Category: Porsche Sales

JZM History: Manthey Racing 3.9-litre Porsche 996 conversion

Here’s a copy of a feature by Chris Knapman of GT Porsche magazine from ten years ago – December 2007 – detailing a Manthey Racing conversion carried out on our friend Didier’s LHD 996 GT3 to bring it to 3.9-litres with 455bhp on tap. This was a very special car at the time and we have built many more since! Email steve@jzm.south.co.uk to discuss modifying and tuning your 911 for fast road or track use using the many high quality components supplied by JZM.

What’s in your garage? Manthey-tuned Porsche 996 GT3

It takes something special to stand out at a track day where there are 964, 996 and 997 generations of Cup car, a Carrera GT, and any number of modified RSs. But stand out is precisely what Didier Denat’s black 996 GT3 does, both in the paddock and out on the track which, as you’ve no doubt spotted in this case, is the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

At first glance you might mistake this modified Mk2 GT3 for a repainted RS. After all, it has a genuine RS front bumper, a carbon rear wing and italicised script running down the base of the doors. Look a little closer, though and that script doesn’t read GT3 RS, but rather ‘GT3 CS’, recalling the Carrera Club Sport of the late Eighties.

“The brief was to create a car that I could drive to the ‘Ring and still be relaxed when I arrive, and then that I will also be one of the quicker cars out on the track,” says Didier of his 996. Interpreting that brief, Manthey Motors and its UK distributor JZM Porsche created this GT3 M440 Club Sport.

“I did a bit of research and really wanted to go to the best guys in the business, and I wanted somebody that knows the ‘Ring inside out to do the setup. This was about two-and-a-half years ago. The first thing I did was the suspension with Manthey’s three-way adjustable coilovers built by KW Suspension, and then the brakes, for which I used JZM Porsche’s setup.”

The brakes in question are ceramic floating discs, which JZM says are 1.5kg lighter each than the standard GT3 steel discs. Measuring 360mm (original Mk2 discs are 350mm), the discs are built to JZM’s specifications and offer improved braking power and longevity over the standard items (note: we have now upgraded these items further with our custom carbon brakes from Surface Transforms). JZM Porsche also fitted the KW Suspension to Didier’s car, along with a Manthey K410 engine upgrade.

The K410 consists of a full Manthey sports exhaust that is 6.7kg lighter than the original, and a reprogramming of the GT3’s Motronic to yield more power from the flat-six engine. However, as is so often the case when it comes to modifying cars, Didier wasn’t quite finished: “Nine months after the first modifications I did a second batch with Manthey Motors. They exchanged the gearing, fitting 20 per cent shorter ratios, as well as a race clutch, single mass flywheel, race diff and uniball strut tops to improve turn-in, and set it up very nicely for the ‘Ring.

“Then at the beginning of this year I was thinking ‘what should I do next – keep that car or get a 997 GT3 RS?’, but because the RS was going to require a lot of extra money, I decided instead to put this towards improving my car further. Speaking to Steve McHale at JZM Porsche and Manthey’s engineers, I decided to go for Manthey’s 3.9-litre engine conversion: the ultimate step it offers for the GT3.

“Manthey was amazing because the first time after they did the engine conversion they put it on the dyno and it was doing 451bhp. Before, with the K410, it was pulling about 424bhp. So I said to Manthey that spending all that money on the 3.9-litre conversion for an extra 27bhp seemed like a lot. There was a lot more torque – about 332 lb ft – but, because I was hoping for more power, Manthey took the engine out of the car again and checked everything, but when they put it back in and back on the dyno it was the same. The guys then said they would do something a bit special so that my car would be beyond the normal 3.9-litre conversion figures.”

It is for this reason that a Cup filter resides under the engine cover of Didier’s car, combined with a carbon ram air intake system, which results in a naturally aspirated engine with 455 bhp and 347 lb ft of torque. “What is particularly impressive is the power from 180km/h,” explains Didier. “It now accelerates like it used to in third gear. You can get very easily to 280-290kmh, and I’ve hit the limiter at 8200 revs with 309km/h on the clock.”

