Stupid Sunday question: GT3 engine in Carerra?

I know people have done all kinds of engine swaps - has anyone here put a GT3 engine in a Carerra? Let's assume the GT3 engine is from the same year as the Carerra chassis to minimize variables. I see GT3 engines pop up now and again, and it makes me wonder what would be required. A search of Rennlist didn't give me any results. ...and yes, I assume the resulting car would have no resale value.

I’m pretty sure it is been done. I think a better option that has been better explored is a 997 3.8 or the 997 3.8 x52 engine. A much easier option with the same possible power levels.

Or have JR build you a bullet proof 3.8/4.0.

I did a 997.1S 3.8 in my 996....Engine was about 10K plus a few times that with a lot of rewiring, new ABS pump, new instrument cluster, HVAC controls and perhaps a few other odds and ends. A GT3 engine would have been an additional 15-20K for engine and probably more stuff that needs to be swapped out. However, I do think it would have at least resale value of a 996 and plus some.

Hey OP, why not just build your current 996 engine? way less $$$

Far better to just buy a GT3

I would think its only worth it if its an opportunistic thing,, I was at a track day working turns a few years ago,, Guy with at the time a couple year old turbo (Air cooled) blew a shift and looped his car at about 135 front hit a barrier and rolled it about 150 yards down the track... It still moved under its own power,,, but the car was a total write-off, he was young rich and wasn't crying too hard.. He sold the hulk to another turn worker for 2500 bucks.. About 2 months later the guys shows up at a Race working turns with me with his 69 dropped and chopped VW Van now turbo Porsche powered. He had painted the VW with a picture of a 930 slantnose down the side..

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This definitely true.... but everyone has a gt3😉

Then you'll want GT exhaust, brakes, suspension...

I doubt I would actually do it, but it is fun to think about. Where I'm coming from is that I've seen three different gt3 engines for around $25k. That's in the ballpark of a FSI rebuild, but the up side is a proper dry sump mezger engine in the car. Yes, buying a gt3 is the right way to do it, but a 6GT3 is in the $70-90k range. If you already have a well sorted 996, the chassis is a sunk cost so the out of pocket is the cost of the upgraded parts. Assuming you can sell the existing engine, the total out of pocket would be negligible. Upgraded suspensions are cheap, and upgrading brakes is not unreasonable. Plus, extra bonus, you're still paying insurance for a Carerra, not a GT car. If the donor engine comes from a 996.2 and goes into a 996.2: I'd like to understand the details, like what else needs to be changed. Is the engine wiring harness plug and play into the Carerra body harness? I suspect the motronic programming is different, so the ECU is required. Is that true, or can the existing ECU be reflashed? Does it plug right in to the Carerra harness? Does it need the immobilizer, ignition, cluster and climate control like some other swaps do? Do you also need the gt3 transmission? The engine harness plugs look the same.

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The GT3 engine uses the G96/50 transmission, which has the same bolt/stud pattern of the air cooled g50 trans/Metzger engines, except has the 996 cable shifters and mounts. So would need to be utilized along with nessesary wiring, hoses ect that accompany engine swaps.All parts could be sourced from Porsche or a donnor/totaled GT#, end would be a much cleaner swap (plug and play)than any other swap, but would be very costly RUF actually did such a car that started as Carrera , then they pulled the m96 engine and trans, installed GT3 engine/G96/50 trans, added their aero kit, suspension, interior bits. I can't remember what they called it, but it was quite pricey , as is with all RUF products. I would think the resale value would be more than a LS swap, as it would be much cleaner, and be all Porsche and not a morphodite. It of course would not bring the money as the RUF version because of the reputation, just like a Joe's speed shop 4.0 M96 won't bring the bucks a Raby 4.0 will..

I believe the bulkhead MAY need slight modification (clearance for dry sump tank). Otherwise, I agree with the above. Probably a cleaner, more reliable and higher resale swap than any of the other options.

Thanks all. Now I'm on the hunt for a totaled 6GT3.

A Porsche Indy here locally did it in a '99.

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Nah, no modification to the firewall is necessary, it will fit.

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My 996 is currently at Dundon Motorsports for repair. In our discussions, he did bring up the engine swap option. Unfortunately, my wallet can't handle the cost at the moment. But, I do relish the thought of a GT 3.8/4.0...or a similar swap as you have done. Mike

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RGT. As far as I can figure, Ruf made 17 of them and about 6 or so are in the US ( 1 blue, 1 yellow, 1 silver, one ronald mcdonald interior orange and a silver vert). Ruf made far more turbo cars.

GT3's engine into Carrera is much easier than turbo's, which is doable too. BTDT. I'd use mkI chassis and engine (no e-gas and base Variocam without "Plus"). Thus Carrera's Motronic could be used, with proper programming of course. Wiring loom seems similar, but pin locations are not the same! Electronic oil level measuring is different and will not work with Carrera's instrument cluster. Needs dipstick. 3rd radiator. GT3's transmission required, brakes (with front wheel carriers) recommended. Suspensionwise any good aftermarket one will do. A perfect sleeper, or 996 Singer...

Not 996 but I imagine the rebuild recommendations are the same? https://rennlist.com/forums/market/1153945 Recommended rebuild every 100hrs, that sounds expensive on top of expensive!

A Mezger swap only makes sense if you aren't paying someone else to do the work. Realistically, you'll have more than the cost of a real GT3 by the time you're done if you're paying someone to do the labor for you.

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Those are gt3 cup, severe service (racing) rebuild specs. No such schedule in the street gt3 (996) engine.

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Yes, and I would do this myself. I have swapped 996 engines in and out, and have a shop with two lifts, lift table, etc. The labor is my time only, so free (ignoring opportunity cost).

Subscribed as this is quite intriguing... I did read somewhere that the 6GT chassis is built on the 4S one with NB panels? Not sure if that's correct though.

wracked 6gt3 going for 30-45k , as long that you doing the job yourself you ok , but if a shop works on it , better get a gt3 .

Has been asked before: https://rennlist.com/forums/996-gt2-...y-shell-2.html https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...been-done.html

Thanks for finding those. Good reads. Not apples to apples, but helpful. They didn't come up in my searches. I *think* 996.2 gt3 into a 996.2 carerra chassis avoids a lot of the 996.2->996.1 issues (many of the same issues you have when you swap a regular 996.2 engine into a 996.1 chassis). The bulkhead and motor mount metalwork is interesting, and there seem to be differences of opinion about it. I can weld, and have drilled out my share of spot welds, so could do that too, if push came to shove. For me, the viability of this idea would really come down to whether I could find a complete (front end damaged) wreck for a fair price. Having the two side by side eliminates a lot of guesswork and chasing of expensive bits and bobs.

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That seems like a reasonable price range.

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Pretty sure you are correct, at least the front clip/fuel tank area. I read that here, and it was a surprise to me, since they are all RWD, narrow body cars.