RE: Gemballa 911 (996): PH Carpool
Monday 3rd July 2017
Name: Jay Williams
Car: Porsche 911
Owned since: February 2017
Previously owned: Last was a BMW Z4M, 30 odd cars before included Supras, MGTFs, a ZT190, a ZS180, an S-type, a V8 Ford and brief encounters with a TVR Cerbera and a V8 Vantage.
Why I bought it:
"When I started working 11 years ago, I told myself that I'd own a 996 911. I know they're the unloved cousin by many, but I love the headlight design (reminds me of the 996 GT2). I'd actually forgotten about that goal until the purchase of a Dodge Viper fell through and I took a few cars for a spin - an M6, a Maserati CambioCorsa and a TVR Tamora. Then I saw the Porsche in the corner of the dealership and like a moth to a flame had to take it out. I fell in love straight away!"
Things I love:
"It came loaded with some tasty mods and feels very quick for a C2. It had the X51 Power Pack from the factory which adds an extra oil pump, extra radiator, baffles in the sump to prevent oil starvation, new pistons, ported intakes, higher limiter amongst others. Then a few extra mods were added by Gemballa in Sydney, giving it a coilover set all round, a remap, lightweight Speedline/Gemballa wheels, body kit and an exhaust that absolutely roars - coupled with the flat-six induction growl, It is by far my favourite bit of the car. Harsh ride, supercar sound and more revy characteristics make a huge transformation from standard 996 C2s that I've driven."
Costs:
"It hasn't been cheap, A bit of rubber bit of pipe flicked up on the road and punched through the front bumper, not long after the sump kissed a speed hump at 5mph. A new GT3 front bar was around 2,000 pounds from Porsche direct, throw in paint, mesh, a new aftermarket deep sump as the current one was unavailable and the total repair bill was an approximate $10,000. Thank god for insurance. A new lightweight battery was approximately 200 pounds, self-performed fluid changes set back a few hundred. New front pads coming up for around the 350 pounds mark, new tyres approximately 2,000 pounds and preventative work on some hydraulic tensioners likely to be the same."
What next?
"I'm after some GT2 seats and have a GT3 wheel ready to put in and she'll be perfect in my eyes. I love that it's N/A but if the engine goes pop I've always told myself I will sling in a Turbo unit. I run a small dealership, so it's a perfect excuse to get to try other cars so I'm not in a rush to trade-in and am enjoying it too much, but when I do the next goal is an early Gallardo (yep, also in yellow!)."
Gemballa 911 (996): PH Carpool
Let this PHer explain how he found his perfect Porsche!
Car: Porsche 911
Owned since: February 2017
Previously owned: Last was a BMW Z4M, 30 odd cars before included Supras, MGTFs, a ZT190, a ZS180, an S-type, a V8 Ford and brief encounters with a TVR Cerbera and a V8 Vantage.
"When I started working 11 years ago, I told myself that I'd own a 996 911. I know they're the unloved cousin by many, but I love the headlight design (reminds me of the 996 GT2). I'd actually forgotten about that goal until the purchase of a Dodge Viper fell through and I took a few cars for a spin - an M6, a Maserati CambioCorsa and a TVR Tamora. Then I saw the Porsche in the corner of the dealership and like a moth to a flame had to take it out. I fell in love straight away!"
What I wish I'd known:
"How low the rear end was. It had a fight with a speed bump and lost! Wish I knew earlier about the X51 which mitigates some of the common 996 flaws, and indeed wish I hadn't been put off by reports of said flaws for so long."
"It came loaded with some tasty mods and feels very quick for a C2. It had the X51 Power Pack from the factory which adds an extra oil pump, extra radiator, baffles in the sump to prevent oil starvation, new pistons, ported intakes, higher limiter amongst others. Then a few extra mods were added by Gemballa in Sydney, giving it a coilover set all round, a remap, lightweight Speedline/Gemballa wheels, body kit and an exhaust that absolutely roars - coupled with the flat-six induction growl, It is by far my favourite bit of the car. Harsh ride, supercar sound and more revy characteristics make a huge transformation from standard 996 C2s that I've driven."
Things I hate:
"Literally, the only bugbear I have with the car is the centre armrest cubby. The button to open it lies right where my elbow falls, so I have to lock it to stop it constantly being popped open. But then you have to take the keys out to get at it. The lack of glovebox doesn't bother me as the doors have surprisingly deep bins in them. The ride is very low which means I have to plan trips to the supermarket or take a different car."
