1997 Porsche 993 911 Carrera Coupe 6-Speed Manual LSD Full Engine and Transaxle Rebuild

The 993 variation of the Porsche 911 has always been regarded as the best of the great “air-cooled” era.  These cars perfectly blend classic Porsche performance with modest creature comforts.  Plus, the 993 produced even more power with the introduction of the VarioRam engine.  Horsepower was at 282 while the car weighed about 3,000 lbs.  Paired with a manual transmission it’s the perfect recipe for air-cooled fun.

This Porsche was built in September of 1996 and sold new on November 23^rd, 1996, by Heishmans Porsche + Audi of Arlington, Virginia.  It was ordered with the following factory options:

• US Emissions
• Stainless Steel Tailpipes, Oval
• Stainless Steel Door Entry Guards with Model Designation
• Aluminum Look Instrument Dials
• Aluminum Shift Knob
• Aluminum Hand Brake Lever
• Limited Slip Differential
• ABD Automatic Braking Differential (Traction control)
• Cassette-radio Becker Porsche CR-210
• 17” Wheels
• Holder for Cassettes and Coins
• 8-Way Electric Seat – Driver
• Wheel Caps with Colored Porsche Crests
• Automatic Speed Control (Cruise Control)
• Sound System
• Power Sunroof

The MSRP was $73,457, approximately $144,100 in today’s dollars.

The first owner was Hugh Thompkins of Bethesda, Maryland.  Hugh only kept this 993 for about 18 months before selling it on May 14^th, 1997, with 3,860 miles to Tom Trew of Rockville, Maryland.  Tom kept this 993 for the next 11 years and added 34k miles.  Tom was fastidious with his care and kept service receipts for all the work performed or parts purchased during his ownership.  Highlights of his services include:

• Regular fluid services
• Replace DME control unit under warranty (10/98 @ 11,723 miles)
• Replace instrument cluster under warranty (1/99 @ 12,602 miles)
• RS clutch & flywheel, 30k mile service, slave cylinder (10/01 @ 21,997 miles)
• Bilstein PSS-9 coilover suspension & RS adjustable sway bars (12/01 @ 22,300 miles)
• Rear RS sway bar drop links (7/02)
• Rebuild brake calipers (8/02)
• Rebuild transaxle w/ Porsche Motorsports LSD/ PMS steel synchros (5/03 @ 28k miles)
• Replace fan bearing hub (6/03 @ 26,775 miles)
• Replace engine mounts (7/03)
• Replace windshield (OEM) and seal (9/04 @ 31k miles)
• Replace both axles (6/05 @ 32k miles)
• Front wheel bearings and clutch slave cylinder (4/06 @ 33,957 miles)
• New ignition wires (10/06)
• Adjustable 22mm rear sway bar w/bushings from TRG (5/07)
• Replace rear wheel bearings and CV boots (3/08 @ 37,561 miles)

Other services and upgrades not noted in receipts include a rebuilt steering rack and an extra oil cooler added.

Tom sold the car in April of 2008 with 38k miles to Robert Mitchell of Gaithersburg, MD.  Just after Robert purchased the car, he damaged the engine at a driver’s education event, which required a full engine rebuild on 4/18 @ 38,183 miles.  The engine was completely disassembled and every part was inspected and either replaced or cleaned.  This engine rebuild was performed by Auto Therapy in Gaithersburg, Maryland and included:

• All new gaskets and seals
• Mechanical rocker arm conversion
• Regrind cams for mechanical rockers
• All new rod and main bearings
• #8 main bearing
• Factory piston rings
• Chain tensioners
• Upgraded racing timing chains
• New chain rails
• Replaced cylinder head, machined, and valve job
• Custom machined valve guides
• New injectors
• ARP head studs
• ARP rod bolts
• Replace engine case
• Oil pump shaft
• Replace oil cooler
• New oil lines/hoses
• Air valve/cutoff valve
• New belts (power steering, drive, a/c)
• Fuel and air filters
• Penn break-in oil

The total was $29,400, which would be around $45k today.