Of course the GT3 philosophy isn’t only about maximising power. “I wanted to really lighten the car as well, so we put on BBS magnesium wheels, the carbon doors, carbon bonnet and took all the air bags out, as well as removing the regular seat belts and fitting plastic windows in place of the rear screen and rear side windows. Just this Cup steering wheel, believe it or not, is five kilos difference and the doors are 11 kilos lighter each. Then we fitted the rear wing, a proper RS front bumper with the air intake, and JZM canted the radiator back to improve the airflow.”

Given the car’s obvious focus toward track work, one wonders how usable it is on the road. “It’s amazing as a road car,” enthuses Didier. “I took the insulation between the engine and the cabin out but it’s actually no noisier than it was before, although it does pull slightly more revs because of the shorter gearing. And while it’s lighter, I have kept the radio and the air-con because removing these doesn’t make sense.”

And what about on the track? “Oh, it’s amazing. In a straight line it pulls away from Cup cars. I remember when I first bought this car I wasn’t that comfortable with it. It was a bit understeery and a bit jittery, but now it is superb – you just turn and it goes. Under heavy braking, the ceramic brakes are absolutely amazing and the car stays completely flat. With the original car I couldn’t trail brake into the corners because the back end would move around, but now it is really stable.”

So, the perfect GT3? “I certainly don’t think that there’s much left to do!” says Didier laughing. “I don’t think I’ll ever sell this car. It’s so special – you take a project and spend so much time thinking what you’ll do and all the research that by the end you don’t want to part with it. The next thing I want to do would be to buy a Cup car and race that. I would love to do this but I think I need to get a bit better first, so I’ve started racing at Caterham and after a couple of seasons I might be ready to move on. For track days it’s difficult to justify buying a Cup car though, because I think that my car at the moment is faster, plus you can get a lot of fun from driving it on the road.”

It won’t surprise you to hear that this isn’t the first Porsche Didier has owned, his relationship with the marque starting off with a 996 Carrera 4, which he swapped for a 996 Turbo. “I had the Turbo tuned to 540 horsepower by PSI Motorsport and kept it for two years, but on the track it wasn’t that great and I wanted to get to the next level, so that’s why I got a GT3.”

A couple of quick passenger laps on a deserted Nordschleife demonstrate that the next level is precisely what Didier has ended up with. With an abundance of torque and a surefootedness GT3 owners might well crave at the ‘Ring, it feels a phenomenal machine. We may not have found this Manthey GT3 M440 Club Sport at Didier’s garage, but it’s fair to say that the ‘Ring is its rightful second home.

Download the full feature on our Manthey JZM Porsche 996 GT3 3.9-litre conversion.

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Author: John Glynn

Porsche 991 GT2 RS sets new Nürburgring lap record

Porsche recently turned to local hero, Bedfordshire’s Nick Tandy, to help set a new road car lap record at the Nürburgring. Driving a brand new Porsche 991 GT2 RS, Tandy and colleague Lars Kern broke the established record of 6 minutes 52 seconds on their very first try and went on to set a series of five laps, all below 6 minutes and 50 seconds. As the day wore on, the atmospheric conditions reached perfection just after 7pm and it was VLN driver Kern who ultimately set the new record of 6 minutes 47.3 seconds.

“At the start of the development process, we set ourselves a lap time target for the GT2 RS of less than 7 minutes and 5 seconds,” said Frank-Steffen Walliser, Vice President Motorsport and GT Cars. “The credit for beating this target by 17.7 seconds goes to our development engineers, mechanics and drivers, who demonstrated an exceptionally strong team performance. This result makes it official: The GT2 RS is not only the most powerful, but also the fastest 911 ever built.”

“It’s not just the record time achieved by the GT2 RS that demonstrates the vehicle’s class, but also its consistent performance in every lap,” remarked Andreas Preuninger, Director GT Model Line. “We’re particularly proud of the fact that this was achieved with two different vehicles and two different drivers, as this underlines the GT2 RS’s ability to reproduce this record result over and over again.”

