what is an 'early' 3.4 996?
Discussion
nebpor said:
Chris Stott said:
Mine’s a jan ‘00, with PSM, and I think, one of the earliest non-cable. Not that cable makes any difference.
Yes it does, have you driven one?99 and cable here as well.
nebpor said:
Yes it does, have you driven one?
99 and cable here as well.
I've driven multiple 996's, across most of the model range (though never a GT3 99 and cable here as well.
).Can you specifically the feel the benefits of a cable throttle car compared to FBW, when both cars are close to 20 years old and will have multiple aged/worn components?
There are much more important things than cable throttle when driving a 996.
Chris Stott said:
Mine’s a jan ‘00, with PSM, and I think, one of the earliest non-cable. Not that cable makes any difference.
Heretic! 
I'm very happy with the "mechanical" nature of my MY 99 C2, it drives beautifully & the control weights are spot on.
My 3.2 Boxster was e-gas and my 996 is cable. I never really felt the throttle response on the 986 was lacking TBH. (996 GT3 is e-gas?)
...but of course cable throttle makes our exclusive and highly collectable cars even more valuable
edh said:
Heretic!
I'm very happy with the "mechanical" nature of my MY 99 C2, it drives beautifully & the control weights are spot on.
My 3.2 Boxster was e-gas and my 996 is cable. I never really felt the throttle response on the 986 was lacking TBH. (996 GT3 is e-gas?)
...but of course cable throttle makes our exclusive and highly collectable cars even more valuable
I'm very happy with the "mechanical" nature of my MY 99 C2, it drives beautifully & the control weights are spot on.
My 3.2 Boxster was e-gas and my 996 is cable. I never really felt the throttle response on the 986 was lacking TBH. (996 GT3 is e-gas?)
...but of course cable throttle makes our exclusive and highly collectable cars even more valuable
We're slowly turning in to aircooled beards... where every minor spec difference can be debated to the nth degree, and add disproportionate value.
was8v said:
Try and find one that doesn't weep a little.
That is the issue though isn't it. We are not talking about 180k miles late 90's Toyota with a small weep due to wear/tear. Even with a small weep, these dogy flat6 engines could create a potential big bill. I know it, because I ran one with a weeping engine for 4 years, not good 
griffter said:
People seem to forget that cable throttle still controls the spark and fuel with an ecu.
While some later cars (possibly 996.2 and certainly genII cars) have an ecu that can interfere with heel and toe etc, the 996.1 DBW works really well - IMHO.
I think that's the only time it slightly intrudes; heel-and-toeing can sometimes go wrong, as the e-gas can stop brake+throttle. Me, I'll take the PSM that comes with an electronic throttle.While some later cars (possibly 996.2 and certainly genII cars) have an ecu that can interfere with heel and toe etc, the 996.1 DBW works really well - IMHO.
ooid said:
was8v said:
Try and find one that doesn't weep a little.
That is the issue though isn't it. We are not talking about 180k miles late 90's Toyota with a small weep due to wear/tear. Even with a small weep, these dogy flat6 engines could create a potential big bill. I know it, because I ran one with a weeping engine for 4 years, not good It probably took me 10 hours total to remove my gearbox, replace the Rear Main Seal, lock the cams, remove the IMS bearing cover, flip the seal off the IMS bearing, reseal the cover with plenty of liquid gasket, and for a new clutch and flywheel.
On my back on my drive in the snow. If I did again it would be done in a day.
I was quoted £600 labour to do the job but chose to do it myself. The rear main seal as £15 and clutch and flywheel about £450 parts.
Not a difficult job and hardly a big bill.
I suspect the time to replace the rear main seal on your 90's Toyota would be similar, maybe their flywheels and labour rates are cheaper.
Edited by was8v on Monday 22 October 11:47
Now using Chrome rather than IE, which I hope will be more stable........ I'll re-do the write up when I've summoned the energy to try again !
Executive summary,
Steering - feels light compared with all other Porsches owned. Doesn't feel as planted as I would expect (despite geo, shocks and wishbones replaced) - not given it a proper thrashing to see ho wit weights-up
Brakes - a bit wooden at light pressures, but power there (and modulation) when pedal mashed. Expect new pads and discs will help (fluid and hoses already done)
Intake mods - nice intake roar from K&N induction kit and IPD plenum - quicker throttle pick-up and response through rev range.
Exhaust - Top Gear headers, mild sport boxes and 200 cell cats. Sound very different - GT3-howl has gone - more gruff now. I suspect it will mellow / develop as it beds in. Not sure whether better or worse, but certainly different. Very happy with the quality of the parts and fit etc.
Suspension - Designtek coilovers, high speed damping really good, low speed lacking a bit of control More playing around to do with damper settings.
Cosmetics - Really pleased with the look of the Group 4 Fuchs - they fill the arches very nicely. Zunsport grilles were a bit of fiddle to fit, but are in place and will do a good job of protecting the rads.
All in all it remains a very comfortable long-legged cruiser, with a more sporty edge that I have yet to fully explore. I think it has the ability to perform a number of different roles very competently. Should I ever feel inclined, I think it would even be perfectly respectable on track.
I think that I seem to have been remarkably lucky that my tactic of simply throwing a lot of parts from different manufacturers at the car in one go appears to have had the effect of enhancing the experience rather than spoiling it, which is the risk when doing that sort of thing !
