Ok, the panasonic 3400 mah cells model or part number is NCR18650B so they are NCR but the cells that came in the porter cable pack do not say NCR or IMR on the label The only printing they have one them says SE US18650VT and below that is this number T T1125QH09S.

I'm pretty sure these 3400mah cells do not have protection, I figured that's built into the pcb in the power pack.

I tried to use the new pack again today and it was the same, ran for a minute or so and then just acted like it's dead, if I let it rest for a minute it would run again for a bit and then peter out, about an hour later my old pack ran dead so I tried the new one again and this time it ran without a problem off and on untill I finished what I was using it for.
One thing I notice is when the original cells go dead the tool will other run at full power or not at all, but the pack with new cells isn't doing that, it's will suddenly run real slow and then stop.

The 3400mah pack has never gotten warm to the touch when charging or in use and it the tool seemed to run a bit faster on the 3400mah cells untill it stops running anyway.

This is a private test done on the 3400 cells. Here is another review on them

I did not charge them before soldering them into the porter cable pack, I'm using the stock charger for the packs. when it goes to trickle charge they are usually right around 18.2 volts and will get up to 18.9 volts if I leave them in the charger over night....same as the stock pack will do.