Robert kept this 993 for 3 years and added another 2k miles.  He continued to service it at the same shop the prior owner used.  He sold it in July of 2011 with 40k miles to another client of the repair shop, Howard Walton who was also from Gaithersburg, Maryland.  Howard kept this 993 for the next few years and added 5k more miles.  During his care, he continued to use the same shop that had been servicing this Porsche since 2001.  He too serviced it regularly as the prior owners had done.  In 2013, he was working on the car and the jack slipped on the driver’s side causing minor damage to the lower rocker panel.  The repair/fix was only $1,100.  He turned it in to his insurance and the repair shop showed it as very minor damage on Carfax®.  Also, during his care, he replaced the alternator in 2013 and new brake pads in 2014.

Other services and upgrades not noted in receipts include a rebuilt steering rack and an extra oil cooler added.

Howard sold the car in August of 2014 with 45,375 miles to someone in Colorado who turned around and sold it to the current Southern California owner in December of 2014 with 45,446 miles.

For the next 9 years, this owner has only added another 4k miles of light weekend use.  It’s an extra “fun” car for him.  As his family commitments grew, he had less time to enjoy his 993, so he asked us to help find the next caretaker.  During his tenure with the car, he truly enjoyed the “nesting” phase and made it his own with some tasteful upgrades and regular services.  Highlights of these include:

• Front control arm bushings, crank shaft seal, rear sway bar links (1/15 @ 45,522 miles)
• 993 Euro Turbo look front bumper (2/15)
• Tarrett front drop links and rod end boots (3/15)
• Tarrett 993 RS style rear drop link set (6/15)
• Oil service and inspection (6/15 @ 45,900 miles)
• Transaxle fluid service (8/15 @ 46,143 miles)
• MPL upgraded clutch slave cylinder (6/16)
• Oil service, brake flush, and inspection (1/17 @ 47,540 miles)
• Upgraded to OEM wide oval exhaust tips (2/17)
• Replace rear fender stone guards (5/17)
• A/C system refurbish, oil service, and inspection (8/18 @ 48,188 miles)
  • Replace A/C evaporator
  • Replace expansion valve
  • New receiver drier
  • Dye test
  • Recharge with R134
  • Oil service
• Formawerx polished aluminum ignition key (5/19)
• Oil service and inspection (8/19 @ 48,535 miles)
• FD Motorsports/Fister Stage II mufflers in velvet black (10/19)
• Rennline aluminum pedal set (12/19)
• Custom BBS E88 Wheels in Gold w/5mm spacers – 18×8 / 18×10 (4/20)
  • 2” lip in front/2.5” lip in rear
  • Supreme power center cap adapters
  • OE BBS white gold caps
  • BBS Japan barrel decals
• New Falken Azenis FK510 tires (235/40-18 & 265/35-18) (Late 2020 @ 49k miles)
• *Recaro Pole Position seats with custom houndstooth seat inserts (1/21)
• (original black seat inserts are included and easily interchangeable)
• Oil service and brake flush (1/21 @ 49,159 miles)
• Interstate battery (1/22)
• 30k mile major service (1/22 @ 49,616 miles)
  • Oil service
  • Fuel filter
  • Cabin filter
  • Spark Plugs
  • Inspection
• New speed yellow front seatbelts (2/22)
• 993 climate control unit repaired (10/23)
• AC system recharge and dye test (10/23)

Additional items installed by this owner include:

• FD golden rod shifter
• FD short shift kit
• OEM European Turbo front bumper
• OEM Turbo S spoiler lip
• OEM Aerokit 1B side skirts
• RS rear wing (original decklid with spoiler and motor available)*
• Turbo S front air scoops (original OEM fog lights included)
• Tore T-light HID 4300K head lamp kit
• G2 Riviera blue brake caliper kit
• 996 GT3 steering wheel refinished w/thicker perforated leather/silver 12 o’clock marker

