Tunerworks: Porsche Project 50 / 95

[Tuner1]

The dead of winter is upon us but all true mod addicts know that freezing temperatures can’t kill the itch to build a project car!

With the price of oil lower than most Albertans would like to see and the unfavorable USD / CAD exchange rate it seemed like the perfect time to build something that offered very good value rather than shooting for the stars. That plan led to the purchase of a clean black on black 2003 Porsche 996 Turbo with the help of Kulu Motorcar’s vast network of car connections.

Tunerworks has a long history of upgrading the 996TT platform beginning with the very first one ever delivered in Calgary, a silver on black coupe that we installed H&R Sport lowering springs and wheel spacers on. I can vividly remember taking that car for a proper drive (with the owner’s blessing!) and thinking that it felt like some kind of high-tech German rocket ship; it was really that far ahead of almost everything else at the time!

The name Project 50 / 95 was chosen because the goal is to create a 996TT that costs roughly 50% of a similarly-equipped 997TT while offering at least 95% as much performance. While the styling of the 996 line has been criticized it’s performance credentials were never in doubt and that is especially true of the 996TT, GT2 and GT3 models. That said, I think the years have been kind to the MY2002 and newer 996 styling and to my eye they look more attractive now than they did a decade ago. A 997 might always have the edge in the styling department but there is no reason why a 996 can’t match it’s performance in every category while arguably offering a slightly more raw and pure driving experience.

Project 50 / 95 will take shape over the next few months beginning with a healthy dose maintenance and refreshing to make sure the baseline is solid and then some carefully chosen upgrades from our favorite suppliers – Michelin, Ohlins, GMG Racing, Rennline, Champion Motorsports, GIAC, CSF radiators, Tarret Engineering, RSS and more. This won’t be an over-the-top 1200hp Texas Mile style machine nor will it be full-on road course build (since we don’t have a track!), instead it will be a well-rounded street car that can go, turn and stop very well while remaining civilized, reliable and fun to drive. Hmmmmmm, that sounds like most of our builds ;) Stay tuned!

http://www.tunerworks.com/share/RL/2001_996TT_tunerworks.jpg

http://www.tunerworks.com/share/RL/996TTfront.jpg

http://www.tunerworks.com/share/RL/996TTrear.jpg

http://www.tunerworks.com/share/RL/996TTrad.jpg

http://www.tunerworks.com/share/RL/996TTOhlins.jpg

[s dime]

Subscribed. Looks to be in great shape! :clap:

[DeleriousZ]

Damn I'm pretty sure those dampers are worth more than all 3 of my cars combined lol.

[vengie]

I am subscribed for sure!

[Tilly]

I understand you will be focusing more on performance, but I will be interested to see if you make any modifications to the exterior styling to rival that of the 997, as mentioned above. In particular, headlights and taillights.

Great project, good luck!

[01RedDX]

.

[msommers]

Damn that thing is gorgeous already. Can't wait to see what you guys do to it :)

[nickyh]

I find it pretty sad that I know how good Ohlins are (and what they actually are) ... Husband has done his front & rear suspension on his motorbike.

[Redlyne_mr2]

996tt prices have climbed a little in the last year. Its a wicked car, time to buy one now while theyre still affordable.

[G-ZUS]

That e36 tho! got more pics of it?


oh, Nice Porsche:angel:

[Tuner1]

Tilly - the only planned cosmetic changes are lowering, wheels and wax/polish. Might change the front bumper and rear wing at a later date but the GT1-style headlights and tail lights will remain the same.

nickyh - Ohlins is certainly wheel know in the two-wheel world and the auto racing circles but they are finally offering some semi-affordable street oriented kits.

Redlyne_mr2 - I learn the market the hard way. This car would have been less expensive 18 months ago!

G-ZUS - The Dakar Yellow E36 M3 in the pic was one of our shop cars from a long time ago! I can't recall if it was a 1997 or 1998 but it was supercharged, had Supersprint exhaust, 19" Hartge wheels and some other cool stuff.

[mr2mike]

Ohlins are sweet. Do you guys service old ones?

With tuned suspension these cars can be pretty mean on the Nurbergring.

[Tuner1]

Originally posted by mr2mike
Ohlins are sweet. Do you guys service old ones?

With tuned suspension these cars can be pretty mean on the Nurbergring.

We don't rebuild these in-house. No question that these cars can turn fast lap times with the right upgrades.

[Tuner1]

Quick Friday update.



Clean the engine bay a bit and install some new parts including RSS Tarmac Series motor mounts

http://www.tunerworks.com/share/RL/IMG_7657.jpg



Bleed the brakes with some nice fluid.

http://www.tunerworks.com/share/RL/IMG_7659.jpg



Old part vs new part :D

http://www.tunerworks.com/share/RL/IMG_7660.jpg[IMG]

[Tuner1]

Friday update! Need to keep working on the car because dry road driving weather is almost on the horizon.


