dogger15

I've been told by several people that it cost more to operate a 991 Cup
Car when compared to the 997.2s. Can someone please fill in the
blanks as to what is responsible for this higher cost? I am still trying
to gather as much information as I can before making a purchase
and these two versions are the finalist. From what I've been able to
gather, the 991 variant is a nice improvement over it's predecessor,
a bit safer, a bit easier to drive, so now I'm trying to determine the
downside (if any) I need to consider.

Any input is appreciated.

93 FireHawk 968

They're both expensive, no Cup car is cheap to run if you don't cut corners. Not sure anyone can say ones more expensive than the other due to the plethora of variables. Newer 991 May break less saving you money initially, conversely the older 997.2 saves on acquisition.

ir_fuel

I guess tires and brakes will be more expensive.

I hope the gearbox is less expensive on a 991.

JCL59

Big diff is tub repair is possible on the 997 not as easy on a 991 due to metal matrix etc. 991 tubs are more expensive I believe also.. 997 tubs are becoming more scarce.

markns2

997 tub is far more durable and easier to repair. Crease the front of a 991 and it's a reclip of the front and you get one shot. Do it again and it's a retub. Bend the rear towers at all and tub is junk; 997 can be pulled. Worst case a new 997 tub is $25k. New 991 tub is $45k.

Gearbox has been Achilles heal on the 997 but with a hollinger paddle system, they are bomb proof. We ran our gearbox for 2 seasons with the hollinger paddle system in Pirelli cup with no issues and a spotless drain plug everytime we pulled it. 991 gearbox is not quite as cost effective as people think. One full season of racing and you're probably looking at 20-25k refresh if you do everything properly.

At the end of the day, the speed differential isn't that much between the 2 cars. At higher speed tracks the 991 is definitely quicker, but at slower more technical tracks, the 997 is a match for the 991. As an exemplar, in the last Pirelli cup race at Sonoma in 2015, we had the fastest overall race lap ahead of all the 991's and finished p2 overall to a 991. 997.2 is still a great car.

Really depends what you want to run and how durable you want the car to be. If you put a paddle system in a 997 you've fixed its weakest link. Only you can decide what series you want to run. If it's club racing, I recommend the 997.2 ;-)

Cheers
Mark Nelson

P.S. It's possible my 2015 Pirelli Cup platinum championship car may be going up for sale. It's a 2012 997.2 now with a fresh 0 hr pmna engine (back this week), fresh gearbox rebuild and 0 hour axles. No damage ever to the tub (was retubbed before I purchased at the end of 2013). Still deciding what to do.

CRex

On the topic of tubs, I recently heard that Porsche Motorsports are now out of 997 tubs, period. Crash them and that's it folks...

redmonkey928

I was also under the impression that was nearing close as well, so would hold consistent with what I was aware of a few months back.

stujelly

One thing to keep in mind is the availability of spares and other upgrade items.

991 - you pay retail thru PMNA, nobody out there selling their spares

997 - they are fairly available and at a fraction of the price as other teams upgrade from 997 to 991, plus here on rennlist, great place to find quality spares.

If you havent owned a cup car, the 997 platform is a great place to start. There are some deals out there

911racer

I also hear through the grapevine that the guy selling those Brazil cars is going to start getting the 997.2's this year.

Thanks

Ed

Skibum1963

Is there really no fix then if you wad a 996/997 cup?

dogger15

Thanks a bunch for the information, lots of good stuff there.

If what CRex heard is actually the case, that might be a deal breaker
for me. I guess "track use only" cars are exempt from the US federal
requirement where replacement parts must be provided by the
manufacturer for a minimum of ten years.

Since the 991 is the current iteration, Porsche should be offering
replacement parts (including tubs), at least as long as that version
stays in production. And if Porsche does another ".2", for the 991,
that should yield a total of six years give or take.

I was leaning toward a 997.2 (and still may be). I like markns2's
idea of adding a Hollinger or Mega Line paddle shifter to help with
tranny wear. But now I have to consider the risk of no car at all if
I do something stupid and damage the tub beyond repair.

So I'm left choosing between a version where the replacement part
supply is drying up but is cheaper and easier to repair, and a version
where replacement parts are still being produced, but those parts are
single source, considerably more and some repairs are not even
possible.

Looking over what you guys have said, It's probably a good idea to
start with a 997.2 as my "starter" car, take care not to ball it up and
eventually work my way up to a 991 after my skill level increases
from lots of laps and work.

If this post sounds conflicted, it's because I am. My common sense
side is calmly telling me to listen to the people who have been there
and done that, while my "gotta have the newest and fastest" racer
side is screaming screw that, buy a 991 - your kids don't need to go
to college!

tcsracing1

991 Cup tubs cost more to repair... typically replace is the only option. Hence, more expensive then 997.

New caymans are in same boat.

neuroguru

A nearly mint 7.2 cup with low engine and box hours with paddles and ABS will cost you about $180k all in. You can get much cheaper examples with high hours on engine and box but once you do refresh that's where you'll be on a nice car. That is what you'll pay for a tired 1.1 Cup.

The 110k 7.2 cups all have stories.

Running costs appear similar.

RSRRacer

The 991 is faster, and I think even at the slower tracks would be faster because of the wheelbase and contact patch vs 997.

Engine is essentially the same. Transmission is similar. A 997 with a properly rigged paddle system should allow 997 tranny to last as long as 991 cup with factory installed shifter.

Brakes on 991 are light years in front of a 997 cup. I still cant get used to how good they are.

997 better value. 991 better and safer.

For what its worth - I will most likely be selling my 2014 991 cup after Road America PCA race this year. At which time I think it will have about 75 hours? I am second owner and can send info if you are interested. I think I will price it at $160k or so, given the hours.

Nizer

That didn't last long.