The ultimate safe gt3 killing 996 track car? Just a thought?

Now that 996's can be had for ~30k., how is this for the ultimate track car...an alternative to a stock gt3...safer and cheaper. Safety is paramount...and yes I want PSM too. A base 996, remove all creature comforts like sound insulation, center console, radio, a/c etc. Add gt3 seats, roll cage, light wheels and exhaust, and a killer suspension/sway bars. Can a weight of 2,800 be achieved, can it be comparable to a gt3 on the trrack, certainly safer and cheaper, but may not be quite up to par to a gt3. Now, put carbon fibre on everything behind the A-pillar (how lighter will it be, is 2700lbs or less be achievable) AND/OR a supercharger, now this will be a cool custom race car, and a good alternative to trading in my C4S for a gt3 or tt... keep the C4S and my very own SAFE custom race car, how cool is that

Very cool. Read on the latest Excellence with 9ff "clubsport". I think this is very doable for a LOT less money than buying a GT3. I am in the works to develop this plan. C.

that wold be very awsome. costs tho: 996 in good condition let say 37,000$ supercharger: 10 grand moton supension and gt3 sways: 6-7 grand complete carbonfiber GT3RS bodykit: 5500$ (TRG pricing roughly) gt3 seats: 2600$ BBS/FISKE Rims: anywhere from 2800-4000 Exhaust (headers, cat bypasses, muffler bypasses): 2600$ rollcage: probabl like 2-3 grand. custom ECU tuning: no clue...depending on labor i guess. add tax/shipping to most of that - the money you get for selling the old parts.. not sure howmuch that comes too but is it still a big enough gap to justify? the GT3 will probably be far more reliable in the long run as you might have to deal with RMS leaks once in a while on the 996 C2. is it a really awsome sounding idea? hell yes. the question is, will you be able to catch those tuned GT3's with owners who might as well live at the track

if you bought my 996c2, you are 75% the way there. just stuff in a SC and stripp it. it's got everything else you mentioned. but it's sold already ;-(

$37K in two months will be high. You wait. And why do you need a supercharger? There is room to play on these cars, n/a. C.

^ i'm sure there probably is. reworked cams, throttle body, open exhaust, ECU tuning, con rods. i probably wouldn't want to up displacement but i guess it is possible too....what else am i forgeting.. cost to result tho... how far can you really get with N/A tuning on a 3.4L...360-370HP @ the motor at most? maybe 380-390 on the 3.6L? and when all is said and done you've spent almost as much as the supercharger. edit: then again..that kind of power in the right hands would probably turn some mighty fast lap times.

Jeeva, Why would the C4S be any safer than the other cars you compare with? Why on earth would a 4WD car be an ideal track weapon and sorry, but ultimate track cars don't have PSM?! As soon as you start adding carbon fiber panels you are looking at major $$$$$ and might as well trade for a GT3 if it is the ultimate track/race car you are after. Or, optionally find a half way finished project that you can finish off, since hopefully most major costs are already absorbed. That supercharger is also not cheap. A C2 yes maybe but a C4 or C4S, no way. Ciao, Johannes E.

You are absolutely right, I don't like the idea of SC that much either, but definitely want to lighten it a whole lot, and improve the stock suspension, will be done over a long time, so easy on the wallet. (But, really may need a sc or carbon fiber to be competetive with the gt3's). I did not know that moton suspension is 6-7k, heck may have to compromise a bit to keep it under budget, but some of you suggested pricings are high DeAd-Eye. Ofcourse a gt3 wiill be better on it's own, i am talking about keeping my C4S for daily driving and this for track.

Perhaps I wasn't clear in my first post, I know an ultimate track car cannot have PSM, but for ME an ideal SAFE track car is the one with PSM. I never said 4wd is an ideal track weapon either? and also to me C4S IS safer than a gt3...eventhough I specifically didn't mention that here. I did say base 996 implying a C2. I am NOT looking for the ideal track car, and I don't want to beat the modded gt3's on the track. All I was saying is I think my planned track vehicle will be safer than a gt3, and even be comparable in performance to the mighty gt3 in stock form..... I know there is always a bigger fish in the ocean...I absolutely don't care whether it's the best out there...

Seems like a pretty dumb idea and waste of money, but I kind of want to see it happen. Knock yourself out

Hmmm.... Under 2900 lbs, 3.6 x51, Moton dampers, cage, sway bars, monoballs, racing seats, no cats, no mufflers, light wheels. Sounds like fun to me.

Sounds like fun to me. FWIW I like my C4S at the track, really runs hard, like it's on rails. With track tires it's unbelievable. I'm not sold on the sc either, almost pulled the trigger twice this year, didn't. I will wait for the 997GT3 next, but for now my C4S kicks *** and takes names, I love it!

Amir, Why is it a dumb idea? Jeeva, I, obviously, think it's a great idea but don't count on killing too many GT3s. Properly driven they are way fast on the track.

