NEWB...NEW 996 Owner!

OK I am a newb to this forum, Ok this is my first forum. Just recently I purchased my first Porsche, it's a 1999 Carerra 911/996 C2 Speed Yellow with an Aero Kit (32K on the odometer). I live in the San Francisco area and I am looking for a great place that does after-market mod's to Porsche's, any ideas? BTW...is the Aero Kit considered the GT3 package in 1999? Thanks in advance...TheSpeedDemon

Nice Ride! Congrats and Welcome to Rennlist! It's a good think you posted a pic right away, otherwise that "Pic Patroll" guy Tim would be all over you for not posting... oh, wait... I'm Tim... ah... er... that didn't work out like I had planned! Seriously, nice car! Again, Welcome to Rennlist!

Sorry cant help you with a shop, but nice car and welcome to the list.

Thanks for the welcome, much appreciated. I was very careful about my listing, I didn't want to be like Billy

Not sure what you mean, but the answer is surely no. The aerokit is just that. It is the same kit that was fitted to the GT3 then, but GT3 isn't really a package, it's a car.

Patrick thank you for the clarification. I had heard so many different stories about the GT3 and my car that I wanted to get it straightened-out. So my car is a C2 with the Aero Package, but it is not a GT3 or it would be designated as such. I can live with that. Thanks again, Steven

As is mine.

For Mods in the bay area try Shark Works (a board sponsor on the Pennisula) or S-Car-GO (in Marin County). Congrads and best of luck.

Welcome aboard Speed Demon.....fantastic looking car. Your price would have been a wee bit higher if that were a GT3. More pix when you get a chance..... Best of luck, J

I agree with Duane993. SharkWerks did most of my mods. Alex and James are straight up fellows...will tell you like it is. I'm trying to remember.....I think I lost my checkbook there.

Welcome and enjoy the car. Great color too!

If you have code XAA under your hood, then your aero kit is factory. If you haven't already , you may wish to decode your options sticker so you can find out more about the car. Looks very nice, very low miles. What did you pay if i may ask?

Mk1 gt3 never made it to the states, they only sold the gt3 look (earokits).

Nice looking p-car. I love speed yellow in these cars. Forget about the mods at this point. By the pics it looks like you already have nice wheels, the aero kit, and a sport suspension. Just get behind the wheel and drive, drive, and drive. Post more pics!! Enjoy the car in good health

Welcome to the club and nice car!

Nice SY Aero. Welcome

Very nice car. For a perfect GT3 look you should change the wheels and lower the car a bit.

Enjoy! Glad to have another Taco on board!!!

Thank you everyone for welcoming me to the forum, it is greatly appreciated. I am looking forward to more discussions regarding the 996 now that I am a proud owner of one. Thanks also for the recommendation for shops, I will do more looking into them once I find my checkbook OK I paid 35K for the car, was that too much? I checked it out and it is clean in regards to the appearance (inside and out) and history. When I bought it it just had the 30K service done at a Porsche dealer. This price fell into the blue book value and the fact it is Speed Yellow I could not pass it up unless it was in bad shape. Mods that I have done so far: - Window Tint all 5 windows (35% sides and 15% rear - ceramic film). Installed by Rocky Mountain Window Tint in Livermore - Aluminium Gauge Bezels from NR Auto - Xenon bulbs from BimmerXenon - 3M Clear Bra (Ok these are cosmetics but I could not resist being a caraholic) It already came with the clear side markers etc, so no orange lenses anywhere. As for the body kit, I found out that this kit was added on just recently and not a factory job, but it, to me, looks factory and I was told the kit was painted off-car then bolted on. Since I am not a auto body guy I cannot confirm any of this, I just love the car. Yes I drive it as often as I can. But to be honest I do not want to put too many miles on it as this is a stepping stone, I want to get into a Speed Yellow GT3, say a 2004 in a couple of years. But it has to be Speed Yellow, goes with my name 'The Speed Demon' which you can access my website named the same from my profile. Oh before I forget, yes I do want to change the wheels (and tyres) and suspension to give it a lower meaner look and handle better. Here are some more pics (taken before I bought the car - haven't had a chance to take new pics):

I love the aerokit, but: 1) Get rid of those chrome ghetto wheels pronto 2) Lower it with a quality suspension kit

TheSpeedDemon, That is a fair price. I just paid $34,800 for mine with 66K miles. Mine had the following Mods you may not have: 1. PSE 2. After market stereo that was tastefully modded. It runs off a Porsche head unit. 3. Litronics 4. 3 spoke steering wheel 5. Winglets on the back end. (Some people like it; others don't. I like it because it gives our narrow bodies a flare like the wide bodies) You are also missing a small lip under the front bumper. It is a must as it really helps stabilize the car above 90MPH. Do a search as the part number it was posted recently. Its a sweet ride. Enjoy...

