2005 Carrera 4s?

[Craig T]

VERY nice!!! Hard to tell the color. Is it Bitter Chocolate?

I agree 100% with Matt. IMHO, the 996TT is the best value in Porsche today. The 996 C4S is a pig. The 996TT for a few grand more is a rocket...and has a dry-sump Mezger motor. That's basically the same motor Porsche put in the GT3-C Cup cars. Plus, $1,500 get's you a 996TT GIAC or FVD tune and you're into 500+ HP. If you plan to to any DE's or track time, the 996 wet-sump is an oil starvation catastrophe waiting for a place to happen.

If I couldn't stretch from $30K to $40K for the 996TT, I would find a low mileage 09 997 with a manual, or a 05-08 that has had the lMS issue resolved.

[porsche4life]

Craig nailed it, expcept forget giac or fvd. If you get a turbo, let me know. We have some done some killer stuff with these cars in our shop!

[Craig T]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Craig nailed it, expcept forget giac or fvd. If you get a turbo, let me know. We have some done some killer stuff with these cars in our shop!

LOL...Sid, you must have been hired in sales department? What software program is Vivid Racing using for the 996TT and 997TT now? Cobb? EVOM?

One of the funniest things on Rennlist and 6Speed Turbo forums is watching the TT software tuners bash each over who has the best system for basically accomplishing the same thing.

(sorry for the hi-jack)

[85eurocarrera]

Craig T,
Thanks, it Nutmeg Brown Metallic.

thanks for all the info, this place is great!

I've done the track/DE stuff. My car has stiffer suspension, lighter, lowered yada, yada. I still enjoy it, but I'm getting to the point where I enjoy a nice spirited drive on twisty country road with a passenger. My car, not so fun for passenger. She doesn't drive it either. If I can find a nice CABRIOLET, that she would drive, I'd be golden. I'm sure any water cooled 911 will be fast enough for me, compared to mine. A Turbo 996 cabriolet is at the top of my list, but I'd "settle" for a 996 C4S. Base 996 Cab doesn't do it for me in the looks department.

Thanks again, all.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Craig T

VERY nice!!! Hard to tell the color. Is it Bitter Chocolate?

I agree 100% with Matt. IMHO, the 996TT is the best value in Porsche today. The 996 C4S is a pig. The 996TT for a few grand more is a rocket...and has a dry-sump Mezger motor. That's basically the same motor Porsche put in the GT3-C Cup cars. Plus, $1,500 get's you a 996TT GIAC or FVD tune and you're into 500+ HP. If you plan to to any DE's or track time, the 996 wet-sump is an oil starvation catastrophe waiting for a place to happen.

If I couldn't stretch from $30K to $40K for the 996TT, I would find a low mileage 09 997 with a manual, or a 05-08 that has had the lMS issue resolved.

I would add one more - 1999 996 C2 for about $15k. You get the dual row IMS that is very robust, cable throttle that is more linear than the electronic throttle, lightest weight, most rev-happy motor, and the most raw driving experience while still being far more livable than the air-cooled cars. Each step that made the 911 more refined has also made it less fun, I think the best pure water-cooled driving experience is in an early 996. At some point in the near future I will buy one to use as the platform for a lightweight hot-rod 911, because they are so cheap and so much fun.

[Craig T]

BTW...I have a friend with 160,000 miles on his 996TT. Once the coolant tubes are pinned, they can run 200K miles easy. Here's two in the $30K's.

[gunlover05]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I would add one more - 1999 996 C2 for about $15k. You get the dual row IMS that is very robust, cable throttle that is more linear than the electronic throttle, lightest weight, most rev-happy motor, and the most raw driving experience while still being far more livable than the air-cooled cars. Each step that made the 911 more refined has also made it less fun, I think the best pure water-cooled driving experience is in an early 996. At some point in the near future I will buy one to use as the platform for a lightweight hot-rod 911, because they are so cheap and so much fun.

VERY nice looking 996!

