993: Racing heritage

Another point which points to the 993's racing heritage is the fact that you can install other gear ratios. I have been told this is not possible with the base 996. (the GT3 is another story entirely, of course) If this is not true, please correct me.

No it's not true but it is true that it is more difficult than it was in the past. The 996 tranny is pressed together and requires a large press to rebuild. I had to do this after my transmission case was cracked in a mishap at the track. I haven't looked into different gears because I run in Stock C where it isn't allowed but I know that it is possible. On 993 racing heritage, I'm not sure you want to put the 993 up against the 996. The 993 has the superior 964 dry sump engine but beyond that I think the 996 wins on every account. The GT3 cup cars, supercup cars and R/RS/RSR series have been tearing up tracks for 5 years now and the street 996 has very direct ties to the track car. Obviously the tubs are very similar but what's really surprising is the similarities in the suspension. Don't get me wrong, the 993 is an incredible car and a great track car but there is a reason the stock 996 is forced to club race in the same class as the 993RS and 993TT. Straight up with similar drivers the 993 is no match for the 996. Jim

I've always thought the same thing, that the base 996 would make a great C class car. I wonder why we don't see more 996 C class cars-- atleast this is what I've seen in my neck of the woods. The only explanation I can come up with is that the platform is too new, therefore more costly to acquire/build up one, although early 996's are relatively cheap now, so I still wonder why not a 996 for C? Also, do both '99-'01 and '02+ 996's compete in C class?

Jim, I actually misread your statement. You're saying that 996 is better than the *base* 993--that's in D--so how do you compare 996 to 993tt's and 993RS's in C class? Maybe these two cars are a bit quicker than 996's--is this why we don't see many 996's?

You don't see many 996s in C for a couple of reasons. First the 3.4L is not competitive against the 993RS, the TT or a prepared RSA. The RS in a street legal race car with short gears, light weight and big brakes. The TT is heavy and normally not competitive but in the right hands and with the right tweaking can be brutally fast. I think this might change when more racers emerge with 3.6L x51 996s but we'll have to wait and see. The second question is whether the 996 engine will stand up to racing. We'll see what history has to say about that. No one should assume that the 996 is not a fast track car. Let us race against stock 993s or let the GT3RS race against the 993 RS and the strength of the car will become obvious. Jim

Jim, How's your tranny holding up? I regularly DE mine and have been through 1 tranny already. What oil do you run in yours? I use a mixture concocted by a local Grand Am team but after 20 minutes it gets hot and start to get strange vibrations. So now, this second one is giving me cause for concern. My plan is to club race next year but I'm concerned about the tranny now. Comments? -KJ

KJ, My tranny has been perfect. No problems in five years of DE and 7 club race weekends. I use the factory recommended oil. I don't even remember what it is. I really don't think the tranny is a weak point. Jim

Interesting. I hope its just the oil issue withthis one. I'm about to switch back to the standard oil. I'm pretty gentle on the gearbox so I doubt its something I'm doing. I could be wrong though. The failure last year was strange. I was at the Glen and atthe end of the day when I was leaving I lost the synchros to 6th gear. Any suggestions for clutch and flywheel? How have you found racing in C class? Thanks for the advice. -KJ