Just one more comment/question: I was a bit concerned about the comment by McMaster that the 996 wasn't intended for use on the track.
Is this the general opinion?

 

The 996 was designed primarily as a street car. The GT3 is Porsche's dedicated track car. That doesn't mean that the 996 doesn't make a very fine dual duty street/track car; it just depends on how far you want to take it, and how advanced your driving skills become. For some, the GT3 Cup car is the only solution. But for many (like myself) the 996 is just perfect both on and off track.

 

Thanks for the response Triple Black. I may do a track day or two each year but am more likely to do some auto crosses, in which case, is there an oil starvation issue?

 

Country,
Don't you have a video of you on the track with your current car?

How about post that to the thread.

I'm just trying to point out to the OP that if you do some small things, you most likely will be OK. And your example is it.

Some people complain that it's not track worthy, it's not really a dry sump system blah, blah, blah, but the car can handle it, especially if you are just getting started.

Here's a thread for some thought for the OP.

https://rennlist.com/forums/997-gt2-...r-arrives.html

 

Don't let that stop you.

Check out all the scions, civics, mustangs at the track. Neither is anything close to a "track car" but it don't stop them.

 

Tons of people autocross their M96-powered 996s and Boxsters. The only one I've personally witnessed having an issue was my own Boxster...when my radiator cap crapped out and I puked coolant all over pregrid.

Autocross doesn't generally involve racing tires and high-g corners.

Getting beaten by 914's...THAT is something to worry about. The underpowered cars with wicked suspension can be brutal.

 

Here is a link to one of my track videos - fantastic day at Pacific Raceway with the Pacific Northwest Region PCA. Playing with a couple of 997 GT3's.

 

Nice video! Is that a standard 996/997 or short shifter?

Cheers

 

I have a few videos, let me do some searching and see what I can post.

As a few have said in here, the 996, is not designed as a track car.....go to one event and you will see plenty of them. Treat her right, with the help of a good indie shop and she will reward you for a long time.

If you are only doing one to two events per year, don't bother messing with a decent basic platform. Save you money, go and drive he like it was engineered to be driven. As for AutoX, I have done a few, not so sure that any mods ( 'cept) maybe tires, will make that much difference. It is all about smoothness balance and weight transfer. You shouldn't be concerned about extra airflow and cooling. Even oil starvation would be low on my list of items to worry about, I wouldn't think that there are long corners with high speeds and sustained g -forces. Nonetheless, we are talking about preventative measures so the deep sump oil pan and baffle would be well worth the investment.

My .o2. It is kinda funny when someone shows up at any event, decked to the 9's, all the gear, all the stuff, you know Porsche Motorsport Race Suit, etc., and they are just getting started. I am all for enthusiasm and I am loyal to the brand...I only suggest that anyone show up, learn to "do it" (track or Auto X), speak with a bunch of drivers who have been doing it, get their input and make decisions gradually, you will be better off in the long run and may save quite a few $$$, as some of the items you thought were needed, aren't really going to help........... just sayin' and this is based on years of experience "doing it."

 

I was going to let that comment by McMaster go but since you mentioned it .... It's true the 996 was not intended to be a race car or a competition track vehicle in its' base form. Can you take it to a track and have A LOT of fun, yes. For the amateur driver who will go to the track once or maybe twice a year the 996 is not only "track worthy" it's a track BEAST! Is a Honda Civic a track car? No? Well I've seen plenty on the track. Is a Volvo station wagon a track car? No? I've seen them on the track too! Keep it under 120 miles per hour and you'll be fine.

The Porsche 996 in base form would not be ready for high banked, high speed racing, or extreme corning g forces. But even those things could be addressed for a fairly reasonable sum when put in context of everything else you would need to spend anyway to perform at that level. The types of vehicles that are track ready out of the showroom cost considerably more to start with, so the price was paid.

Take it to the track. If it's an open event with passing and no speed limits BUY TRACK INSURANCE. People do wreck, you could wreck. If it's a "first timer" event with speeds below 100 mph and no passing the chances of wrecking are much lower. YMMV.

 

....

 

I did some checking, and I haven't taken any track videos in a while (they are all a few years old, Lime Rock and Watkins Glen). However, a friend of mine in Montreal just posted a little lead-follow @ Circuit Mont Tremblant, this past September. He drives (quite well, too!) a white Cayman with some suspension and exhaust goodies. The best part is one never really gets to see what your own car looks like/sounds like, but his video takes care of that! I will try to dig it out or get the title.......stay tuned.

Maybe I will use some video next weekend @ VIR............

 

Thanks Dan.
My 996 was totally stock when I recorded that video, except for the custom exhaust and ECU tune (well, with a track oriented alignment and sticky tires). The stock shifter lacks a little precision IMO. Still, it's a blast to drive at the limit and it's a great day on the track when you can keep up with or pass a GT3.

 

Porsche admits that the M96 engine is only good for .8 g's before oil starvation issues arise. Mantissport deep sump solves that problem. Either 1.2 L or a 2L versions are available, ground clearance only lost by 5/8" with the 1.2 L, and another 3/8' with the 2 L version. Both come with windage trays. A 2 L version for 9A1 engines will be available soon. December release.

 

Here is some real experience. It was preventable for comparatively little.
There is a useful "What we learned on the Track" Section to the Forum somewhere.
https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...s-learned.html