Benjamin, you hit the nail on the head, I also do not like the wheels. I am no fan of chrome, I like a polished aluminum wheel or painted (if it goes with the car). I prefer 5 spoke wheels with a deep dish look. Not concerned if they are 18's or 19's (the above ones are 19's). I also want to lower the car and have the correct look with as big a wheel and tyre in the fender as possible. Any recommendations? I am looking at the Bilstein PSS9 kit, is that a good kit?

Whoa! Deja Vu! https://rennlist.com/forums/996-forum/315967-finally-pics-of-the-996-a.html And likewise, it doesn't look like the wickerbill is installed on your wing, but I can't tell for sure from your pics. Look at post 21 and on in the above linked thread.

nice car, congrats!

chsu74...great to meet you. In response to your mod's: 1. What is PSE? 2. I have been going back and forth on a stereo change but still I like what it has for now. 3. Litronics...how can I tell what they look like? 4. Yep a 3 spoke steering wheel I would like. 5. Hmmm I will have to look into the winglets, I would like a wider look. I just looked under the front bumper and I see a bunch of holes where it looks like something could go there, so I will research the small lip, any idea as to what it is officially called? Cheers, Steven

PSE is Porsche Sport Exhaust, a louder set of mufflers with switchable bypass. Litronics have "projector" lenses.

Patrick you are the man (don't let it go to your head though... ) Ok so I have checked out the 'Deja Vu' post and got your information regarding the wicker bill. So to recap: 1. I need to find the small lip piece that goes under the front bumper (keep it black). 2. I need to find the Wicker Bill piece that goes on the rear wing (keep it black). Is that correct? I amy also look into the Bumperettes too. So I do not have Litronic headlights, that's OK I heard they cost @ $1,500 a set and I would rather spend that amount on the suspension. PSE interests me but one-step at a time, don't want to upset the wife with going on a buying frenzy, although I do have a fund for this though that she does not know about but when the UPS and FedEx trucks showup that is a dead give away.

The PSS9s are excellent for the streets and are adjustable enough so you can get the right feel you want (firm/soft). The narrow bodies don't allow for much deep dish, but either way, it'll look way better with a proper set of 19" wheels on. Pass on the 18s or just get stock ones cuz the 18s just don't cut it (look too small). I'd check out Work/Fikse/OZ/BBS/Champion wheels for your ride. They are all solid companies with BBS/OZ being the biggest players with the deepest R&D pockets.

The winglest, to me, are a must with that aerokit. You're right, it adds balance to the overall look though it'll never make it look like a widebody. I love the GT3 aero on the '99-'01s. Such a good looking piece of kit.

Speed Deamon, part number for the lower lip is: part# 996 505 986 02 G2X , your dealer will have this part and should not be very expensive. I think it's around US$ 100. You can also use the Mk.II Cup lip (which is Mr. C-4's car - Its a MK1-GT3) which is deeper but you will need to drill a few more holes and trim off the edges as it is slightly too long. Part # 996.505.986.91 and should cost around US$ 100.- as well but can only be purchased from Porsche Motorsport. Your dealer is not likely to have access to the Motorsport parts catalog but does not hurt to ask. A great thread is "post your favorite pic of your 996." There are many examples of modding your 996. I bought mine from Club411 about a month ago so you can see the lower lip in that picture which is on page 3? There are many pictures of the winglets so you can decide for your self if you like the look.

Speed Demon, There is also a recent thread on PSE mod from stock for under $100 and some wrench time. Results vary but mostly positive. Its a quick fix and will save money for other goodies.

chsu thanks for the information I will do some more research on the lip. But I need a little help with locating the threads you mention as the 'search' function is not working (or I am doing something wrong).

