996 vs 993 Track Car

Hello all, I am in the process of trying to make a decision on a street/track car. My debate is between 1999-2001 996 coupe or a 993 version. The reason I am considering this is that I have been doing DE's for about 2 years now and that is why I have decided to get a project car. My Turbo is great on the track, but the constant thumping is going to take a toll and I would rather keep the car in good condition than trash it until it dies. I did install a harness bar and race harnesses along with a GT3 seat. I also upgrade to race brake pads, suspension mods and track tires. But the more I do this the more I realize that I need to just get a track type car and leave the turbo for the street (ok - once in a while a DE just for fun). I am also getting into Karting � to improve my driving. In either case I will modifying this �new� car for DE�s, with anticipated use of 6-10 DE�s per year. Eventually this car may see some Club Race action. I would like to use the car on the street for the occasional fun drive and know that eventually the car will become a track only car. Either car will be fitted with all the correct safety gear: Weld-in roll cage, Race Seats, Harnesses, fire extinguisher, fuel cell, adjustable suspension, track tires, better brakes, etc, etc. etc. What I have learned so far is that the 996 sounds as though the transmission may not be a serviceable item. Is this the same with the engine? Since I don�t have 100K to spend on a GT3 Cup car for this, I would like to approach it from a less costly angle. My thought is around 50K (car for about 25-30 with about that much more in mods). So the real question is it better to go with the newer technology of a 996 or I am better off with a 993 � perhaps even one that has a lot of the necessary things done already? Either car that I do decide on will go through a vigorous inspection by a qualified race shop, so hopefully I can avoid any pitfalls. My goal is fun project car that will be a blast on the track, not break the bank and some day become my club car. So from all you experts on this I am asking for guidance and any and all input will be greatly appreciated, especially which year and models to look for (and look our for) Thank you, Steve

�with anticipated use of 6-10 DE�s per year� with only 10 DE per year a 996 should handle it with no prob. 996 tranny is not serviceable, but you can get used ones. Rebuilding a 993 tranny is about the same price as buying a 996 gearbox. Whether the 996 motor is serviceable depends on who you talk to. But the fact is that rebuilding a 993 motor is about as expensive as buying a 996 motor. Either car will work great with DE, 996 WILL not have oil starvation prob until you are very fast. You�ll know if you are that fast and doing only 10 DE/year, I doubt you will push it hard enough to have oil starvation. I am not so sure you can buy a nice 996 for 30k or below, perhaps, but you have to look very hard. On a DE car, I will be hard pressed to see you spend 30k in mod. I have a custom roll bar. GT3 seats, harness, pagid pads, extra set of wheels with r compound and moton club sport. It�s about 15k after tax and install. Some ppl prefer 993 others like 996. I had both. 996 is faster, stiffer chassis and better gear ratio (stock of course, though you can regear 993, not 996). I think the key is really to drive both on the track and see which you like more. Both will excel on track.

Have you excluded buying a car already prepared? Having done this a number of times, I feel you will find it less expensive to go that route. AS

No, in fact, I would prefer to buy one with most of the mods done already, I am shopping so if you hear of one - please send them my way. Do you guys still feel that the 996 will do fine - even if I get into club racing? Thanks

Hopefully JimB and Chris Cervelli will chime in here, those guys are a wealth of information on racing the 996. My take on your question is that either car will be more than enough for DE/recreational track duties, with the appropriate safety equipment. If you are planning to build a serious class racer you will need to plan it from the start, neither car in stock street form will suffice. That's when I would try to find something already built and successful, not someones abandoned project.. The strength of the 993 is a stronger platform to modify, in terms of the engine and transmission since they are easily rebuildable and upgradable. The same basic block is used in all the factory racing versions of the flat 6. It has a true dry sump oiling system. But, the downside is the cost involved to rebuild can be as much or more than an entire 996 engine/trans. To rebuild a 993 based motor to race specs will cost approx $20K ( someone please correct me if I am wrong as these are the prices I have seen), while a new 996 motor can be had for less than $10K ($8200 used to be the dealer cost 2 years ago). The strength of the 996 is a better suspension and aero package. You will need the third radiator for cooling at the very least. The engine makes a lot of power but it is prone to oil starvation in certain situations. There is a motorsports oil system upgrade available from Porsche Motorsports. This will not be needed unless you are running racing slicks, R tires should be ok. There is some debate if this is a real problem or not, I have seen my oil pressure drop from 5 (bar) to 3 and back up to 5 on certain high speed turns even with street tires. The transmission is non servicable so it could be even more of a problem, although I hear some people are starting to work on them and they are similar to the G50 internally. So perhaps as more 996 trickle down to the club racers we will see some upgrades available to the engine and tranny.

