You hit it on the nose... Cab vs coupe. The base 997 is really just a facelift of the 996. It's the same mechanicals and frame for the most part, with a new exterior and interior. So if you raced a stock 997 coupe with a stock 996 coupe. It's all driver.

The PASM is the biggest difference in the 997 performance if the car is equipped. Even that from a performance perspective could be "outdone" by some 996 options. Too bad in america 997 owners can't order the real -30 sport suspension with the LSD, their only option is PASM.

 

i guess i need to go out and buy a camera and figure out how to get the pictures on here! lol...

 

I have an 04 996 no options car except the sunroof, manual seats, standard radio, etc. The only changes I've made are the addition of RUF springs (which are a big improvement over the US stanard) with stock dampers. I have a couple of friends that I do track time with. One of them has a well optioned 997S with the bose radio, sport adaptive seats. He's added tubi mufflers and H&R springs with stock dampers. We both run simalar sized Michelin PS2. We weigh about the same. I'm guessing my car weighs approx 200 lbs less than his. Both of us are experienced drivers with similar abilities. In a striat line up to about 130mph (which is about as fast as we've tried) There is nothing between the two cars. We've switched cars many times with same results. Racing around Eagles Canyon Raceway there is still nothing between the two cars. So... this is not an internet search of specs, real world. I think it's fair to mention that no two cars are the same, meaning sometimes you get a good one and sometimes not. I got lucky with a good one.

All the best...