Need some clarifications please....

I'm looking to buy a used 996 for a street/weekend fun car. I miss having a streetable P-car, and I have my cup for racing. I was looking at 02' or later versions with the 320 HP when I discovered the X51 package on the 04' Anniversary Edition. So, is the x-51 package only available on that limited car? I haven't seen it offered on any others. And what is the scoop on that package? Is it considered a valuable option, albeit expensive? Thanks in advance for the advise...

The X-51 Package was also offered on regular 911's, not only on the 40 anniversary.. It gave the car 20 extra HP. It is a very rare option, I only saw 1 car with that option when I was looking for my '02 996. The option is VERY expensive, I believe around $10k (not sure). This is how Porsche describes the kit: "Distinguished by its carbon fiber air cleaner housing, the X51 Powerkit boosts performance through a series of engine enhancements including a larger throttle body, optimized intake airflow, cylinder heads and exhaust manifold modifications, changes in the control unit, and the inclusion of a sport exhaust system".. I hope it helps. Greg

The 40th is a special car as it has PSM and a LSD, a combination that was not previously available in the 996. The X51 option is very nice. The motor spins readily to the red line. A used 40th would make a great daily driver and have terrific performance. There have been a good number of discussions on the merits of the X51 option. On a new car, it is allot to pay for too little hp. It can be a bargain if you can find a used car with the option.

FYI, the X-51 option from the factory on a 997 is $16,900.

Thanks Greg, Eric, and Tim. There's many of them for sale acros the country and a bunch in So Cal on Autotrader. Low mileage examples (10-15k) appear to command about $10k over a well equipped C2 in the mid $60's. How would an LSD work with PSM?

PSM and LSD did not work together prior to the 40th Anniversery model. I have forgotten the locking numbers, but is active under both acceleration and deceraltion. It was the only post-02 MY 996 offered with this combination. IMO the 40th is a great bargain given that they were loaded with abot every available option and have X-51, PSM, and LSD combination that is unique to this model. If you decide to get one, I would ditch the M030 suspension and put on something like PSS9's, which improve the handling and ride comfort. For some reason, the M030 suspension on this car rides poorly.

Thanks Eric, that's pretty much the conclusion I came to. There are several stock ones here in So Cal but the one I'm going after has PSS9's, GT2 sways, and a few other mods. Unfortunately it's on the East Coast....

Gotta love L.A. You can get any car you want. People change cars like they change clothes! You don't really need adjustable sway bars on a street car. Good luck in your search.

JR, Please keep us posted on your search. I'm curious to hear more about the market for the anniversary car as I may sell mine sometime in 07. BTW, is the east coast car on a web site? I'd like to get more info on what's been done to the car, it's condition, and asking price.

Eric who said anything about street? I must have said "Streets of Willow"... Reggie (L. Nupe)..., Anything I need to know about the car in general. Any inherant quirks with the PSM/LSD combo? And speaking of adjustable sway bars, where was that avatar pic of your's taken with one wheel off the ground....

