Totally agree about the 996 shift knob. Rubbish design and ergonomically awful. I replaced mine with a Black Forest Industries perforated leather one. It transforms the driving experience 👍
I’m coming to your series a bit late but, ironically, I just installed the Numeric Short Shifter kit and cables in my ’01 C2 last week. I’ve owned the car since new and have always loved it, though the shifting experience has always been weak. I would completely concur with your observations about its “bolt action” feel. I am using it in the middle mount, at least initially, and am loving its feel. I did also install the additional insulating hose and there is a little bit of noise communicated from the gearbox but mild and maybe like you, I quite like it. I’m on the west coast of Canada so I doubt a Hartech conversion will be happening for me but you’ve earned a subscriber here. Great videos with lots of information. Thanks.
@@leeevernden Like many, I had the IMS bearing done on the recommendation of my mechanic back in 2011 and a rear main seal too. We put a new clutch in at the same time solely because the gearbox was out and he even told me that it hadn’t been necessary. I will add that even now I only have about 75,000 KMS on the clock which I realize is quite low (I’ve had five other daily drivers during the P-car’s life). However, I’m now retired and am committed to doing all the service work myself and recently completed a raft of work, culminating in the Numeric installation. Honestly, it’s been a very satisfying process. Fortunately (touch wood) I’ve had no significant problems. Now with the age of the car, there are jobs I’m looking at doing simply because of its age and not necessarily due to mileage. I’ll also likely be driving it more now too. Gotta say though, that increased torque you have with the Hartech conversion would be very tasty. Nicely done.
@@marcusslade9804 Thanks Marcus, and yes the extra torque is very nice. Looks like my car was one of the unlucky ones to have serious engine failure at 30k miles in 2009 and then a slightly botched repair job, but it worked out in the end. I do find this car is ok to work on, although being in the UK the rust particularly steel bolts going into the alloy subframe bits are a real problem. But certainly service work is easy and the numeric install was a breeze.
Love the Numeric shifter (didn't bother with the cables), 2nd best mod I've done after PSE. A Hartech 3.7 would be right up there though... I'm jealous!
I have a 1999 C2 which had a replacement engine (35k miles ago) from Porsche with the bigger IMS shaft and bearing. I have owned it for 2 years now and covered around 5k miles. It never smokes on start up and the oil level never drops, even between changes. I use Mobil 1 0W40 oil. Great videos BTW.
Thanks Francesco. In the case of the Hartech engines, I think the oil consumption is due to the Nikasil coating, but they said I'll have to see what happens with mine, it might use virtually nothing but some engines do use a bit, I'll just have to monitor it over time and see, so far it's used nothing. The puff on start up they say is because it's a flat six and they all do it. I have to say though it must be a tiny puff as I didn't notice it before and I don't notice it now either. I think they just don't want people to get unrealistic expectations as both of those things are just normal for some engines and it doesn't mean there is a problem.
Great stuff this Lee. Have to say I’m surprised how happy you are with the engine, not to doubt Hartech but I’m just surprised to see how much an extra bit of CC makes.
The extra CC is half the story, so it's not just that there is more peak power and torque, the custom tune has brought peak torque in much sooner - so at certain RPMs it's making so much more than before, more than just the extra 300cc has given it anyway. It's the overall package is so well done.
Great video! Thanks. I just had my 1998 M96 engine rebuilt. I use 5W50 oil. Which one do you use? After driving for 4.000 kilometers it used 750ml of oil. What is normal oil consumption after rebuilding the engine?
Thanks, Mine runs on Millers nanodrive cfs 10w50. And I've been told there is no such thing as normal oil consumption on a rebuilt engine, there are too many variables.
Great stuff Lee! I did just the Numeric shifter on mine a few months back, it's a huge improvement and just lifts the driver engagement up a level. I'd love to do the Hartech engine on mine one day. Do you know if they ship as far as Australia?? Doing the IMS/RMS/clutch/engine and gearbox mounts in February. That will be my first BIG bill. Any chance doing an exhaust video from outside of the car? I'm assuming you have a stock exhaust with just the 200 cell cats? Keep the content coming mate, very much enjoying it.
Thanks! And yes Hartech ship all over the world, pretty sure they have some engines in Australia already, crazy really but they do offer such a good product. Funnily enough I was trying to get some exterior and drive by footage for this video at the weekend but again the weather was so bad so it did't work out. Plenty of other videos to come though so I will get some exhaust noises soon. Currently the car has stock silencers, some cheap stainless manifolds and top gear 200 cell cats. What exhaust has yours got?
