In Episode 7 of the Slakker Podcast, Brandon Clark, Gavin Clark and Ricardo answer some of the Porsche community’s biggest M96 and M97 engine questions.

We discuss the latest 8,000 RPM development, Porsche oil starvation, the Hartech racing sump, 10W-60 oil, Nikasil replacement cylinders versus iron sleeves, track cooling and California smog compliance for a Slakkerized 4.1L build.

We also look at our 412 HP five-chain engine, recent 3.9L and 4.1L Porsche builds, and why usable torque across the entire power curve matters more than chasing one peak number.

Have an M96 or M97 question you want Brandon to answer? Send it our way for a future episode.

Learn more about our Porsche engine builds, options and estimated horsepower gains at www.sr.dev.

In this episode, Brandon shares his real-world impressions from a drive test of a Porsche 996.1 built to 3.9L, focusing on feel, balance, and why the 996 still matters.

Rather than chasing numbers, the conversation centers on what makes a car enjoyable to drive — throttle response, mid-range power, and the analog character that defines the early 911s. Brandon talks through how this build delivers 997-type performance in a lighter, more nimble chassis, and why that combination made this drive test especially memorable.

From smooth street manners to the moment it comes alive under throttle, this episode captures the honest reactions — including the smiles and giggles — that tell you when a build is truly right.

If you’re interested in the M96 platform, displacement changes, or what actually makes a 911 fun to drive, this is a conversation worth listening to.

In Episode 6 of the Slakker Porsche Podcast, we dive into Porsche intake engineering, high-RPM engine development, and what it really takes to safely push M96 and M97 engines past 8,000 RPM.This episode is driven by listener questions from the community and covers everything from powerband theory and intake design to real-world testing and long-term reliability. We break down how Porsche uses intake runner length, resonance tuning, and intake flaps to shape the powerband and why many aftermarket “upgrades” lose power when they ignore wave dynamics.We also take a detailed look at the Slakker 8K valve spring package, explaining why valve control becomes critical at higher RPM, how proper spring rates and components protect the valvetrain, and what supporting upgrades are required to safely raise the rev limit.Questions answered in this episode include:• Barry Hart — How torque, RPM, and horsepower really work together, and why increased displacement boosts mid-range more than top-end unless supported by proper head work and porting.• Alan Hall — What the break-in process looks like after a 4.1L build, what maintenance ensures long-term reliability, and how road use versus track use changes that maintenance strategy.• Matthew E. Bender — What issues show up during drive testing, the benefits of upgraded camshafts, supporting modifications that unlock those gains, what’s required to safely increase rev range to 8K and beyond, and how the 8K valve spring package fits into that system.• Luke Kramer — Cold starts and idling, when it’s safe to drive spiritedly, the effects of short trips that never reach operating temperature, and whether 91 octane is acceptable on a Slakker-built engine.• @mishavlad9724 — How a 4.1L engine behaves in a Tiptronic car and what to expect from the driving experience.• @oliverradcliffe7974 — Whether engine scoring is “that bad,” how oil consumption and smoking factor in, and what happens over time if it’s left unaddressed.We also share insight into what’s next in Slakker’s development roadmap, including future intake manifold development aimed at safely extending the powerband and unlocking the next level of high-RPM performance without sacrificing drivability or reliability.This episode isn’t about chasing numbers — it’s about understanding the system, respecting Porsche’s engineering, and developing engines that perform where it actually matters.🏁 Slakker Racing Development7720 N Robinson AveOklahoma City, OK 73116🌐 www.sr.devThanks to everyone who submitted questions and continues to support the podcast, more to come.#WeAreSlakker #SlakkerPodcast #PorscheEngines #IntakeEngineering #HighRPM #M96 #M97 #ValveTrain #EngineDevelopment

