing
Front springing: 2 transverse, 4-leaf adjustable torsion bars
Rear springing: 1 round torsion bar on each side
Shock absorbers: Fichtel & Sachs, telescopic hydraulic
Front: 26 x 90
Rear: 36 x 140 HA
Front wheel suspension: Longitudinal suspension arms, outside needle bearings
Rear wheel suspension: On oscillating half axles
Steering: Special worm gear with divided tie rods
Steering ratio: 1:14.15
Operating brakes: Oil hydraulic foot brakes to all four wheels
Parking brake: Hand lever operating cable to rear wheels
Brake drums: 11.0236 in (280 mm)
Brake lining width: 1.5748 in (40 mm)
Total effective surface: 115 sq in (744 sq cm)
Wheels: Disc
Rims: Aluminum
Tyres front: 5.00 – 16 in
Tyres rear: 5.25 – 16 in

Dimensions

Wheel base: 83 in (2100 mm)
Front tread: 50 in (1290 mm)
Rear tread: 49 in (1250 mm)
Length overall: 11 ft 9 in (3600 mm)
Width overall: 5 ft 1 in (1550 mm)
Height (unloaded): 3 ft 4 in (1015 mm)
Minimum ground clearance: Approx 6 in (150 mm)
Minimum turning circle: Approx 36 ft (11 m)

Weight

Dry weight: Approx 1300 lbs (590 kg)
Empty weight (DIN): Approx 1510 lbs (685 kg)
Service weight (FIA): Approx 1410 lbs (640 kg)
Permissable total weight: Approx 1984 lbs (900 kg)
Permissable axle weight
- Front: 992 lbs (450 kg)
- Rear: 992 lbs (450 kg)