The 996 is so easy to drive fast, esp with PSM. If I were to buy a track only car though, I'd get the 993. A big factor in this is the lack of dry sump with the 996. I've had a lot of problems in my car where transitioning from left to right or right to left on the track where my 996 will send up huge clouds (1qt in a second!) of oil smoke. It must be due to oil sloshing in the crankcase and somehow getting in the combustion chamber. The 996 is a blast, great street car, great track car, but I don't think it has the durability of the 993 for track use. I'm likely to get flamed with that opinion, but its based on my personal experience. Also, all 996's I have seen driven hard at the track will occasionally blow clouds of smoke after starting them up again after a spirited run. My car does this all the time at the track and people stand around and point. Nobody, including Porsche, seems to know why this happens. I have a theory and that is that the 996 was a jump-the-shark moment from Porsche, and they are focusing more on profitablity than quality, and more on street use than track. My dealer threatened to cancel my warranty because I track my car! In fact that was one primary reason I bought it, and the salesman even encouraged it. Tracking the car is also Porsche's main explanation of why there are so many RMS problems in NA. Where they get that from, I have no idea. My opinion, go with the 993, their durability has been proven.

Don't forget the 993 is not without it's own demons, ie valve guides etc. I would stick with newer technology. Actually, I'd just run the TT. wtf, you'll never get used to the 100hp drop-off, if it breaks (unlikely) that 50k will go along way toward fixing it several times over. 996TT end of story!

Steve, any particular reason you're not considering a 964 as an option? Compare to a 993 the engine is still a 3.6 and is much more "mod friendly". You could get into one for sub $20K and modify to your heart's desire.... Just someting to think about...

I'll chime in with my 2 cents. I agree with most of what has been said including considering a 964. They can be made to be stinking fast. On the 996 vs 993, the 996 chassis is better than the 993. The 993 drivetrain is slower but stronger. The 996 can can be rebuilt but it doesn't make much sense to when you can buy one rebuilt by Porsche for $8K. The transmission can be serviced but it requires a big press. I think a new one is around $10k. The puff of smoke problem when restarting after a hard run is well know but doesn't happen that often. The blowing of smoke while on the track has only happened once to me and that was when a miscommunication caused us to put an extra 1/2 quart of oil in the car. Darren, are you sure you are not overfilling? My vote would be with the 996 but you can't go wrong with either. I'm pretty sure Chris C would say to go with the 993. Have fun.

Excellent stuff, Jim. We still need to connect on my "work" to make my car a worthy weekend track beast. So far, so good. I will be placing a LSD into the tranny very soon. While I am not shooting for a full on racer, a worthy car for the street and track would be great. (For me.) Chad

JimB -- my smoking issue isn't due to overfilling because I would run the car almost a quart low and it would still happen. It only happens on hard right/left transitions, like at Summit Point it happens after turn #8 like clockwork. I have to change my line to make it not happen. And the dealer can't replicate the problem -- primarily because they can't drive my car 100 mph and make turns, so there is no way for me to get it fixed. They say its "fine".

Chad, I've been a little busy but don't let me forget. Darren, That is definitely not normal. I've never experienced any smoke on the track. I wish I had a suggestion. I'll talk to my mechanic about it sometime soon. Jim