IMHO, the best turbochargers for 996s without getting into Garrett territory are K16s with K24 compressor wheels or K16s with 997 compressor wheels.


From all that I have read, haven't driven an X50 car myself, the K24s are too laggy but have excellent top end. So I think a lot of it is how you drive.


Stock K16s are good for about 500HP.

 

Agree with others that somewhere around about $3k seems right.

Claims that the $18,000 factory power kit adds zero MARKET value is silly, IMHO. Kinda like saying that a GT2 should today be worth less than a TT because it has laggy K24s, no AWD, no PSM, no clutch assist and no back seats.

 

I own a X50 and it was important for me. I paid a premium for it.

Anyway you look at it, the X50 makes more power. Those complaining about lag are semi-right. The k16 may boost earlier, but it is irrelevant once the car is moving, just down shift so you're not caught off boost. Keep the revs above 2800rpm and the X50 pulls like a mother****er!

I do have a tune and 1.0bar wastegate, so my experience may not be yours. The k24s kick harder in my opinion.

Finally, I think the magazine ran the X50 under 12s in the 1/4 and never saw non-x50 do better than 12.2 in the magazines.

For someone looking to stay stock or close to stock, X50 is worth it. For those who want new turbos, it is a useless option.

 

That's my point the majority of people that mod change turbos and the option has lost its value unless put back to stock.

 

I think we're on the same page, but to clarify, I would argue that most people that mod their cars do not replace the turbos. Maybe this forum isn't indicative of this, but no forums are good indicators of what "most" people do (we're crazy ). The vast majority of owners leave their cars either stock or close to stock (i.e., tune, intake, etc.), hence why the X50 is a desirable option.

 

I agree by the numbers most are probably left stock but try finding a nice clean stock Turbo especially with low miles= most for sale are modded here and elsewhere. The x50 package is desirable and will be more so 10-20 years down the road when a clean 996tt will be rare as most are ran hard and put away wet. These cars are by far the most abused of the 911 tt cars and that will be the reason in the future of escalated values for clean stock cars= just an old car guys opinions lol.

 

Good point! I agree, X50 will be worth more in the future as will PCCB on a totally stock example. Highly modded cars will take quite a hit as is the case with all desirable and classic vehicles in the future.

Not trying to say you shouldn't mod or do what ever you want. It's your car, do what makes you happy. No sense in saving it for the next guy. Aside from changing the wheels and lowering with coilovers, I'm perfectly happy with stock. (A first for me) My car could be put back 100% in a few hours.

 

I have stock K24s that this summer were doing consistent 60 to 130 mph in 85F heat at 7.2-7.3 seconds and measuring at about 650 crank hp or 540 rwhp. I am about to get an E85 tune and new Intercoolers so will have an FBO car with E85 and boring stock K24s and I think we will see a 6.8 second 60 to 130 mph on a -2% slope. I have Id1000s and an intank Wallbro pump but the K24s on this set up start boosting okay for 2nd gear runs 30-60 mph in sub 1.8s.

K24/18s with E85 have done 5.18s 60 to 130 mph on a GT2 and K16/16s I think layinback had the quickest with 5.87s or so with a weight reduced car (both smoking times)... not sure what stock K16 and stock K24 record times are though

 

If you're looking for a X50 with PCCBs look at the S.