mkhn

I found a car that has a build date of 7/96. Is that still really considered a 1997 model. I'm checking into a car who's VIN number says its a 1997, but its build date is 7/96. I just want to make sure it really has all the mods that were included in the 1997, ie. stronger tranny and ECU.

Thanks.

OldGuy

I have no earthly idea how automanufacturers do this or
how it works exactly but the model year is up to them.
it starts with some around Oct, so you would figure a july
build date to meet an oct deliver date might not be out
of the equation. But for what you are doing it might be
wise to call PNA to make sure.
OG

Rick in Portland

That sounds like a 96. I believe they change year models after the factory shutdown in early August. What does the title or registration say?

Rick
www.993TT.com

ca993twin

My 1996 TT has a build date of 3/95. Go figure. 7/96 is certainly a 1997. The best way to be sure is to rev it to 5000 rpm and side step the clutch. Then see if the transmission howls in first gear to the key of "D"... thats a 1996; if it howls to the key of "E", you got yourself a 1997.

Seriously, the big changes for 1997 were a "slightly" stronger first gear, but still not up to the abuse you can do in a TT, the ECU is more readily programmable, and the turbo hoses have orange ends... they're a little beefier also.

mkhn

Steve, I didnt know you were so musically inclined.

I wasn't really able to tell or I can't remember whether the hoses were orange, but the certificate of authenticity says its a 1997 and the VIN comes up as a 1997 TT, so I guess that's all the proof I need so far. I haven't had a chance to see the title and won't be able to till next Wednesday. All this waiting is killing me. This is the second time I have been close to the "One" so I'm hoping this will pan out. Wish me luck. Hope to meet you all someday at a meet or possibly at Viperbob's souping up our toys.

Mike

Autobahn

Steve,

I have a '97 and my hoses do not have orange ends. Are you sure that this was standard on the '97?

Corte Loco

As I understand the production from october 1996 trhu 1998 all came with the ECU-DME reprogamable. The orange part of the hoses are the top and bottom, where the clamp goes and came in 1998 as replacement part, but not from the factory.

mkhn

Corte Loco,

Where did you hear that from?

Mike

enthusiast

I understand your concern over build date and VIN as you desire those few new items that the 1997 model year has. There build periods vary a lot. I would expect Porsche to keep it straight, by VIN, as it doesn't help their network of dealers/mechanics when you put model year 1996 components on the model year 1997.

I think you need to get the details from PCNA on this specific car. The part number for the engine control unit might be all you have to varify to ensure it is a MY 1997.

Remember all the confusion over the 993 electrical wiring harness recall? It was clarified when Porsche announced the affected cars by VIN and wiring harness part numbers.

ksimpson

Many of the European car manufactures introduce new variants after their summer holidays in August. Therefore anything from September of this year will be a 2004 model. I would have thought that 7/96 would be a 96 model rather than a 97, but I'm sure these dates can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Only sure way is to contact Porsche and verify.

Corte Loco

Hi MKHN. When I bought my tt engine from a german dealer I asked for a new set of IC hoses and belts. I was curious on orange top and bottom part of the hoses that looks different, so I asked the same question to the dealer in Germany. He told me that info.

Regards