The twin-turbo flat six engine in the new 991 GT2 RS produces 700 horsepower and delivers its prodigious grunt through the rear wheels only. Weighing 1470 kilos with a full fuel tank, Porsche’s most powerful 911 accelerates from zero to 62 miles per hour in 2.8 seconds and on to a top speed of 211 mph. The new GT2 RS has 80 horsepower more than the last model and delivers 750 Newton metres of torque.

The order book for the new 911 GT2 RS has long since been filled and enquiries have already been received at JZM for the cars that will inevitably come to market soon after delivery. Email sales@jzm.south.co.uk if you are considering selling your new GT2 RS, or would like to discuss obtaining one some time in the future.

 

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Author: John Glynn

Porsche launches the all-new Cayenne

Porsche has announced the new Cayenne: the third edition and a brand new version of the all-conquering sporty 4×4 which shot Porsche from being a small-scale sports car manufacturer into the five-door mainstream when it was first released in 2003.

Technical highlights are fascinating, with two new turbocharged engines on offer at launch, an eight-speed Tiptronic S automatic gearbox, new chassis systems and an innovative display and control concept with “total connectivity”.
Launch engines are both turbocharged six-cylinder petrols. The newly-developed single turbo 3-litre V6 makes 340 horsepower: up 40 hp on the previous model. Also new is the 2.9-litre V6 twin-turbo engine found in the Cayenne S, now making 440 hp, which is 20 hp more than the outgoing car.

When fitted with Sport Chrono and launch control, the new Cayenne S charges from zero to 62 mph in less than five seconds: an impressive figure for a car that is 65 kilos lighter than its predecessor but still weighs over two tonnes.

Drawing on the 911 for design inspiration, the new Cayenne’s chassis features staggered wheels – now a minimum 19” diameter – and rear-wheel steering.

Weight has been saved in the chassis; now with a separated link design front axle and a multi-link rear axle. PDCC and three-chamber air suspension along with active all-wheel drive ensure impeccable road manners. As few Cayennes ever go off road and tyres are the limiting factor here, Porsche says little about enhanced off road performance, but it is pretty good in any case, assuming there is no thick mud to confuse the rubber circles.

Inside, the boot is much bigger with an extra one hundred litres of space. All Cayennes come with LED headlights as standard, with PDLS dynamic lighting as an option. The top end Cayenne option is exceptionally impressive technology: high beams can be used without the risk of dazzling oncoming drivers and the system even compensates lighting to ensure no road sign glare.

The new eight-speed Tiptronic is similarly impressive technology. The performance increases are as attributable to the all-new transmission as to the engine. “Shorter response times and sportier ratios in the lower gears enhance both on-road performance and off-road capability. At the other end of the expanded spread between comfort and sportiness, the taller eighth gear ensures lower revs, optimised fuel consumption and relaxed cruising,” says Porsche.

The streamlined design features a new front end with bigger air intakes, new lines off the lights and small tweaks to overall length and height. While the wheelbase is unchanged, the elongated form offers a very contemporary statement – it is a good looking car.

With PIWIS 3 diagnostics in our workshops linking us straight to Porsche headquarters for daily software updates and individual car build data, JZM Porsche is already equipped to service and maintain the all-new Cayenne. We look forward to seeing the first examples in the JZM service centre!

Here’s some video of the new Cayenne in motion:

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Author: John Glynn

JZM Classic: Porsche 993 C4 restored in-house

We have always insisted on the highest standards for all Porsche cars added to our showroom stock, but when it comes to classic Porsche cars restored in-house, those standards are even higher. We’ve recently completed a detailed refurbishment on this Porsche 993 Carrera 4 Manual Coupe and the car is now in wonderful condition.

As the last of the air-cooled 911s before the arrival of the Porsche 996, the 993 remains very popular with enthusiast and investors alike. This particular RHD 993 Carrera was chosen as the basis of our latest restoration due to its wonderful service history (now on its second service book) and the sure-footed flexibility of the 4-wheel drive chassis, not to mention the factory original Arena Red colour, which has long been a favourite of 993 fans.

