darth g-f

Well, I've driven my car for the last 2 years. It's been mostly great except the damn 2ndgear popup, but that's been, thankfully, repaired under warranty by my Porsche dealer.

Now, the extended warranty ends in may. Car is a 2003 X50 with 52,000km. It runs perfectly, but it's entering an age where things start to break.

So I decided to sell the car. I got two interested buyers right now. But as I shop around for another car, there's not much (if anything) that comes close to the performance to dollar ratio that I have with the 996TT.

So, I figured I might make the car more interesting by modding it a bit. First an exhaust and later maybe new turbos (K24/18).

All of you 996tt owners are basically in the same boat as me. It's either sell while it's running great, or keep it long enough that things start to break. I'm torn because I know now is a good time to sell. But at the same time, what else could be as fun and powerful in that price range?

Anything that could help me clear my head would be appreciated.

leftlane

Your car is just breaking in - if you've maintained it correctly then just enjoy it and don't sweat it. There isn't an expiration date on it, is there?

Carlo_Carrera

52k is nothing on these cars. There is a guy here with over 300k on his TT.

Forget a new exhaust. Some do nothing to add performance and some actually hurt performance.

Do the bigger turbos an get your ECU flashed with high performance software. It will feel like different car. And try some adjustable sway bars. With them fitted you can really fine tune the handling and balance.

jumper5836

IMO Best bang for your buck is the Corvette C5 Z06 followed by C6 Z06, then the 996tt. After that you need to really put in a lot more money to have newer with the same or less performance and for me going double the money for a newer 997tt is pointless. It is really not much quicker when modded and the negative is its heavier and its lost the rwd feel that the 996tt has, plus I hate the warts on the front bumper and don't like the tail pipes inside the bumper. With the same money I could probably be in a new C7 Z51 or 997 GT3.

jbossolo

UMW flash, exhaust. You'll fall in love again. Trust me.

SammyTownPfan

I'm with Jbossolo. I have a '04 X50 and did the UMW flash, 1 bar wastegates and a Europipe II Quiet exhaust. Completely different car now and so much more fun.

carbonjim996tt

I haven't even picked up my 20,000 mile TT yet and I can't wait to put some mileage on it. I agree with the others here. Do some tasteful mod's and it will re-energize you! Good luck.
Jim

PAULUNM

A good set of coilovers and corner balance really transforms the car. That and a UMW tune, you'll keep it forever. GT3 what?

darth g-f

Thanks everyone for the replies. It helps put some perspective to my decision.

I already have UMW flash and wastegates. I want an exhaust and I am gathering info on new turbos. If 500hp is fun, 600hp must be 20% more fun isn't it.

jbossolo

^ That's the spirit! My 02' X50 has 542hp at the wheels. It keeps up with them 997 GT3 RS's just fine, thank you!

John D II

IMO, this is seriously poor advice and nothing could be further from the truth! A good aftermarket exhaust with 100 cell Hi-Flow cats will really wake up the 996TT and combined with a flash, a good exhaust will work in unison to transform the car to a new level. We have seen better than a 40 AWHP increase vs. the OEM exhaust with our exhaust and tune on a 996TT with upgraded turbos such as K24/18G or K16/16G.

Not to mention the enjoyment the aural upgrade will bring over the boring OEM sound.

From a performance standpoint, the 996TT takes extremely well to a high flowing exhaust - the biggest issue is that the 996TT is prone to drone and that requires special considerations when designing and developing an exhaust for the 996TT...

fly2low

Just passed 50k on the mileage
Already did the UMW flash and Europipe
Just put on a new set of wheels
Ordered JRZ RS1s today
Guess you know which fork I chose

By the way, upgrading power without upgrading the exhaust does not make a lot of sense. Every upgrade whether software or hardware benefits from a free flowing exhaust system

Carlo_Carrera

Everyone seems to think the stock exhaust is garbage but I have seen first hand some highly regarded aftermarket systems yield a lower dyno number than a bone stock system. I am not BSing, beware and dyno any aftermarket exhaust vs stock. You might be surprised.