Speed Demon, I would use the advanced search function in 996 forum and key works "3.6 PSE Modded." That thread discusses the difference and modding of 3.4 and 3.6 stock mufflers. The general search function brings back way too much information IMHO. The "post ONE of your best shots of your 996" is on currently page one or two in the forum. i have not figured out how to post links directly yet. Forgive me...

chsu...I have posted a pic on the "post ONE of your best shots of your 996" thread. I also looked at some of the pics and noticed the front lip and also other mods, did like club411. Cheers

Benjamin Choi Quote: The winglest, to me, are a must with that aerokit. You're right, it adds balance to the overall look though it'll never make it look like a widebody. I love the GT3 aero on the '99-'01s. Such a good looking piece of kit. I also quote Sir Mix a lot.. I like big butts and I cannot lie. All you brothers can't deny...

OK I have serached and searched on this forum for a place that I can get the 'Winglets' from, but couldn't find a source (or is that sauce). Does anyone know where I can get Winglets from? Thanks

You can get the winglets from Suncoast Porsche - google for their parts website. $197/pc IIRC

http://e-partssales.com/Merchant2/me...Code=POTE996EX

I cannot find anyone that carries the lower lip and wicker bill for my car. The local dealer told me that unless my car came originally with the Aero Kit, which I found out it didn't once we ran the VIN, they cannot order individual pieces from the kit. So I searched the internet and the only thing I found was a place called Mind Over Potorsports but then I was not sure it was the correct part or not. Any assistance with this matter is greatly appreciated, I want to get these items ASAP: Lower Lip: 996 505 986 02 G2X Wicker Bill (Gurney Flap): 996 512 988 00 Thanks in advance....Steven

Welcome! Really like the aero kit and the color! Enjoy driving it!

SundayRider, thanks. I see we live in the same area. Any advice as to where to go around here to get mods done on my car, nothing major, things like; suspension, wheels, tyres, exhaust and other small items...not racing stuff? BTW...I like your cars colour too

SpeedDemon: You really should try to find someone who has the mods you thing you might want...and get with them for a demo drive. I live in Elk Grove...and I don't know where Oakley is, but if you wanted to see/feel/touch/drive a 996 with the mods you see in my signature, I'd be willing to meet up with you...provided your're not too far away....and let you do a hands-on before you go dumping money into "stuff". You'll find all sorts of suggestions on here about which ones you should do first...and I've done a bunch...but if I could go back and start over...I'd stick with the PSS9's and the mufflers. The PSS9's for handling...and the mufflers for the psychological effect. So much of the other "stuff" is hype....and not just hype....but expensive hype. And after all is said and done...my final assessment is a lot like Dell and some of the other guys on here will say (not the popular theme I might add)...if you really want performance...buy a Twin Turbo....which is where I'm headed after putting all that money into the mods. Really good performance comes at a price....it's called a twin turbo.

Chuck, I appreciate the offer and I might take you up on it eventually. I do not live far at all from Elk Grove, I remember when that place was just a small city and now, lets just say parking lot at 5:00 pm south bound 5 comig out of Sac. So Oakley is in the Delta out past Rio Vista towards Antioch (highway 160 and 4). In regards to mod's, I just made my decision to get new wheels to get rid of the ghetto wheels I have. But I am not going to go modifying this car for power because you are right, get a TT or something around that, maybe an exhaust like you say but definately the PSS9. Cheers

It would seem prudent that a person would start with the foudational mods first....like the PSS9 or some of the folks really like the less expensive ROW M030...you just can't adjust the ride height....but foundation followed by maybe that 3.6L muffler modification...for the sheer pleasure of the sound. You have a guy on this board called FisterD....or Darin. He's got a welding shop out there on Bethel Island and he's a whiz at the modification which gives you the same basic sound as the PSE...except that they don't cost $1500. I'd be glad to hook up with you at some coffee shop or lunch counter in say...Rio Vista? Then you could take mine out and see what they mods do or don't do. I think that psychology plays a big part in the mod industry...although I'm changing my mind a bit about the plenum....just hope Dell doesn't read this...

The closest place to you is S-Car_Go in San Rafael....Or Sharkworks on the Peninsula