I have a 996TT and am looking at a 997TT as well. I am very well versed in the typical issues of the 996: spoiler rams, clutch accumulator/slave cylinder, 2nd gear pop out, coolant lines may need to be welded, etc. Wanted to know the major differences between a 996 and 997 as well as the typical 997TT problems to look for. Finally, what are the major differences between the 997.1 and 997.2 and are they worth the coin to jump to a 997.2?

 

997 turbos have variable vanes in their turbos, the 996's don't. Besides this, 997 turbo's look better and more updated . The interiors of the 997 are so much better imo.

Things to lookout for in the 997.

-the wheels, if the previous owner is running aftermarket rims, make sure he has the right tire setup (rolling diameters should be close to OEM), if not the differential will have problems because of the AWD.

- depending on mileage, the pulleys and belts require changing.

- Like you said, coolant hoses will be an issue much later. Best to change all hoses when the engine is dropped once it pops.

- If aftermarket clutch, make sure the slave or accumulator isn't failing.

- Check AC system, check drier condition.

The 997.2 comes with the PDK transmission, quick acceleration because of it, most like it compared to tiptronic.

997.1 comes with mezger engine (GT1 block) whereas the 997.2 comes with the newer DFI engine.

997.1 2007-2008 comes with the older PCM 2.1 with the exception of the 997.1 2009 model. '09 comes with the PCM 3.0 with touchscreen

997.2 has the newer PCM 3.0

If you like stick shift, an '09 997.1 will be the best choice.

If you prefer an automatic and faster 0-60 times with a stock car, go with the 997.2 turbo.

 

997.1 have bigger intercooler than the 996. 997.2 are bigger still.

 

Hi BMWTMX,
This issue has been covered extensively in this forum and a quick search around '996' in the 997 turbo forum should yield a number of comparison posts.

In the meantime, let me provide my personal perspective (and that's all it is) as I have owned 2 996TT's and now a 997.1 TT.
My second 996TT was a modified X50 which made approx 560HP at the crank and had a tune, upgraded suspension, exhaust, etc. It was as well-planted and well-sorted a beast as you could want on a daily basis.

The 997.1 significantly bests that 996 in every respect, especially once I uploaded a tune from Vivid Racing (the only mod I have made so far) taking it to approx. 610hp at the crank. The driving experience is simply 'next level'. My next mod will be the TPC Racing DSC computer (suspension module), which offers 3 suspension settings and according to user reviews is vastly superior to the standard 2-setting PASM option.
See here for thread:
https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...uspension.html

With regards to 997.1 vs 997.2: again, 'search' is your friend but my reason for staying with 997.1 is primarily this:
The 997.1 has the Mezger engine which has proven itself to be quite bullet-proof and extremely mod-friendly. There are 1200 HP Tiptronics out there on that engine. The 997.2 has the new DFI engine, which does not seem to offer the same flexibility in terms of 'upgrade path'.

If you're going for a manual, my advice is to get a low-mileage 997.1, spend the money on a thorough PPI and use the saved money (compared to the 997.2) towards a mod (or two).

 

For me it was the headlights, they were true 911 not the fried egg 996 style. I have owned 4 997 Turbo's three were .1 and my current is a .2 PDK. Never liked the tip, just felt balky and looked like crap in the car and was hesitant to go with the PDK until I drove it. The trans is fantastic, shift so fast really wakes up the car. The 6sp always seem that 1st was too low and found myself hitting the revlimiter many times pulling onto the freeway. You really feel the sport plus mode and I have never diving the car when it is not in sport plus manual. Yes it is worth the extra money to go with the .2. Oh and the radio is much nicer.

 

Definitely will be a manual car. I have read you need Sport Chrono. I think I would prefer the Metzger engine but I would like the updates so I guess 2009 is the year to look for.

Do they use the same slave cylinder/accumulator as the 996TT's with the same issues?
Do the rams for spoiler fail ala 996TT?
Any tranny issues with the manual?

