'99 996 vs. '02 996.....How big is the horsepower difference anyway?

Hi all, I'll be purchasing a 996 next summer. I was planning on picking up a '99 for the mid 30's. If I look hard enough, I know I can find a great car for that price. I can already find them now. Anyhow, I recently drove a friends '02 996, and was very impressed. I have never driven the '99. For those of you with more seat time in both, please share your opinions in this thread. Is the extra HP really worth it? I figure the price difference would be at least 15K, maybe more. Does the '99 feel much more slow than the newer models? When did the 23 horsepower gain start anyway? thanks,

'99 was 300 hp. '02 was 320 RoW but 315 here in the US. Upto you as far as how much that extra 15 hp is worth. FWIW, mid-30s for a decent '99 is a da*n good price

The 02 cars are a bit heavier so the actual difference in vertually zero. The difference in torque is much greater and is nice to have. While my 00 car was a great car, it seems like my 02 has more pull down low. My 02 feels faster but it really isn't... Good luck. Roy

I disagree, the 02+ cars have alot more torque and are noticable faster on the track. Fine and X51 and its an even bigger difference

Accleration times are virtually the same. I'm curious as to how the 3.6Ls could be that much faster on the track since they are so much heavier and have the same brakes?

I'm pretty sure the 99's had 296 hp, and the 02's on have 315 hp. The difference that you feel is not only hp, they introduced a new system called Variocam Plus, where it varies the valve timing in both the intake & exhaust. In the 99'-01's they only do the intake. This changes the torque curve a bit, and as a result the 02's feel quite a bit faster than the 20 hp would suggest. Also I will caution you as the 99' is the first year of the 996 body, and there were a few more problems/quality issues on this car, that were addresssed on the MY 2000 cars. Good Luck.

The '02 C2's torque seemed much flatter and came on quicker then my '99 C2. The one thing I noticed almost immediately was that the '02 seemed much more refined where as my '99 was more "raw". Sort of like comparing a M3 to a Mustang IMO.

Rob's right, the road tests, by independent mags, showed vertually no difference in accelleration tests... Roy

FWIW , went in thinking of picking up left-over '01. Lucky for me they had 2- '02 C2's and plenty of '00's & '01's. To me the '02 was like night & day. Much more torque, pulled much harder from the get-go. Those engines are the best of the "regular" 911's. The '02 has much better Aero dynamics, something like 25% less lift in front and 40% less lift in the '****, 25% more torsional ridgidity. The torque comes on @ only 4250 rpm (not bad for an NA), Thanks to the VarioCam from the Turbo. Should I continue?? Save a few more bucks and thank yourself. Would have never sold it if the Dream second home in Fla. didn't interfare...Except to fill the Slot for a GT-3! Good hunting Bill

I had a '99 996 cab (sept. 1998 build) and now have an '02 cab. The '99 was a daily driver and had 50k mi. when I traded it in. The car didn't have any quality control issues other than the known minor issues (air bag warning light due to problem with seat belt; check engine light going on). In fact, I've had more quality issues with the '02: the whole instrument cluster had to be replaced as well as the main engine seal (both under warranty). In day to day driving, the differences between the 99 and and 02 are minimal and mainly have to do with added torque on the 02 as other have mentioned. The ride on the '02, however, is noticebly firmer. They also sound different: the 99 has a very mechanical engine sound while the '02 has a more throaty exhaust note.

I found this on FLAT-6 posted by bianco... The 2001 C4 is a great.Generally, mechanically, the 2002 is a new series car from the 1999 to 2001's. 1) Larger air intakes to lower fornt fascia, redesign front end for additional cooling for the radiators, reduced aerodynamic lift of the front axle by 25%. 2) 3.4 to 3.6 liter engine, upgraded cooling system delivers 14,500 liters of hot water to run the (2) front radiators every hour, rate flow benefits system longevity. 3) front trunk lid changed and radius of fender flares changed to encourage more cooling aire to pas through the radiators, side benefit of this change delivered better air flow for the brakes. 4) Vortex generators were added to the inside of the fenderwells to improve flow of aire around wheels, air flow through the radiators in each fron cornor of the car is up by 20% over the 2001's. This allows 15% more brake cooling. 5) Updated under chassis air circulation, 20% imrovement in transmission cooling at the back of the car. 6) the changed aerodynamics reduced rear axle lift by 40%. 7) Larger radiator openings did not deminish coeffiecent of drag, it remained at .30. Changed suspensension, virtually eliminated the tendency to step out of line evern under lift-throttle conditions. 9) decreased fuel consumption, increased power , more torque, went from 17/25 to 18/26MPG. 10) Stroke increased from 78mm to 82.8, longer stroke = more torque. 11) 3387 to 3596cc, 273lbs of torque at 4250 rpm was an increase of 15ftlbs and the torque comes on 350rpm lower. 12) powr up 20 HP (USA) from 300hp to 320 at the same 6900rmp which was a 5% invrease over 2001. 13) crankshaft, connecting rods and pistons completely new, new bigger end bearings and stiffer new crankshaft increase to 63mm in lieu of 60mm. Main bearing diameter increased from 60mm to 65mm to cope with the new loads. Pistons are new as the tops require different valve cutouts, conneting rods are lighter and shorter to match the new cylinder heads. 14) Vario Cam Plus from the 2001 Turbo is fantastic and in the 2002's. Summary: The above is just a sampling of the upgrades of 2002 over 2001, the cam profiles are diferent (better) the Bosch Motronic management system enhanced, exhaust sustem was refurbished and trumpet (exhaust note)improved, virtually nothing on the new engine is interchangeable, new better spring rates, wider front track by 20-mm, new tuned chassis, double tube gas shocks absorbers on the front axle, stiffer crankshafts, the coupe chassis is 50% stiffer, the bodyshell is 20% stiffer, better stability, lots more my hands are stiff.

Jon, don't let word of this get back to Pelican, you might be exiled

that would depend if the 99 3.4L has this: :-)

Hey Ben, PLEASE tell us about your supercharged 996... I'm dyin to hear all abou it! HP, torque,, any 1/4 mile times you may have.. also whats involved and routine maintenance... I know there are lots of 996 owners who have the itch. cheers Pete

hp is appx 430 and torque appx 340. i say "appx" because the dyno is at the wheels (358 and 289 respectively) and attributing the same from crank to wheel loss from stock (from 300 hp to 248 and 258 lbs to 218 stock at wheel dyno) you get 430/340. not run any 1/4 miles or anything else yet because i won't be picking it up til late this week or weekend. routine maintenance should be the same as stock. the whole setup was $11k installed.

Definitely let us know how it drives when you get a chance to play with it... have fun! \ Peter 99 996.6spd Silver/Boxter Red