Friend who's been DE'ing for a few years is contemplating converting his street legal C2 to ultimately a PCA CR car. If it were me I would look into buying a pro-built Spec Boxster. Fun factor, operating expense, initial cost I would think point to the boxster vs. a C2 conversion. Any thoughts?

 

If $$ is an issue always go with (whatever) pro-built class car, period.

 

He's well funded but not reckless with $$. My thought is a rookie racer could enjoy the Boxster as much as the C2, just wondered if other's agree.

 

Yeah, I agree, either would be a great choice. Spec 996 may be a bit easier to come up to speed with, since well set up they are much more forgiving under trail braking.

 

Becomes a matter of choice. He can buy a SPB (one near me FS for "asking $30K") that's a winning/record holding car). To have a pro shop mutilate his street car will come close to that. He can have both his C2 and a SPB for about the same $$... next question is how populated is SPB where he races.

 

With respect to costs, conventional wisdom always says buy, don't build. And in terms of initial outlay, that wisdom is right. It will always be cheaper to buy an existing car. However, almost without exception, as you become more discriminating about what you want in a race car, you will end up putting more money into the already-built race car. It will be something. Seats, belts, data system, wheels, suspension bits, steering wheel, quick release, cage reinforcement,... something or other. I would figure in $5000 worth of expenses above and beyond the purchase price.

SpecBox is a great way to go, particularly if the fields are big in your area. The cars a fun to drive. The lack of HP is both good and bad. Good for developing skills, frustrating to some who crave more speed. Some of the SpecBox guys have mentioned to me that the suspensions in the cars sometimes frustrate them, as I understand it due to all the rubber bushings and the PSS9's. But they are still a blast to drive and the racing is good.

I'm biased, but if you want the best speed/dollar, Spec996 is hard to beat. In Texas, the class runs ahead of nearly all the Stock letter classes, and just short of the cups. The 996 platform is a very honest one, and as VR points out, responds to trail braking very nicely. Lots of fun to drive. Fields are smaller in SP996, but growing.

 

Thanks, didn't realize $25-$30/k will take a street C2 to competitive PCA CR car, thought is was more like $50/K. Guess if it were me I would stick with the C2 since I already had the car and know the history. VR knows the 996C2 I was using to base the cost.

 

You can build a very nice SP996 with $25k-$30k that will open up a can of whupass on the PCA letter cars...

 

PM sent

 

996 Spec are far superior in every way to the Spec Box platform from handling to speed. That said, the Spec Box is a great car to learn how to drive/race. I went from a GT3 cup to a Spec Box for a year to improve my skills and it worked quite well thank you. If I already had the 996 platform I woudn't think twice about building into a 996 Spec.

BTW I'm don't believe it cost anywhere near $25k for that conversion.

I also heard this morning that one of the 4 original 996 Specs here in So Cal is for sale. It's been rarely driven the past 2+ years and is a great car with all the class specs including the JRZ package. I have no idea what he wants for it but if anyone's interested PM me and I'll forward his e-address......

 

I just completed a C2 conversion to Spec996 and you can definitely do it for the $'s noted.

 

SP996 You KNOW you want to...

 

go on....

I have a 996 C2 that I would like to eventually convert to Spec 996. I'd like to hear budget/time/process/parts/etc.

 

interesting, makes sense but I still wouldn't have guessed it.

 

^^^agreed, I think mainly due to the lack of a LSD and the relativly compromised (soft) suspension on the box. Still a hoot tho. The 996 spec is a nice deal but you are taking the $$$ up one more notch. All has to do with your disposable income...