These are my main concerns.

 

You definitely need Sport Chrono (in order to get Sport Mode and overboost and all the goodies associated with that).

slave cylinder/accumulator: I'll let others chime in on that.
The rams for the 997 spoiler appear to fail less often (or maybe just less early) than on the 996. They are definitely an item to check during PPI (not just 'does it go up and down', but is there any hint of hesitation, unevenness or leaks).

Transmission: I have not read as much about 2nd gear pop-outs on the 997 as I did on the 996, but I couldn't say whether that was because the cars are on average 6 years younger or whether it is because the components have been upgraded.

I'm sure others on this board can offer better insight.

 

Yea, what Maverick said......

 

I think I would opt for a 997.1 and try to find a 2009 going by what I am reading. I really like the Metzger engine and I have experience with it. Definitely Sport Chrono. But, I am reading that the 997's have the same 2nd gear pop out, same clutch accumulator/slave cylinder issues, and perhaps hydraulic rams but hard to tell due to age.

So, am I just buying a fancier 996TT? I already fixed all of the issues on my 996TT and they were not cheap. My concern is I buy my 997TT, passes PPI with flying colors (like mine did) and two years later I am fixing all of these problems (like I did!).

 

A few comments from what I learned in my search for a 997.1. Yes, the slave cylinder issue is present just like the 996's. I haven't read about any problems with the manual trans however the clutch is suspect. I have a complete stock 09 and I had to change the clutch due to slippage (admittedly it would only slip under extreme conditions and the car has to fairly cool to do it) I upgrade to a Sachs 2.5. I've also read very little about the rams on the rear wing.
I've never owned a 996 so I don't have any direct comparison but those that have owner both come down squarely in the camp that the 997 is significantly superior in terms of performance, the interior, and the exterior styling. The 09 is definitely the best year due to; ungraded PCM with a better radio, the availability of bluetooth and XM radio and a touch screen Nav. The challenge though is that Porsche only sold 321 coupes and 551 cabs during the 09 calendar year ( this is 09 CY sales not 09 MY as that is the only way Porsche reports them, certainly there were many 09's sold in late CY 08) so they aren't as prevalent as earlier model years. For comparison they sold 668 coupes and 1473 cabs in CY 08. I guess they were winding down in anticipation of the 997.2. If you can find an 09 6 speed go for it, they will probably be seen as the most desirable among the 997.1's over time. Good luck with the search.

 

My 07 has had both wing rams changed, accumulator, rad and there is a very occasional 2nd gear pop out.
Oh ya, and the low frequency horn. You'd think porsche would improve the known failures

 

Just so you know, only the tip and the PDK can hold the boost during shifts. The Manual can't which is why its generally slower.
People bash on the top but its still shifting faster than a human can. Also a number of rags got the tip 0-60 to 3.1-3.3. The best PDK numbers were 2.8 So for a "clunky, slow, ugly" unit its less than half a second slower than a PDK, granted you need a perfect launch.

Frankly the slow clunky and ugly are some what far fetched comments. I believe someone drove the new PDK and compared to the .2 PDK they though the .2 PDK was slow.....

 

Aside from 2nd gear pop-out these issues affect the 997.

I have the fixed wing kit on my car now and will go through the rebuild on my spoiler hydraulic system one of these days - they started leaking at about 53K on the odo. Had accumulator start to go at like 35K, went with the GT2 conversion / accumulator delete.

 

If by tranny issues you mean 2nd gear pop out then 997 doesn't have that problem. 2009 is a great choice...and it is the last of the Mezger (not Metzger) GT1 engines in the TT's. Good luck with your "hunt".

 

This isn't true and is internet lore. Please don't post that stupid thread about the subject, it's been beaten to death and should be deleted as misinformation IMO.

Either way, staying stock sizes is best as that's what Porsche intended, but it won't hurt your diff.