phillipj

Thanks Randy!

Nic, I would stay clear of the aftermarket brakes. Just go for the OEM unless you track your car. I don't know if they have corrected this but the hub of the Zimmerman rotors used to rust. Looks nasty. Also the aftermarket pads will create more brake dust. I'm a freak about clean wheels so I personally hate brake dirt. Just my opinion. You can get everything you need for the brakes online for under $400. The job is easy. Can't help with the CV joints but I'm sure if you do search you will find a thread that will help you. Lots of great people on this forum to help you out. Success! Phillipj

Thanks Loren!

99 996 C2 I'm the third owner of my car. I bought it when it had 50k on the clock. My mechanic was asking me if the engine was replaced early in it's life (besuase so many of the 99's did have engines replaced.) I have to records from the first owner but they don't show any such replacement. But the records are incomplete at best. :unsure: Is the any way to trace an engine replacement through the vin#? Thanks, Phillipj

Congrats! Get ready for sleep deprivation! Phillipj

Bill, You shouldn't be afraid to work on your own car. I was at first also. With help from the guys on this site they can walk you through all kinds of maintenance and modifications. Learn to work on your car and you will save money and also have more pride in your toy! :renntech: Phillipj

Vette67, I'm in Southern California and their are some real bloodsuckers out here too. Thanks to this site I'm able to daignose problems before hand. Then I buy the parts and have my mechanic do the work and just charge me labor (which is very reasonable.) Here is example of the "Porsche tax" you spoke of. A very popular independant here charges outrageous prices. I took my car to him once for an oil change and he came back with a list of things that needed to be "done" to my car. New clutch (my clutch is old but just fine) new tires (he would only use Perrelli's, God bless him).. Spark plug tubes and Cam cover reseal (didn't need it then and only one side had some weeping) There were a few other things as well. All tolled he wanted about $4k to "Get my car back to form" What an ***... I have a doctor friend who has two Turbos, a 993 and a 996. He goes to this guy and never blinks at the price. He told me that he needed new front brakes with rotors for the 996. His trusty mechanic told him it would be $1200!!!!! $1200 bucks for brakes? Please! :o I sent my friend a parts list and showed him that all parts came to about $600. Thats with tax and shipping. All Porsche OEM. I said "Do you realize this jerk is going to charge you $600 in labor to do your brakes?" (Labor on brakes is a bout a 2 hour job as we know) So you have to be careful out here as well! Sorry to go on such a tangent but these kind of jerks prey on ignorant Porsche owners. Really makes me mad!!! :angry: Sorry again for the rant.. Phillipj

From what I have heard a chip can void your warranty. Mufflers will not. Any Porsche upgardes such as X-51 headers also will not void the warranty. I agree with Vette, T he most simple sound upgrade would be the cold air intake. Only takes a few minutes to install. I Have the Fabspeed mufflers and love them. Really makes a huge difference in sound without being too loud or obnoxious. Everyone has their own personal opinion when it comes to muflers. Phillipj

Norby, I have thee Fabspeed mufflers and cold air intake on my 996 C2. Its a sound upgrade more than anything. But I like it much more than the sound of a stock 996. I love the sound of my car. I have the chip as well. I bought the car with all these mods including the short shift kit (a must have IMHO) I have the RSS plenum too. I bought it used from another member of the forum. In my case the performance gain is noticable. I love it. I agree that the ask price of $1000 for a new one is a bit much. Would forget about the cats. A waste of money in my opinion. If you want one see if you can find a used one (the plenum.) Phillipj

99 996 C2 Just wonered if anyone has a good way to clean their headliner. Mine is not leather. Don't want to use just any kind of cleaner and make it look worse. Thanks in advance! Phillipj

Izzy, I found the same tool online for $180.00 Made out of aircraft quality plastic. Shame on you for the needles mark-up :D :lol: :D Phillipj

Update, Spark plug tubes replaced and cam cover bolts re-sealed. Had oil changed as well. Provided all parts ($60 bucks less oil) and my mechanic charged me $225 bucks. Very fair I thought. Getting the old tubes out was kind of a bear but putting the new ones in was easy. Just got the car back and wound it up to high revs. (This is when it would leak before the repair.) No leaks on the exhaust and shameful smoke this time!. Dry as bone so far! :clapping: Will inspect it again in a few days. This is a pretty easy DIY if you have a lift or want to remove the wheels and mufflers. Thanks for everyones input! :renntech: Phillipj

Beware of the dealer!!

How does a metal tube leak unless somehow damaged. If u did not damage it, U are seeing oil residue from the "O" rings! I con't fathom how a tube can leak just on it's own!! The tube is not metal it's plastic. It's not the tube that leaks it's the 0 rings. The tubes are only $7 bucks. Better to replace them as well.. This is a pretty common ailment for high mileage 996 motors. This is all new to me. None of my other car(BMW's, Benz) had "spark plug tubes! A big thanks to RFM for all of his input and help on this subject. Very much appreciated!!! :D Phillipj

Thanks for everyones input. Loren and RFM helped me out on this topic so I knew what parts to order. Yes I have the new O rings (small and large) and the special Porsche lubricant. The tubes need to be replaced because they are leaking badly. A visual inspection confirms this. I will also remove my cam cover bolts (one by one) and treat them with silicone sealant because they seem to be leaking as well. I will let everyone know how it goes. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: Phillipj

Going to replace the leaking spark plug tubes on my 99 996 tomorrow. My mechanic will be doing the work and i will be there to observe. I would have done it myself but without a lift it seemed unwise. I will pass on any valuable information after the job is complete in case anyone has this job facing them :renntech: Phillipj

Here is a thread with techniques to remove your emblem. http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?s...=emblem+removal Success, Phillipj

I have the plenum on my 99 996 3.4. I love it. There was another member with the plenum who posted some dyno results. His results were max of 20hp in the 4500 to 6500 rpm range. Only about 10hp on the low end. Here is the link to the thread http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?s...2&hl=plenum I like the results on my car. Phillipj

Wow! Thanks for that response. I have been posting on rennlist in response to this customer. Please read (my anger was brewing on some of my posts sorry). http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/show...eferrerid=16432 Wow, sounds like you have pissed off a lot of people. Hmmmmmm........ Not a good forum to have a bad rap. We tend to listen to our brothers and sisters here.

There is a good thread here regarding your topic. Here is the link http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?s...ng+exhaust+tips Success, Phillipj

Simon, If you want the dual tip look try this link http://www.nrauto.com/sub_index.asp?makeid...spage=Accessory They are called "996/996 Turbo dual tips". Scroll down on the menu on the left side till you find the tips. Phillipj

Welcome! Both car are awesome. I covet your GT3. That is very nice indeed! Phillipj

That is a great price. About 5k to 8k below what they are asking in So Cal. Phillipj

Sent you a PM. Phillip

Go to another shop. That is way out of line Phillipj