fbfisher

The SAI port issues resulting in the dreaded CEL illumination on the '96-'98 993 are a total pain and a very expensive, and always temporary, fix. If I were to buy a 993 again, I would only consider a '95 for this reason. What you gain in the later 993 years does not make up for the absurdity of being stuck with the SAI issue forever.

fbfisher

[QUOTE=DoubleNutz;13294027]LMAO...C'mon get over it. The 997 is not even close to a 993 is any way except its engine is in the rear and has round headlamps... It's a 996 with wider hips.

They barely look similar... anybody with Stevie Wonders glasses can see that. Heck, the fuel cap isn't even located on the same side!
QUOTE]

That's a great pic of the turbo twins (see what I did there ) and I agree they are different, but are not a massive departure from one another. While us Porsche extremists can recognize the slightest nuance, the general public likely could not tell one generation from another.

goofballdeluxe

Will all due respect, this is not correct information at all. Except for the total pain part

Yes, SAI is a problem with 993s, but as many on the 993 board know, all one needs is some caustic chemical cleaner, a drill, a bass guitar string and a little time, and the ports can be cleared out for about $30 as a DIY.

Temporary? This fix should last about 50K miles or more, if you do a thorough job. Then, it's another hour or two. Oh, and another $30.

If you're not mechanically inclined, a mechanic who specializes in air-cooled Porsches can clear it out for a few hours of labor charge.

Sure beats the cost of depreciation

rodH

The 997 is an evolution of the 996, with a return to the retro styling cues of the 993, with a slightly more modern take.

Where is the confusion in what the OP is trying to say? If you see a 993 and 997 sitting next to each other they look more similar than a 997 and a 996. That doesn't mean whats under the skin is as similar, as that would be a 996 and 997. People can deny it all they want, but the round lights are probably the most profound styling cue on the 911, the 996 doesn't have them. Period. Frankly, the 997 looks much more like a 991 than a 996 as well, but on a smaller scale

DoubleNutz

The SAI issue was always a huge PITA on my 96 993 Cab... solution after the second fix GOT RID OF IT!

DoubleNutz

The wide body that the 997 adopted came from the 996C4S and 996TT... not the 993 the 993 and 997 look nothing alike... not even in the wildest dream.

fbfisher

Actually, all of the information I provided is correct. The fix is expensive, and it's not a permanent fix. What you describe is a workaround that Porsche never intended when they designed the engine.

Does not look like things have changed a lot since the arcane methods we 993 owners used back in the day. #1, I'm not a DIY guy. #2, it's just plain stupid that such a "fix" would need to become part of routine maintenance on a car with an original MSRP north of $90K (my 993). #3, I'm not aware that the mystery about how our why the SAI ports get clogged has ever been solved and certainly recall that mileage had little to do with it. "drive it hard and you won't have a problem" was the best, and useless, advice that was available.

Glad there is an "easy" solution for this. I'd still buy a '95 if I wanted a 993 again - which I don't.

DoubleNutz

+1

goofballdeluxe

I don't recall the IMS failure with the 996/early 997 series was what Porsche originally "intended", but their subsequent "workaround" fixed the problem. Those IMS cars also had an MSRP of $90K in many cases. By the way, car makes have workarounds all the time; they are called recalls.

It sounds like you're better off in a new Porsche. You are not aware about a lot of things SAI related because the clogging of the SAI ports is, in fact, mileage related. And since you're not a DIY guy, I can tell you with great certainty that this SAI fix, done correctly, can be fixed the first time, and at little cost. Many 993 owners can attest to this fact.

You are entitled to your opinions, but they are in fact incorrect. If you want to argue for your limitations, I'll of course allow you keep them

rodH

Of course they aren't going to look EXACTLY the same one car is 20 years newer, but they are "similar" in styling cues. Much more "similar" than any 2 models of cars that are 20+ years apart. Ever compare a 20 year old Vette, Merc, BMW, or even Ferrari or Lambo?

Not sure what the argument is, porsche and all the mags made statements such as "porsche getting back to its roots with the round headlights and wider hips...." So are they all just a bunch of fools?

DoubleNutz

The argument is that the 997 did not take its widebody style from the 993. The 997's widebody style originated on the 996C4s and 996TT. The only body styling the 997 has with all 911's other than the 996 is the round headlamps and nothing more. When it comes to the 997's body style it's foundation is solely an evolution of the 996C4S and 996TT .

The 996C4S


The 997

rodH

Which, like I said, is probably the most profound styling characteristic of the 911, with maybe the C-Pillar and roof line also being important but not quite as significant or iconic. You are talking about wide body/hips, but to the average Joe, ask them to take a look at the front end of the 996 and 997 and then take a look at the rear end hips of the same model year 997 wide body vs NB and ask them what is a more significant difference. Most people won't be able to tell the wider rear end on the 997 WB vs NB and I would be willing to bet everyone of them could see an instant difference between the front lights on the 997 vs 996 (while they may be hard pressed to see a difference between the egg yokes on an early 996 vs a boxster). Another point is that the standard 996 had NO HIPS at all, while the standard 993 and 997 did. As you mentioned, you had to have a 996TT or C4S to have any of that design (another "similarity" the base 997 has with a base 993).

The round headlights define the 911. The wide rear end Is much more subtle

Quadcammer

Agree, what stupid posts by fbf. I'm sure bore scoring is preferable to some clogged sai ports

DoubleNutz

However the egg yolk style lamps originated on the 996, all 911's prior to the 996 with the exception of the 911GT1 have round headlamps not just the 993, which is my point the 997 looks nothing like a 993... the overall vehicle is a spot on identical to the 996. I don't know anybody that looks at a 993 or earlier model 911 and thinks it looks anything like a 997 . In fact in a profile view of the 996 and 997, without looking at the headlamps anybody not familiar with 911 will tell you the 996 and 997 are the identical car.

cvtbenhogan

The 996 looks a lot like a 997. 993 looks different to me. Best looking air cooled is the version before the 964. The 964 is better looking than the 993 IMHO. The 997 looks near perfect save alittle too much overhang when viewed from the side.