I'm getting ready to do my 60K service. A fellow Porsche guy told me while I was in there changing the spark plugs i should go ahead and change out the stock coils for 997 coils. Anyone ever do this? thoughts?

 

Will the springs fit? I don't know.
But even if they fit I doubt it would be proper for your car due to 997 springs being setup for weight of the 997, not 996...
I have been wrong before once or twice though.

 

I think he is talking about spark plug coils. I think if the car is running ok then not.

 

You should ask to to have a look to see for any Cracking..

 

I would think the coils from the 05 997 would be fine since it's basically the same 3.6l motor. Other years might be alright too?

 

Good question..a lot of the new replacement parts for the 996 are now 997 prefixed parts...same part..new number..you may find the new ones are already 997 ones. A lot of money to spend, though if they aren't showing any signs of cracks or damage. The packs are easy to change..it's the plugs that are hard.

 

According to the Porsche parts guy I spoke with, all new coils are for the 997, but are also being used for the 996. No 996 specific coils are being made today. I just ordered six of the new ones today for the 60K service I'll be doing. I think it's good preventative maintenance to change them. I just moved to NY from Florida. My car had never seen a winter before. I can imagine that due to the searing heat in Florida there would be some cracks after 60,000 miles in the coils. If any moisture gets in those proposed cracks and the temperature drops below freezing - which it eventually will - I will have problems. It's $300 for peace of mind. It's worth it.

And, why are the plugs hard to change? I never had a problem before.