Hello there! I'd like to start by introducing myself. I'm John, and I'm the creator behind 996 Enthusiasts, a platform created by a fellow enthusiast, for fellow enthusiasts.
My journey with 996 Enthusiasts began with my deep affection and unwavering fascination for the Porsche "runny egg headlights" platform. When I hit the age of 23, I decided it was time to treat myself to something truly extraordinary, a birthday present for me. I began the quest to find my very first Porsche 911. As I scoured the internet in search of that perfect Carrera to be my first 911, I soon realized that my budget would only stretch to accommodate a 996. However, this quickly evolved into a genuine passion for me.
MY FIRST 911, A 1999 PORSCHE CARRERA
I stumbled upon a 1999 Porsche Carrera in the elegant Basalt Black paired with a Savannah Beige interior down in San Francisco, and I had an instant connection with it. It might have had high mileage and had seen its fair share of the road, but it was bone-stock and well-maintained - precisely the kind of car I wanted to add more miles to. So, I made a life-altering decision: I purchased a one-way ticket from Seattle to San Francisco, packed a pair of socks, boxers, toothbrush, and was fully prepared to impulse buy my first Porsche.
In less than 45 minutes after landing at SFO, I found myself behind the wheel, heading back to Seattle. With each gear change as I navigated through the picturesque mountains, an unrelenting grin graced my face for 14 straight hours. For those of you that have ventured up Mt. Shasta through the town of Weed and into Oregon, you'll know the roads I'm talking about. Experiencing the unadulterated equilibrium and beauty of the 996, I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I had made the right decision.
As a passionate young car enthusiast, I wasted no time in embarking on the journey of modifying my 996. I eagerly installed a set of authentic Bilstein GT3 coilovers, experimented with some cost-effective headers from eBay, fully deleted the mufflers, fine-tuned the intake box with some modifications, not to mention the flashy custom graffitied C4S OEM wheels that I couldn't resist. I was absolutely infatuated with my creation. However, this love affair would ultimately lead to an unfortunate turn of events.
THE END THAT BECAME A BEGINNING
Tragedy struck, but it wasn't the dreaded IMS issue that plagued many 996 owners. No, my ordeal was even more unfortunate. Immediately after driving the car back from San Francisco, I entrusted it to a local shop for necessary maintenance, addressing the IMS, RMS, and AOS concerns right off the bat so I could enjoy every mile without a concern. I cherished the car for 17,000 miles before the camshaft chain tensioner (CCT) on Bank 2 started showing signs of wear, prompting me to repair it. Unfortunately, a mere 8,000 miles after repairing the CCT, disaster struck.
It was a grim knock, knock joke. Rod bearing #4 decided to make an untimely exit from the chat group, leaving me in a state of despair. I found myself three years into what I had initially envisioned as a lifelong ownership of my 911, only to be left with a vehicle that couldn't even budge an inch and a murky path ahead. So, the car sat idle as I began parting out some of the aftermarket components. It remained dormant for a period of two years while I deliberated on my next course of action.
Although the car needed a new engine, the flame for my 996 passion was on embers. As I was trying to decide what to do about the car, I ventured into a variety of different platforms during that time. I purchased a B5 S4 Avant in vibrant Imola Yellow, a rare 1994 Mazda RX7 FD3S R2, a dedicated track E36, and a few other vehicles that escape my memory. Nevertheless, the thought of the 996 always lingered in the recesses of my mind.
THE BEGINNING OF 996 ENTHUSIASTS
So, what's the story behind turning a non-running 996 into the foundation of this venture? Well, I made a bold decision: I was going to embark on the journey of crafting an LS1-swapped widebody masterpiece destined for SEMA. My goal was to compete in the prestigious Battle of the Builders Young Guns event in 2017, and I was determined to make it happen. Inspired by Ace's remarkable 996 RSR build from years past, I knew I wanted to build a car that would be even a step beyond his.
After locating a LS1 engine locally, I reached out to Renegade Hybrids for support and guidance. Armed with newfound knowledge gathered from watching YouTube tutorials on fiberglass craftsmanship, I dove headfirst into the project. The rest, as they say, is history. The culmination of my efforts resulted in securing a coveted spot in the Top 10 of the Battle of the Builders Young Guns competition for the year 2017.
Building a SEMA level Porsche 996 showed me how passionate other 996 enthusiasts were. As I embarked on this project, it introduced me to a community of dedicated owners, each with their unique stories to share. This was the spark that ignited the genesis of what would become 996 Enthusiasts.
This platform is the brainchild of a devoted 996 enthusiast, created specifically for fellow 996 aficionados. My mission is to kindle a deep appreciation for the beloved "runny eggs" and water-cooled Porsches. I aim to showcase the profound impact that the 996 generation had on the entire 911 lineage. It's a place where 996 Enthusiasts can find a sense of belonging.
So, I extend a warm welcome to the official 996 Enthusiasts web platform. I sincerely hope you derive as much joy from exploring it as I have experienced in building it over the past few years.
Though many years have gone by since this build, five to be exact, I still want to say thank you. Thank you the sponsors and friends that were a part of this build journey that ultimately led to this platform.
AST Moton Suspension (5200 2-way Remote Coilovers)
Renown USA (Renown 130R Steering Wheel) Function First Performance (Interior Components) Savini Wheels (Custom 19x8 and 19x13 3-piece wheels) Toyo Tires (R888R's) EPR International (Caron Decklid) PhantasyKolors (Paint Assist) ECUWerks
And of course, the friends, y'all are fucking mint 👌🏼😂
Paul, Brian, Shaun, Don, Roi, Coen, Johan, Sean, Adam H., Adam D., Chris, and Spencer
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