996 as a track rat?

cockerpunk · 07-06-2015, 05:55 AM

i've been seriously considering a true track rat for my next car. ie a car that i don't care too much how it looks, or anything like that, just care that its reliable, and that can handle the heat loads of the track.

i also have always wanted a 911.

there are great track rat cars (miatas, e36, z06) and then for the most part there are 911s i can afford (997.2 C2S, 996 turbo etc) but most of those 911s id care about way to much.

spit-balling a new idea ... track rat 996. you can get 996s for cheap these days, they are not particularly valuable cars. they dont look amazing, and they are pretty powerful and the classic RR configuration.

tonythetarga · 07-06-2015, 09:09 AM

With the number of posts you have I'll spare you details about IMS and cracked cylinder head issues that are common problems with the 996. Having said that and if those issues are addressed, you want to make sure you have the X51 oil baffle and possibly the deep sump kit as well. These engines will starve the main bearings under high G loads when using R compound tires on the track. The better baffle and deep sump kit should help to alleviate that problem.

cockerpunk · 07-06-2015, 09:29 AM

yeah im well aware of the bearing issues.

how are they on cooling? oil temps, coolant temps? transmission oil temps?

tonythetarga · 07-06-2015, 09:35 AM

With a center rad added you should be able to control engine and oil temps. The racers with 996's I know are not running trans coolers afaik.

cockerpunk · 07-06-2015, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonythetarga

With a center rad added you should be able to control engine and oil temps. The racers with 996's I know are not running trans coolers afaik.

that looks pretty reasonable, and thanks for the heads up. not needing a trans cooler would be a nice thing. installing a radiator wouldnt be too bad.

any opinions on it as far as a track car? seems like it would put most air cooled cars to shame, more power, much better suspension design. and pretty readily available aftermarket upgrades for suspension. power im less interested in upgrading. is an LSD for example necessary? not really afraid to crunch one up, so that would be a nice thing compared to any other 911.

as i said, this would not be a daily for me. no pretenses for that. just a rat for fun. i would like to keep it street legal, as i have no plans to purchase a tow vehicle.

tonythetarga · 07-06-2015, 10:06 AM

I'm not sure the 996 stock suspension is up to being enough for a good track car. I had a 99 996 and it was not ideal on the track without suspension mods to lower the car. Plus, ideally you want to add GT3 or adjustable sway bars.

cockerpunk · 07-06-2015, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonythetarga

I'm not sure the 996 stock suspension is up to being enough for a good track car. I had a 99 996 and it was not ideal on the track without suspension mods to lower the car. Plus, ideally you want to add GT3 or adjustable sway bars.

no stock suspension is really up to snuff, yes, eventually it would be treated to something aftermarket. big front bar a basic first step etc etc

this would be required of anything though, not really a deal breaker.

ltusler · 07-06-2015, 02:03 PM

You are invited out to the Rennenhaus for a complete tour of my 99 996 GT3 car.

cockerpunk · 07-07-2015, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ltusler

You are invited out to the Rennenhaus for a complete tour of my 99 996 GT3 car.

i wish i could afford to track such a car.

BYprodriver · BYprodriver's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by cockerpunk

no stock suspension is really up to snuff, yes, eventually it would be treated to something aftermarket. Big front bar a basic first step etc etc

this would be required of anything though, not really a deal breaker.

996 gt3

Cajundaddy · Cajundaddy's Garage

I know several guys who club race and TT a 996. It depends on how serious you want to get but mind the cooling and oiling and she will be just fine.

racer · 07-07-2015, 02:19 PM

996 would be a great track car, budgeting for a spare motor and redoing the suspension. Not sure new crate (3.4l) motors are available, not sure how that impacts replacement costs these days, forcing you to buy another used hand grenade. As mentioned, Oiling and cooling are key. Lots of GT3 parts will bolt on.

David993s · 07-08-2015, 04:37 PM

I just recently purchased an '02 996 for the very purpose of making it a dedicated track car.

ltusler · 07-09-2015, 03:09 PM

I also have a street 99 you could start with. The 99's are nice to start with, the tub is a bit lighter than the later years.

DeckMan · DeckMan's Garage

CP, I have not gotten to track my 996tt yet due to not getting a chance to drop the motor and weld the coolant fittings, but in my opinion for most track days I can already see that it will be hung up with traffic most of the time. Couple friends run their 996's without too much issues, . The Rennlist section has a good bit more info on track setups on the 996 with the oil/ims and suspension setups.

The stock suspension is pretty soft in my opinion and does need a good bit of attention to set up for heavy track use. The 996tt's use a lot more on the consumables than the regular NB 996's. Having seen a bunch of 40ths do very well at the track with their X51 package, but they still dont hold a candle to the GT3's.

Working on the 996's is easier than working on my Audi TT track car I have found so far for whats its worth.

spyerx · 07-17-2015, 12:37 PM

996 can be very good track cars. Address engine ims, oil, cooling issues. Suspension-wise, they are identical (very, very similar) to the 997 generation and have lots and lots of mono ball and gt3 parts can bolt up. You'll spend 10-15k on suspension to make it great. Invest in proper safety. the trans on these isn't as good as the ones on the gt3, but it is a pretty inexpensive unit.