I've got a rear wiper delete bung to fit, and am looking for a double-din DAB / Carplay head unit, which should be enough for now. Though I'm intrigued by the 80mm GT3 throttle body being teased by a poster on 911UK (oh and maybe a 997 shifter, some new engine mounts, a gearbox mount, a set of Sport seats, a ducktail, a cup wheel.....)
Executive summary,
Steering - feels light compared with all other Porsches owned. Doesn't feel as planted as I would expect (despite geo, shocks and wishbones replaced) - not given it a proper thrashing to see ho wit weights-up
Brakes - a bit wooden at light pressures, but power there (and modulation) when pedal mashed. Expect new pads and discs will help (fluid and hoses already done)
Intake mods - nice intake roar from K&N induction kit and IPD plenum - quicker throttle pick-up and response through rev range.
Exhaust - Top Gear headers, mild sport boxes and 200 cell cats. Sound very different - GT3-howl has gone - more gruff now. I suspect it will mellow / develop as it beds in. Not sure whether better or worse, but certainly different. Very happy with the quality of the parts and fit etc.
Suspension - Designtek coilovers, high speed damping really good, low speed lacking a bit of control More playing around to do with damper settings.
Cosmetics - Really pleased with the look of the Group 4 Fuchs - they fill the arches very nicely. Zunsport grilles were a bit of fiddle to fit, but are in place and will do a good job of protecting the rads.
All in all it remains a very comfortable long-legged cruiser, with a more sporty edge that I have yet to fully explore. I think it has the ability to perform a number of different roles very competently. Should I ever feel inclined, I think it would even be perfectly respectable on track.
I think that I seem to have been remarkably lucky that my tactic of simply throwing a lot of parts from different manufacturers at the car in one go appears to have had the effect of enhancing the experience rather than spoiling it, which is the risk when doing that sort of thing !
I've got a rear wiper delete bung to fit, and am looking for a double-din DAB / Carplay head unit, which should be enough for now. Though I'm intrigued by the 80mm GT3 throttle body being teased by a poster on 911UK (oh and maybe a 997 shifter, some new engine mounts, a gearbox mount, a set of Sport seats, a ducktail, a cup wheel.....)
Good to hear, Jamie. Some thoughts...
Steering - mine's light at normal road speed, but weights up once you have a good load in the suspension. As long as it doesn't wander at speed it should be OK. Cup wheel is a great addition. Transforms the driving position, and makes the steering feel different (can't really explain it, but something about the smaller diameter, and the alcantara just makes the car feel more agile/responsive).
Brakes - that's how they all feel... the power is there when you really tread on them, but they feel very different to modern road cars. 997GT3 master cylinder is supposed to be a good mod, and isn't expensive to do.
Exhaust - do you have x pipe 200 cells cats or straights? I've read the X pipe gives more high pitched noise at higher revs.
Suspension - IME, there's not a lot you can do with low speed ride. They all feel a bit crashy at the rear over short/sharp transverse bumps. I'd definitely check your tyre pressures... I run mine at 36-38 rear as 42 feels horrible... GTOne also have a habit of setting them high. Engine mounts and uprated ARB's are a good way to further tighten everything up without killing the ride quality (I have a M030 front bar and H&R adjustable rear bar ready to fit).
Intakes - Not really read anything that shows they add much other than noise. A guy on Rennlist posted some tests he did on his Cayman, and no performance improvement.
ICE - Really impressed with the Continental DAB head unit I fitted a few weeks ago. Plug and play and great value at well under £200. I've bought 2 sets Alpine speakers with fitting kits from JMG, though haven't had time to fit them yet.
I'm also going to fit at RSS or Rennsport semi-solid engine mounts - lots of very positive feedback. Consensus is leave the gearbox mount stock if you're doing the engine mounts - both together add a lot of NVH.
I'd love a ducktail, but I'm not paying the crazy money RPM are asking for their carbon version, and haven't managed to find anything decent at lower cost.
Steering - mine's light at normal road speed, but weights up once you have a good load in the suspension. As long as it doesn't wander at speed it should be OK. Cup wheel is a great addition. Transforms the driving position, and makes the steering feel different (can't really explain it, but something about the smaller diameter, and the alcantara just makes the car feel more agile/responsive).
Brakes - that's how they all feel... the power is there when you really tread on them, but they feel very different to modern road cars. 997GT3 master cylinder is supposed to be a good mod, and isn't expensive to do.
Exhaust - do you have x pipe 200 cells cats or straights? I've read the X pipe gives more high pitched noise at higher revs.
Suspension - IME, there's not a lot you can do with low speed ride. They all feel a bit crashy at the rear over short/sharp transverse bumps. I'd definitely check your tyre pressures... I run mine at 36-38 rear as 42 feels horrible... GTOne also have a habit of setting them high. Engine mounts and uprated ARB's are a good way to further tighten everything up without killing the ride quality (I have a M030 front bar and H&R adjustable rear bar ready to fit).
Intakes - Not really read anything that shows they add much other than noise. A guy on Rennlist posted some tests he did on his Cayman, and no performance improvement.
ICE - Really impressed with the Continental DAB head unit I fitted a few weeks ago. Plug and play and great value at well under £200. I've bought 2 sets Alpine speakers with fitting kits from JMG, though haven't had time to fit them yet.
I'm also going to fit at RSS or Rennsport semi-solid engine mounts - lots of very positive feedback. Consensus is leave the gearbox mount stock if you're doing the engine mounts - both together add a lot of NVH.
I'd love a ducktail, but I'm not paying the crazy money RPM are asking for their carbon version, and haven't managed to find anything decent at lower cost.
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