The external preparation was entrusted to one of London’s finest bodyshops. Working with the highest quality materials, the paint was refinished to an excellent standard: we are delighted with the stunning end result. The 17” Cup 2 wheels were fully refurbished with new coloured centre caps and are now wrapped in brand new N-rated Michelin Pilot Sport rubber. The original grey leather is presented in super condition and it is always nice to have an electric sunroof. The cabin is simply superb and a perfect place from which to enjoy some European touring.

Mechanically, this car could not be better. To compliment the exceptional bodywork, the 993 received a detailed service including a new clutch, new brake discs all round with new brake pads and sensors, new heat shield to the catalytic converter, many new brake pipes and hoses and countless other minor improvements, before the work was finished off with a full chassis geometry setup and adjust.

More than £10,000 has been spent on preparing this classic RHD air-cooled 911 to the highest standards of retail presentation. We believe that it is now one of the very best examples available. Contact us to book an inspection in person at the earliest opportunity: part-exchange and finance a pleasure.

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Author: John Glynn

Air-cooled Outlaw Porsche 911 ST for sale at JZM

So many modern-day Porsche owners dream of building a vintage air-cooled 911 to deliver the ultimate engaging driving experience, but settling on a recipe for the ultimate early air-cooled 911 is never an easy decision. With so many models and engine options to choose from, it takes an experienced Porsche owner to pick the best base model and select the perfect upgrades which will work in harmony to create the perfect end result.

This Porsche 911 Carrera hot rod now for sale at JZM is a good example of what is possible when a long-time Porsche enthusiast approaches a money-no-object early Porsche project.

Built to the lightweight “modern-RS” philosophy, a smart 1987 911 3.2 Carrera with the sought after G50 transmission and all-important right-hand drive was chosen as a base car for this superb driver’s 911. The car was stripped to a bare shell and professionally backdated to the pre-1973 look. All body corrosion was removed with the shell restored to as-new condition.

The front was converted to a centre-fill fuel tank, while the spoilerless engine cover was fitted with a handmade engine grille. Many parts were manufactured especially for this 911, and the chassis bristles with bespoke fabrication include strut tower reinforcements front and rear and a very tastefully modified electrical fuse and relay layout.

Inside the car, a rear roll cage envelops period Corbeau sports seats are fitted with retractable harnesses. A WEVO G50 shifter selects the gears with pinpoint precision. Brakes have been converted to a non-servo adjustable pedalbox system with the Bilstein dampers supplied to suit the lightweight Carrera.

The lightweight doors are beautifully finished, with the clutter-free dash setting the sports-purpose ethos. Aluminium pedals and footboards with an RS carpet set emphasise the lightweight theme, while the odometer shows 2,200 miles since the car was fully restored.

The story of all great 911s starts and ends with the perfect flat six, and this car is a perfect example. Under the engine cover lies a Redtek-built 3-litre ST-style engine, running modern EFI from a Canems ECU through high-butterfly PMO throttle bodies. The detailed spec is too much to list here, but suffice to say that it is an absolute torque monster! Full engine build sheets are available for interested parties.

The transmission was also completely rebuilt with a new LSD and new synchros throughout. The total bill for engine and gearbox was just shy of £30,000, and building this engine would cost even more at today’s money.

All in all, this is a very special car which must be seen to be fully appreciated and one which would certainly cost more than its advertised price to rebuild from scratch. Contact us to discuss this amazing 911.

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Author: John Glynn

JZM Classic Porsche: Superb 1970 911E Coupe for sale

Take a look at this beautifully preserved LHD 1970 Porsche 911E Coupe in Light Ivory which recently arrived at JZM for sale. The history of this car is known from new and it is superb throughout.

This 911 was originally supplied through Porsche of Pleasanton in San Francisco, California. The original owner kept the 911E for more than thirty years, until it was passed to an Air Force Colonel residing in San Diego. In 2012, the car changed hands again and the new owner commissioned a full mechanical and interior re-fresh from respected marque specialists. It was most recently sold to its first UK owner and arrived here on January 1st, 2015.

