Baumer1

Long time lurker here while searching for my first 996tt, first time poster...

I think I already know what the answer to this question will be, but would you buy a 996tt (2003 w/ 52k miles) with the following data pulled from the DME?

Number of ignitions range 1 43228 / 1525h
Number of ignitions range 2 10934 / 1521h

Operating hours counter 1529


The car has had at least two different ECU flashes by two very reputable tuners who frequent this forum, and the rev limiter has almost certainly been lifted.

These numbers were pulled from the ECU with a durametric cable by the current owner. My mechanic (who works only on Audi/Porsche) says he doesn't think the durametric cable is always accurate (although he uses one in his shop) and suggests having a Porsche dealership pull the numbers with their equipment.

The car is located out of state and the Porsche dealer there is going to pull the numbers from the ECU with their equipment and get them to me.

If the dealer obtains over rev numbers that are the same (or anywhere near these numbers) would any one here recommend going through with the purchase? Any purchase would be only after a PPI and if the over rev numbers warrant it, a leakdown test.

My concerns are, at best, this car has been driven hard, frequently, and recently. A leakdown test will pick up existing issues with the engine, but nothing that might be about to fail. I'm also concerned about the wear and tear on the rest of the car, although the tranny has been rebuilt and a new clutch installed.

Any advice/comments are welcome. Thanks in advance!

-Baumer1

"02996ttx50

those numbers of type 2's could possibly be skewed upwardly if by chance the rev limter has been raised as part of a tune to 7200 from the stock 6750.

since bouncing off the limter could theoretically register as an over rev. not sure what type but type 2's have always been considered ( IIRC??) of the misshift origin, rather than a simple redline event.

Baumer1

I just heard back from the Porsche dealer and they confirmed the over rev information pulled with the durametric cable was accurate.

ricster

yes id buy it, those motors are strong

fly2low

My only problem with them is that they just happened, so you have no way of knowing if any damage was done. If they had occurred at 500 engine hours, and the car was now at 1500 engine hours, and running good with good compression and leak down, I would say no problem.
Sounds like someone was having an exciting test drive.

2K7TTMIA

^+1^. at what hours was the last range 2 ( and range 1) registered? another thread also mentioned
that a PIWIS is a better indicator for DME diagnostics as opposed to Durametric, which quite a few threads have mentioned may be reading
over-rev anomalies.... YMMV

Baumer1

As fly2low noted, the last Range 2 was recent. As I understand the readout, the engine has a total of 1529 hours on it and the last Range 2 occurred only 8 hours ago at 1521 hours. The last Range 1 was only 4 hours ago at 1525 hours.

"02996ttx50

the rev limiters been raised and there are the majority of your 2's with whatever new ones being the dealership guys picking up pizza

"02996ttx50

..and how many miles on the car? mine needed a clutch and new trans bearings at 90k. if this one has far fewer miles? then your concerns about the car being driven "hard/frequently/recently" are well founded.

Baumer1

52K miles. It recently had its second aftermarket clutch installed (i.e., 3rd clutch total) and tranny was rebuilt in the past year.

Kevinmacd

3 clutches and a tranny rebuild in 52K miles. I think this car was heavily used. I would not buy it!

Tuxiemama

Depends, what power is the car putting down with what exact mods.

if the car is FBO with an upgraded tranny then no problem, if it is a stock tranny that has had 1st or 2nd gear shredded than meh.

BTW I drive like a madman and have way way lower level 1 and level 2 revs showing, this car may have been really thrashed.

Also, what level clutch does it now have, is it capable of holding the type of power it is putting down... as it is out of state you really need to test drive it yourself and give it the business in 3rd gear WOT and see what the clutch and tranny feel like

"02996ttx50

i 2nd what kevinmacd just offered. that cars been ridden hard and put away wet.

add: this added info coupled with the dme readout says you'll find another car with far fewer obvious signs of having been driven to limit. they're too many out there, so unless this is a fire sale or there is some compelling reason why this one must be 'it"? pass.

Ck986

Its probably ok, but i wouldn't risk it. Then again i wouldn't really buy a car with a flashed ecu, unless mild.

rmc1148

No to many nice cars to choose from.