Been on the forum a while and have many friends with 996tt's, and I'm often seen in various mexico-run videos

Anywho, I've had my C6 Z06 for about 3 years now. Which is a record for me, as I have a very short attention span for cars. It's been incredibly reliable and insane performance stock. It's stock aside from straight pipes, lowered, and blacked out. It's really been an awesome car.

But lately I've been thinking about trying something different. I don't want to jump out of my price range (40's to low 50's). And so far the only thing that has really interested me are 996tt's, which I have been around a lot.

The only problem is I do not want to downgrade too much in performance. Although I know the interior/build quality/etc. will be much better in the p-car, stock for stock I know there will not be much of a competition in terms of straight line performance. I'd ideally like a car that could be in the lower 7's/high 6's 60-130's while being reliable and relatively cost effective.

I've been looking at k24 and k24/18g setups and I feel that would be great, but again I don't want to buy a car and throw a bunch of money into it. Another big part is that I definitely drive my car, and I want reliability.

I'm just curious to hear opinions about making such a jump or if anybody on here has done it. Would I be able to find a k24'd mildly modded car in my price range? How do basic k24's (x50) with a tune/exhaust/etc. compare to a K24/18g setup in terms of reliability/performance/etc?

Overall, I'd just like opinions (albeit I know they may be biased since its 6-speed ) if you guys think I could be happy with this change

 

its a turn key big hp car that gets 22mpg. you can drive it daily even in snow or rain. you will have to look very hard to find a car that will beat you in any enviroment i.e. 1/4 mile, road course or on the street.

it sounds like you already know the answer to your question. just go buy one

 

The bottom line is that as good as Z06's are, 996TTs are much better built cars.

 

I'd argue against better built. I went from a C6 Z51 (so only 436hp) and the build quality is not as different as advertised. The low-end torque of C6 is a heck of a lot more fun. No waiting for the turbos to spool.

I own the 996TT because of the AWD and Iowa winters. If I still lived in Florida, I prefer the C6.

One man's opinion.

I'd challenge that the Z06 performance is a match for the 996TT too.

 

All you need is a 996 TT with K24's a good tune, exhaust to match/exceed a c6z in straight line performance. K24/18g will be significantly faster, both more reliable than most C6Z's. Don't forget LS3's are ticking time bombs on the road course, and LS7's have had more than their fair share of kabluey's too. I'd consider yourself lucky that you've tracked your Z06 with no problems. You will be taking a step up in reliability.

 

alot cheaper to fix a busted vette..

if 40-50 is your range. I don't think I would take the leap unless you get one with CPO..
that breaks once and it could be a shocker.

 

I've owned both stock and modded. The Z06 comes with ridiculously weak cast pistons, and an even weaker transmission and rear-end.

The 996TT comes with a forged motor from the factor and an almost bullet-proof tranny. The Porsche paint is far superior to the Corvettes, as well as the interior plastics and overall fit and finish. I had to build my Z06's motor, tranny and rear-end just to safely run 700 rwhp. I can run that much power on an otherwise stock 996TT all day long. IMO, the build quality of the Porsche is leagues better than the Z. It's almost overbuilt.

Understand that I'm not dissing the Z. I really like the cars very much, and they are incredible performers in bone-stock configuration. But I'm also very aware of thier inherent limitations.

 

a lot more likely too

 

I owned a C5 Z06 (not C6 Z06), albeit a very nice and well cared for one...and was never happy with the overall fit and finish of the car. I truly loved it's performance and that was the sweetest engine I ever owned (stock). Most of the other cars I've owned have required significant modifications to really unlock their potential whereas the C5 Z06 just felt right to me the way it was.

I test drove a C6 Z06 the same day as the 996TT and knew within 1 block of driving the Porsche that it was the car for me. The C6 Z06 was much faster, even compared to my flashed 996TT, but that alone didn't do it for me. I truly love the overall look, feel, fit/finish, and relative rarity of the 996TT when you compare the 2 cars. I think since you already got your Z06 bug out of your system that you'll really appreciate what the 996TT brings to the party.

Since straight line performance is a big thing for you (relative to some of us), I'd say to shop around for a carefully modified 996TT and have it thoroughly checked out. There are a lot of nice cars on the market, and I think you'll find that you can get quite a lot of bang for your buck.

Unless you're planning to really drive it hard regularly, I wouldn't be too scared off by the pricetag of fixing the car...but it pays to do your research on that front so that you're not surprised later on. Check your insurance rates too as my 996TT costs a bit more to insure than either a C5 Z06 or a C6 Z06. Best wishes to you and let us know when you bring one of these beauties home!

 

I don't post too terribly much, but I thought I'd offer my $.02. I've owned Vettes since 2000 and have mixed feelings. I thought the C5's were under powered, but once I got to the 505HP C6 Z06, I was pretty impressed with the power. My last Corvette was a ZR-1, and although it was an amazing car, it was just too much money for what it was, and I got rid of it. From a comfort point of view, I fit much better in my C6's than I do in my '03 911 Turbo. To me, it was a more comfortable ride, but that could just be the seats.

From a performance standpoint, my Switzer modified 996 beats the pants off any Corvette I've owned, including the ZR-1. With the pricing of mods these days, you could get a bone stock 996 turbo, throw a few grand in upgrades, and like Divexxtreme said, you'll have far more than any Corvette could offer. For far less money than my ZR-1, I have a track ready monster should I choose to go that direction.

 

LS3's are not "...ticking time bombs" on a road course. They've been proven to be more durable than the LS7 in many applications...the power of the Internet is truly amazing.

 

I haven't heard too much about the LS3's having any issues?? I know a few LS7's that are toast due to some hard tracking but no LS3's. I thought that was the durable motor based on the Escalade with better flowing heads..

 

Vettefish, sent you a PM...

 

Coming from the true track man himself. Queer

 

My friend spent more then i am asking for my car for sale on his Z06 and i walked him HARD. and he dynoed his at 517 to the wheels plus the Nitros. So think Long and hard!