1997 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.8 GT2 Clone ( Your Opinions Matter )

[DSM]

Hello All,

Have a real soft spot for the wild ones! Interested in this GT2 clone. Wondering if anyone local to Top Gear Imports had gone in and look it over? Any thoughts or opinions are greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/114053589263?ul_noapp=true

[BLACK3.2]

No opinion other than the usual ones. With a build this radical, you need documentation. If there's no documentation, then I would mentally budget in the cost of a rebuild on top of whatever other issues a PPI discovers.

[wgwollet]

People seem to like these highly modified cars, never got excited about these cars.
Some look great, but a very hard sell in any climate. These cars must be well documented on what they did because it’s personal choices and it’s a small group.
Why would a 97 be modified like that? What’s its value? No one knows, for $119,000 unless you do not care, it’s throwing money down a **** hole. For that dough, build your own or get a real GT2 for not much more.

[specialtyoneinc]

Originally Posted by BLACK3.2

No opinion other than the usual ones. With a build this radical, you need documentation. If there's no documentation, then I would mentally budget in the cost of a rebuild on top of whatever other issues a PPI discovers.

This

[911boost]

I thought the C2S was RWD, why does the ad say 4wd and 2wd?

[plexiform]

Need build specifics, documentation, contact info for the person/shop that did the engine build, and lots of pictures of the engine. Not sure if I missed something, but I did not see any pics of the engine.

[Matt Monson]

Didn't we discuss the car a couple of years back? If I get some free time after work maybe I'll do some searching to see if I can find it. It may have even been at the same dealer.

[JMS935]

Looks cool, but it’s a Protomotive built motor, that’s enough to lose my interest in it.

[wagongotya]

I get squeamish around any naturally aspirated to turbo conversion. Find a factory turbo base for that money

[Cobalt]

This was previously owned by a friend of mine. It was a decent enough build. IIRC it was done by Paul and John at Protosport for the prior owner. It was a bit rough when he picked it up but was putting a lot of TLC into it before he sold it. I don't recall the wheels it current has although I had some pictures of it but can't seem to locate them. I think they offered him a price he couldn't refuse and is now looking for a C2S or C4S so he can take the kids for a ride.

I never heard him complain about the car and he really enjoyed it but wasn't kid friendly. Asking price is a bit lofty IMO but a lot of work to build.

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by wagongotya

I get squeamish around any naturally aspirated to turbo conversion. Find a factory turbo base for that money

Hot rods aren’t for everyone. Really simple wiring harnesses and electronics make conversions of that era pretty easy and clean.

Pat Williams used to service a real 993 RSR. They pulled the engine and installed one of Pat’s small displacement turbo builds. Races it like that in PCA Club racing for a decade or more. A couple years back the owner decided to sell it. They pulled the old engine off the shelf and converted it back. Last I heard Orbit racing was restoring it for the new owner. These cars are like LEGO.

[Bravoaloha]

I don't know anything about the Protomotive kit, but a number of guys I go to the track with have Protosport built turbo track cars. (993 RSR, heavily modified widebody 996 and a few more). They all seem happy with them and I haven't noticed them having any issues.

[Cobalt]

Originally Posted by Bravoaloha

I don't know anything about the Protomotive kit, but a number of guys I go to the track with have Protosport built turbo track cars. (993 RSR, heavily modified widebody 996 and a few more). They all seem happy with them and I haven't noticed them having any issues.

This is a street build which does differ from their track builds.

[parnelli]

Top Gear is notorious for having cars on the website that are no longer even for sale. I’ve seen cars sit on their website two or three years after they’ve been sold! They are the worst at this! I Don’t trust those guys at all

[K24madness]

Originally Posted by wagongotya

I get squeamish around any naturally aspirated to turbo conversion. Find a factory turbo base for that money

The engine block is the same as is head/cylinder alloy (RR350)

There are pluses and minuses with each engine as a foundation. Having built both to 550-600hp I prefer the NA vs the turbo as a starting point.

The transmission ring gear on the turbo is stronger (larger) and seems to be better starting point for modding gears. The NA gear spread is wider and starts being preferable as power goes up. Both have horrible first gears. Turbo 6th is useless. It’s kinda a toss up which is better to start with.

Starting with a turbo based car is a safer bet though. The work required to get it right on a NA based build leaves a large margin for error. I see more shoddy fabrication work than good.

[wagongotya]

think that's the gotchas point...inheriting a built car (unknowns) vs. building your own (knowns). two entirely different price points, weight the risks and choose your path forward

[BLACK3.2]

Originally Posted by wagongotya

think that's the gotchas point...inheriting a built car (unknowns) vs. building your own (knowns). two entirely different price points, weight the risks and choose your path forward

it's also a good lesson in how to retain value if you do build a car. document, document, document.

i was interested in an 88 twin turbo build that started life as a narrow body coupe. it looked like a great build (G50, coilovers, full sized intercooler), but had zero documentation coming with it. i just couldn't trust it so backed out.

[Raceboy]

Proper build needs most crucial parts to be replaced anyway so what's the point in starting with real RS/R/Turbo? It is false economy.

[Cobalt]

A low boost turbo setup can be used on a stock N/A engine and work very nicely without issue if done properly.

[shellx]

Any ideas where this car ended up? I was very interested in it, but it sold before I could make it up there to check it out.