stilov

Here's a quandary and some background... I've always been a HP junkie. I also recently have given up wrenching.

I have a 997.2tt. (I had a 700whp 996tt and a 900rwhp turbo Vette)

I bought the 997 because it does well with a tune and exhaust and done.

I have this desire, well lots of desires I suppose lol. But need to limit myself...

I love 944t, and had one in 2002.

Here's the decision, buy a 944 or go full bolt on build on the 997.

What do you guys think, being 944 "people". What do you think I should consider?

MAGK944

If you’re just after hp a 944 turbo will disappoint. Ftw get an AMG and take it to RennTech or EuroCharged amhik.

PF

To me it is all about feel. You can never get the same feeling in a Vette / AMG or alike as a small lightweight oldschool sportscar like a 951.

I say keep your 997 and buy a 951 aswell. Go all in on it with a well prepared 3liter turbo. Get say 500 HP crank and you will have a seriuosly fast car that "feels" as fast as justabout anything out there.
Plus is most wont believe it is that fast.

gruhsy

+1

blade7

951 is around 1400kg, not that light.

MAGK944

+1, I suppose it’s light by today’s standards, my CLS63S was 3874 pounds or 1750kg but I’m telling you, and I love driving 951’s, apart from making the car feel more solid that extra weight didn’t distract from the driving pleasure of a 5.5 twin-turbo V8 with 720 Renntech hp in a 2-door coupe. The modern air multi-link suspension front and rear is a dream and even before Renntech it was capable of 3.8s 0-60 & 180mph. I love the 951 but even in 3.0/16v with all the good bits it just doesn’t come close to a well tuned AMG on the street or the track. This is the Renntech tuned E63, it’s nirvana for a hp freak like the op:

JustinL

I agree with the above posters. We don't drive 944s because they are the fastest cars at the track, or because they are comfortable cruisers, or will impress the masses on a boulevard; they won't do any of those things as well as modern high dollar machinery. They are just really cool old cars now. With some new technology, a 951 can be made pretty damn fast, but it's not going to outshine a modded 997TT on a race track without a lot of money and compromises. The big upside is that you won't blend into the sea of 911s and Boxsters. 944 series cars are interesting again after a long time being down in the dumps.

ekoz

I agree. The only reason I don't have a cayman (I think its best track car for the money) is because everyone else seems to have one. The reason you should choose the 944T is to be a different (if that is what you want). If you don't dump lots of cash into it it will never keep up with modern cars (assuming similar drivers) and you will probably be brining it home on a trailer occasionally if you track it. That being stated a nicely modded well sorted 944t can be reliable and hold its own, but its just more of a handful to drive. You will actually have to do your own heel toe down shifts, you wont click through different settings to find "track mode", you don't have any nannies to save your a$$ when you miss the turn in point, but when you do all those things correctly and pass a new cayman, you feel pretty damn good.

That being stated, i took my S2000 to the track an couldn't believe how much easier it was to drive fast, and its bone stock and old by todays standard. Something to be said for modern tech.

PF

Yes it is a very impressive and brutal car in a modern world of gizmos, touch screens and Multi link suspension.
But I guess it is just that wich makes some people drive a 951 instead.

If one is lucky enough owning one of each is the ultimate.

FrenchToast

Is this a drag car? Circuit car?

Assuming you are capable of handling a big horsepower, rear-engine car (which isn't easy), then the 997 is a better car.

997 benefits from an additional 20 years of Porsche R&D. That said, the 997 is a 15-year old chassis now.

Not sure how the AWD system works though, I think it is an electronically controlled clutch pack center diff and ABS-driven electronic diff lock. Porsche never raced that AWD system so IDK how it lasts.

996+ cars benefit from a large aftermarket as well as huge R&D by Weissach for Cup car and RSR components. Up through the 997, many RSR components can bolt on.

The minimal development Weissach did on the 924/44/68 was never publicly available, nor is it really much good by today's standards. Aftermarket for the 924/44/68 was never very good in its prime.

The 997 isn't without its problems though. Brake calipers have ceramic pucks, GT3s have butter differentials. Even the RSRs have had rear links recalled I think.

If you want to build a fast car, the 997 is a better starting point I think. A corvette is also a good starting point. If you want to make a fast 924/44/68 you'll get problems pretty quickly. But if you make a 997 a lot faster than it is, then you'll still run into problems. It's all about how far you want to go.

If you want to go fast and not wrench, get one of many factory-built race cars. They're available brand-new as of this writing in all sorts of varieties, from 50 to 500k (or more).

stilov

I sort of feel like many of you didn't actually read the whole post.

I already own a 997.2tt. I do not own the 944.

There is no racing, no track, etc.

I just wanted the 944 peeps perspective.

Get a basic 944 turbo or pump my 997 to 600-650 whp.

If I buy the 944, I would still keep my 997.2tt tuned and exhaust. I would just add a car to the stable.

rlm328

You are talking to 951 (944 Turbo) junkies. The 951 is probably the best balanced car Porsche ever built. You will not be happy with a stock 951 at it will be between 225hp and 250hp. Depending on your budget this can be increased to 350hp fairly cheaply. A reliable 500hp machine can be upgraded for between $8k and $10k.

Once you drive a 951 you will understand the passion most of have for driving a 30 yo car. You will park the 997.

Big Swole

Funny, I have a 997.2TTS (tune & exhaust = 600whp with good air) and have considered a 944 as a fun daily / secondary also.

I say leave the 997TT as is and get a 944 to enjoy also.

Remember, He who dies with the most toys Wins!!

rlm328

Yeah, but the insurance can be a biatch.

Turbodan

his post says he had a 951 already so he has driven one.
I say add the 951 if you have space. I have 996 turbo and think they are complimentary of each other. my 951 is also a track car so can push it hard without risking too much.