New 996 Owner - Project Started

I recently acquired a 99 996 for specific track day use.... I've been tracking my 997 cab for a while now and have progressed to the point of needing to make some choices about the future of that car (for safety reasons). That said - I picked up a 66k mile 99 996 with the motor dropped 56 miles ago, ARP studs put in, RMS, IMS, ect.... so basically a very strong running motor with a well done refresh... . That said - the old girl is rough. She really needed a good cleaning. I didn't care about the seats being in rough shape because Sparco's are going in anyway... I was amazed that the rear's looked brand new... anyway - took them out today along with the seat belts. First order of business: - X74 Suspension package (I got REALLY lucky with this) to hold me over until I make a coil over decision (I may build it to Spec996 standards - which would mean JRZ's). Until then - the X74 will have to hold me over. (SWEET) - I have a Safety Devices 6 point bolt in cage coming that is going to be put in. - Sparco Ergo II seats (IF my local race / track support shop doesn't have something that I can use). - FVD Deep Sump oil pan with X51 baffles - Center radiator kit - New OEM rotors and track pads (I run PFC's now on the 997 and really like them - but I may consider Pagid or Ferodo's). I'll get this stuff done and assess what needs to be done next.... will take pics along the way.

Nice plan of attack! Big fan of the X74 on the track - interested in your impressions.

Nice! Great choice on the roll cage. FYI, there is a proposed change for 2017 to add motion control NR 2ways to the Sp996 list. We should know pretty soon if it's going to be approved. Can't wait to see pictures of your build.

Still acquiring stuff. Seats are (Drivers) OMP HTE Carbon full halo and the passenger side is the OMP WRC fiberglass. 6 point harnesses will be here on Friday - OMP 804 Legerra's. The Safety Devices 6 point cage bought from Slakker showed up yesterday exactly as expected - and the X74 suspension is getting installed next week. I need to drop 10 pounds IMMEDIATELY to comfortably fit in the HTE Carbon. I have the seat mounts, sliders, and adapters coming by the end of the week as well.... Pics of stuff tomorrow - but it's coming along....

What are you doing with the stuff you're pulling out?

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Probably selling it.

Quick update - pics should be coming next week.... The X51/deep sump pan from FVD is in. I have RSS LCA's here and installing on Monday along with Tarett front and rear adjustable sway's Adjustable drop links and of course, the X74 I'm turning my 997 back to stock - so I will try to transfer the Numeric Racing shifter to this car. I'm on the fence with exhaust. Thinking cat delete and Fisters, or cat delete and Burns Stainless race pipes... .

Good project. Have you tracked it yet?

Well, the car is back now after a bunch of work.... still more to go - but the progress so far is: FVD deep sump X51 oil pan with skip pan New oil piston and spring X74 Suspension Tarett front and rear adjustable sways Tarett adjustable drop links New steering rod ends Still to go Wheel spacers on all 4 corners Numeric Short shifter Safety Devices Cage install OMP Seats & Harnesses 3rd radiator Exhaust Steering wheel / explosives delete

Great build so far. I'll be interested to hear your impressions of the x74 suspension.

I just did my first test drive with it - its stiff but not terrible. I won't know until I get it on track.... I can't wait.

What a nice stance in the pic above.

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You're going to be impressed with the X74. It's like driving another car. At least it was for me. Great build and the stance looks fantastic.

Great looking car!

Unfortunately - I'm still sidelined with some oil pressure issues. After changing the spring and piston they improved and did so with the help of Motul 5W40 as well. At cold start and temps not quite up to full operating - it was getting 4.5 bars... After about an hour or so of stop and go traffic, some fairly 'routine' driving, ect - I could never get the oil pressure above 3 bars at any RPM. At idle - it was less than 1/2 bar and when backing into the garage - I got the dreaded oil pressure light (again). Going to try and oil pump next and see what the results are. It's been a frustrating ride so far - but I am hoping to get this squared away at some point.

How does X74 suspension differ from M030?