[Craig T]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I would add one more - 1999 996 C2 for about $15k. You get the dual row IMS that is very robust, cable throttle that is more linear than the electronic throttle, lightest weight, most rev-happy motor, and the most raw driving experience while still being far more livable than the air-cooled cars. Each step that made the 911 more refined has also made it less fun, I think the best pure water-cooled driving experience is in an early 996. At some point in the near future I will buy one to use as the platform for a lightweight hot-rod 911, because they are so cheap and so much fun.

The POC started a 996 Spec class using only the 3.4L 99 year C2 for the very reasons mentioned above. It started with three cars, but they all went to GT classes and the 996 Spec class died.

As a street driven or canyon carving "lightweight hot rod", I agree the 99 996 is a great option. As a drive-to-the-track DE or time trial car...They just don't hold up. Guys racing these cars keep spare tranny's in their trailers. The oil starvation issue can be resolved with deep pans and baffles, but they're still high risk on tracks with sustained high-speed corners i.e. LVMS and ACS Rovals.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I believe you Craig, I don't have that first hand perspective. I've heard of the deeper pans and baffles to increase capacity by about 1 qt and reduce slosh, and I know there are some improvements to the transmission to solve common issues like the 2nd gear pop. I would be more thinking street hot rod, as that is my primary interest. I wouldn't have time to track a car if I tried.

[Craig T]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I would be more thinking street hot rod, as that is my primary interest. I wouldn't have time to track a car if I tried.

Ah, don't worry Matt. Being tied up with kids and family only lasts about 20 years. You'll still be young enough to enjoy that track when the last college degree and wedding is paid for.

The deep pans and baffles are a cheap upgrade. I think Sid sells them now at Vivid Racing for about $275. It can be done by DIY'ers with even reasonable skills.

The tranny is plenty strong for street fun (W2W racing no so much), and you can pull a LOT of weight out of a 99 if you don't mind Recaro Pole Positions and no interior. Personally, I think it would be a blast. I'd strip it to bare bones and glue in an RS style LW carpet kit. Fabricate some RS door panels. VAROOOM!

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Craig T

Ah, don't worry Matt. Being tied up with kids and family only lasts about 20 years. You'll still be young enough to enjoy that track when the last college degree and wedding is paid for.

The deep pans and baffles are a cheap upgrade. I think Sid sells them now at Vivid Racing for about $275. It can be done by DIY'ers with even reasonable skills.

The tranny is plenty strong for street fun (W2W racing no so much), and you can pull a LOT of weight out of a 99 if you don't mind Recaro Pole Positions and no interior. Personally, I think it would be a blast. I'd strip it to bare bones and glue in an RS style LW carpet kit. Fabricate some RS door panels. VAROOOM!

I'm counting the days.

An early base model 996 is about 2900 lbs, and there is a great 6speedonline thread where the TT guys have managed to get at least 300 lbs out of the car without gutting the interior. My dream plan would be to delete the front spare and tool kit, lightweight battery relocated down low in the frunk, lightweight seats to delete the heavy power ones, lightweight 18" wheels, stereo delete, center console delete, rear seat delete, lose most of the sound deadening, stereo delete, side airbag delete, fab up some RS style door panels, full exhaust (saves 30-40 lbs), CF ducktail to delete the power tail, sunroof motor delete, and carbon fiber hood. Then you can start into performance goodies like PSS9s, GT3 LCAs, ECU tune, the aforementioned exhaust, Numeric shifter, and probably some other stuff. So you end up with a 2600 lb, 330-ish HP, scalpel of a 911 for $25k that still has cruise, A/C, and acceptable ride quality. That is pretty comparable power/weight ratio to a stock 996TT. Yeah, I've thought about this a bit.

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by Craig T

Ah, don't worry Matt. Being tied up with kids and family only lasts about 20 years. You'll still be young enough to enjoy that track when the last college degree and wedding is paid for.

The deep pans and baffles are a cheap upgrade. I think Sid sells them now at Vivid Racing for about $275. It can be done by DIY'ers with even reasonable skills.