This episode dives deep into some of the biggest Porsche 996/997 questions — bore scoring myths, ECU cloning, lightweight flywheels, and the official start of Slakker’s 4.5 L naturally aspirated engine project.🔍 Bore Scoping Myths Busted: Brandon demonstrates top vs bottom scoping and shows what real scoring looks like before a purchase.⚙️ ECU Cloning Explained: What happens if your ECU fails after a rebuild? Learn how Slakker duplicates factory ECUs for exact, plug-and-play backups.🌀 Lightweight Flywheel vs Dual-Mass: Hands-on comparison of weight, response, and feel — what actually changes behind the wheel.🌡 Sensor Placement & Thermostats: Where to install oil-temperature and pressure sensors, and when a low-temp thermostat truly helps.🔧 The 4.5 L Project Begins: We’re officially developing a next-generation high-revving NA platform — pushing engineering limits to redefine what’s possible for the 996/997 community.We also talk about hitting our 100-engine milestone, what we learned from the 896 HP turbo build, and why this generation of Porsche deserves more respect than it gets.—🏁 Slakker Racing Development7720 N Robinson Ave · Oklahoma City, OK 73116www.sr.dev💬 Like, subscribe, and drop your questions below — your feedback drives what we build next.#WeAreSlakker #PorschePodcast #BoreScoring #Porsche996 #Porsche997 #PorscheGT3 #PorscheEngineBuild #EngineWhisperer #SlakkerRacing #PorscheLife

Brandon answers Porsche owners’ top oil questions: Is 15W50 too thick for the street? Is 5W40 or Motul the better choice for cold weather? And what really happens when the crank dips into the oil on a wet sump engine?In this Ask Brandon episode, we cover:The truth about oil starvation and aeration.Best oil viscosity for street vs. track use.How to prevent oil smoke from your AOS in corners.🏁 Slakker Racing Development7720 N Robinson AveOklahoma City, OK 73116www.sr.dev

This might be the most important episode we ever publish.After years of testing, data collection, and engine tear-downs, we’re ready to talk about the #1 cause of catastrophic failure in Porsche M96 and M97 engines — and how to stop it before it destroys your build.In Episode 3 of Ask Brandon: The Slakker Porsche Podcast, Brandon breaks down everything we’ve learned from hundreds of engines, oil analysis reports, and dyno sessions.🎙️ Topics Covered:The #1 cause of M96/M97 engine failureWhy it’s preventable with the right knowledgeWhat oil starvation really looks likeHow to avoid the mistakes that lead to rebuildsOur real-world data on oil pressure, pickup design & driving habitsThis one could save your engine — and your wallet.🔊 Listen on the go:Spotify Apple Podcasts 💬 Have questions or want us to go deeper on anything? Drop them in the comments or submit your own for future episodes.🔧 Learn more: www.sr.dev#AskBrandon #SlakkerRacing #PorschePodcast #M96 #M97 #Porsche997 #EngineFailure #WeAreSlakker

🎙️ Back in the shop and back in the hot seat, Brandon returns for Episode 2 of Ask Brandon — and this one dives deep.From how Slakker Racing Development started (yes, it began with municipal Wi-Fi networks) to how our team approaches engine design, performance, and drivability, this episode peels back the curtain.We talk:The real origin story of Slakker Racing DevelopmentPartnering with Hartech and building a Porsche engine labWhat makes our engines different (hint: we measure everything)The evolution of engine tuning and dyno testingWhy Porsche’s design philosophy influences everything we doThe role of resonance, intake geometry, and cam timing in drivabilityHow closed-deck blocks changed everythingAnd where we’re taking this platform nextThis is the why behind the builds — and a look at what’s ahead.🛠️ Listen, subscribe, and join the garage.📲 Learn more at www.sr.dev#SlakkerPodcast #AskBrandon #PorscheTech #EngineDesign #M96 #M97 #Hartech #FlatSixLife #Porsche997 #WeAreSlakker

In the debut episode of The Slakker Porsche Podcast, we sit down with Brandon—the mastermind behind the motors at Slakker Racing Development—for a no-fluff conversation on some of the most asked Porsche engine topics.

From IMS bearing longevity and ECU tuning strategies to reading used oil analysis like a pro, this episode is packed with real insights straight from the shop floor.

🛠️ What we cover:

• Should you still worry about your IMS bearing?

• Tuning displacement builds: What actually works

• Porsche ECUs explained (ME7.2 to ME7.8)

• How to read a used oil analysis report

• And more, all from real community questions

Whether you're driving your 997 through the backroads or wrenching on your 996, this episode delivers the knowledge you didn’t know you needed.

🎧 Subscribe for future Q&As, shop talk, and Porsche performance breakdowns—direct from the team at Slakker.