This project may have come to an abrupt end. Quick notes... I bought this car from a track / PCA acquaintance - we have the same friends, know the same people. He and his son have (more his son) rebuilt motors for a while with no negative experiences. Long story short - I bought this car on the recommendation of my indy - as having a rebuilt motor - ARP studs, IMS, ect.... basically - I was buying a rebuilt motor so I could overlook all of the 'little' things. The motor wasn't rebuilt as it was advertised to have been and as such, was, and continues to be, rife with issue - mainly oil pressure. Even after replacing the piston, the spring, the sender, and now the oil pump itself - it is still less than 1/2 bar at hot idle and unable to get to 3bar at any RPM. The prior owner had committed to making things right if there were any issues - and thus far, he has been a stand up guy. I emailed him last night telling him to pick an option 1) Take the car back and refund the purchase price. 2) Have the motor professionally rebuilt. 3) Refund me all of my money less what I think is a reasonable offer for the car given its history, overall condition, and basically - shot motor. The real B$#ch of this is - I have $1200 in Tarret suspension parts installed, an FVD deep sump X51 oil pan with baffles, X74 suspension installed. I will remove the Tarret and the FVD pan - as there isn't a whole lot of labor involved - but the X74 suspension will likely not be worth paying to remove to re-install the blown suspension that the car came with. Shorter version - my introduction into 996's involved taking $5K or so, lighting it on fire, and going on with my day. For the 66 miles that I have driven the car - especially with the X74 - I REALLY liked it. :-(

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Wow. sorry to hear of the issues. That's unfortunate as it sounded like you were on your way to a fun track toy. Gook luck going forward.

That sucks man. Sorry to hear it. At least the PO is working with you. But it's a good reminder that this isn't an engine that just anyone can rebuild. FYI, it may take a weekend, but it doesn't take a lot of tools to swap the suspension out yourself. And if you have a little patience, it's kind of fun. I think you still have my contact info and I'd be more than happy to provide tech support along the way. Just let me know how I can help.

+1 for the suspension swap being pretty straightforward. The x74 bits would be nice on another car, or someone here would certainly take them off your hands to put some money back in your pocket.

Aaaaaaand we're back. After several replaced parts, attempts, etc - we have made some significant progress and are back on track to get on the track. Tomorrow the center radiator goes in along with a bunch of other stuff with the hopes to make it for the first track day mid-February.

Whoa-aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa... It feels like there are a few posts missing between 12/10/16 and yesterday... Wha hoppen? Did the guy toss you the $5000 you felt like you got jacked for? Did he pay to have the engine done right? Please shed some light on this sitch...!

Yeah man, kinda left us all hang-in?

Without going into too many details - they just aren't all that important - he and I went to lunch and worked out how we were going to address this, the clearly defined next steps, the time lines, and the remedies. Suffice to say - we worked it out. It has been a back-and-forth and a time consuming one at that. Fortunately, the car has been at, what I believe to be one of Central Florida's best indy's, and one that is mutual to both the seller and I. He has been a standup guy the whole time. So that said - the car is getting the cooling system worked on (center rad, hoses, etc) to compliment the new therm, water pump, etc. The car's first track 3-day event is set for 2nd week in February.

Great to hear it all worked out.

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Good enough - minutia not necessary! Glad you got it sussed and good luck at the track!

First track weekend done with the new car... Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I didn't set any barn burning lap times at all - just learning the new car - so I was focused on consistency. I had a couple of others drive the car as well - one raced one in H class for MANY years and the other is a damn fast driver - both liked the setup - both had some similar feedback about the car and it's 'rotate-ability' lol.... That said - I like the feel of the X74, the sways are set neutral as well. The car held together fine - there are a couple of things that I feel will need to be addressed.... my biggest complaint was the tires (which is to say - it's in pretty good shape). The Yokahama Advan AD08R's are a very capable street tire - but have some interesting characteristics on track being pushed... First - they are WAY pressure sensitive... hot pressure of 32/36 was the right combo... that meant starting off with 26/30 or so. Over that and they are greasy - under that they are really spongy and non-responsive. Even at the 'right pressures' they had a fairly quick breaking point (IMO). They were fairly predictable until they weren't. When they broke - they were gone (requiring VERY fast hands). The car is a whole different animal from the 997 but in a analog, raw, gritty way. It was the difference (to me) between riding and driving.

Well put. I came to the exact same conclusion from my experiences as well.

Driving is always better than riding!

Nice post.. Glad your track day went smooth.