Ritter v4.0

Isn't the answer pretty simple; run your car vs. your stock 996 buddy then switch cars and compare deltas. But this leaves a big variable being one driver in a unfamiliar car.
Or better just run your car then his. Even if you run yours at 9/10's and his at 7/10's (because its borrowed) you should have some ETs that you can extrapolate some rough conclusions.

Do that at a technical track like Barber. Then repeat at a faster track like VIR. Now you've got some comparative data and can make some objective statements.

Ok, so its not that simple.

Patrick E

I think I can give a decent answer here since I've owned both an "F" stock prepped '87 3.2 on R-comps and a relatively stock 996 (minor suspension work) on MPSCs. Therefore I can take the driver out of the equation when comparing lap times. At VIR (HP track), I'm several seconds faster in the 996. However, at Roebling Road where suspension is critical, the cars are similar with the old car being a second or so quicker. My old car was so well set up that I could drive most of the sweepers there flat out with minor steering corrections while the new car is little trickier to balance. Of course, this is with me driving. In the hands of a better driver results would probably differ.

Brian P

I would agree that in the hands of a lesser driver, the 996 is going to be faster. Basically, the limiting factor for a lesser driver is the driver, not the car. And the place that we are going to see the difference is in the corners (even a newbie can drive fast in a straight line).

So, the lesser driver is going to drive the 996 faster in a straight line, and won't approach the limits of the older car in the corners. Essentially, the entire advantage of the older car is given up in the hands of a lesser driver.

For anybody who has been stuck behind a fast car driven by a slow driver, this isn't really a revelation...

MUSSBERGER

"99 986 - Returned to leasing company after 61 DE days"

That still cracks me up Brian

sechsgang

With racing pads and r comps, ya, the 996 may be faster for a lap or two...but after you start pushing it, the car with the better setup will eventually lead IMHO.
Setup makes a huge difference when your talking more than A hotlap...

Veloce Raptor

I think the premise in the OP was "completely stock 996". This means NO race pads and street tires.

Brian P

If that's the case, then there is no way that a 996 is staying with the 3.2. I assumed that with Paolo running in white/black, that the 996 had both pads and R-compounds. That would at least make it somewhat close (with the 3.2 still being faster)

FredC

Paolo,

Autobahn Country Club North Track http://www.drivefastbesafe.com/PDFs/northmap.pdf

Best time in my 2003 Carrera (3.6 liter engine) w/ sport cups and no other mods: 1:12.342 / my best time with continental sportcontacts was 1:15.xxx
Best time in my 1985 Carrera fully race prepared for E-stock w/ Hoosier R6s: 1:13.421

Very similar weather in both cases.

That is one short twisty turny track by the way. This suggests to me that a stock 996 carrera with DOT approved tires will normally beat a 3.2 that is race ready for E-stock class.

BostonDMD

I probably wasn't very clear.....

The person told me stock 996 with stock suspension..... I would bet he had race pads and R-compounds.....who doesn't in a White run group?

I never thought I could make up 100 HP with a track suspension......but I guess I could be wrong....

Anyway, it doesn't matter...... I still have a long way to go before becoming a decent driver.....and doing 2:11s at the Glen......

Thank you all.....

Sean F

I agree it's track dependent. At LRP in both I know I'd run a better time in Paolo's car than a stock 996. Not so sure about the Glen though. IIRC Paolo's car has a chip, race gears and bigger than stock brakes. That car would be F prepared now...not a fair comparison. Take a current E car and I think the 996 wins. a track prepped 996 should do a 2:08 or lower at the Glen...an E car 2:12.

BostonDMD

Good point.....
I have shaved Toyos, do you think Hoosiers are faster? and could I gain some time at the Glen with R6s?

BostonDMD

Yes, my car has got the works........

It only needs a competent driver........

FredC

Don't tell me that you are still not running R6s! Come on!

Veloce Raptor

Oh, come on....

Brian P

The debate was about Paolo's car vs a stock 996, so I'm not sure what you mean about it not being a fair comparison.

Carl Tallardy did a 2:08 in a track prepped 996. In my mind, the question is "do you think stock vs. track prep is worth 4+ seconds?" If it's worth less than that, than the stock 996 is likely faster than Paolo's car.

Here's what "track prepped" gets you:
1) Much better suspension
2) Weight is actually near the stated weight for the car. If the 996 is anything like my boxster, then the curb weight listed for the 996 is at least 100-200 pounds less than the true weight.
3) Headers/exhaust changes that would be good for 10-20 HP

I think all of the above is worth more than 4 seconds.