Hello everybody,
Sold my 997TT a few years back and in the market for a 996TT.
Got a few random questions and could use all the advise I can get!
Random Questions:

1 Best year to look for mechanically speaking …recall hearing something about IMS bearing issues?
2. 996 to 997 headlight conversion updates?
3. Exhaust Conversion.. last time I checked, Europipe was very popular.
What everyone thinking now… love the popping and crackling sounds.
4. Spooling Sound. Never heard much of it in my 997TT and not sure why…insulation? Any way thinking 996TT was better😀. Anyway to hear more spooling with the proper aftermarket exhaust? Recommendations?

I know it’s a lot to ask but could really use your thoughts.. any comments on any questions would be much appreciated. Thanks Everyone and Happy New Year 🎊

 

Ims issue is in the non turbo’s. Turbos didn’t have that.
Can’t help you on the headlights but I personally love the 996 headlights. The egg yoke refers to the boxster headlights and the turbo looked much better.
Most people seem to go x pipe and either a high flow cat or cat delete which will give you plenty of crackle and overall noise.
The exhaust really opens it up so you can hear the spool more. I’m about to go with filters directly on the turbos and I’ve been told that helps with the overall sound also. But exhaust is the first piece.

 

If you have the means get that yellow 996 tt here by UNVMY996TT all done up!

 

Codyk,

Did the 3.8L "S" engines have the same IMS problems in the 997's?

 

Did the 3.8L "S" engines have the same IMS problems in the 997's?

 

Are you trolling?
All 996TT were 3.6L. To answer your question, 01-05 were mechanically the same. Some reports of 2nd gear popout issues in the 01 and maybe 02, but not that common and can just check if a specific car has that prior to purchase. Otherwise they're identical. Just find a well maintained car.
To hear all the whirly turbo noises, at a minimum you need catless exhaust. Changing to MAFless and blow off valves, +/- better turbos, will complete the orchestra, but with just a catless exhaust you will hear the turbos.
As for the headlights, it's what you get. You can do a full headlight conversions but they are involved, and make the car look funny.

 

Thanks Trillypop.
Not trolling...just trying to get back up-to speed.
"Did the 3.8L "S" engines have the same IMS problems in the 997.1's?"
This was a non turbo question. Learning that the non-turbo 997.1's could potentially still have IMS issues prior to the 2009 997.2, was wondering whether the 3.8L engine used in the "S"'s in those 997.1 were safe from IMS problems seeing that they were a different engine.

 

2005 and prior 911 997 and 996 had IMS issues if it's really even an "issue". Very few 06 997s had it but Porsche did an update shortly into the 2006 year run.

 

Thanks so a 2007-2008 should be fine?

 

07 and 08s are solid. There is a post somewhere showing the engine series cut off for the 06 but just get an 07-08 and your solid. Or an 05,06 that has the IMS documented replacement which there are a lot out there.

 

Love my 997 Turbo, have the AIM Titanium catless exhaust the spool sound is addictive. Actually about to sell her as I jump up to something a lil more exotic. But the spool sound you want starts with a cat-less setup and whatever exhaust you want to pair it with.

 

Thanks for the advise. Remember driving a 996TT with no mods and the spooling WAS additive. When I bought my 997TT w/o mods, was disappointing the the spooling was gone. Thanks for the advise on getting that additive sound back...now all I need to do is find a TT to modify.
So that Cats are what hide the sound? so catless with maybe an xpipe?

 

I prefer the 996TT, it is more direct IMO, feel smaller and more raw than the 997TT. The 997TT is already too digital for my taste.

As for exhaust I have the Agency Power Titanium exhaust in my 996TT and it is intoxicating. Loud but not ridiculous. Beautiful too, highly recommended.

https://www.agencypower.com/blog/por...aust-and-more/

 

Cats definitely hide the sound couple that with a solid exhaust and you will have the sound you want for sure. Hard to beat that sound

 

The interior of the 997 is leaps and bounds better than the 996. In fact, it still fits in with todays interiors.