Boo hoo.

 

Richard ( may I call you dick? )
As jsbear has kindly noted, there's a lot of written information that the turbo's chassis was "stiffened" in 02. Aside from Wikipedia mentioning it when I double checked my original post in reply to your query.

I'll search again if it matters to me later as I'm sure you'd need any supporting docs before you believe anything that came from me. But no problem, if I can find it, I'll share it. In the meantime, it isn't some kind of assertion I just fabricated, it is common ( if not debated ) info about the changes to the car for MY 02.

As to what I may or may not be smoking, I'd suggest you ole some too... and relax. Or at least try.

 

118 of Excellence #195 under the 911 Turbo Buyers Guide article, quote

"For 2002, a number of changes were made in the sill, roof frame, seat pans, and tunnel to improve the flexural and torsional strength by 25 percent. The B-Pillar was also modified to accept new seatbelt tensioners and force limiters."

I can still scan if other want. Not trying to cause trouble, just relaying what they published

 

thank you.

 

Hmmm, I'll look into this further, otherwise my apologies

 

not a problem.. thank you.

 

Oct '09 Excellence states that flex and tortional strength was improved by 25 percent on the Turbo for '02.

 

Cut/Paste from the 2002 996TT Technik published by Porsche:

"Bodyshell 911 Turbo/911 GT2
Extensive reinforcement measures in sill, roof frame and seat pan area increase the flectional and torsional
strength by a further 25%.
The bodyshell has been modified in various areas for model upgrade purposes.
The B-post has been modified to take the new belt tensioner and belt-force limiter. In the tunnel and seat pan
area, an additional tube with side support has been fitted for lateral reinforcement.
A reinforcement tube has also been fitted in the side of the roof frame."

There is also a nice color coded cutaway picture showing exactly where the upgraded areas are located.

It also mentions the addition of the Glove Box, Cup Holder, matte vs gloss black dash switches, different seat memory functions, different seat belt tensioners, larger AC vents, changes to the alarm system, and PCM differences..

"Together with the integration of a new cup holder, the centre vent has also been re-designed.
The cross-sectional area has been increased by 20%, which improves interior ventilation."

 

03 and newer has MOST system (fiber optic) instead of copper wiring for stereo

 

Compilation from my research.

2002 added

Lockable glove box (Map pocket below steering wheel deleted)

Cup holders & larger AC vents
"Together with the integration of a new cup holder, the centre vent has also been re-designed.
The cross-sectional area has been increased by 20%, which improves interior ventilation."
Bose (analog) sound system standard
Flat non-glossy buttons, light switch

Redesign instrument cluster with on-board computer (former 259) standard
Hollow wheels (lighter then solid wheels -15 lbs)

Different seat and memory functions, changes to the alarm system, and PCM differences

Optional X50 package added

Belt pretensioner and belt-force limiter which contributed to more weight to increase B-piller structural enhancement for increased safety crash testing

Glove box, rigidity and crash protection were both enhanced structural increased by 25%

The bodyshell has been modified in various areas( tunnel and seat pan) for model upgrade purposes. Upcoming Convertible and C4S (M96 engine and transmission)

Note: that the adding the glove box required addition structural support because the glove box could not be opened under hard cornering.

01, 02, 03 owner's manual lists the weight as 3394.9 lbs
02 brochure states curb weight at 3395lb,s the 04 brochure states curb weight at 3505 lbs for the coupe

In 2003 the Convertible arrived, its reinforced B-pillars and other mods raising the weight by 70kg
03 added MOST fiber optic radio



Body 911 Carrera/911 Carrera 4

Bodyshell

Extensive reinforcement measures in sill, roof frame and seat pan area increase the flectional and
torsional strength by a further 25% on coupes and by 10% on convertibles.
Apart from the wings, which have been adopted from the 911 Turbo, the bodyshell has been
modified in various areas for model update purposes.
The B-post has been modified to take the new belt tensioner and belt-force limiter. In the tunnel
and seat pan area, an additional tube with side support has been fitted for lateral reinforcement.
The tunnel area has been modified to take the new (Tiptronic S) transmission. The position of the
transmission mounting on the body now corresponds to the 911 Turbo.
A reinforcement tube has also been fitted in the side of the roof frame.



Bodyshell 911 Turbo/911 GT2

Extensive reinforcement measures in sill, roof frame and seat pan area increase the flectional and torsional
strength by a further 25%.
The bodyshell has been modified in various areas for model upgrade purposes.
The B-post has been modified to take the new belt tensioner and belt-force limiter. In the tunnel and seat pan
area, an additional tube with side support has been fitted for lateral reinforcement.
A reinforcement tube has also been fitted in the side of the roof frame.

 

2004 was the model year for the introduction of the TT Cab in the US.

 

Yes I have a copy of Nov 2003 excellence with the 996 Turbo Cab on the cover.

as well Oct 2003 excellence of the C4S cab on the cover.

 

Seems like it would be pretty easy to get some underseat pictures of an 01 and later 911 to verify the additional tube.

Maybe a picture with the seat, carpet and sound deadening removed and then another picture of this area from under the car.

This could put this debate to bed once and for all.

Later, Steve

 

My personal opinion since it seems logical, reviews of the 2001 Turbo not having a glove box was a sore point. With them adding it, it may have lost some rigidity and with the upcoming convertible that would have requirements to increase roll over safety and well as increase crash test safety for side impact and seat belts that they had to enhance these areas. I think the seat pan and tunnel area would need to be modified so they could fix a completely different engine and transmission (tipronic trans for the m96).

Later when the convertibles were released in excellence they stated the A and B pillars where further enhanced.

I don't think any of it was done to for performance enhancement. But for increased safety with some addition weight added, though the hollow spoke wheels offset that weight. I would guess installing the OEM roll cadge would also enhance structural strength on any of the models.

 

This is correct several changes were made to the 2002 Turbo compare to 2001 Turbo. Chassis and Suspenion revisions were some of them.

As for the Title there is no MK1 996 Turbo only MK2 996 Turbo 2001-2005 in NA (2000-2004 ROW)

X50 was introduced in 2003 not for 2002 Model, i might be mistaken