Daily driver: 997 to 3.2 Carrera...

[slodge]

Bear with me here... I really love the 997 as it's easy to jump in and drive, has all the toys, comfy etc etc but I do often crave a daily that's really tactile, engaging and enjoyable at lower speeds. Also quite fancy an aircooled project I guess!

Am toying with the idea of getting a 3.2 Carrera shell with G50 gearbox, dropping in a 3.6l unit from 964/993, refreshing TB suspension and making the interior all lovely.

I have aircooled experience in the form of a 964 in the garage, but it is a low mileage minter and wouldn't feel right using it everyday.

Would appreciate any thoughts from people who have both 3.2 and 997 or gone from one to another. Any general views on whether I would regret the change also welcome!!

Cheers

Slodge

[Crimp a Length!]

Sounds like a plan.
Obviously this has been done a few times and the PS cars are based around the old shell and modern brakes dynamics.
I have seen a 911 SC which had got the 3.6 993 unit in it & there was also a write up a few yrs ago in 911 & Porsche World about the same car. I don't think it was as simple as just dropping the motor in obviously!

[Jevvy]

Quite a few of these projects in progress on impactbumpers at the moment, heres mine:



Ive done 60k km's in it since I fitted it a few years ago and its been pretty much bombproof. Not hard to do, just need to find the right donor engine or buy a cheap one and rebuild it. You might find though that once remapped it will probably be a little faster than your 997

[slodge]

Jevvy said:

Quite a few of these projects in progress on impactbumpers at the moment, heres mine:



Ive done 60k km's in it since I fitted it a few years ago and its been pretty much bombproof. Not hard to do, just need to find the right donor engine or buy a cheap one and rebuild it. You might find though that once remapped it will probably be a little faster than your 997

Jevvy - that is beautiful and just the ticket!! How does it handle compared to something newer with coilovers? I have been lurking over on IBs for inspiration and rather in awe of the hands on projects. I'll be getting some specialist help seeing as I can barely put a shelf up!

[Jevvy]

slodge said:

Jevvy - that is beautiful and just the ticket!! How does it handle compared to something newer with coilovers?

Its pretty good fun to drive and can keep with the coilover cars + some http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gC4JAKDNy5w (excuse the crappy driving at the start and end of the vid)

where are you based - if yr anywhere near Reading id be happy to take you out for a blast to see if it floats yr boat.

[slodge]

Quality - that vid is great, esp. the GT3 pass! That's very kind to offer a ride in the mean machine. I'm near Tring/Berkhamsted so will drop you a PM now - probably less than an hour from Reading.

Thanks

Slodge

[anonymous-user]

Slodge, I have a 997 and a 3.2. I would leave the engine as is - if it is a good one. Suits the car perfectly - spend the money on a good rebuild instead.

[slodge]

drmark said:

Slodge, I have a 997 and a 3.2. I would leave the engine as is - if it is a good one. Suits the car perfectly - spend the money on a good rebuild instead.

Thanks for the advice drmark - good to get an alternative view. Would you/ could you daily drive the 3.2 or do you always reach for the 997 keys?

[Schnellmann]

I've had a 997 2s and a 3.2 (amongst other 911s). My 3.2 was an early car with a 915 box (in Switzerland the G50 box came with more restrictive exhaust and only 217 hp so I went for an early one) I loved taking the 3.2 out for Sunday drives but it was just a bit too agricultural for daily use. Rather than taking an engine from a 993 why not just buy a 993? I currently have one and would happily use it as a daily driver (although don't as have a BMW company car).

3.2 with a 3.6 engine sounds fun though

[GT Two]

I have had several 996's a 997, a 964 and now a 3.2.

You can easily drive a 3.2 everyday and it will be a joy if a good one, its very connected on the road and as you say very enjoyable at low speeds.

If you are to enjoy a 3.2 everyday make sure, heating is sorted, light bulbs are a decent brand, brakes are good, and is corrosion free.

If you can find one with a rebuild then bonus!

Mine has had a full rebuild at Tuthills which the previous owners had just paid for but I still have spent nearly 20k on the car with paint, wheels, tyres, suspension, brakes, interior.

A sorted car will be a joy do own and drive.

I have just been offered a swap in mine for a lovely 996 GT3, at first I was tempted bat after talking/thinking it through I think I am going to stick

[slodge]

Schnellmann said:

I've had a 997 2s and a 3.2 (amongst other 911s). My 3.2 was an early car with a 915 box (in Switzerland the G50 box came with more restrictive exhaust and only 217 hp so I went for an early one) I loved taking the 3.2 out for Sunday drives but it was just a bit too agricultural for daily use. Rather than taking an engine from a 993 why not just buy a 993? I currently have one and would happily use it as a daily driver (although don't as have a BMW company car).

3.2 with a 3.6 engine sounds fun though

Hi Schnellman

Drove a very sorted 993 recently and loved it. Only problem is I really like the view over the bonnet with twin headlight tunnels you get from 964 and earlier - hence the idea to drop the 3.6 into an earlier shell and then make the inside nice and luxurious. I will get out and drive a 3.2 soon, but was it agricultural from a handling perspective or just generally?

