2004 GT3 engine question

[barney911rs]

I spoke to a buddy of mine today and he's going to look at an 04 GT3 with 9600 miles. He also mentioned he heard something along the lines that because it's essentially the cup car motor, it needs to be rebuilt at 120 hours. I told him I had not heard or seen this, and that made no sense at all for a street car. He agreed with that, but I wanted to run this past the group to see if anyone else had heard this or not? For now I'm going to chaulk this up to a bad rumor.

[Bill Verburg]

the Cup cars do require relatively frequent rebuilds.

A GT3 is not a Cup Car

[JV911SYDNEY]

Originally Posted by barney911rs

that made no sense at all for a street car

correct!

[GrantG]

I think if you race the GT3 or DE it very hard the service intervals are not much different than a Cup (same motor and redline, afaik). If you drive the car on the street, it will last a very long time (250k miles or so) before rebuild.

I think the Titanium Conrods have a finite lifespan when driven to 8,200 rpm frequently...

[Bill Verburg]

it's true that the engines are essentially the same, but the transmission changes make the Cup operate in the top 20% of it's range for a greater % of the time than a GT3. Do the same to a street Gt3 and I suppose it will require as frequnt rebuilds as a Cup

[Wayne 962]

This street engine should last a very long time (tens of thousands of miles) unless seriously abused.

-Wayne

[MattKellett]

I hope they last a long time.

And also I just wanted to say - Whoever currently owns the GT3 that I'll be buying in about 8 years time, please baby it and look after it for me and keep all your maintence records - thanks

[barney911rs]

Thanks guys. That is what I thought, but wanted to run it past the brain trust here. Bill, the gearing change makes the most sense as to the difference.

[Elombard]

also check the 6gt3 forum on rennlist tons of info there.

[Wayne 962]

996 GT3s are now in the high 50's range - a very good deal for a great car...

-Wayne

[89911]

My brother just came back from Watkins Glen 3 day DE with the affluent Metro New York host. In the white group, there where 12-15 GT3's and many also in the Black group along with new GT2's and Cup cars.

[JeremyD]

Originally Posted by 89911

My brother just came back from Watkins Glen 3 day DE with the affluent Metro New York host. In the white group, there where 12-15 GT3's and many also in the Black group along with new GT2's and Cup cars.

I obviously need to make more money

[billybek]

Originally Posted by JeremyD

I obviously need to make more money

After our local PCA tech night, one of the members asked me if I learned anything...
My response was that I learned I didn't make enough money....

[89911]

Originally Posted by JeremyD

I obviously need to make more money

I think I came to the same conclusion a few years ago up there. The GT3 is the entry level track car, at least in this group. I think when you hang out with the same region like Metro and suddenly your 30 year old 911 is being chased down by 400hp race cars, it gets just a bit old. Either you join them, spend the money and stay with them or you enter the "nostalgia class" which my brother's and mine cars, (87 and 89 911) are part of. It still is fun running and sparing with 944 turbos, Boxster S's, 993's, RS America's, but these cars are long gone from this event. I can seen why many like us start getting into competitive events based on Hp and weight. As soon as the GT3 gets into the range I feel comfortable with for the 4-5 times a year I'll truly use it, I'll consider buying it.

[barney911rs]

Oh, it's we don't make enough cash. After seeing all the cup cars in the IMSA GT3-cup, PCA racing, SCCA, NASA, Yokohama cup. I thought I just missed the big clearance sale at the factory.

89911, you think your cars are old, mine was old when yours was new. But until I get the racing bug out of my system, I would not trade it for anything, OK maybe a new cup car, but other then that, nothing. Just wish I had more power to run with those guys down the straights. If I ever get around to building a new motor, I figure a 3.4 with a conservative 300-320 will be enough in my light weigth car.

[Elombard]

I wonder if the 996 GT3 has much downside left??? I hope so. I think "average" earners like us will be a lot more likely in a 997 GT3. I think they are making more of them and they dont seem to have the Cache. I guess the GT3 RS has replaced the old GT3. I think the 997 GT3 will be very satisfying with a few mods to make them slightly more focused...although I prefer the looks of the 996 GT3 for some reason.

[JeremyD]

Well - not that anybody likes to be passed - But I will stick with the idea that I would rather drive a slow car fast, than a fast car slow.

We have a share of that down here too - rich boys and lots of turbos. Crummy lines and they are still passing you like you are standing still. Oh well, maybe I'll knock off a fruit stand on my way home.

[jevvy]

Originally Posted by JeremyD

Well - not that anybody likes to be passed - But I will stick with the idea that I would rather drive a slow car fast, than a fast car slow.

Exactly my thoughts on the matter and so very well put - I shall borrow that phrase if you dont mind

[Don Plumley]

There are a lot of GT3's showing up at the tracks here. Probably 8 or 10 at the last PCA event at Thunderhill. I saw a stock (yes, GT3 bits, but stock bits) turn a 1:58:8 CCW w/Cyclone at Thill - that's really hauling the mail and says lots both about the driver and the baseline car.

If you look over at the GT3 forums on rennlist, you'll note that there seems to be a high incidence of RMS leaks on 997 GT3's. Something to keep in mind when we are giving PPI advice 10 years from now...

[89911]

Originally Posted by JeremyD

Well - not that anybody likes to be passed - But I will stick with the idea that I would rather drive a slow car fast, than a fast car slow.

We have a share of that down here too - rich boys and lots of turbos. Crummy lines and they are still passing you like you are standing still. Oh well, maybe I'll knock off a fruit stand on my way home.

Agreed without a doubt. That is why I've canned my DE's for the summer and I am just enjoying the 911 as a driver and a great summer car. The only problem is when you have a "fast car, driven fast"