I think any ambitious project like this one is a great idea. I would try making your own carbon fibre panels. Start with something easy like the hood, using the existing piece (properly waxed) as a male plug mold. There is a ton of info on DYI methods including vacuum bagging which is not as tricky as it sounds. Carbon Fibre is not expensive to buy in fabric form and neither is epoxy. The worst that can happen if it doesn't work out is some sticky fingers and a little mess. Think of the fun & prestige of your own work on this.

Jim. B, your car is exactly what I am talking about, except in the initial stages I'll keep cat. etc. to keep it street legal. May i ask whether you have any carbon fibre body panels, and what it cost you for the overall package, excluding the base car. Also, I am dissapointed to hear that it still cannot kill a gt3...oh well...what other mods. can bring it closer, as I mentioned 2800 pounds is not goig to do it, but what abou a SC or carbon fibre? Webtool, did you say DIY, oh no,no.no, I have to run to my mechanic for anything other than a tire change...so it'll be out to my mechanic for each mod., but I think it'll still be a lot of fun. Also, I am not going to go out there and do this now, just dreaming...may not be a far fetch though..as I have hinted it to my boss/wify, and I did not get any dirty looks, so it's possible.

I absolutely love my C4S, but eventually I wanted to switch to a 996gt3 or 997gt3, but something happened last wknd., after some hefty traffic points I've stopped speeding, except on empty ramps. This wknd., I was really pushing it on an entry ramp,(I havn't driven the poker in wks.) I saw two cars on the inside lanes, and slightly lifted the throttle (I did not know I was at the edge of handling), only to find the rear end wanting to overtake the front...it all happened in slow-motion...thanks for my limited track experience...I got back on the gas, corrected my steering angle, and recovered...BUT all along I was talking to my PSM "buddy, i'll do what I have to, you just help me along", it was the most reassuring feeling...especially with a fast approaching light pole. We all take safety seriously on the track, infact most drive atmost 80%, why not have a PSM and a SAFE car, It will not be the macho thing to do, but I want to keep racing... not watch it in a wheel chair. Infact, I like my C4S so much I don't think I can part with it even for a TT or gt3, thus keep it and another SAFE race car, best of both worlds for me.

Don't forget the oil kit, mayb a third radiator...

Safety seems to be on the top of your agenda, get a rollcage! Motrorsport has never been said to be a safe sport.

Jeeva, No CF. PCA club racing does not allow it in the stock classes. The problem I see with CF is that the easy applications are on the front of the car. You really want to take weight off the back. Not that that makes it bad, just not as valuable as weight loss in back or up high. One comment on a cage, you really can't have one in a street car. I would never drive a car with a cage without a helmet. When I crashed at Road America I banged my head hard enough on the cage that I was seeing stars for 10 minutes and that was with a helmet. I'm afraid to admit what I have in my car. I could easily own a new cup car for what I've put into it. Great fun though.

Jim, Good point about the roll cage, I never thought of that. Mr C4, REALLY! motorsport unsafe? good to know.

DIY - YEAH!!! Sign me up! I did most of the work on my last toy. I just got my factory 996 repair manuals. I am ready to rock!! Chad

Keep us updated with pictures.

Thread back from the dead; one comment on the cage issue. While I too would not drive a caged car on any sort of regular basis on the street, I've always consider a roll bar to be suitable for street use, as in a combo street driven/track driven car. What do you think?

are you the same frayed on elisetalk? "I'm afraid to admit what I have in my car. I could easily own a new cup car for what I've put into it. Great fun though."________________ dont tell me that jimB, you are scaring me ;-)

that 9ff clubsport you mentioned does not go to gt3 power levels. i think they mentioned a 30HP increase (unless i misread the article). new cams, a shaved head, new exhaust, ECU remapping etc. when all is said and done you are still below gt3 power and it cost as much as a supercharger. the supercharger, however, will go above and beyond the gt3 specs. i think 80 horses is a stretch is for the 3.4 cars.

Weight and power is the key. Though...a supercharger would suffice. No argument there. Chad

Yeah. I didn't go through with the Elise though. Been thinking noble. Was also thinking gutting the E36 for track duty and going with a pimp daily driver like the AMV8. In the end, yesterday I settled on picking up a used 996 C2, modding the hell out of it until the Cayman Club Sport and 997 Gt3 are out, and then go for the gusto. I figger I can have fun in a 2000 C2 (has GT3 Mk1 aero kit), add roll bar and Motons and pound on it for a year or two before moving on.

Moot, I'm afraid it's true but I bought the car new so I started at $70K+, then I put a whole bunch of money into it, then I wrecked it and rebuilt it, then I converted it to a 3.6L X51. Not a cheap way to build a track car. Fun though. Jim

from early reports the 997 GT3 will have the m97 block. can you say RMS? i would try to scoop up a 996 gt3.