The tranny is plenty strong for street fun (W2W racing no so much), and you can pull a LOT of weight out of a 99 if you don't mind Recaro Pole Positions and no interior. Personally, I think it would be a blast. I'd strip it to bare bones and glue in an RS style LW carpet kit. Fabricate some RS door panels. VAROOOM!

$245 for the deep sump. Only a .5qt addition though.


And I've got to stop clicking on these threads... Between you guys and the 996s, and the guys at work talking about Golf Rs, I'm getting itchy to buy something!

[WPOZZZ]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

$245 for the deep sump. Only a .5qt addition though.


And I've got to stop clicking on these threads... Between you guys and the 996s, and the guys at work talking about Golf Rs, I'm getting itchy to buy something!

I thought you sold real state.

[porsche4life]

I had the opportunity to go to work at Vivid, and I mean, why wouldn't I get paid to talk about cars all day! Been there a week and I love it! Great place with great people, lots of cool stuff going on too!

[WPOZZZ]

Sounds like a fun job, Sid! If you enjoy what you do, it never becomes work.

[Craig T]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I'm counting the days.

An early base model 996 is about 2900 lbs, and there is a great 6speedonline thread where the TT guys have managed to get at least 300 lbs out of the car without gutting the interior. My dream plan would be to delete the front spare and tool kit, lightweight battery relocated down low in the frunk, lightweight seats to delete the heavy power ones, lightweight 18" wheels, stereo delete, center console delete, rear seat delete, lose most of the sound deadening, stereo delete, side airbag delete, fab up some RS style door panels, full exhaust (saves 30-40 lbs), CF ducktail to delete the power tail, sunroof motor delete, and carbon fiber hood. Then you can start into performance goodies like PSS9s, GT3 LCAs, ECU tune, the aforementioned exhaust, Numeric shifter, and probably some other stuff. So you end up with a 2600 lb, 330-ish HP, scalpel of a 911 for $25k that still has cruise, A/C, and acceptable ride quality. That is pretty comparable power/weight ratio to a stock 996TT. Yeah, I've thought about this a bit.

Starting to sound like how a race is born!

[Craig T]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

That is pretty comparable power/weight ratio to a stock 996TT. Yeah, I've thought about this a bit.

With power/weight ratios compared equally, I think a light car with less hp is a way more visceral driving experience than a heavy car with more. Doesn't necessarily mean they're faster on the track, It depends on how long the straights are vs how many corners. Coming from a 2100lb car with 285 rwhp and now in a 3500 lb car with 500 rwhp, I discovered I'd rather race a go-karts than a dragster. ...but my wife will ride in the Pig. Everything is a trade off.

[85eurocarrera]

This starts with a 2.
1 owner
63k miles
Auto
No real options other than full leather.

Did the sport chrono pkg start with 997's?

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Craig T

With power/weight ratios compared equally, I think a light car with less hp is a way more visceral driving experience than a heavy car with more. Doesn't necessarily mean they're faster on the track, It depends on how long the straights are vs how many corners. Coming from a 2100lb car with 285 rwhp and now in a 3500 lb car with 500 rwhp, I discovered I'd rather race a go-karts than a dragster. ...but my wife will ride in the Pig. Everything is a trade off.

Totally agree. You can add power to make a heavy car fast, but you'll make it as nimble as one weighing 1000 lbs less.

[Gus Berges]

Never heard of a 2005 996, but I guess one learns something new every day!

My first 911 was a 1999 RoW 996 C2. Had LSD, M030 suspension, manual, 18" hollow spoke Turbo Twists, throttle via cable, no sunroof. It was as close as I was going to get to a "GT3". And to believe I sold it once I discovered the IMS issues, not knowing it was the safest bet of all 996 series :roll eyes: Once I put some Falken Azenis tires on it, it became as others have mentioned: a scalpel. Very fun to toss around and when going through a tunnel, muffler bypass installed, well, it took hours to get the grin off my face 😄

Later I got a 2004 C4S. Car felt a lot more planted (weight + AWD). Perhaps it was as quick as the C2, but felt almost like a different car. Mine was loaded, but due to lack of use, decided to sell it.

Sport Chromo option started with the 997 series.