We sold this 993 to the current Southern California enthusiast on November 7^th, 2023 with 49,800 miles.  We had just sold a 997 GT3 for this owner as he wanted something more vintage that had back seats for his daughter.  He purchased it with all the additional stock parts.  For the past year, he’s added about a thousand miles.  Although he has enjoyed this 993, I believe he is looking for a more vintage/raw Porsche experience.  During his care, he took it to Black Forest in San Diego on 3/24 at 50,724 miles for routine service and inspection, which included:

• Inspected suspension and found to be in good shape with no needs
• Lubricate sunroof and make sure it works properly
• Oil service (Mobile 1 15W/50)
• Brake and clutch fluid flush
• Repaired heater blower motor mounting
• Inspect vehicle and found in excellent condition with no significant needs

The exterior of this 993 is in excellent shape and indicative of the owners who truly cared about this car.  It was obviously, always garaged and neurotically serviced.  The paint looks great with minimal signs of use.  The front nose (hood, bumper, fenders) has been repainted due to rock chips.  The front bumper was recently upgraded to a new Euro bumper.  It has a small/light scuff in the middle.  The aforementioned jack incident in 2013 led to the repaint/blending of the left rear fender into the driver’s door.  The rest of the paint appears to be original.  There are no signs of any prior accident damage or other issues.  The glass is in great shape with no significant chips and the proper factory stampings are present.  The windshield has some superficial scratches from the wipers.  The BBS E88 wheels are nearly new and have no curb rash.  They are custom made and as a result, the fitment to the car is correct.  They are wearing near-new/full-tread Falken tires with less than 2,000 miles on them.  The brakes are also over 75% life remaining with minimal age on the rotors.  The rear deck lid is an RS Touring-style spoiler.  The owner has the original decklid with a motorized spoiler and is available to purchase separately*.  All the exterior lights work.

The interior is equally as nice and as you would expect for a low-mile example.  The original leather seats are in great shape with no tears and minimal wear.  They are available for purchase separately*.  The Recaro Pole Position seats are nearly new and are the later models (post-recall).  They came with black seat inserts, which are included with the car.  The owner recently had custom houndstooth inserts made.  They can easily swap back and forth due to their Velcro backing.  They show minimal signs of use.  The rear seats also look unused.  The headliner is in great shape with no tears or sagging.  The door panels are also very nice with minimal pocket warping.  The door stays also appear to be in good working order.  The dash has no cracks or warping.  All the gauges work properly.  The electric mirrors, windows, and sunroof all work.  The original radio operates and sounds decent.  The A/C system has recently been refurbished and checked, including the control unit.  It blows cold.

The best way to describe the driving experience is tight and sorted.  It starts easily and has a nice grumble from the exhaust without being too loud or droning.  Once at operating temperature, the throttle response is very good and thanks to the light flywheel and RS clutch, it builds revs with haste.  The acceleration is smooth throughout the rev range.  The lightened flywheel makes a typical mild chatter at idle but is easy to operate with no stalling issues.  The transmission shifts smoothly through all gear selections and the clutch engages properly.  The internal improvements in the engine and transmission are primarily for longevity, but it does rev quicker.  The brakes have an excellent initial bite with no fading or pulling.  The handling is precise with quick steering, yet it is still compliant over our uneven freeway surfaces.  This would be a great example to take on a fun canyon drive or even a long-distance road trip for a Porsche event.

This Porsche has current California registration valid to December of 2024 and it passes California’s emissions/smog test.

This 993 C2 includes 4 main keys with 2 immobilizer remotes (1 keys is Formawerx and 1 key is 917 replica key), 2 original valet keys with factory key card, original window sticker, radio card, owner’s manuals with vinyl case, original maintenance booklet with stamps, 3-ring binder with most service records from new, tool kit, jack, wheel locks with key, original front fog lights, original Recaro Pole Position seat inserts, rear wiper with motor, original front turn signal assemblies, wheel lock lug nuts, front license plate tow hook holder, original front seat belts, original shifter hardware, and race-style tow hook.

*Available for purchase in addition:  original leather seats and original steel deck lid with rear wing and motor.
**Note: VIN and other numbers withheld to protect against fraud.  All numbers including VIN, Engine, and color will be provided to serious buyers.