996 tracking?
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 216
Likes: 5
We have tons of speed bumps around here and I heard a big bang once, but couldn't locate where it hit, maybe it was the exhaust tips but sounded more solid, I was going a little faster than I should have and now I only go super slow, never had a problem with oem suspension.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,562
Likes: 30
From: Miami, Fl.
We have tons of speed bumps around here and I heard a big bang once, but couldn't locate where it hit, maybe it was the exhaust tips but sounded more solid, I was going a little faster than I should have and now I only go super slow, never had a problem with oem suspension.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 807
Likes: 2
From: Monterey Park, CA
I can speak from experience from blowing an engine at the track. My car actually sucked down a valve and chewed up my engine. What I do know that more and more of the IMS problems seem to be from cars driven not very hard. Most of the IMS problem I have seen at the track are usually cars with many miles on them and had no history of a change. My experience is that my problem stemed more from my car running hot than an inherit problem with the IMS. I should have installed a third radiator or CSF radiators. It also could be from me as I notice that if I short shifted more my car tended to run cooler. I guess it depends on how hard do you drive the car. The faster you are with DOT R and redlining it , will be harder on the car no matter what make or brand that it is. My advice is that you should get the upgrades. Replace your IMS, get a deep pan for DOT R , change that water pump, and get a third radiator. That should make you ready for the track. BTW water pumps issue will destroy an engine regardless if you track a car or drive it like Miss Daisy. They need to be changed if the pump is too old.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 268
Likes: 1
From: Virginia
You only live once…do it! Guaranteed regret if you don’t, low percentage regret if you don’t. I just change my water pump and thermostat and flushed the cooling system before this track season as PM. Change the oil every 2-3 events you will be golden.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,562
Likes: 30
From: Miami, Fl.
Jetskied I also dropped a valve seat which resulted in a rebuild and upgrade to 3.8. I wasn't at the track, only driving 15mph leaving brunch.... Point is you can have a failure anytime in any car doing anything. If op wants to track it then collectively our advice is maintain car, mod as necessary and drive the **** of it.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 216
Likes: 5
Last month Panorama magazine Tech Q&A fielded a question whether the 996 engines were reliable enough for track use. The editor did not feel that these engines were up to the task (IMS, water pump etc). He also expressed the opinion that the IMS fix was not a lasting soln and that engine failure could happen even with the IMS repair in a track situation.
My guess:
991 GT3
GT2
997.2 GT3
991 turbo ? I know they're fast, but heavy, may not be the best track car
991 ? (too new to determine durability?)
997.1 GT3
996 GT3
?
?
?
996 at the bottom
Where would the Mezger turbos fall in? and the 997.2?
I know Mezger had issues with coolant pipes and some engines blew but aren't they pretty much bullet proof?
thoughts?
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Michael S. Palmer
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 151
Likes: 1
Drive the **** out of it.
I do. I swear to god I must be one of the few rare breed that honestly don't think twice-not even for a split second;about the IMS.
Laugh now, cry later.
**though the oil starvation at high Gs is a real issue I've heard.
I do. I swear to god I must be one of the few rare breed that honestly don't think twice-not even for a split second;about the IMS.
Laugh now, cry later.
**though the oil starvation at high Gs is a real issue I've heard.
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,896
Likes: 887
Just track it! If it blows, it blows... that's part of the fun of driving a car hard. You're probably more likely to miss a shift and destroy your engine and/or transmission than have it fly apart on its own. No 3rd radiator, IMS kit, or water pump will help then... Overall it's still cheaper than a GT3 engine to replace, no?
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Midwest - Zero land
Yeah, Blackhawk is what I have been running for DE events, great place to learn for a newbie! Paul, your link to your blog about oil starvation at Blackhawk was informative. Ive just been doing this 2 years but isnt it shocking how many people actually stay with the sport - less than 10% of newbies actually run a second year WHATEVER the car! Why is that?
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,431
Likes: 14
From: Gator Nation
I track the **** out of my 996. Original dual row IMS, deep sump baffle kit from FVD, ROW 30 suspension, roll bar, racing seats and harnesses and that's it.
I have seen more non Porsches fail on the track than Porsches. Seen plenty of brand new Camaros and Vettes bite the dust. But,I have seen many a Porsche crash out but that is a different story. Any car can blow a motor so I just enjoy it until my number comes up, which is hopefully not before I get a GT3.
I have seen more non Porsches fail on the track than Porsches. Seen plenty of brand new Camaros and Vettes bite the dust. But,I have seen many a Porsche crash out but that is a different story. Any car can blow a motor so I just enjoy it until my number comes up, which is hopefully not before I get a GT3.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 83
Likes: 3
From: USA
Interesting post. I picked up my 03NB in Feb, specifically so I could do DE with it out here in NorCal (I live about 20 mins from Sonoma Raceway).
My car came with just the right options: x51, M030, sport seats, and short shift kit.
Based on above posts, sounds like x51 kit may have me covered on the oil sump/baffle mod, correct? Also, I believe that kit adds a radiator?
Just curious, as I've got four track days coming up in the next three weeks, and I've already done two. I do notice a big belch of blue smoke when I start the car for my next session after I've done one at the track. Based on what I've read, this is not something to be majorly concerned about - and can be somewhat mitigated by letting the car idle for a minute before shutting it off after a session. It doesn't do this during normal use - only at the track.
As for IMS, when I bought the car the clutch was pretty much done, so I just did IMS and clutch at same time - 40k miles.
Thanks for any info/suggestions re current set up. And as others have said, regardless of any of this I'm going to drive the thing like I stole it, and worry about cleaning up the mess as/when I need to.
My car came with just the right options: x51, M030, sport seats, and short shift kit.
Based on above posts, sounds like x51 kit may have me covered on the oil sump/baffle mod, correct? Also, I believe that kit adds a radiator?
Just curious, as I've got four track days coming up in the next three weeks, and I've already done two. I do notice a big belch of blue smoke when I start the car for my next session after I've done one at the track. Based on what I've read, this is not something to be majorly concerned about - and can be somewhat mitigated by letting the car idle for a minute before shutting it off after a session. It doesn't do this during normal use - only at the track.
As for IMS, when I bought the car the clutch was pretty much done, so I just did IMS and clutch at same time - 40k miles.
Thanks for any info/suggestions re current set up. And as others have said, regardless of any of this I'm going to drive the thing like I stole it, and worry about cleaning up the mess as/when I need to.