@@leeevernden I just have some gundo-hacked standard silencers which I bought from another 996 owner after he changed them for a set of Skart ones. I'm very happy with the sound, it's only loud when you get hard on the throttle and quiet when you're cruising. The Hartech engine is on my wishlist, my engine has some very minor bore-scoring, which I was told should be fine for a couple of years (fingers crossed).
@@robadrenalin Hartech showed me some extreme examples of bore scoring when I was there, by the looks of what they showed me it can get very very bad indeed and still run! Gundo hack sounds interesting actually, I shall have to find someone near me that has it and give it a go.
Here is a link to JF Customs Ebay store, so much stuff available for the 996 in suede and leather - www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_dkr=1&iconV2Request=true&_blrs=recall_filtering&_ssn=j-f-customs&store_cat=0&store_name=jfcustoms&_oac=1&_nkw=porsche%20996
Tyres are the N rated Pirelli P-zeros all round. They were on the car when I bought it, the fronts I had to change as there was a bulge on one side so they are new, the rears are 3-4 years old or so. Not really had chance to test them properly, but the rear does step out easily when it's cold and wet - no surprise there really.
Cheers for the updates Lee. It would be good if James could maybe get a standard car along for a twin test to really show the difference the 3.7 makes. Did you have the option of going to 3.9 or is this the max on the 996?
Hartech do a 3.4 to 3.7 for the 996.1 or if you have a 996.2 with a 3.6 they do a 3.9 conversion. A standard 3.4 c2 must be a rare thing, took me ages to find one. I may be able to get some acceleration figures from one soon though so that will be interesting to compare with mine.
Totally agree about the 996 shift knob. Rubbish design and ergonomically awful. I replaced mine with a Black Forest Industries perforated leather one. It transforms the driving experience 👍
Miles of smiles…Got to love it…..👊
I’m coming to your series a bit late but, ironically, I just installed the Numeric Short Shifter kit and cables in my ’01 C2 last week. I’ve owned the car since new and have always loved it, though the shifting experience has always been weak. I would completely concur with your observations about its “bolt action” feel. I am using it in the middle mount, at least initially, and am loving its feel. I did also install the additional insulating hose and there is a little bit of noise communicated from the gearbox but mild and maybe like you, I quite like it. I’m on the west coast of Canada so I doubt a Hartech conversion will be happening for me but you’ve earned a subscriber here. Great videos with lots of information. Thanks.
Thanks Marcus, owning yours from new is amazing! I admire the commitment. Any major work required to yours in that time?
@@leeevernden Like many, I had the IMS bearing done on the recommendation of my mechanic back in 2011 and a rear main seal too. We put a new clutch in at the same time solely because the gearbox was out and he even told me that it hadn’t been necessary. I will add that even now I only have about 75,000 KMS on the clock which I realize is quite low (I’ve had five other daily drivers during the P-car’s life). However, I’m now retired and am committed to doing all the service work myself and recently completed a raft of work, culminating in the Numeric installation. Honestly, it’s been a very satisfying process. Fortunately (touch wood) I’ve had no significant problems. Now with the age of the car, there are jobs I’m looking at doing simply because of its age and not necessarily due to mileage. I’ll also likely be driving it more now too. Gotta say though, that increased torque you have with the Hartech conversion would be very tasty. Nicely done.
@@marcusslade9804 Thanks Marcus, and yes the extra torque is very nice. Looks like my car was one of the unlucky ones to have serious engine failure at 30k miles in 2009 and then a slightly botched repair job, but it worked out in the end. I do find this car is ok to work on, although being in the UK the rust particularly steel bolts going into the alloy subframe bits are a real problem. But certainly service work is easy and the numeric install was a breeze.
Love the Numeric shifter (didn't bother with the cables), 2nd best mod I've done after PSE. A Hartech 3.7 would be right up there though... I'm jealous!
It's definitely a good combo. And yeah I think once my standard backboxes are spent I'll be looking at a switchable exhaust. best of both worlds.
I have a 1999 C2 which had a replacement engine (35k miles ago) from Porsche with the bigger IMS shaft and bearing. I have owned it for 2 years now and covered around 5k miles. It never smokes on start up and the oil level never drops, even between changes. I use Mobil 1 0W40 oil. Great videos BTW.
