The fifth generation of the Porsche 911 introduced major changes when it hit dealer lots back in 1997, and it wasn’t just the exterior redesign, either. Known as the Type 996, the revamped car gave up its air-cooling system and switched to water for the first time, although the flat-six layout was retained. Nearly 300 HP sounds like more than enough for most drivers, but somebody thought this 1999 Porsche 911 Carrera here on Craigslist needed extra, with the output now reported to top the 430 mark. This unusual German/American combo is in New Braunfels, Texas, and is listed at $46,500. Fun find here, Rocco B., and thanks for sending us the tip!
Missing from the rear of this 911 is the 3.4-liter engine that would have been present when the Porsche was new, and filling the void now is a GM 6.2L LS3, known for the excellent performance it delivered in both the Chevrolet Corvette C6 and Camaro SS. While this sounds like a fine choice to fill the bay here in general, this engine also features a cast-aluminum block, so the lightweight factor was also a good idea. The seller describes performance as fast and smooth, and with the V8’s mileage reported to be under 20,000, there’s likely plenty of life left for the next owner to enjoy.
The remainder of the Porsche is said to be at 86,000 miles, with the interior still looking pretty good for a car nearing the three-decade mark. Some additional good news in the performance department is that stick shifter, as it’s attached to a 6-speed manual transmission, so this one must be particularly enriching to get behind the wheel of. All of the instruments are stated as working, and the A/C is still blowing cold, so the driver and passenger can stay comfortable while going down the road as they pass nearly every other car in sight. Theoretically, there’s room for 4 in here, but just staring at those fold-down rear seats makes me feel claustrophobic.
Although the mechanics have been heavily modified, the owner says this one still has a clean Carfax report and that the car has never been involved in any accidents. The body still seems to be in very nice shape, and the Arctic Silver paint appears to be shining brightly, though there’s no word on whether or not the finish is original. In addition to the soft top, a factory body-color hardtop is included, which features a wheeled storage stand. I’m not sure how Porsche purists will view this one, but the concept appears well executed, and this 911 Carrera seems like a pretty cool offering IMHO. What are your thoughts here?
Sweet!! Look at those floor mats, i guess they ran in the mud. Posted 16 days ago.
Cool car. The engine swap looks to have been well thought out and executed. Purists won’t like it, but someone who’d consider using it as a driver might not care.
Steve R
I think they did one of these in Gas Monkey Garage a few years back. Came out pretty good. This is something I would not mind owning if my pocket could afford it.
I’d absolutely LOVE to take this to a Porsche meet. Can you imagine how many coronaries it would generate among the Porsche crowd? On another note, one of the locals stuffed a Grand National drivetrain into a 911. Guy must have a death wish.
Did the infamous I.M.S. bearing failure/catastrophe motivate this swap? If so, it’s probably cheaper than a new 911 engine.
Yeah I was wondering what the motivating factor was for the engine swap. You bring up a good point.
46k for a car that has been rendered virtually worthless. As an owner of multiple Porsche’s and a Concourse judge, no real Porsche owner will touch it.
I love it. I think it’s spelled concours
You sir, are correct.
I own a Carrera 4 2001 very similar with this one in champagne metallic color over red interior. I put slighlty better coils on the spark plugs, a racing Porsche exhaust (the on-off silencer socket pre-exists on all cars), a BRM reusable air filter and got close to 400 hp with less than 7k €. Easily up to 500hp or more (promised) if i reprogramed the CPU to a local mechanic. Then comes the service; Porsche will do some repairs (bodywork, switches etc) the rest to the engine manufacturers facility. Not practical in some cases.
Might not touch it Don, but I’d bet money a test drive would put a smile on their face 😀 😎 Very nice looking car. Applaud the effort 👍
What is the weight difference is between original and now? And I’m guessing that is all on the rear tires. So is this like the tail happy of 911s of old?
Still got to be fun to drive!
I was thinking the same thing: what’s the weight difference.
Google says it is between 30 – 50 pounds – the LS3 being heavier.
I didn’t even know such a swap was possible! Now that I know, I want it. I just can’t afford it.
Well, I for one would dispute your “virtually worthless” comment, but I can completely understand it coming from an apparent Porsche purist.
I’ll bet that this thing is an absolute gas to drive because that aluminum L-S can’t weigh much more than the original 6.
My wife had a BMW 750IL and the shop that serviced it was owned by a German gentleman that had previously been a Porsche engineer. I would absolutely love to drive this thing into his shop just to see his reaction.
The conversion looks to be well done, I really like it.
Cool a good lesson on how to chop off 75 percent of your cars value in one bad decision! Congratulations!
Somehow, I don’t believe that this guys concern was the value of that Porsche. If value if value had been important, he wouldn’t have done it. You can tell by the installation that this wasn’t done by Clem Cadiddlehopper in the hog barn. This guy knew what he was doing, apparently didn’t really care what the Porsche people thought about it.
You know ole’ Clem do ya? Back when he still had his tooth he did some good work for me in that old hog barn he did he did. Yup, he done got that 1.3 liter eco tech dropped in my ’88 560 SL cuz he said I’d get better gas mileage outta her . Turns out old old Clem was right. Ain’t never put a drop of gas in ‘er since and that was back when the world still made sense it was….
I take it right there but a good price for me is some 35k i love the swap concidering how shity were this years model with the ims problem i love to own something different and could always have a regular original 911 next to it in my garage, that most be the perfect daily an LS3 manual in the back of that porsche is the perfect combo for every little area of owning a perfect car.
Oversteer a concern?
Back a couple years I watched a video on a guy that did this for a living, his shop if I remember correctly was in Arizona he had a waiting list of people wanting the swap done. He did a 5.3 swap in Boxsters as well. I believe the v8 was about the same weight, the job he did was very professionally done nothing chopped up or hacked. It was very interesting watching the road test videos hearing the v8 growl. The reason for all these swaps failed I.M.S bearings. I understand the purists negativity here however Porsche has been having issues with their bearings for years, I personally would have expected Porsche would have fixed this issue years ago yet here we are swapping in dependable Chevy engines.
I for one do not have the money to own a Porsche but if I did I would consider this one or one like it.
Engine out spark plug change?
Without the pedigree it’s not a Porsche. Very nice car though for the right person.