996 on a track?

Hi guys, After my crash with the 964, I'm considering the 996 to be my next one (not to be crashed!), but I have very little experience on that 911. What I'd like to know from you guys, who go on track, is what I may have to consider before going for it. May be you have experience on reliability, or parts that need to be improved, ... Thank you

I track my 996 and haven't noticed any reliability issues but then I have only done 5 track days this year. I believe one of the first things you should do is ensure the brake fluid is fresh and your pads have over 50% remaining prior to hitting the track. My current setup is H&R Coilovers, GT3 Sways, and Kumho Ecsta V700s on stock wheels. Alignment has been adjusted to include -2.5 camber in the front and -2.0 camber in the rear, however I will be changing that in the near future. Car is handling pretty well right now except under hard braking into corners where the rear wiggles a bit. Once I correct that problem I think I am somewhat happy with my current setup.

Thank you for your answer! 5 track days without any problem means the releability is good! About the brakes you are right, and I should have been more explicit on what I'm really considering about the 996. As I made with my old 964, I plan to go for this set: - a 996 C2 - AP 600 brake fluid and Pagid pads - Sport suspensions (PSS9?) and andjustable sway bars - Recaro seats (compliant with the Hans system), and harnesses - Full rollcage - Pirelli Corsa tyres I know that some would say "go for a GT3" but there's a huge difference in price, and I can't afford a GT3 (well I could, but in that case I would have no more money to go on track! ).

First of all, did you crash the 964 on the track? If so, what were the circumstances if you'd like to share that? But to answer your question these 2 911's, while obviously similar in many ways, are suprisingly different in other ways.

How much track experience do you have? What run group are you in (e.g., beginner, intermediate, expert)? Do you plan to race? My answers to your questions will change depending upon your answers to my questions.

Are any of you track junkies concerned about oil starvation on high g turns with r compound tires? I found it strange that the owners manual specifically states not to run R compund due to this issue... Shawn

I've been tracking my 996 since 2000 and have no problems caused by tracking except 1 off track experience I had last year. You might want to bent the rear brake dust shields away from the rotors because the heat will bent the sheild so much that they touch the rotors making squeaking noise. Just keep it on track and do normal maintenance. Thicker brake pads always help. Kam

My setup: PSS-9 Track tires (tried MPSC, Kumho, Dunlop) like MPSC best. Race pads (Hawk Blue) By-pass pipes I pull some g's with my 996 and engine's fine so far without the oiling kit. Kam

The owners manual advises against "slicks" not R compounds. The oiling issue is often raised, however I have never heard about an actual issue (just the "possibility" of problems). I know a lot of 996 guys that have run their cars on the track for years (on R compounds) that have never experienced any issues. Additionally, I have run my 986 on R compounds (also an M96 motor) and have never experienced an oiling issue. If you are concerned, I was told that Porsche updated the baffle's in the oil pan on the '02 and later 996's to improve the high G oiling performance.

sounds familure - the 996's are getting to the point where they are perfect track cars due to the rapid depriciation and the modern suspension. My 996 is scheduled to be the new track car once it's paid off next year if you are running R rated tires you might consider the oiling upgrade - i would not suggest the H&R or the PSS-9 kits for serious track usage (I have the PSS-9's on my 996) - i would look at the cost delta for the Moton Club sports as a small price to pay for the increased preformance. It is light years better than the other solutions. (I also had 3-way Moton's on my 964 which i wreckeded). Also look at the 99's since they do not have e-gas and only come with TC instead of PSM. my 2 cents

Yep it was on a track. I'd like to share it, but unfortunatly I do not remember anything... I just have pictures if you want. The big deal is that I crashed the car while I was waiting for the rollcage and the seats, and they arrived at the shop 3 weeks later... I already drove a 996 TwinTurbo on a track. The car had PSS9 suspensions, adjustable sway bars, pagid pads, etc... and it was sooooo good! Easy to be faster than with the old 964

Experience: only 4 years. Group: in my club, I'm in the "expert" group, but it is a "quiet" club, therefore I'd say I'm intermediate, and not more. Race: No, never, only track days organised by clubs.

OK. First, you need to tell me where you live. I used to live in Konstanz am Bodensee and consider it to be one of my most favorite experiences. With respect to the car, I think you will be fine with a 996. Kam's comments are right on the mark. The 996 makes a great car. I have PSS9's and GT3 adjustable sways on mine. If you are running a '02 or newer, you don't need to worry as much about the oil sump issues (I woudn't worry at all unless I were running slicks -- Rs are fine). If you are running a 99-01, I would install the Brey Krause oil pan and baffle kit just for added protection. Apart from that, I think that the mechanics of the car are just fine as is. Run it and see if you have any issues before you start modifying it. Good way to save your money.

You are all speaking about an oil issue with the 996. Isn't it the same "dry" system that we find on the previous 911? I plan to buy a trailer to go on tracks if that is possible (but I still don't know where to store it while I don't use it), and in that case I will use slick tyres. Thanks for all your answers!

No, the 996 has an "integrated dry sump" aka wet sump (who makes this crap up, marketing?). Unless you are a serious racer running slicks, I don't think it makes a bit of difference. However, the oil starvation problems apparently were more prevalent in the 99-01 cars so people tend to get the baffle/sump kits.

You know, if I'd reach the point where the oil comes to be a problem, I could say "hey, I reached the limit of the car" and I would be happy To be serious thanks for the info. It may be useful to go for that modification also. I understand you lived in Switzerland?

First of all "NTTY," I would buy the 996, but 02 or newer and enjoy the car. The 996 car has better manners, superior technology, much more power, etc. as compared to the 964. Of course, there are loads of things to discuss on what to do or not to do with the car. My advise to you is to buy a car with no track miles and do nothing to the car at this point. Drive several events, perhaps 8 to 10 track days, and then decide about suspension, tires, exhaust or whatever, but learn to drive the new car before adding anything...perhaps, with the exception of certain safety items. In any case, good luck. You should love the 996! I know I do.

Thank you for all your answers guys! Just a last and silly question for you. I read several discussions about "RMS leak" but I do not know what means RMS, could someone help my poor brain to understand? Thank you!

RMS = Rear Main Seal if you search on this you will find litterally hundreds of posts (not kidding about that). There are 2 schools of thought 1. it's the deathblow to the 996 series and a serious flaw 2. it's an issue yes but overblown. Best advice i can give you is buy a car which has not had an RMS leak (usually if it does not happen in the first 30K miles your fine but not always). but i would not automaticaly discount a car which has had one (or a replacement engine for that matter) but you should make up your own mind on the issue. They are great cars and quite different than the 964 - but i must say my heart is still with the 964.

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I had RMS at 17,000 miles and fixed under warranty. Its fine at 49,000 mies right now with track miles in between. Kam

Thank you guys!

car had total of 20k miles, about 5500 of w hich are on track with r compound. no RMS, absolute zero problems.

Before you replace the suspension, lower the car. Either use the ROW or get aftermarket springs. But you will definately want to lower the car since it is raised here in America because of (I think) bumper and headlight regulations. The car was designed to have the ROW ride height.