This classic Porsche 911E really was a dream to inspect and passed our detailed pre-sales checks with flying colours. It has never been welded, it has original factory doors, panels and floorpan. This genuine California car has lived the last 45 years in the perfect west coast climate and it is in stunning condition – a condition that is never seen on European 911s after this length of time.

The car has now been fully prepared for the British climate by means of a thorough waxoyling. We say it of all our cars, but this 911 really does need to be seen to be fully appreciated! Email sales@jzm.south.co.uk to discuss.

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Author: John Glynn

Porsche 911 Turbo Flatnose (930) for sale

Born of the Porsche 935 racing prototype which dominated motorsport for many years after its introduction in the mid 1970s, the flatnose was the rarest 911 of them all: a symbol of true wealth and power. While the styling eventually slipped out of fashion for a time, a proper flatnose Porsche 930 Turbo is now regarded as a truly iconic machine.

The latest Flatnose Porsche 930 Turbo to grace the JZM showroom is this beautifully presented 1986 example in rare Falsen Green Metallic. With just 30,000 miles from new and benefitting from a recent high quality repaint costing over £12,000, the flat six powering this stunning flatnose 930 has been professionally upgraded to include a double-size twin-element intercooler, an uprated wastegate and fuel system to accomodate higher boost pressure and a twin 100mm outlet sports exhaust system for extra oomph.

The legendary 930 brakes have also been modified utilising later larger calipers. The car is fitted with an internal brake balancing system that can be operated from within the cabin. A 40% Limited Slip Differential helps to keep this powerful 911 on the straight and narrow.

Priced very attractively considering the excellent condition, comprehensive maintenance history and substantial recent investment, this unique RHD flatnose 911 Turbo is available for immediate delivery and long-term delight from JZM Porsche. Email JZM Porsche Sales to discuss.

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Author: John Glynn

Porsche 993 Carrera LHD in Speed Yellow for sale

Air-cooled Porsche 911s continue to rank among the favourites of investment buyers. This left-hand drive 993 Carrera 2 Coupe is a great example of an investment grade 911.

Finished in Speed Yellow, the colour is perfectly suited to the shapely styling of the Porsche 993. This coupe’s looks have been complemented by the addition of a 993 Turbo front bumper and additional 993 Turbo S air intake ducts. The interior is trimmed in beautiful black leather of the highest quality.

More than £7,000 has been spent in recent times to ensure that this classic Porsche is in perfect mechanical condition. All air-cooled 911s appeal to keen drivers and, to enhance that appeal, this car features a limited slip differential and factory M030 sports suspension.

As last of the air-cooled line, the 993 took advantage of everything Porsche had learned about rear-engined sports cars up to that point. With a wonderfully flexible 3.6-litre engine, sublime 6-speed transmission and multi-link rear suspension, the 993 Coupe makes the perfect usable investment. Contact JZM Sales to discuss this rare opportunity!

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Author: John Glynn

Porsche 930 Martini now for sale at JZM

JZM is delighted to offer this very special 1978 Porsche 930 Martini Championship Edition for sale, recently secured from a notable UK Porsche collection.

Built by Stuttgart as a low-production celebration of the world-conquering Martini 935s and the first 300 bhp 911 Turbo road cars, this rare and collectable RHD 1978 911 Turbo is supplied with a wonderful history file, to include a vast number of invoices and MOTs.

The spectacular history file also includes a full photo record of the complete restoration carried out from September 2004 through to May 2005, at a total cost of more than £50,000. Painstaking attention to detail was applied, so the original feel and presence of the car has not been damaged, as is often the case with over-restored examples.

We carried out our customary bumper-to-bumper pre-sales inspection, and this car really is as good as it looks in the photos. Opportunities to obtain limited production Porsche 930s of this quality do not come up every day. Contact us to discuss this beautiful classic.

Date:
Author: John Glynn
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