Thursday 16th January 2020

Porsche 911 (996.1) GT3 | Spotted

Looks like any other GT3, actually powered by a 470hp 997 race car engine...

---

Nobody modifies a 911 GT3. Certainly not now, anyway: too valuable, too rare, too what-a-lovely-reminder-of-old-911s perfect to drive. At least going off everything that's ever written about them, that is. As for the new ones, they're still worth far too much for much meddling. And, yeah, they're pretty exceptional too, in case you hadn't heard.

But imagine what might happen if somebody had the wherewithal and inclination to tinker with Porsche Motorsport's 911. Because nothing is beyond improvement, especially if it's a GT3 that's going to be subjected to regular track use.

Well, wonder no longer, because this is what occurs if someone puts a lot of money into modifying a 996 GT3. You've probably already noticed the BBS split rim wheels, and maybe the BG Developments discs behind; they're tucked up right in the arches on Ohlins dampers and fully rose-jointed suspension. And that's just the start...

Because lurking out the back of this 996 is a Porsche Motorsport engine. Not the original 360hp Mezger, either, but a 997 Cup race engine, built to 2009 spec but installed new last year. Now with an additional 110hp, plus a short ratio RSR gearbox, it promises another level of intensity and excitement to the GT3 experience. Putting it mildly. The advert states: "The instant you put your foot down, the tacho races around the dial and the engine screams... a stimulating and exciting machine." You don't say!

More than that, this still promises to be a raw, analogue 911 experience; there is now electric power steering, but still no traction or stability control, meaning the driver (and the driver only) is in control of all that power and the legendarily bizarre weight distribution. Which sounds like a fun, if ever so slightly intimidating, challenge.

Perhaps best of all, however, is that this is a GT3 that's had a lot of money invested in it to be driven, and driven hard, for many years to come. The shell itself was already on more than 80,000 miles before the engine transplant, so hardly some kind of pristine, low-mileage special. These modifications should only mean the 20-year-old GT3 is seen out on road and track more as it ages, not less as you suspect might happen with most. Collectors aren't going to want it as it's so far from standard, meaning the only reasonable thing to be done with this 996 is to keep on driving it. And work out what maintenance is like for a race engine in a road car. Then sell it on to another like-minded individual for more of the same - or keep it.

This experience doesn't come at a drastically higher cost than other similar GT3s, either. Sure, a regular 996.1 is available at around £60k, but this low mileage one is £79,995 - or exactly the same as the featured car. While with one there would be the ever-present concern of adding to its piddly 30,000 miles and the consequent effect on values, there'd be no such worries with the modified car. And although, of course, there will be those for whom anything that deviates from standard is off the list, this particular GT3 surely presents an amazing opportunity for those keen to get an old 911 on track and go very, very fast. Given what it would cost to build again, it should probably be seen as very good value. For the entertainment of chasing down 997s, 991s and pretty much everything else on a track day, in fact, this GT3 looks like canniest buy of 2020. Go on, you know you want to...

---

SPECIFICATION - PORSCHE 911 GT3 CLUBSPORT (996 GEN.1)
Engine: 3,600cc flat-six
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 360@7,200rpm
Torque (lb ft): 272@5,000rpm
MPG: 21.9
CO2: N/A
Recorded mileage: 89,312 (shell)
Year registered: 2000
Price new: £76,500
Yours for: £79,995

(Spec for standard car, obviously)

See the original advert here.

[Arsecati]

If you're going to spend so much money modifying a 911 (GT3 or not), then why not just start with a boggo 996 to begin with? It's not exactly a GT3 any more, so if plan is to build the ultimate 996 track toy, seems like a strange base to which to start - especially when the first thing you do is rip out the engine. Pick up a 996 with a blown engine for £5k, and that is a hell of lot of cash left in the kitty to go absolute bat sh!t crazy turning it in to an almighty weapon! Just my thought anyway.

[Arsecati]

LaurasOtherHalf said:

It's Slippydiff's car off here, the car's original engine had been tuned by some UK "specialists" and was so badly done it needed a rebuild.

He decided to do the cup car swap and there's a build thread on 911uk

Ahh, I see logic there. Cheers!

[Arsecati]

Slippydiff said:

Hope this helps.
The 997 Cup engine is effectively a Gen 1 997 GT3 engine with the variable valve timing (Variocam ) removed.
It runs what is effectively a 997 GT3 RS 4.0 inlet manifold/plenum but with a cable throttle rather than a fly by wire throttle.
It runs Alpha N rather than a MAF.
It also utilises heads with large ports (which ended up being used on the 997 GT3 RS 4.0 engines too)
In short it’s simplified, bullet-proof 997 GT3 engine.
It’s designed to produce maximum power at 8400rpm, the engine mapper dialled the rev limiter back to 8100 for longevity.
If the next owner throws fresh oil at it every 5K miles (or less if used predominantly on track) I see no reason why the engine won’t outlast a stock 997 GT3 road engine.
This engine in the car was purchased directly from the Porsche Motorsport department.

Edited by Slippydiff on Thursday 16th January 17:19

Completely ignore my first comment by the way! Haha! The responses clarifying the 'need' the replace the engine makes perfect sense, and reading what you did, seems like absolutely the best route to go. I've gone from thinking 'why do this to a 996 GT3' to thinking 'this is probably the most desirable 996 GT3 out there'!! Haha! Fair play man - hopefully the money is going to get well spent on the next toy.