Another piece of the suspension puzzle - GT3 2pc adjustable lower control arms for added negative camber.

http://www.tunerworks.com/share/RL/996TTarms.jpg


The original radiators were filthy and starting to show signs of leaking where the tanks are crimped onto the cores so in went new rads.

http://www.tunerworks.com/share/RL/996TTrad2.jpg


The original 996TT (and 997TT !) exhaust is heavy, sounds like a vacuum cleaner and is very restrictive with it's 600cpsi cats. In went a Kline Innovations stainless X-pipe exhaust with HJS Germany Motorsport 100cpsi cats. This system sounds amazing at WOT and has zero drone.

http://www.tunerworks.com/share/RL/996TT_KLINE_parts.jpg

http://www.tunerworks.com/share/RL/996TTkline.jpg


The next step is to test fit some sticky new rubber wrapped around 19" Champion Motorsport forged wheels.

http://www.tunerworks.com/share/RL/996tires.jpg

[soloracer]

I miss my 996TT. One of the best cars I ever owned for the combination of Power, Performance and Price. I know what you mean about the headlights. I used to hate them but after owning one I found that I started to prefer them over the 997's. For some reason the 997 looked too plain. I'm not a fan of the stock front bumper - has too much of a bump in the middle and the inlets look bad. Much better with the GT2 or Techart bumper.

[Tuner1]

Originally posted by soloracer
I miss my 996TT. One of the best cars I ever owned for the combination of Power, Performance and Price. I know what you mean about the headlights. I used to hate them but after owning one I found that I started to prefer them over the 997's. For some reason the 997 looked too plain. I'm not a fan of the stock front bumper - has too much of a bump in the middle and the inlets look bad. Much better with the GT2 or Techart bumper.

I have to agree with pretty much everything you said, although I think a nicely modded 997TT looks pretty good ;) A GT2 front bumper would really finish off the look of this project.

Here are a few updated pics - please excuse the dirty rocker panels.


http://www.tunerworks.com/share/RL/996rl1.jpg

http://www.tunerworks.com/share/RL/996rl2.jpg

http://www.tunerworks.com/share/RL/996rl3.jpg

[msommers]

So nice!!

I'd start using a polarizing filter if you're able for car shoots.

[xnvy]

And bimg tags for us with small computer screens.

Coming along nicely.

[eglove]

What tint is on there?

Those wheels are gorgeous!

[soloracer]

Love the wheels :love: Almost have a modern RUF wheel look to them

[nismodrifter]

Those wheels are killer, agree about the RUF look, totally changes my outlook on the 996TT.

[Redlyne_mr2]

man that's nice. Now everyone will be getting on the 996 bandwagon.

[flipstah]

Originally posted by eglove
What tint is on there?

Those wheels are gorgeous!

There's tint? Looks fishbowl to me.

Great work, but still not a fan of those 996 headlights. Can't get on-board with this. :(

[eglove]

Originally posted by flipstah


There's tint? Looks fishbowl to me.

Great work, but still not a fan of those 996 headlights. Can't get on-board with this. :(

It's got a blue-y light green tint to it. Probably just the european glass just like how mercedes glass all looks blue

[Tuner1]

Originally posted by eglove
What tint is on there?

Those wheels are gorgeous!

No tint, must be the lighting or reflection. Polarizer will be used next time :)

[Tuner1]

Originally posted by nismodrifter
Those wheels are killer, agree about the RUF look, totally changes my outlook on the 996TT.

Thanks. Yes the 19" Champion Motorsport wheels really do wonders for the look of the car while still being more or less period correct.

[Cody D]

It may not be for everyone but I really liked the look after I tinted my front headlights to make them appear round.

http://i.imgur.com/Ig0lVWO.jpg?1

[soloracer]

Originally posted by Cody D
It may not be for everyone but I really liked the look after I tinted my front headlights to make them appear round.

http://i.imgur.com/Ig0lVWO.jpg?1

Not a fan of the tinted lights but a set of custom seats would work great in that car. ;). A GT2 or Techart front bumper would also be a must.

[Cody D]

Originally posted by soloracer


Not a fan of the tinted lights but a set of custom seats would work great in that car. ;). A GT2 or Techart front bumper would also be a must.

Haha, that's a good point. These would look great in your 911 Rob: http://www.kijiji.ca/v-other-auto-parts-and-accessories/calgary/rottec-carbon-fibre-gt3-style-race-seats-for-various-porsche/1040984270?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

[TYMSMNY]

Looking for Techart exhaust... :D