New 996?

Hi Everybody - I've been driving and tracking a 981 CS for about a year now. But the track is kind of hard on a street car, and I won't be able to go much faster without making it less street-able, and I like it the way it is. So I've been getting the itch for a 911 for a street/track day car. I've found a 2000 996 C2 with a blown motor (and about 80,000 miles) for $7,500. I figure I can rebuild the motor and clutch, add a killer suspension and a GT2 front clip and wing (as well as roll cage/harness etc.) for about 30k. This would make a really swoopy, fun street / track hot rod (and still have my civilized Cayman). Is this crazy - or does it make sense?

Whatever floats your boat.

Makes sense to me

Makes perfect sense to me. I did the same thing but started with a slightly more expensive 40th AE.

Only do that if you are actually interested in the process of building a car. You aren't saving any money doing it like that. Otherwise if that's kosher and you have the skills then do it. Rock on man. Sounds like a nice toy.

Sounds like my kind of project - do it!

Sounds like a fun project. My only concerns would be that the cost of rebuilding the engine might be much more than expected and that the GT2 front clip wouldn't fit on a MK I 996. You would have to go aftermarket with that... For the money you are talking about spending, you could probably find a very nice MK I aero with a good engine and still have money left over from some track mods.

Quotes source post: 11934693

I agree. But, if it is a project you seek, then the plan is sound.

As a project, fun! Per the above comments, if you want an track car you could spend a lot less and get something ready to go right away. It is a buyer's market for non-GT3 996 cars these days. Another option if your budget is $37,500 would be a track ready 996 twin turbo. This one was a good buy but ended up getting parted out: http://www.rarecarsforsaleblog.com/2...che-911-turbo/ I went from a 987S to a 996TT and I'm quite happy with it on the track or street.

Depending on how the motor is "blown," it may not be rebuildable - so verifying what's wrong with it may affect your budget.

Quotes source post: 11935053

Great point.

Thanks Guys - Yes, it will be a project car - and the 30k is including the donor car. I'm looking at the car today and we'll find out the condition of the motor. The GT2 front clip is aftermarket, and I know it will fit. Mainly, I'm interested to know if $3,700 is a decent price for the car with a rebuildable motor.

Wait, is it $3700 or $7500?

Whoops - $7,500

To me $7500 is a strange price. If the core is good and it can be rebuilt it is a steal. A good "core" is about $6000 from the research I did. The rollers without engines seem to go for about $5000 or so. So if the engine is able to be rebuilt then I think you are on to something. Now how to tell if the engine can be rebuilt is a completely different question. If it's just and intermix issue then go for it. If it is an IMS or other issue it may be a problem.

By front "clip" do you mean the bumper and associated kit? Swapping out a front "clip" on a 996 is hard to envision and isn't the same thing as a facelift with a new bumper...

Quotes source post: 11935519

Sorry - front bumper facelift.

At the risk of sounding blatantly argumentative, why dump $30K into a stock 996? If you keep your eyes open, you can find dedicated, built track cars - like a 928 or 944 if you're committed to Porsche - for $30K, probably including a trailer and some spares. If you WANT to build your own, that's one thing - but if what you want is a car set up for the track, let someone else pay for the R&D.

Quotes source post: 11935534

That makes more sense - I had visions of grinding and welding for a really long time...

Since you have the Cayman for your civilian duties, just buy a track car that's ready to go. You may even have money left over for other minor mods.

I hope OP realizes that there are incredible deals to be had by buying a ready-to-race car someone else already paid to build... From 944Spec, for example: Selling my 944 Spec. It has a fully sorted spec suspension, limited slip, fire system, excellent welded roll cage and much more. The car is currently getting a new paint job and a few minor dents removed. If you contact me soon, I can paint any color you desire. Interior has been cleaned and painted. Nice car that needs new home. Asking $9,000. Call or text Joel at (864)414-3481 for current photos. For the money OP's looking to spend, he could pick up a track-ready car and a tow vehicle.

Hell, this car comes with everything except track groupies in white leather shorts: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Porsche-944-..._Street_Legal_

If I had this set up then I would buy a 914 and build a monster track car. I have a 951S along with my 996 and it is pure and I can't not imagine tearing it up...knowing it will probably never go up in value...

Well - I kinda have my heart set on a 911. And looks like we can do a motor rebuild for around 10k. So, I'll have a complete, unwrecked 996 with good paint, a -0- mile rebuild on the motor, smogged and registered for well under 20k. Anything after that is gravy. And there WILL be things after that... but I can do it as time and money permit. Truth is, I don't really want a dedicated track car at this point - I'm thinking a really cool hot-rod that I can drive to the track on the weekends. (And 5chen3ll - you have an AWESOME looking car...I only hope mine will look half as good when I'm done!!)

Quotes source post: 11936180

That trailer is worth $10K alone! And you really shouldn't mention track groupies in white leather shorts without some pics! Just saying!

For ten thousand more there are a couple of nice running examples right here on this forum. You could run either one on their current engine and put money into the rest of the car and sort it out on the track right now. Later you can redo the engine and maybe find yourself spending the same money but getting more track time.