996 purchase...what options/mods to look for on a DE car??

well i have come full circle...after starting with 996s, then 993s, 911's and going all the way down to '73 rs clones i am back looking at 996's for a DE car. i am trying to find a well maintained enthusiast owned 996 to use for DE...any opinion/advice on what options mods i should look for or stay away from...?? for example - LSD, 030 suspension/sport chassis, aero pkg, etc?? also what mods would be ideal? lowered, cornerbalnced, new suspension? i know RMS can be an issue, but seems like a 1000-1500$ fix, so what is the big deal? seems like the biggest issue is if the motor needs parts or if the tranny goes... can someone shed light on what is the weak point on these cars?? i am thinkin a 99-01 would fit the bill esp with their price point as compared to a 993...am i off base here?? and it seems the maintanence is lower than a 993?? or do i shell out some more coin on an 02 or newer with a CPO?? sorry to post so many questions at once thanks for the help bill

You will want to look for a '99 w/LSD (I think it's option code 222). In 2000, they switched to e-gas and did away with LSD. I would think you could find some aftermarket suspension (Billstien PSS9's seem to be a popular choice) so I wouldn't be too concerned w/ m030. Same with exhause...aftermarket would work but if you could find one with a cold air intake and some type of nice exhaust, that would be a plus...so would sport seats...and while you at it a 3 spoke steering wheel and 18 inch wheels. Obviously, an Areo kit would be nice too. Good luck.

Hi Bill, Do a search on this 996 forum using "track modifications" as your search criteria. First thread to pop up was a great write up by "TD in DC" posted on 04/13/2006. Gives us looking for a 996 and interested in track mods a good start. Covers a lot of info from suspension mods to 996 aerokits and other tidbits. It seems that you've been around the track a bit so the write up should all make sense to you. By the way a lot more threads came up using this search criteria and I will look at the rest for more information. I'm also interested in the same thing as you. Currently started to look for a older 996 with the idea of using it for PCA DE days here in the Florida Goldcoast region. Tracks include Sebring, Moroso, Homestead and starting this fall, Daytona! Good luck with the hunt, Constantine

A no-options 99 with LSD is a good place to start. Don't pay extra for suspension or sports seats as you will put in your own. The sports seats are not supportive enough on the race track and you want a good one piece race seat to accomodate a 6-point harness. The GT3 Mark 1 body kit is nice and period correct. A special exhaust and CAI are not needed. The 99 can be tuned to run better with a custom chip, CAI, and exhaust, but this is not an essential thing to do for a DE car. Shop for an Autopower cage with removable door bars. A second set of wheels will be needed. Look for used 18 inch Porsche wheels. My favorite is the 5 spoke Carrera light weights. Think a about adjustable sway bars. Vivid Racing is a Rennlist sponsor and can help you out in this area. http://www.vividracing.com/catalog/v.../cPath/38_2336 The 996 should be much cheaper to run than an air cooled car. An top end rebuild on an air cooled car can easily cost more than a used M96 01 motor to put things in perspective. The 996 has plenty of parts availble and is very reliable. You need to set a budget before you start or it can get crazy. Have fun and let us know how it goes.

Drop me a PM I might be convinced to sell my car, meticulously maintained and no leaks, all the good mods. I also have a set of CCW track wheels and tires with 1 weekend on them...

You can probably find a good 99-00 car with low miles, 030, etc in the 40's. I know DJ's car is a nice specimen, local too.

99 would be inexpensive but you may want to get a Cayman as a track car. Better weight distribution.

