1999 996 Tuning
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1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
1999 996 Tuning
I'm a 16 year old who owns a red 1999 996 as a first car in beautiful condition, i race it in autocross at the Connecticut valley region and was wondering how i could tune it to get more horsepower out of it, remember i am 16 and do not know lot about Porsche yet but i am learning much from older pca members who have now became my friends. btw the car is naturally aspirated.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 622
Likes: 3
From: Calgary, AB
You need to read up on the rules for your class before considering any power modifications -- if not, you can accidentally modify your way into a class where you'd be hopelessly uncompetitive without thousands of dollars of additional modifications.
That aside, as a new autocrosser, you'd be much, much, much better off spending your money on driving schools and seat time as opposed to power mods, especially since adding more power to Porsches is pretty pricey.
That aside, as a new autocrosser, you'd be much, much, much better off spending your money on driving schools and seat time as opposed to power mods, especially since adding more power to Porsches is pretty pricey.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,400
Likes: 39
From: McKinney, Texas
You need to read up on the rules for your class before considering any power modifications -- if not, you can accidentally modify your way into a class where you'd be hopelessly uncompetitive without thousands of dollars of additional modifications.
That aside, as a new autocrosser, you'd be much, much, much better off spending your money on driving schools and seat time as opposed to power mods, especially since adding more power to Porsches is pretty pricey.
That aside, as a new autocrosser, you'd be much, much, much better off spending your money on driving schools and seat time as opposed to power mods, especially since adding more power to Porsches is pretty pricey.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Wadsworth, Ohio
If your tires are OK and the car is in good mechanical condition then mods should be something to plan for well into the future. The fast guys in autocross are the fast drivers. They can jump into your car and beat the pants off of any rookie's times. Like said above, get experience at events and driving instruction. Ride with experienced drivers and even let them drive your car with you riding. You car should handle very well and really does not need more power to be competitive.
Autocross is a blast for a newbie even WHEN you are not close to competitive but it will take seat time to really improve. A modified car will just be harder to learn and will put you in a class where you will be seriously outclassed.
Autocross is a blast for a newbie even WHEN you are not close to competitive but it will take seat time to really improve. A modified car will just be harder to learn and will put you in a class where you will be seriously outclassed.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: East Dundee, IL
I'd work on reliability mods before power. The Return On your Investment is very low with power mods on these cars.
If rules don't matter, work on lightening the car. Getting down to spec996 weight would make the car very quick!
If rules don't matter, work on lightening the car. Getting down to spec996 weight would make the car very quick!
Track Day
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
I autocrossed a '99 996 for a few years, and towards the end I regularly beat a lot of local GT3 drivers.
No horsepower mods needed.
My local PCA has a few rules beyond PCA "stock" rules, and I played those to my advantage: I added the Euro-M030 suspension (these are a bargain from Suncoast). I did get a great autocross alignment from a good local performance shop. I ran Dunlop Direzza ZII tires (I'd run the Star Specs now that they are available). I removed the rear seats (legal under our local "stock" class rules). I upgraded to 18" wheels (it originally came with the 17s) with 8" wide front wheels. My car had the optional limited-slip differential. I upgraded the front seats to some Sparco seats that I got for a great deal.
For non-competitive reasons I also upgraded the stereo head unit, and changed to a newer cigarette lighter socket so that I could use modern USB chargers / GPS / radar detectors / whatever.
All up my car weighed just over 3000lbs.
If I had kept the car longer (I bought a 996 GT3 instead) then I would have: moved to an Odyssey PC925 battery, considered upgrading the shocks, maybe replaced the motor mounts, and considered upgrading to adjustable GT3 sway bars (if legal for the class you want to run in).
At no point did I ever consider power upgrades. You are far better off with investing the money elsewhere, and getting more seat time.
No horsepower mods needed.
My local PCA has a few rules beyond PCA "stock" rules, and I played those to my advantage: I added the Euro-M030 suspension (these are a bargain from Suncoast). I did get a great autocross alignment from a good local performance shop. I ran Dunlop Direzza ZII tires (I'd run the Star Specs now that they are available). I removed the rear seats (legal under our local "stock" class rules). I upgraded to 18" wheels (it originally came with the 17s) with 8" wide front wheels. My car had the optional limited-slip differential. I upgraded the front seats to some Sparco seats that I got for a great deal.
For non-competitive reasons I also upgraded the stereo head unit, and changed to a newer cigarette lighter socket so that I could use modern USB chargers / GPS / radar detectors / whatever.
All up my car weighed just over 3000lbs.
If I had kept the car longer (I bought a 996 GT3 instead) then I would have: moved to an Odyssey PC925 battery, considered upgrading the shocks, maybe replaced the motor mounts, and considered upgrading to adjustable GT3 sway bars (if legal for the class you want to run in).
At no point did I ever consider power upgrades. You are far better off with investing the money elsewhere, and getting more seat time.