Whats the difference between a GT2 and a GT3?

126coupe · 126coupe's Garage

Any insight would help me prepare for my dream car even though I have to wait 3-4 years. Is Porsche still making these models? What newer Porsche models will depreciate the least?

Thanks in Advance

ChrisBennet · ChrisBennet's Garage

The basic difference is that the GT2 is a turbo and the GT3 is not.
The GT2 is very expensive even by Porsche standards.
-Chris

89911 · 03-09-2005, 07:15 AM

I think the GT2 might be had for a better buy as of late. It is faster then the GT3, but the GT3 undercut it by price so much, early buyers of the 2's overpaid. Still used, they might be higher then a new GT3. If you have this kind of moola laying around, wait for the new 997 GT3.

126coupe · 126coupe's Garage

Is the new 997 GT3 going to be aircooled? is the current GT3
air or water cooled??

ZAMIRZ · ZAMIRZ's Garage

all current Porsches are watercooled, I highly doubt they're going to change this on future models.

The GT3 is basically the sporting version of the Carrera and naturally aspirated 911 models.

The GT2 is the sporting version of the Turbo. The new GT2s are quite a bit overpriced, but barely used examples can be had for a bargain (in the 130 range).

126coupe · 126coupe's Garage

so are all GT3's water cooled? when did they first get manufactered??

silverc4s · silverc4s's Garage

The Gt2 & GT3 engines use the (original 930 type) air cooled cases and cylinders - with water cooled multivalve heads, as I am given to understand it.

This is still the only trackable case design, AFAIK...;-)

ZAMIRZ · ZAMIRZ's Garage

Bill is correct, the motors are based off the 964 Turbo 3.6 engine with water-cooled heads and use a true dry-sump oil-cooling system. The 911 Carrera and Boxster engines use what Porsche calls an "integrated dry-sump" (aka BS term for non dry-sump).

There are two types of GT3, the first is the GT3 Mk. 1 which was never officially imported to the U.S. and the 2nd, the GT3 Mk. 2 which is what we got. The most noticeable differences between the Mk. 1 and Mk. 2 are a larger motor with more hp (.2 liter bump and 20 more hp), and the exterior is totally different on the GT3 Mk. 2 since it uses the "face-lifted" post-2001 996 look.

Mk. 1

Mk. 2

jtkkz · 03-09-2005, 07:54 AM

All Porsches as of '99 and up are water cooled.

GT2 is a turbo 2wd car

GT3 is normally aspirated

GT3 RS only in Europe, I believe is even lighter that the US version GT3

I can't wait to see the new 997 GT3

KobaltBlau · 03-09-2005, 08:12 AM

FYI there was also a 993 GT2 in europe which was of course air cooled, problem is they only sold 50 street versions over there:

There was never an air cooled GT3, the equivalent is the 964RS and 993RS, neither of which the US got

84porsche · 84porsche's Garage

From Men's Journal Magazine last year -

911 GT3 - Narrow body with especially high rear wing, rear wheel drive, nonturbo, 380hp, $99,900. The 911 without all the ballast (i.e. a backseat) and the least domesticated non turbo model ever. Chimps may swing from its rear spoiler.

911 GT2 - Wide body with high rear wing, rear wheel drive, turbocharged, 477hp, $191,700. The 911 that inspires fear in its test drivers. Like 911s of yore, this version can still demonstrate the lunacy of the rear-engine layout. The ultimate 911.

speeder · speeder's Garage

The real answer to the question would be that they are racing classes, ie. GT1/GT2/GT3/etc.., in descending order of speed/power. They are classes in sportscar racing such as ALMS, LeMans, et al...

Superman · 03-09-2005, 10:45 AM

As recently as Saturday I was told by several folks that the water cooled engine is not specified by Porsche for tracking, and that Porsche will put the track engine (air cooled) in any 996 or 997 for you as an option, and this is what they recommend if you're going to track it.

randywebb · 03-09-2005, 10:49 AM

Huge torque vs. wind it out (and a 2x price diff. as above).

I drove Todd Serota's GT-2 and it was a monster. I was ultra super conservative with it... if you push the pedal down 1 cm in a curve... watch out.

Bill Verburg · Bill Verburg's Garage

Quote:

As recently as Saturday I was told by several folks that the water cooled engine is not specified by Porsche for tracking, and that Porsche will put the track engine (air cooled) in any 996 or 997 for you as an option, and this is what they recommend if you're going to track it.

I think you are confusing water/air cooling w/ wet/dry sump. All the '99 up are water cooled, but the sport versions use dry sump while the street versions use wet.

dry sump is much preferred for track use.

all of the air cooled 911s were dry sump.

the dry sumps are based on a variation of the older 964/993 blocks

The dry sump tank is located over the trans bell housing on these cars

Bill Verburg · Bill Verburg's Garage

GT3RS and GT3

GT3Cup, I believe 2000

GT2
GT3RS and GT3

GT3Cup, I believe 2000

GT2

Toothzilla · 03-09-2005, 12:55 PM

Mark,

I've heard rumors that the 997 GT3 will use the "new" M96 case for the engine. It's not as solid of a base as the current GT's use of the 964 case. I love both these cars, and seriously considered a GT3, but since I've already got a track car I figured a TT would make a nicer cruiser. You're welcome to take it out for a spin if you and Sherry ever make it up to Merced.

See you in Willow Springs,

chris

89911 · 03-09-2005, 12:59 PM

Another GT2

Superman · 03-09-2005, 01:09 PM

Bill, I understand about dry sump versus wet sump, but I have a hanging suspicion that there is more difference between a modern Porsche track motor and a street motor than just where the engine oil reservoir is located.

I really don't know whether any part of any modern Porsche engine is "air cooled," but I am told the race engines are. In fact, there is a significant price difference as well, I am told. I think a brand new out-of-the-box water cooled street engine is something like $12K. Just about everything about this engine is different, including the manufacturing processes. Again, I'm not disagreeing with you, but just noticing that there are several bits of evidence suggesting that the Porsche track-spec motor of today is actually a modern version of the air cooled engine they have been racing for many decades....although it may have water-cooled heads.

I think even Wayne started a thread once confessing surprise that Porsche track engines are still water-cooled. I think he said they are essentially the 993 engine.

Overpaid Slacker · 03-09-2005, 01:12 PM

Minkoff -
I've nothing to add to the distinctions our friends have laid out, but if the diamond necklace earns you a Porsche ticket to punch and you're in the GT2 stratosphere, I humbly suggest looking for a coupla' year-old Ruf while you're looking.

I'm not a Ruf expert by any means, but I'll say I don't think I've seen one I wouldn't have bought if I could've. And what Ruf is up to with the new 997 is astonishing, IMHO.

Good luck.

JP