MTR

I'm in the market for a 996 Turbo and have been researching quite a bit, but I would like to get owners opinions on how much more the X50 option is worth in today's used market.

I've read that there is not much difference in performance when comparing a stock turbo versus stock X50 turbo, and that the K24s noticeably lag when compared to the K16s. But that there is a noticeable difference with a tune which wakes up the larger turbos.

Seems like the $17.5K option doesn't hold that much of a premium, but is it worth paying $2-3k more over a similar speced turbo without X50?

Thanks,
Mike

"02996ttx50

about 2k these days. there iS s decided difference 414 vs 444 and porsche has always been traditionally low on their hp estimates.

rmc1148

If you leave it stock maybe just a tune yes but if you plan on mods like turbo upgrade no.

MTR

Planning on using it as a weekend car with hopefully a few DE events at Sebring, etc. I'm sure the stock power of either is plenty to keep me happy on the road course, but I wonder if the larger intercoolers will avoid heat soak better in the brutal Florida heat.

Also, does anyone know if a PPI can show if the car has ever been flashed? I found a decent turbo for sale with an aftermarket exhaust and intake. Dealer claims it doesn't have a tune, but why would an owner spent the cash on those two mods and not reflash and get the best bang for the buck increase.

993GT

IMO...if tracking, get the X50
Sounds like the car has an EVOMS package on it, the typical airbox, tune and exhaust...

"02996ttx50

^ what makes you believe that? have i missed a post or link?! lol

anyone inspecting the car for you ppi or not should be able to ascertain fairly quickly whether or not the car has been tuned, as the boost numbers ( provided there are no boost or other obvious issues ) should tell the tale. you in fact could tell i would bet.

generally a 16 car will boost to .7 with possible spikes of 8 depending upon cool weather conditions ( cars like fog lol ) while the x50 k24 car will give you consistent 8's with an occasional 9 thrown in. rob says for the track, and i would only add that pound for pound the car equipped w x50 is the sweeter car. but i wasn't a fan of that lag, though once it stops laggin" your tongue'll be waggin".

but on balance most guys that keep their cars and MOD them don't keep either stock 16 or 24's, but for everyday sh*ts and giggles either will do just fine. tuned of course good luck

duh. op found a car with exhaust and intake.... why i gotta read stuff twice lol. sorry rob

993GT

just seems like the typical EVOMS(who else really makes a cold-air intake..) package every owner bought 10years ago, lol
k24=more flow up top/efficiency
k16=less lag/more responsive
Mark's right, if you are a mega-power kind of guy, don't worry which OEM setup you'll get as you will probably upgrade the turbos anyhow
Cheers,
Rob

MTR

I've been down the high HP route before but eventually got into DE events which I found to be more enjoyable. And I quickly found out that: driver mod > more HP in most cases. So I think with the 996 I'll just leave it on the stock turbos and enjoy it with basic bolt ons. Should be more than enough power to chase down a majority of cars on track if prepped and driven correctly.

With a manual's gearing when do the turbos spool up on the K16s vs K20s? If you keep the revs up are both cars similar in response or does the K16s have a more linear torque application?

"02996ttx50

bolt on's are enough to get anyone in here into trouble, if they **** up! i have hybrids that spool from 2k but i'm not opening that can o worms again lol. but just grab one of these before people figure this insanity price wise out. the depressed value of these reminds me of gold price fixing, but unlike metals lol i don't think there's any conspiracy here, just that the 996 is still considered a red haired stepcar, and that at least for now accrues to potential buyers. but certainly not sellers!

MTR

Did you have the stock K24s on your X50 before the hybrids? How did they spool comparatively?

"02996ttx50

different cars. hybrids are infinitely better for me, my driving,.. can't even compare really. i used to think of my old x50 car as like an old school two stroke motorbike that would bog until it got on the pipe and hit its stride. you know what i mean.

that what a stock x50 car is like. i never had it flashed. this current 16/24 tt has most bolt ons to get me to about 500/525 rwhp. it's the same car yet totally different power/tq curve. there is NO lag at all.

993GT

off the line K24's lag a bit, but with a good tune the car pulls reasonably well off boost anyway...
once you're on the move there's no lag if driven like a sports car..
a K24 car can be very quick and take down cars that 'should' be faster...my best trap speed in the 1/4 is 127.xx mph(94oct pump gas, tune+exhaust, PCCB's)...regularly do 124's mph on my new conservative 91oct 'roadcourse' tune(very heavy iron brakes now too)...
k16 will be a better city car, k24 a better highway car...and hybrids a mix of both, but not necessarily a good track turbo..

"02996ttx50

^ i think thats right. they go from a crazy 16 to a 24 then run out of juice. just never before i need them to.

well put.

dubyaTT

I have never reallly understood the disdain for X50 cars on popular Porsche forums.
If you drive stock cars back to back the K24s feel like the better choice.
If you drive flashed cars back to back that opinion is only reinforced.
If you do any supporting mods then it only makes even more sense.
The lag argument may be valid, but most could argue you are simply in the wrong gear.
Is it still worth $17k? No.
Is it the better choice? Yes.
Most K16 owners use it for the basis of their upgrades.
Enough said?

MTR

Rob,

127mph is very stout for any car with simple bolt-ons, and 124mph is more than enough for a safe road course tune. So I assume the X50 and GT2 respond similarly to mods since they both use the same turbos/intercoolers/displacement. Engine-wise are they the same or does the GT2 have extra improvements such as exotic materials for rods/pistons, etc?

Also, I've read that once reflashed the X50 typically goes through the stock clutch quickly whereas a reflashed K16 car can get by on the OEM disk/pp. Any experience with that?