Tomasz@StartupRacing

Hi there.

I know that 997.2 removes the dreaded IMS present in previous water cooled engines.

I like track my car 5 times per year on average. I like to have the security of a bullet proof motor. I do not want a GT3 as I also want rear seats for kids.

Therefore I am considering trading from a 987.1 Cayman S to 997.1 or .2 911. I can make the numbers work much better on a 997.1 car than on a 2009+ .2 car.

How likely are the 997.1 cars to blow engines under track use, and have we seen significant improvement in the 997.2 cars?

I understand IMS is gone and extra two oil pumps were added... bot on paper seem like great reasons to save for the 997.2...

Tomasz

winkingchef

2006+ 997.1 has fix for IMS.
I'd still go GT3 if I were you.
Kids can hold on to the roll bar. Builds character.

lvandermerwe

Could not agree more!

Edgy01

Track events do not lead to engine detonation. These engines are quite tough. But, by the same token, even the 997.2 engines have issues that have been discovered that can leave you at the side of the road.

sizquik

So you ditched the A4 eh?

blake

I don't know of any engine detonation issues due to track use with the 997.1. The 996 "M96" engine did suffer from such issues hower (oil starvation during hard cornering). The GT3 engine is still the best bet, but I beleive that either the 997.1 or 997.2 will serve you well for the use-case that you have...

Good luck!
-Blake

mdrums

I tracked 997.1S a lot....15 events per year...zero issues with the car. 997.1S engines are not known for any issues and are reliable.

CC911

Many folk in our club have been tracking 986, 987, 996 and 997 variants for many years with minimal issues. It all depends how serious you intend getting. I went with the Gt3 simply because it felt more robust and has way less electronics. Definitely not a luxury ride however for me that's all part of the experience. As for carrying passengers even my boys struggle to climb into the back of my Gt3 with the cage to clean the back window for me (I tried once, never again)

Tbred911

many issues with the 997.1s if your going to track it.... keeping it cool is the main issue... we had a member here go through 2 engines in 4 years as they track about 30+ days per year.... typical cooling failure.... and there have been many other m96 and m97 failures because of lack of track prep...

you need to throw some $$$ at it to keep things cool... 3rd radiator... maybe a cup car oil cooler... x51 oil pan and be using at least a 5W50 weight oil.... the 0W40 won't work on track days ... and whatever oil you use if your tracking u need to *change* it frequently...

mdrums

also the latest Excellence magazine issue...the one with the silver 2011 GT2RS on the cover goes over these cars with pricing and what to look for. Good information.

Tomasz@StartupRacing

Thanks guys. Great points...

hagfish2

Mdrums
Can't find that article you mentioned. Some other edition?

alexb76

Are you from Vancouver and had an Audi before?

If so, I tell you 997.1 is A LOT MORE reliable that modded Turbo Audis!

gota911

The latest issue of Excellence, which is #186, has the Turbo Buyers Guide. The 996 & 997 Buyers Guide is in issue #185 (September 2010).

Izzone

You can add rear seats to a 997.1 GT3......it is worth every extra penny