Thoughts on 1999 Porsche 911 Carrera as a dedicated track car?
 

OK - so Michael and I are thinking about getting a dedicated track car that is also street legal (so I have something fun to drive). Anything we should be particularly aware of pertaining to the 1999 911s? We seem to be honing in one this one:

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...ple=WHITE&mmt=[POR[911[]][]]&listingId=378205912

Thanks, Pat

Observation: watercooled 996 and 997 motors from 99 to about 07 seem to like to blow up a lot on track.

X2

x3. My friend just spent ~16k having his 05s motor rebuilt. Very happy now, but not happy when it happened on a car he thought he was caring for very well. Never saw any track time. Has been read the riot act; will take a longer 20+ minute commute to work...

No longer for sale ?

There seems to be no rhyme or reason to these car's engines failing. The 99's didn't have the same IMS that some of the later cars had. From my experience with 2 996's I'd have no problem buying another. Just make sure a few updates are completed like the X51 oil baffle and a transmission cooler if it's going to be a dedicated track car. The Porsche Motor sports air oil separator is a must too.

Here is the IMS story :
http://imsretrofit.com/

For the track, you want at least a roll bar and preferably a cage. Also race seats with 6-point harnesses on both seats. A cage, and harnesses, and a stiff suspension make for a not-paricularly-comfortable street car. I build my race car to be street legal so I could drive to the track, and then bought a trailer and tow vehicle. I can't imagine driving even to Summit Point, although I do drive it to the shop.

one thing to be aware of is that the 99 996 was available with LSD which would be nice for a dual use car.

The 996 is good value for money for a 911. One issue with tracking a streetable 911, especially ones that have a rollbar/cage, is that they have limited capacity to hold extra gear, tires, people, tools, etc. Next post will be...WTB trailex :)

Go for it! 996/997s make great track cars. Get a good PPI (including the overrevs), install the upgrades if not already done, then drive the snot out of it. If a true dedicated track tool then you will prolly be looking for the edge a lot more than a DD. So chances are you could ball it up before the engine grenades anyway :p

As DAve said "WTB trailer" IS in your future. Even if it's just a tyre trailer ;)

No such thing as a dedicated track car that can be driven on the street. What makes a car a Safer Track car makes it a poor unsafe street car.

Full cage with real door bars proper halo seat, proper belts, right side net, bolted poly carbonate windsheld, all the plastic and cloth removed from the drivers compartment, fire supression, track susp setup and the like.

If you are looking for a DE car that has some improved safety and is still street legal that you will need to compromise between the two needs, legal and track safe.