Thanks Francesco. In the case of the Hartech engines, I think the oil consumption is due to the Nikasil coating, but they said I'll have to see what happens with mine, it might use virtually nothing but some engines do use a bit, I'll just have to monitor it over time and see, so far it's used nothing. The puff on start up they say is because it's a flat six and they all do it. I have to say though it must be a tiny puff as I didn't notice it before and I don't notice it now either. I think they just don't want people to get unrealistic expectations as both of those things are just normal for some engines and it doesn't mean there is a problem.
Times have changed since Mobil 0-40….Millers 10-50 is now strongly recommend..
Great stuff this Lee. Have to say I’m surprised how happy you are with the engine, not to doubt Hartech but I’m just surprised to see how much an extra bit of CC makes.
The extra CC is half the story, so it's not just that there is more peak power and torque, the custom tune has brought peak torque in much sooner - so at certain RPMs it's making so much more than before, more than just the extra 300cc has given it anyway. It's the overall package is so well done.
Great video! Thanks. I just had my 1998 M96 engine rebuilt. I use 5W50 oil. Which one do you use? After driving for 4.000 kilometers it used 750ml of oil. What is normal oil consumption after rebuilding the engine?
Thanks, Mine runs on Millers nanodrive cfs 10w50. And I've been told there is no such thing as normal oil consumption on a rebuilt engine, there are too many variables.
Great stuff Lee! I did just the Numeric shifter on mine a few months back, it's a huge improvement and just lifts the driver engagement up a level. I'd love to do the Hartech engine on mine one day. Do you know if they ship as far as Australia?? Doing the IMS/RMS/clutch/engine and gearbox mounts in February. That will be my first BIG bill. Any chance doing an exhaust video from outside of the car? I'm assuming you have a stock exhaust with just the 200 cell cats? Keep the content coming mate, very much enjoying it.
Thanks! And yes Hartech ship all over the world, pretty sure they have some engines in Australia already, crazy really but they do offer such a good product. Funnily enough I was trying to get some exterior and drive by footage for this video at the weekend but again the weather was so bad so it did't work out. Plenty of other videos to come though so I will get some exhaust noises soon. Currently the car has stock silencers, some cheap stainless manifolds and top gear 200 cell cats. What exhaust has yours got?
@@leeevernden I just have some gundo-hacked standard silencers which I bought from another 996 owner after he changed them for a set of Skart ones. I'm very happy with the sound, it's only loud when you get hard on the throttle and quiet when you're cruising. The Hartech engine is on my wishlist, my engine has some very minor bore-scoring, which I was told should be fine for a couple of years (fingers crossed).
@@robadrenalin Hartech showed me some extreme examples of bore scoring when I was there, by the looks of what they showed me it can get very very bad indeed and still run! Gundo hack sounds interesting actually, I shall have to find someone near me that has it and give it a go.
Have you got details on the gaiter? 997 shifters seem to change hands for a few bob. Curious about what tyres you have on the car?
Here is a link to JF Customs Ebay store, so much stuff available for the 996 in suede and leather - www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_dkr=1&iconV2Request=true&_blrs=recall_filtering&_ssn=j-f-customs&store_cat=0&store_name=jfcustoms&_oac=1&_nkw=porsche%20996
Tyres are the N rated Pirelli P-zeros all round. They were on the car when I bought it, the fronts I had to change as there was a bulge on one side so they are new, the rears are 3-4 years old or so. Not really had chance to test them properly, but the rear does step out easily when it's cold and wet - no surprise there really.
@@leeevernden the plastic centre console does let the interior down a little TBH
@@chriswharrier3571 Agreed, I was looking at the leather covers but I have a blue interior so it might look a bit odd with a black leather console.
@@leeevernden Mine is metropole blue, has a leather dash etc
Cheers for the updates Lee. It would be good if James could maybe get a standard car along for a twin test to really show the difference the 3.7 makes. Did you have the option of going to 3.9 or is this the max on the 996?
Hartech do a 3.4 to 3.7 for the 996.1 or if you have a 996.2 with a 3.6 they do a 3.9 conversion. A standard 3.4 c2 must be a rare thing, took me ages to find one. I may be able to get some acceleration figures from one soon though so that will be interesting to compare with mine.