To provide some more insight on the question abouyt suspension differences, this is from the PCA tech Q&A section. Question: I have read here where the "sport suspension" on the 40th Anniversary car is coded M095 versus the M030. I also know that there is a USA and ROW version of the M030 and have read the review of the shock and spring characteristics of each. What I would like to know is whether the suspension modification of the 40 year car is the effectively the same as the USA, ROW or some other suspension specification. Is the 40 year car ride height the same as USA M030, ROW M030 or something else? The car is advertized as being 10 mm lower than standard. Is that 10 mm lower in front and back? Just back? At the end of the day, would an ROW M030 conversion be an improvement in handling over what I have now? Many thanks Answer: There was no change to the front springs & shocks according to the Porsche parts diagrams for M030. The rear only had a different spring & shock specific to the M095 cars. I believe the M095 40th Anniversary cars were lowered 10mm from standard at both ends. Normally the ROW car is 10mm lower than US ride height up front, but the same ride height as US in the rear. The M095 would be 10mm lower in the rear as well, making it unique, however as yet this is not documented in the factory workshop manuals. The ROW M030 was 10mm lower than standard in the rear, but 20mm lower than standard up front. M030 US cars had the same ride height as standard US cars. The only way to know for sure on the ride height is to measure it. I would take it to whoever would be doing your lowering if you chose to go that route, and have them check it for you. I am guessing the ROW M030 suspension would probably provide 10mm more lowering up front, and a slightly firmer ride all the way around. Still not firm, just a bit less soft. Joel Reiser - PCA WebSite - 11/17/2004 http://www.pca.org/tech/tech_qa_question.asp?id={50EA9C95-8199-4AB3-8DA3-4DCAB3AE76AA} Here's an excerpt from another answer to a similar question: As noted extensively here before, to see what your equipment is, open the trunk, lean in, and look up. You will see a sticker with the option codes. The same sticker appears in your owners manual packet. If you see 030 you have the standard M030 suspension. If you see 095 you indeed have a 40th anniversary car. Yes there really is a different rear shock specific to the M095 option, it is a Bilstein, part # 996.333.051.27. There is also a different set of springs, part # 996.333.531.57-504. The sway bar (stabilizer bar) appears to be standard. The front suspension appears to be standard as well. To tell whether it is sport or not, check for the 030 option as listed above. http://www.pca.org/tech/tech_qa_question.asp?id={4E3EE457-D9E4-4190-A57E-4E73C0AEA3D0}

Thanks Reggis, good info to know. My perspective car has PSS9's. When I get it I'll call Bilstein and have them run down the differences..... And you avatar pic was taken where?

To answer your other questions: 1) The picture was taken at Buttonwillow. I don't remember the name of the turn but running ccw, I was coming out of the kink before the 90 degree turn that's just before the main straight. 2) As for quirks with the lsd/psm combo, I haven't noticed any quirks whatsoever. Admittedly, I haven't driven any other 996's on the track so I can't compare it. But my car has been driven by instructors with fairly extensive experience driving cup cars (IMSA, 24 hrs of Daytona and other ALMS races) and many have made comments about how well the car feels on the track (for a street car). 3) I can't say that I've noticed any other quirks about the car. The engine feels really strong and pulls really well. I've had several passengers who own non-X51 cars ask "what was done to the car" when they fell the acceleration at WOT. I've had other 996 drivers wonder why my car has stronger acceleration after noticing that I consistently pull away from them on straightaways.

That would be "Off-Ramp" heading into "Sunrise". They changed that configuration last year adding about 2 seconds to the course. I looked up POC's GCR's and there is no special designation for the X-51 package. Those friends you passed probably have a righteous gripe. You're a MS car until you add R-tires or shocks, etc.... Thanks for all the info. I'm looking forward to owning my 40th Edition street car that I can take to the short track events like "Streets of Willow". See you there in January....

I also used my 40th on the track. The PSM/LSD combination works seamlesly. You can leave PSM on and still drift the car through corners without activating it. The car brakes phenomenally. I really think that the LSD helps in this. You can also accelerate out of corners where there are two different surfaces such as an exit berm without experiencing any wheel spin. Kinda weird having all this performance and full leather, Bose stereo, navigation system, etc.

Eric what width are the stock 5-spoke 18" rims? I can't find that info anywhere....

8.5" up front and 10" in the rear.

This model uses the Carrera lightweight 5-spoke wheel with a custom finish. It's not chrome. It does grow on you.

Are you sure about that? My front wheels are stamped with the number 8 and the rears are stamped with a ten and the guys at Wheel Enhancement are telling me the fronts are 8's and the rears are 10's.

Would I stake my life on it? Nope. I'm too lazy to go outside and look at my car. If yours has the "8" stamp. then I'll differ to you. I really thought they were 8.5".

I double checked my car, and yes, you are correct: 8" up front, and 10" in the rear. Sorry for the confusion. (see below) I am perfectly capable of learning from my mistakes. I will surely learn a great deal today.