Project Thread ‘TIGGER’

It occurred to me I’ve not posted a thread for any of my previous cars here (probably elsewhere). But the recent purchase is very a much a ‘project’ and so I thought rather than posting on a daily basis on the ‘what you did to your 996’ thread, I should start my own. A bit of a back story, TIG 996 was an indulgence, albeit rather modest, thanks to my late grandfather who very kindly left me some money. I decided to immortalise his memory in a number plate, he loved his cars and he enjoyed my passion for the same. The first car to wear, what became to be coined ‘Tigger’, was my 2001 Carrera. A decent car, very well specced and I wish I’d not sold it after having spent a not insignificant amount making it near perfect. For the sake of keeping the story short, this included an interior re-trim, full suspension refresh with Koni SAD, (and bin the M030), engine out for all the usual issues and preventive maintenance, clutch, IMS, water pump, AOS, brake lines, brakes, rads, blah blah blah. So with the 996 sold, to a very lucky new owner at what these days feels like a a steal, ‘Tigger’ morphed into a 991.1 GTS. I’d gone out with the idea of treating myself to a Cayman 4.0 GTS, which did drive very nicely, but the 991 had the edge on noise and comfort. A lovely car, great as a daily driver and performed very well. A bit lacking in driver engagement and was more of a GT car than a sports car to throw around the country lanes…but my god, it sounded so good. Unfortunately, another house move was required and funds were short, so off she went. ‘Tigger’ had a brief flirt with some Bavarian metal in the form of a San Marino blue BMW M4 Comp - I’m no journo and so my review would read as follows. “The BMW M4 Competition is a fast car, well appointed but generally quite boring” - she didn’t stay long and was so boring I decided to replace it with a Land Rover Discovery, which I still have and love driving, but was never deemed worthy of the plate. So ‘Tigger’ was patiently waiting for a worthy stead, and let’s be honest that had to be a 996, because it’s in the name and was, at least in recent years the car I missed most. It was quite frustrating watching values having increased since my last car, but I decided I would rather pay less for a car that I would inevitably spend plenty more on over the following few years. A good base, early car with sports seats and cable throttle. Must be a RWD, must be a coupe and no Nephrite Green interiors. I even decided I’d gone off the aero kit cars and now preferring the more classic look and cleaner lines without. But even this short list of requirements doesn’t make finding a car that easy these days. But, luckily enough I found what seemed a decent enough car to embark on my next project, and proudly wear the ‘Tigger’ name. There’s been some tinkering already, the cassette player was cool, but after 48hrs I realised it was useless and so a re-issue Blaupunkt had been fitted along with some Alpine speakers in the dash. HHR delete and BMC air filter to help with the vocals and allow her to sound like a Porsche and also to complement what I suspect is a Carnewal (or similar) mod to the exhaust. This weekend was spent fitting a Rennline throttle pedal hinge to cure a rather wobbly pedal, binning the horrid short shift kit and fitting a 997 unit, and generally some tinkering - re-aligning doors and windows, fixing rattles and the like. The first big job will be paint, almost certainly half the car and glass out, although depending on costs it might end up the whole car…we shall see

let the journey begin again, it's such a joy that these 996 gen cars are back in hearts and minds

Cool story, look forward to your project thread, I have embarked down a similar path with my black '99 C2 which i bought just before Christmas.

Lovely introduction and lovely car. I look forward to following the journey as it unfolds

Nice. Interesting. Only one request - please fit a pair of Tequipment EP4110 exhaust tips (they are simply the best for a 996.1 in terms of both look and sound (genuine large bore) and I'm still not over the fact that I've had to switch away from a pair myself due to the mix of Ruf and 996.2 aero side skirts and rear bumper that I've fitted to my own 996.1) Further edit: I'd be interested to know what exhaust tips are currently on your car? i.e. they look oval but also seem to project out too far for a 996.1 bumper so look like they are intended for a 996.2...? (might be interested if you were looking to sell)

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So aligning that drivers side exhaust tip is on my list, it’s a little low and protruding too far out - the passenger side is fine. They’re Dansk exhaust tips, but I agree I would prefer the Techquipment items which I had on my previous 996, I think…?

