Drive it like you Stole it! Can it handle it?

[still1graphics]

Ok, so how many of you really like to give your 996 hell??? And if so can it take the abuse and the wrenching of the clutch from a hard squelling take off!!! Please share your does and don'ts when it comes to letting it ride... Can you push it too much and break it or can porsche's really handle the abuse like a race car? Thanks for you coments...

[JordanSimon]

I don't know about dropping the clutch and smoking the tires but so far my 996 has done very well on drivers ed track days. Half hour sessions at 4000-7000k RPMs without so much as a hicup.

[SY996]

Dumping the clutch on a full throttle takeoff would be bad for even the most solid cars in the world - I wouldn't reccommend it in any car!

However, 911's really can handle being pushed for long periods of time. Even standard Carreras stand up to very long periods of time on track, tyres squealing on each corner and threshold braking everywhere. You may however get a brake fluid warning if the car is sliding around alot with PSM on (meaning the brakes will be used far more than usual and the fluid could overheat) - but you would get this in any car with stability control. In a nutshell they're up there with the very best of cars out there for taking a 'beating'.

[mprowan87]

How well does the 2.7 motor/transaxle stand up to abuse? I do not plan on being abusive to it and generally take care of clutches etc, however I just purchased this vehicle and want to be able to skillfully drive it to its full potential if I so desire. Therefore, I have been "practicing" my shifts and starts (no hard launches!) fairly regularly for a few days. Mainly, I have been teaching myself how to shift as fast as possible, usually in 5-6k range but occasional 7k shift. How does the vehicle hold up to this. These habits will only be short term as I am already becoming satisfied with my shifting speed consistency.

Is this extremely hard on the clutch? I'm not too concerned about the clutch because I need a good excuse to go ahead and upgrade the IMS bearing but what about the transaxle as a whole? Is it made to be driven like it seems it should? Also, will this accelerate the IMS issue that is so prone to 986/996 vehicles?

I just want to make sure I am not doing anything that could adversely affect my car. It deserves nothing but the best love and care.

[logray]

There are tons of p-cars driven hard very regularly with tens upon tens of thousands of miles, countless DE or track events where those types of high RPM shifts are perfectly normal. This is a high performance sports car, not a Prius.

Can the car take it if you drive it hard? Absolutely!!! Will you go through more clutches, tires, flywheels, brakes, oil changes? Yes!

Could the engine benefit from mods to help strengthen/prolong it's life if you plan to drive it hard all the time (track)? Yes...

Edited December 8, 2011 by logray

[still1graphics]

So is it normal for the car to have a burning smell and ticking noise coming from the rear after you really put it thru it's paces? I notice it only after i really drive it hard, there are no leaks and no oil burning or loss. So what could the smell be and is it normal or should i be concerened??? Does anyone else notice it or am i just being to nervous about driving the car a little harder than normal? thanks... :cursing:

[kgoertz]

Perfectly normal. They have been a few theories on the cause but it appears to be very common. One is that it is due to the cosmoline Porsche sprays on the car before shipping.

In my case it is definitely due to small pieces of rubber from the rear tires ending up on the exhaust pipe. Spraying down the exhaust and the exhaust tips (once the engine is cool) makes the smell disappear for a while.

But then again I now consider the burning smell as proof that I gave the car a good workout :-)

[belleriver]

I get that burning rubber smell all the time when I drive it hard. I feel the same way - good workout. It is a racecar, so drive it like one. If you maintain it properly it won't let you down. I'm not saying I beat the hell out of mine but I definately drive it aggresively any chance I have - otherwise you might as well own a Minivan!

[DrGr33nThumb215]

not going to lie I indulged a burnout session earlier this week late at night, did a 4-5 6-7k clutch drops, had the windows down so the burnt rubber, & clutch smell lingered overnight, but it didn't smell any different then doing 5 or 6 6500 rpm launches in my STi, hence again the sign of a good work out, I seldom get the very faintest ticking sound after very aggressive driving but after a minute or two at idle seems to dissipate but is that regular?

[fpb111]

Not too many 7k rpm clutch drops here but definately "drive it like you stole it" driving.

http://jalopnik.com/5869774/eight-minutes-of-porsche-911-gt3-rally-car-goodness

[judgejon]

I agree with everyone.

Just came back from a long drive over the coast mountains and back in the rain. This is why people like me enjoy the C4S. Ran fairly hard over very familiar curves and had that familiar tire smell when back in the garage. And some clicking as the metals started cooling down. Normal stuff I'd say.

Worst oil smells I had were on my old 'SC. the oil cooler(s) leaked onto the right side heat exchanger. sometimes I'd clean it, but not regularly. After a good run there was always that familiar smell of oil from the right rear side. This was fairly common on the SC's. It got to the point where I kinda liked it. People would come up to me sometimes and ask if something was burning under the car. I generally reply it was from the asphalt I'd melted driving over it.

Still1, take her out right now and celebrate NYE before everyone else is on the road, .... and enjoy. Cheers, jl

[kahdmus]

Like to drive my porsches hard on the twisty backroads. Never dump the clutch and am constantly paranoid. I leave the burnouts to the muscle car drivers, lol!