"It hasn't been cheap, A bit of rubber bit of pipe flicked up on the road and punched through the front bumper, not long after the sump kissed a speed hump at 5mph. A new GT3 front bar was around 2,000 pounds from Porsche direct, throw in paint, mesh, a new aftermarket deep sump as the current one was unavailable and the total repair bill was an approximate $10,000. Thank god for insurance. A new lightweight battery was approximately 200 pounds, self-performed fluid changes set back a few hundred. New front pads coming up for around the 350 pounds mark, new tyres approximately 2,000 pounds and preventative work on some hydraulic tensioners likely to be the same."
Where I've been:
"Have done a few long road trips to the south of Western Australia where there are lots of long, windy roads to stretch her legs on; the longest I've driven is probably 6 hours which took me past Albany. Also had a track day which was bad for the tyre budget but great for the adrenaline! Later in the year, I'm planning a trip to the Pacific Highway in New South Wales which I am looking forward to.
"I'd love to ship it back home to the UK and go on a Nurburgring sprint (which I may well do in the coming year if I haven't traded in!)"
"I'm after some GT2 seats and have a GT3 wheel ready to put in and she'll be perfect in my eyes. I love that it's N/A but if the engine goes pop I've always told myself I will sling in a Turbo unit. I run a small dealership, so it's a perfect excuse to get to try other cars so I'm not in a rush to trade-in and am enjoying it too much, but when I do the next goal is an early Gallardo (yep, also in yellow!)."
Want to share your car with PHers on Carpool? Email us at carpool@pistonheads.com!
Discussion
Bit of a find, that!
Not many people know that the X51 option for the 996 was considerably more serious than it is in later 911s. The idea was to re-work several areas of the M96 series engine for the GT3 as a fall-back in case the Mezger didn't turn out right.
Owners with an X51 optioned 996 are sitting on a very rare beast, worth more than they might realise.
Not many people know that the X51 option for the 996 was considerably more serious than it is in later 911s. The idea was to re-work several areas of the M96 series engine for the GT3 as a fall-back in case the Mezger didn't turn out right.
Owners with an X51 optioned 996 are sitting on a very rare beast, worth more than they might realise.
housen said:
big_rob_sydney said:
Brave man to run something like that in Oz. But you only live once. Enjoy.
why what happens if u drive a Porsche in aus ?Any decent European metal is roughly 2-3 x more expensive to buy and get serviced here.
Oh, and the cops will pull you over and find something to fine you for because your car is 'loud' or 'looks like you were probably speeding'
Other than that, nowt, everything is rosey
Edited by Dafuq on Monday 3rd July 13:07
That is utterly gorgeous, and probably my perfect spec as well.
I was seriously considering getting one of these (not a Gemballa) about a year or so ago but looking at the costs, I'm glad I chickened out and got something that doesn't require significant levels of man maths (for me).
One day though...
I was seriously considering getting one of these (not a Gemballa) about a year or so ago but looking at the costs, I'm glad I chickened out and got something that doesn't require significant levels of man maths (for me).
One day though...
STiG911 said:
Bit of a find, that!
Not many people know that the X51 option for the 996 was considerably more serious than it is in later 911s. The idea was to re-work several areas of the M96 series engine for the GT3 as a fall-back in case the Mezger didn't turn out right.
Owners with an X51 optioned 996 are sitting on a very rare beast, worth more than they might realise.
All facts that I was oblivious to until doing a bit of digging after putting a deposit down - dumb luck at its finest! Not many people know that the X51 option for the 996 was considerably more serious than it is in later 911s. The idea was to re-work several areas of the M96 series engine for the GT3 as a fall-back in case the Mezger didn't turn out right.
Owners with an X51 optioned 996 are sitting on a very rare beast, worth more than they might realise.
Dafuq said:
Apart from the fact the natives can't drive and don't give a sht about their own bodywork, let alone yours........,
Any decent European metal is roughly 2-3 x more expensive to buy and get serviced here.
Oh, and the cops will pull you over and find something to fine you for because your car is 'loud' or 'looks like you were probably speeding'
Other than that, nowt, everything is rosey
You forgot about the speed cameras hidden in the bushes! hehe. Any decent European metal is roughly 2-3 x more expensive to buy and get serviced here.
