The Affordable 997 Turbo Thread

Craig T · 08-12-2016, 02:50 PM

There are some good deals out there on 997.1 and 997.2 Turbos. Oh, Wait! How do we define "affordable"?

After a year of super cheap ownership my clutch started slipping under boost and then a "Service Now" light came on. Apparently, being able to buy one and being able to maintain one requires two very different tax returns.

It is a Stage 2 clutch, plus some "While you're in there" preventative stuff, but WOW. Here is the result of it's first major service. Anybody want to buy a well maintained 997TT?

KNS · 08-12-2016, 03:26 PM

Ouch, some pretty pricey parts there. You replaced a bunch of stuff (coils?, MAF?) - were you having any drivability problems (other than the clutch)?

Shaun @ Tru6 · 08-12-2016, 03:30 PM

On a completely different scale, this is what happened to 944s and 928s.

masraum · 08-12-2016, 04:11 PM

OK, I get replacing pressure plate, clutch, TO bearing, clutch bolts and clutch lever bearings. I wonder what those parts would have run from our host?

Why replace the flywheel? Sure, a flywheel is like a brake rotor and may eventually have to be replaced, but I would think that would be much farther down the road than when the clutch goes, unless that's the 4th or 5th clutch.

MAF also doesn't sound like something that you should be replacing yet. I also wouldn't think the O2 sensors need to be replaced yet unless you were throwing codes.

Did you take it to the dealer or was that an independent place?

Craig T · 08-12-2016, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KNS

Ouch, some pretty pricey parts there. You replaced a bunch of stuff (coils?, MAF?) - were you having any drivability problems (other than the clutch)?

Yes! The performance fell way below where it should be and it was idling rough. I assumed either the coils, MAF, or 02 senses went bad.

Coils, plugs, and fuel filter are standard 30,000 mile service items, and a hell of a lot easier to change when the motor is out. I bought the car with 29K miles and the 30K service was never done. The MAF and 02 senses became easy "While the motor is out" might-as-wells. Easier just to replace them then chase the problem.

With the motor out we noticed the coolant pipe fittings were about to pull out...A common problem as they were glued in. The fix is to weld them. Another "while the motor is out" savings, so we replaced all the dried coolant lines too.

The stock clutch just couldn't hold the extra HP from the tune and exhaust. Upgrading to a stage 2 was not an option, but only incrementally more cost. Worth doing anyway.

wildthing · 08-12-2016, 08:41 PM

Thanks for the reality check. Was looking (just looking) at $60 to $70k for base Turbo 997 models around here.

911boost · 911boost's Garage

Ouch Craig, I read about you having to do this but didn't realize it was that much $$$$. My 996TT has 38,xxx miles on it and I had to replace the three front radiators last fall, that hurt a bit too....

How is it running now?

Bill

onewhippedpuppy · 08-13-2016, 06:17 AM

That's why I DIY! To be fair, you can do a full major service on a 996 or 997 TT for about $300 in parts if you order them through Pelican. It's about 3-4 hours worth of work for a DIY mechanic without a lift. The only real hassle is that you have to pull the the rear bumper cover and intercoolers to do the plugs and coils. Otherwise it's easy work. Clutch is always a pain but you can certainly DIY engine drop a modern Porsche, and unlike the older cars you can leave the transmission in place.

Craig T · 08-13-2016, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSiple

Ouch Craig, I read about you having to do this but didn't realize it was that much $$$$. My 996TT has 38,xxx miles on it and I had to replace the three front radiators last fall, that hurt a bit too....

How is it running now?

Bill

OMG Bill, she's running like a bat-outta-hell now. I didn't realize how bad it was running until I picked it up and drove it home. Huge difference. Also nice not worrying about the ticking time bomb with the coolant tubes. I'm glad I bit the bullet.

Craig T · 08-13-2016, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

That's why I DIY! To be fair, you can do a full major service on a 996 or 997 TT for about $300 in parts if you order them through Pelican. It's about 3-4 hours worth of work for a DIY mechanic without a lift. The only real hassle is that you have to pull the the rear bumper cover and intercoolers to do the plugs and coils. Otherwise it's easy work. Clutch is always a pain but you can certainly DIY engine drop a modern Porsche, and unlike the older cars you can leave the transmission in place.

Easy for you to say Matt. I'm good for brakes and oil changes, but If I tried to do that clutch, I'd fix it so nobody could fix it. I'd have so many parts and bolts leftover I could build half another car.

onewhippedpuppy · 08-13-2016, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig T

Easy for you to say Matt. I'm good for brakes and oil changes, but If I tried to do that clutch, I'd fix it so nobody could fix it. I'd have so many parts and bolts leftover I could build half another car.

Lol, never said that I WANTED to do that stuff all the time anymore.

masraum · 08-13-2016, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig T

Yes! The performance fell way below where it should be and it was idling rough. I assumed either the coils, MAF, or 02 senses went bad.

With the motor out we noticed the coolant pipe fittings were about to pull out...A common problem as they were glued in. The fix is to weld them. Another "while the motor is out" savings, so we replaced all the dried coolant lines too.

Ah, well that makes a big difference.

It had a few issues, and got those taken care of at the same time as a regular maintenance as well as some "while I'm in there" stuff. Yeah, that sounds expensive, but wow, wouldn't have thought THAT expensive.