Please excuse my ignorance, but is the early model 996 or the 996 line even suited to be used for a track car? I mean I thought there were oil starvation issues for 996 that were used on the track that caused engine failures. Occasional driver�s ed and track events should be ok, but a 100% track car I am not sure if that�s a good idea?

i think the oil starvation issues is largely hype. JimB turned his 996 into a race car and raced with hoosiers and had no probs. of course he later added the oiling kit that came with the x51 kit he installed. i track my 996 supercharged all the time ( 15 events/yr ~ 35~40 track days) and haven't experienced any oil starvation issues. it is slowly turning into less of a street car and more of a track only car. once it is track only i'll add the x51 oiling kit or accusump. the m96 engine is up to the task for full on racing. look at the grand am cars. the base engine is the m96 not a variant of the gt1 block. the grand am cars are not showroom stock and have the oiling kit but the block is still the m96.

i'd love to have a cayman as a track car but the potential of wading up $60~70K of car doesn't appeal to me. same reason i am not going for a gt3.

you will get the most modern of suspensions, engines and safety going with a 996 over a 993 or earlier 911. with the added safety you get added weight but you are pretty much guaranteed that you are not driving around in a 30 year old rust bucket. like eric said, stick with the least optioned car you can get and if you can even find one without a sunroof even better. stick with a c2 coupe, cross the c4., coveritible and targas off your list. get one with lsd but they are rare. on second thought, considering the car's age the lsd might already be toast. you can always have one put on, along with close ratio gears, by powerhaus II i think the biggest weakeness of the 996 is the designed in understeer. you WILL have to invest in aftermarket suspension bits to get more than -2 degrees camber up front. the stock suspension is soft and geared towards cruising. get at least an m030 suspension but there better aftermarket alternatives. i would go for an aftermarket coil-over suspension with at least one shock adjustment. the height adjustible coilovers will allow you to get low, get a little more -ve camber and will allow you to corner balance. can't do that with m030/x73/x74. RMS repairs are ~800 bucks in my neck of the woods. get a lightweight flywheel if you are ready to change the clutch/RMS. get the aerokit 1 with the gt3 cup splitter. the stock front bumper has a weak chin... lots of air will find it's way underneath the car. when i had the stock front bumper on the nose felt very light at speed. i don't have that problem any more. i found headers, giac flash, evo intake, LWF, fabspeed mufflers netted +25~30 HP

I agree with Carlos on this one. The "figs" love to point out that the 996 does not have a dry sump but if it's really an issue where are all the "threads" on this supposed problem?? After all there are a gazillion threads on RMS (an obvious 996 weakness) but I can't remember a single thread I have read about an engine failure caused by oil starvation. It is certainly not due to a lack of cars at the track because owners have been taking 986's, 987's, 996's, and 997's (all M96 powered) to the track since '97.

I'd go with a '99 or an '02-'04 The pluses for the '99 are - Limited slip availability - Lighter weight - Least expensive The pluses for the '02-'04 - 20% stiffer chassis - improved cooling - significantly reduced front and rear lift

You left out the most obvious for the 2002+ - 3.6l engine, 20 more HP, more torque at lower RPM.

agreed on the suspension issue - even with M030 i can't get more than -1 camber up front. boze_man you have PM

It would be faster without the aerokit, less drag. Oil starvation is a non issue in DEs.

evening all...havent had any time the last couple days to digest what ya all said...gonna get caught up tomorrow...my apologies i think i have seen the light ...basically you buy the one that makes your heart race... "i got to have that" & "i think i can afford that"...as long as PPI comes back great then ya got yourself a winner....important thing is to just get a p-car.... the whole process is like a religious experience...do i pass the test master??...like grasshopper on kung fu...****** the pebble from my hand type o ****, right? am i making any sense??? or is it the booze talkin... off to bed thanks again bill

Bill, I am really envious of you. I wish I am in the market for a dedicated DE car,...You have so much flexibility it's freakin awesome man. First, if you are willing to trailer, it's a whole different ball game, and you have to look at cars that are modified and track ready. I have a feeling you want to keep it streetable. You have to get a 99 996 as they are the greatest bargains out there. PLENTY of power for DE's. The ONLY mods needed are better suspension and seats, and safety equipment like roll bars and harness. Then you can gradually modify it to your hearts content,.....you should do a search and you'll get plenty of ideas.