Oh, and the cops will pull you over and find something to fine you for because your car is 'loud' or 'looks like you were probably speeding'
Other than that, nowt, everything is rosey
Edited by Dafuq on Monday 3rd July 13:07
Cacatous said:
I've always wanted a Gemballa! It would look good up here in Cairns but I reckon I'd trash it in a week with all the massive drains and ramps we have here.
ha - don't think I'd be brave enough, did Cairns in a new X-Trail (hire car) and still managed to scuff the bottom of the front bumper coming out of a car park!MrJerv said:
That is a nice looking motor you have there sir. Have never liked the 996, especially the gen 1 but its really looking better with age.
Those wheels you have put on work really well. Even like the yellow!
Off to the classifieds (again) to look for bargain gen 1 996
Thanks! Wheels came with the other Gemballa kit, had a spec sheet for them floating around but it's buried somewhere now Those wheels you have put on work really well. Even like the yellow!
Off to the classifieds (again) to look for bargain gen 1 996
Aes87 said:
Good god the 996s are looking the business these days. I saw a standard Carrera convertible parked in a dark corner of a deserted carpark after midnight (beer goggles?) the other day and it looked menacing. I may have to defraud some pensioners in order to buy "a nice example" before they triple in price 
ha It's funny, I wasn't a huge fan of the convertibles but love them with the right gear on them!I had meant to post some better photos and videos whenever I got round to having them done,
took a while but got there eventually, chuffed with the shots. Had been daydreaming about the next car a lot, hadn't driven the Porsche in some time due to awaiting a service and work/family commitments - fell in love with it all over again after a couple of evening drives.
In case anyone wondered what the exhaust/engine note is like with the gemballa/x51 setup, vid below.. Note, only the first 15 secs are vaguely interesting but will post up the full vid when edited.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5uJIGgnNSM
New pads and discs this month from a reputable specialist was surprisingly affordable at around $2,100 including fluids so back to enjoying her again.
Next couple of weeks I'll be giving her a full paint correction and glass coat treatment, have a new GT3 wheel to install that has been sat around for ages and am hoping to source a pair of seats - not a fan of the GT3 seats, missed out on some recaro Gemballa ones so we'll see what the universe provides
took a while but got there eventually, chuffed with the shots. Had been daydreaming about the next car a lot, hadn't driven the Porsche in some time due to awaiting a service and work/family commitments - fell in love with it all over again after a couple of evening drives.
In case anyone wondered what the exhaust/engine note is like with the gemballa/x51 setup, vid below.. Note, only the first 15 secs are vaguely interesting but will post up the full vid when edited.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5uJIGgnNSM
New pads and discs this month from a reputable specialist was surprisingly affordable at around $2,100 including fluids so back to enjoying her again.
Next couple of weeks I'll be giving her a full paint correction and glass coat treatment, have a new GT3 wheel to install that has been sat around for ages and am hoping to source a pair of seats - not a fan of the GT3 seats, missed out on some recaro Gemballa ones so we'll see what the universe provides
Edited by antacid on Wednesday 20th September 15:29
I stumbled on this thread again and I had almost forgotten how much I love this thing, the refinements make for such a light, responsive car and it feels like a go-kart compared to the 981 that I got more recently. The boxer mated to the induction and exhaust kit just sounds phenomenal and it raises the hairs on my back in a way that the GTR doesn't even quite manage. Just such a unique experience.
Recently started a full clean up and she's coming up a treat, helped by the obsessiveness of the original owner.
Have a few goodies on the way over the coming months to really finish it off, can't wait to see the end result!
She's a garage queen now really and sits at my business / man cave - but I Think it will be one of those cars where it was the first 'dream car' that I bought and I Can't bring myself to sell it!
Tried once, had a guy try and knock $30k off the asking price and that was enough for me to decide!
Recently started a full clean up and she's coming up a treat, helped by the obsessiveness of the original owner.
Have a few goodies on the way over the coming months to really finish it off, can't wait to see the end result!
She's a garage queen now really and sits at my business / man cave - but I Think it will be one of those cars where it was the first 'dream car' that I bought and I Can't bring myself to sell it!
Tried once, had a guy try and knock $30k off the asking price and that was enough for me to decide!
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