Been going back and forth for the last two weeks now about parting out the car to sell it to get a 02-04 porsche 911 twin turbo. anyone have any insight to this or any ex 996tt owners? Basically, the s2k is going to be Afi turbo'd with a borg warner (gt35r equivalent) running pump gas, unopened stock motor initially trying to achieve 400whp on pump. Will probably seek more with a built motor, but still don't know reliability of that. Currently, here are the pros and cons of each that I have laid out:

Turbo'd s2000 (ap2)
Pros:
-Cheap to replace motor if it pops
-Relatively cheap to modify the s2000 in general
-power to weight ratio is better, despite less overall power
-bigger aftermarket support

Cons:
-weak drivetrain, needing to upgrade the rear diff and addressing the transmission eventually
-Draws more attention from police in my area
-less practical, due to less compartment space and possible occupant space



Porsche turbo
Pros:
-Supposedly, the 996tt engine is very stout and reliable
-500awhp easy, and should last longer than 500whp on an s2000
-awd, can be a pro or con, but able to put down the power easier
-Rated #1 in reliability?
-Driving experience with a porsche
-prestige and status of a porsche (had to throw that one in there)
-Stronger drivetrain (can handle 800+ hp easy)

Cons:
-possibly more expensive insurance
-increased cost of maintenance (wear items, mostly. Gas and oil changes are relatively similar)
-expensive mods/harder to source
-main thing that scared me are motor rebuilds about this vehicle (~$10-15k)

Background info:
S2000 isn't quite the smoothest and softest ride. Loud from 3" catback, waiting to put the turbo in. Has upgrade engine mounts. The s2000 is heavily modded and should be almost done with the build (hopefully).
I work at an Audi, Bentley, and Porsche dealership, if that helps.

Thanks in advance!

 

996tt if $$ allow. They can make 500+ easily and your in a Porsche.

I'd save up and buy a 997tt but they are like $100k

 

Porsche.! I drove a 996 Carrera and it was rock solid at high speed and braking. It's just a different feel no comparison of both cars.

 

is money an issue? cant budget build a 996/997. and when they break, its mad cheddar.

if money is not an issue, F yeah then

 

I don't know about them being more reliable if you have to rebuild engine every 10-15k

my cousin had a 996 gt3 and had to have engine replaced within 10k miles, luckily it was still under warranty. he had way more issues w his newer Porsches than he ever had w decades old nsxs. 3 porsches brought brand new w less than 100 miles, nsxs were 1995 w approximately 40k when acquired.

he did put more miles on the gt3 than anyone else in NA, per the dealership

 

He meant it cost $10-15k in money, not miles.

 

my biggest problem with Porsche is that volkswagon owns it, and volkswagon maintence is expensive. but needless to say im not a volks man. But if your willing to spend the $$ get the Porsche, but like you said if you pop an engine it would be mad money to put a new block. i searched for 02 to 04 911 turbo engines and couldnt find one. but i found a 1970 turbo 911 for 4k

 

you forgot the most important comparison..


S2000 gets you this..


Porsche gets you this..

 

thanks for the insight and suggestions so far.

If this helps any, the goal for the s2k after i get everything dialed in is 450-550whp with pump and meth.

For the 996tt, i'm going to do light mods: exhaust,tune, intake, wheels, suspension, which is still a hefty amount, maybe $10k and more.

Money isn't quite an issue with regards to purchasing the car and the mods, but I wouldn't exactly say that it's painless to have to fork over another $10-15k in case something goes wrong with the motor. People on the porsche forums are praising the strength and reliability of the 996tt motor, but their idea of reliability is ~100k miles, I believe. One very knowledgable porsche guy believes that the stock motor with slight mods can go 150-200k no problem.

What i was hoping for was the FI'd guys to chime in and tell me how much fun their s2k's are with more power!....or any regrets they have with turboing/scing their cars

 

My car is fun and pretty fast, but I want it to be faster

450 stopped feeling fast after a week, but its good for a dd