I have tentatively sold my current car (deposit being sent on it) and I'm trying to decide on a new sports car now. Unless I save for another year or so, a turbo is probably out of the question, so I've been looking at the C4s. I've come to realize that the 3.6na is just like any other na engine that has a big brother TT motor and that any hp mods aside from a simple exhaust/intake probably isnt worth it. Is the 3.6na motor easily turbo'd? sc'd?How is the suspension aftermarket for the C4s? This would by my first venture away from Rwd, so how is awd on road courses? I'm coming off a 500hp rwd car so I dont want to be disappointed in my next car when it comes to fun factor. I know i'll probably get a lot of "get porsche" answers here, but how would you rate the c4s against a C6 and viper for those who have driven both (comfort/handling/braking)? I've been trying to read the board a lot, but hopefully this post can help clear up some stuff.

 

The C4S is a phenomenal platform, AWD, Turbo brakes and cooling, sport turbo suspension, wide body, etc.
At the track, you won't be disappointed, out of the box it handles like it's on rails, needs very little, the only reasonable upgrade would be to a x73 suspension.
Motor wise, the 3.6 makes good power and the C4S actually puts it to the ground. Simple mods will give a little bump in HP, but not much. A sc is very promising, the evo and Ruf units are the best. Forget a TT conversion, waste of money, the longblock will never take it. I think the best engine mod is the x51, only adds 25 hp, but very reliable and well researched.
I think you'll be amazed how well the car will handle, you won't need all that hp. I regularly track my car with a buddy of mine in his Viper, my car always outdoes his on the track, night and day handling difference. Zero squirrliness.
The C4S was Walter Rohrl's favorite 996. On the 'Ring it is faster than any c2(ex GT3/997), runs 8:14, that's actually faster than the 993 TT ran the ring and much faster than an out of the box c6,c5 or Viper will do the ring.
You really don't need to do alot of mods bc it gets around the track so well out of the box. You will find yourself being given the pass signal by much more powerful cars. I'm sure alot of guys will advocate major suspension mods, but truthfully, you don't need it.
The best part is it is the best daily driver you'll ever own!

 

Yeah, what he said.

Love it man. Go get it.

 

Right on the Money!

 

Hey Doc, did you used to work for BBD&O, or Young & Rubicam? That was the most articulate post I've read here, or on Rennlist. I'm happier that I own a C4S than I was yesterday!!!! Thanks

 

Just trying to help! Happy Easter everybody!

 

Thanks, that was a great answer!

 

C4S Surgeon....well put.

Remember though that the horsepower figures that Porsche publishes are conservative. Many have dynoed their NA or TT cars, with and without the X51 and X50 mods respectively, and have gotten significantly higher HP figures. For example the 996 NA engine with the X51 which porsche claims only makes 345HP has been dynoed by some in the 360+ range.

Dynoed stock TT's have been reported to make HP in the mid 400's and stock GT3's in the low to mid 400 HP range, both well over the published Porsche figures.

I have never dynoed my car though to see if those claims are true or just fantasy .

 

Say, NeverFastEnough, I was noticing your signature, and was curious how you liked some of your mods, particularly, X73....would you like it as a strictly street mod, if you never tracked your vehicle? Are there any pictures of your car to view?

thanks,
richard

 

The C4S puts the power to the ground very efficiently. After driving a 500 HP RWD car there may be some lack of drama.

 

driving anything after that may be a little subdued!

 

Agree with everything said--I love my C4S cab as a daily driver. It handles incredibly well in any condition, has never given me any mechanical trouble, has room for my two kids, and looks beautiful to boot.

 

I don't know what your budget so it is hard to make a solid recommendation. I own a 04 C4S and I love it. I bought it new and love the fact I have driven nearly every mile on the car.

However, if your budget lies in the $80's, I would be hard pressed not to recommend a patient search for a used (02) Turbo. When I bought my C4S new, I couldn't justify the cost of a new Turbo and am sorry to say I didn't look hard enough for a good used Turbo. Sometimes they show up as fantastic deals. Be patient.

However, if you are set on a C4S, you will not be disappointed. Surgeon is right, the car performs great out of the box. I have scheduled some significant upgrades to the car and plan to drive it for years to come.

 

I think that if you came from a 500hp car, you're going to be disappointed with the C4S. To you, a C4S probably wouldn't qualify as more than "peppy".

It's fast enough to be fun, but you'll be craving more power pretty quickly.

If you're not going with a Turbo, then I would recommend going for the C2 Anniversary Edition. There're some good deals on those, they're beautiful cars, and they already come with the Power Kit.

The reason I say this is, I had a C2 before my current Turbo X50, and I found the rear-wheel drive C2 to be a lot more fun to drive in the turns than the AWD Turbo. (Although, it may simply be the 400+ extra pounds the Turbo carries over the C2).

BUT--if you can afford a used Turbo, I would totally go that route. I find the overall package of the Turbo (i.e. the acceleration) much more exhilerating than the carrera.

 

I would say my budget is high 60s, which is why I couldnt really spring for a turbo now, although I could save for another year or so then pick up a used one if its really worth it. If its not going to be a turbo/gt2/3, then I would go for c4s instead of another model in the 996 group. I was also considering a 96/97 viper w/ the forged internals and using the extra money to mod that. I would say its between those two right now, but i'm not ruling out a c6 just yet either. I need to look in to sc'ing the c4s for its potential though, B/c I can sit here and say I dont need a lot of hp, but in reality after a few months of owning whatever's next, i'll probably need more power and the viper and vette both have a great aftermarket for go fast goodies. Plus I'm about 1 mile from cartek who does excellent work on vettes. I'm not sure how difficult p-cars are to work on, but I am mechanically competent and would like to do as much of my own work as possible, but on the items I can't tackle I would have to find a reputable shop in central jersey. Who are the more trustworthy shops in this area?