Take your classic daily driven white 997 GT3 and then after a couple of years turn it into a more track-ready SharkWerks 3.9L spec with some help from Brembo, HRE & RSS, Guard, Numeric Racing and a few others (sorry for leaving you out). Sounds like our favorite recipe....

Off comes the rear end and as with most GT3's we see in our waters, this one already has a SharkWerks exhaust:


Out comes the stock 3.6 engine:


On the gurney she goes into James' 3.9 cave:


Oil tank, intake manifold off and now we have access to spaghetti junction:


Getting down to the block:



And you can see the beginings of the infamous coolant issue on this 20k mile GT1 block. To be fixed along with our coolant pipes:


Although the lifters are light, they've proven to not be especially durable. They are very much a wear item that we replace:


Check out those jugs:


And out with the 3.6...


While engine parts are in the washer being cleaned a few track-themed RSS suspension components are laid out including the Toe-steer, Dog Bones, Rear LCA and Semi-solid engine mounts:


All of the suspension links and softer neoprene bushings are about to get dealt with:


That's tighter and better!


Won't be needing those anymore...


The SharkWerks 3.9 assembly begins:


And then some rather nifty headwork:


Nice ports... new guides etc.. all in preparation for life at 8800rpms:


She's getting there:


That's a 3.9 block:


Timing the SharkWerks/EVOMS camshafts:


The RSS Semi-Solid engine mounts are installed:


Now the engine is ready to go back in:


Brand new fluids and some top soil left...


Tuned and ready for 8800rpms:


A few finishing touches including a set of Textured Black HRE 19 inch P40 wheels:


But before those go on it's off with the factory drilled rotors:


The Brembo Type III 72 vein two piece slotted rotor system is used. Not only does it provide improved cooling and is less prone to fade but it saves a few pounds in the process:


Mates with the exceptionally good stock 6 piston caliper:


Further track prep on the inside starts with the removal of the plastic-ridden stock shifter mechanism:


Stock vs the adjustable Numeric precision shifter kit:


The factory gen1 sport seats are removed in favor of the Mk2 carbon bucket seats and a SharkWerks fire extinguisher kit


Harnesses are to be mounted along with TC Design roll bar:


Schroth 6-points mounted in there too:


With some break-in miles yet to go she's not only tuned with EVOMSit 3.9 software but she gets that all important badge:


A closer look at Tony's handiwork:


Now she's hungry for some NorCal tracks and canyons:



The HRE offsets are more aggressive and ditch the need for factory spacers:


Cheerio and there's your 5 fins baby!:

 

Awesome !!
Great detail and totally well rounded project.
Makes all other builds look pale.
Any dyno results?
Job well done.

\m/

 

Awesome build. Thanks for all the details. I'm sure she is true beast on the track and mountains roads now.

 

Who needs a 991 when this can be done? The only addition I would make is Cup uprights all the way around. Wow!

 

Thanks Keyser Soze! We actually try to keep it an apples to apples thing. Basically the two years R&D, data logging, dynoing, tuning back and forth that we put Kermit through, plus another 7GT3 non RS meant that we arrived at where we were happy and do not require any tuning changes. So unless we are going off of the reservation so to speak and keep our conversion exactl the same each time we're in good shape. It's a complete/ready to go type of thing. So we have tuning for street exhaust 91, 93 and/or 100. Then we have the same configs for the more open race exhaust. Finally we even went out to EVOMS to custom tune a GT3 3.9 conversion where the owner wanted to retain the dual mass flywheel. Indeed there were difference so it was a good thing to do that.

The only other changes since the release have been due to Porsche's prices lol!
Glad to share it! Can't wait to see what Marc thinks when he picks her up today

Aw thanks man!

 

I'll be giving you guys a call when my 996 GT3 motor eventually need refreshing

 

Aw thanks man! I loved my 3.9 996GT3 so we'll be here
http://sharkwerks.com/porsche/996-ca...40-wheels.html

 

That build thread is what lured me into deciding I have to get this upgrade. Very nicely detailed.

 

Beautiful work. Here's a silly question (maybe?): Assuming cats/intake/software show "stock" and pass visual will this pass on the CA smog check dyno tests?

 

After asking for my deposit back on the 991 GT3 mainly but not completely because of no manual trans. I am now seriously considering doing the 3.9 conversion next winter since I'll now be keeping my car for a long time.

 

I'm the same way Bruce. I know the 991 will be fast etc... but where's the involvement? Sorry but PDK in a GT3 kills the whole spirit for me. They should call it the GTS or something? I'm always going to have a GT1 block 6speed GT3 in my life- till the end And yes with a 3.9 in it too...
We have actually tested 4 different 3.9 builds and indeed they passed with flying colors They run pretty darn clean
Hehe sorry about that!

 

Keep it.. this is my car Alex just finished. Quite simply amazing, this car is iconic in my view. I have paddles on another car and a part from the speed of gear change its not as engaging. 997 GT3 is end of era in my view and a keeper.

 

Thanks fellas! Every single 3.9 gets the entire tarmac line up for suspension too. Can't have one without the other
So glad you you're a 3.9'er Marc! I'm with you on this... pdk for show and 6speed fora pro....

 

I'm strongly leaning this way, brings out the full potential of the car.

 

Mine's always here for a drive