Good write up, I'm look8ng forward to seeing the progress. I do love a 996.

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Thanks buddy - I see the green machine has gone! How are you finding the 991? (Nick)

Hello mate? I'm loving it, it's a really great car. Not as scalpel sharp as the Cayman R but overall a much more refined and classier feeling machine. It definitely feels like a keeper.

How many years ago did you acquire the first 996 Tigger?

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2019…I think

I set about sorting out the common sunroof problem this weekend. For the grand total of £0.95 it now has the one-touch function restored and all buttons working again. Thanks to a handy thread on this forum, I went straight for the ‘put a new capacitor in the PCB’ and it worked a treat. Tested my soldering skills though. I also took the old wonky badge off the back, replaced with a decal for something a bit different. I’m undecided, but I’m going for a hint of gold on the car so this is a test. I tried to adjust the tailpipes, and after much head scratching, I realised it’s been subject to a ‘gundo’ hack. This means the tailpipe is not able to be adjusted independent of the back boxes, which is a bit frustrating. The engine mounts have recently been replaced, so that’s not a solution either. New exhausts probably on the list… Otherwise, car is booked in with my usual bodyshop for a few bits of corrosion and paint to be sorted out, including rear arches, sills and the front bumper. All that aside, had some quality time driving the old girl this weekend, and the 997 shifter is such a transformation - even though I already knew it, it still amazes me.

It looks like the exhaust tips are on the wrong sides as well. Where are you based? I had Kevin at Zero exhausts in Bethersden remove the gundo hack from mine. Car looks great.

Good thread and a nice selection of cars. I look forward to following your progress.

Been a few weekends spent fettling and fixing. The more you fettle, the more you learn about your own particular car and start to uncover historical fixes/mods/bodges. Luckily, not much of the latter so far. Been quite pleased with the Blaupunkt headunit I’d fitted, keeps the period look. Having DAB and Bluetooth functionality is useful though. Looking back through the paperwork, and noting the obvious change in appearance, the car has had 993 RS engine mounts installed, which is fine by me and would have been something on the list to do. Along with the 993 RS steering wheel which is a nice touch, and actually I quite like. The interior rattles and vibrates quite a lot though, which is to be expected in an old car, but reducing that somewhat is an ongoing task and started with some panels being removed this weekend to fix loose fixings and some strategically placed sound deadening, felt pads and tesa tape. I had to fit another 917 style gear knob, because I love the tactile feel of them. The first time I fitted one, you couldn’t buy them for a 996, or at least not with the adaptor to fit the cars selector shaft and I had to design and manufacture my own adaptor and sleeve with the help of a friend with a CNC shop. That was a bit of a pain, so this time around I just treated myself to one ready made, and very nicely made it is too. Just waiting for a new gaiter to arrive. Deja vu of uncomfortable seats started to bubble to the surface after a week or so of having the car. I find 996 seats have poor lumber support and lack support under my legs - I’m not built for comfort, so it’s quite possible it’s the fault of my genes rather than the car, but either way something needed changing. After a brief wait a pair of 981 sports seats became available from a low mileage car, which are pretty much identical bar a few stitches, to the seats in my 991 GTS. So I knew they were comfortable, supportive. I also knew they’d fit in the 996.. With thanks to @wellsy for some guidance with the wiring, which isn’t too difficult and actually made easier for me because the seat belt ‘sockets’ didn’t need changing thanks to my airbag delete. The seats are in, and look smart enough, for now until the interior undergoes a re-trim one day. They don’t look out of place, but they transform the driving experience totally. Happy with that modification. Next on the list of jobs is getting a LTT fitted and just a general service, oil change etc. I expect that will also throw up some more bits, and I suspect the AOS might need attention as it’s weeping a bit of oil.