Cheers

[Wozy68]

slodge said:

Thanks for the advice drmark - good to get an alternative view. Would you/ could you daily drive the 3.2 or do you always reach for the 997 keys?

I have owned a 3.2 but not a 997. I'd go older 911. In a 3.2 at least every trip is an adventure. Saying that, in every aircooled, they all remind you of the reason why you first wanted to drive. Enjoyment of driving.

[slodge]

GT Two said:

I have just been offered a swap in mine for a lovely 996 GT3, at first I was tempted bat after talking/thinking it through I think I am going to stick

Thanks for the advice much appreciated. Your car looks great - good work!! Sounds like a keeper.

Cheers

[GT Two]

slodge said:

GT Two said:

I have just been offered a swap in mine for a lovely 996 GT3, at first I was tempted bat after talking/thinking it through I think I am going to stick

Thanks for the advice much appreciated. Your car looks great - good work!! Sounds like a keeper.

Cheers

Thanks!

[GT Two]

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

Love nostalgia and that too, but on a cold, raining dark night on the M4 or other MWay and you have 4 hours left to drive, where would you rather be.
That for me is a must consideration when staking claims for a DD

This has to be a consideration if you are doing massive mileage.

Im not so its not a problem for me, I really enjoy driving the car in the wet and there is a certain satisfaction that the car was built in the 80's and is tough and reliable.

[Schnellmann]

slodge said:

Hi Schnellman

Drove a very sorted 993 recently and loved it. Only problem is I really like the view over the bonnet with twin headlight tunnels you get from 964 and earlier - hence the idea to drop the 3.6 into an earlier shell and then make the inside nice and luxurious. I will get out and drive a 3.2 soon, but was it agricultural from a handling perspective or just generally?

Cheers

Hi Slodge

I fully agree about the headlights. Overall I much prefer the looks of the early 911s.

It wasn't the handling but rather the 3.2 was a bit loud inside. That wasn't a problem for a spirited drive on country roads but less fun on the motorway. With the 993 I find excuses to use it when I should take the BMW whereas with the 3.2 I didn't.

It could also be that the 3.2 I had wasn't the best example whereas the 993 only has about 25'000 miles on the clock and drives like it is new.

Best of luck with whatever you do and if you do go the route of dropping a 3.6 into a 3.2 it would be interesting to follow your build and see what you think of the end result. It is something I would like to do but I never keep my cars that long and you rarely get your money back on such projects so only worthwhile IMO if it is a keeper.

Regards

[anonymous-user]

Slosge - I am lucky enough to have a 5 series for long distance. The 997 is OK but lots of tyre noise - a 3,2 more agricultural but fine for commutes of 30 - 60 mins. A proper 3.2 engine rebuild starts at 5k for top end only but will give you years of service. Spend the rest a 3.6 transplant would have cost you on a full suspension and brake refresh and you will have a lovely car. And one that is easier to sell too if it doesn't work out for you.

[dibblecorse]

Jevvy said:

Quite a few of these projects in progress on impactbumpers at the moment, heres mine:

Ive done 60k km's in it since I fitted it a few years ago and its been pretty much bombproof. Not hard to do, just need to find the right donor engine or buy a cheap one and rebuild it. You might find though that once remapped it will probably be a little faster than your 997

Lovely car Jevvy, I'm 5 mins from Reading, will keep an eye out for you, would love something like that ....

[graemel]

slodge said:

I will get out and drive a 3.2 soon, but was it agricultural from a handling perspective or just generally?
Cheers

The important thing is to try a good one. A bad example of the mark will put you off. Of course the first thing you'll notice is no power steering but the steering is not heavy even when parking. A good one has a lovely weighted feel to it. You have no abs brakes but they are servo assisted and work brilliantly.
The essence of these 3.2's and earlier is that the feed back you get through the entire car is second to none. You are in charge. Before swapping out engines I'd recommend a suspension refresh. New torsion bars and sports bilsteins.
I would have no issue in using a 3.2 as a daily driver but would upgrade the headlights to HID units. My own 3.2 is a little bit to track focused for this and I did think about buying another as a pure road car. I have ended up going for something a little earlier than the 3.2, a long hood car.

[supersport]

GT Two said:

I have had several 996's a 997, a 964 and now a 3.2.

You can easily drive a 3.2 everyday and it will be a joy if a good one, its very connected on the road and as you say very enjoyable at low speeds.

If you are to enjoy a 3.2 everyday make sure, heating is sorted, light bulbs are a decent brand, brakes are good, and is corrosion free.

If you can find one with a rebuild then bonus!

Mine has had a full rebuild at Tuthills which the previous owners had just paid for but I still have spent nearly 20k on the car with paint, wheels, tyres, suspension, brakes, interior.

A sorted car will be a joy do own and drive.

I have just been offered a swap in mine for a lovely 996 GT3, at first I was tempted bat after talking/thinking it through I think I am going to stick

God I love your car, am soooo tempted to do that to mine, but also love it standard. I especially love those wheels, the rears are

Maybe I should just get another one, can see that going down well with the wife