The Porsche series 996 marked the beginning of the modern watercooled era for the 911, which was embraced by some and completely shunned by others. It is interesting that this same sentiment still exists 13 years after the 996 was first introduced in 1999, the proof being that an equivalent model Porsche 993 (the previous generation 911, and the last of the legendary aircooled models) fetches a significantly higher price in today’s used car market. We fully concede that the 996 is not quite as beautiful as the 993 (or even the current 997); its “fried egg” lights up front, lines that were somewhat less sexy than the previous generation, and questionable interior styling definitely take some points off. But for savvy european car enthusiasts, there are indeed some very good reasons for selecting a 996 as your first or next project car buildup. The top incentives being: 1) amazing bargain base prices; 2) very good power, brakes, and handling (it is a real Porsche after all); 3) all inherent problems are now very well documented; and 4) there is an abundance of aftermarket products available.

Having heard that a third child was on the way, Project Editor Mazlumian was saddened that his E36 M3 sedan wasn’t going to be the family hauler any longer. After all, this car (bumped by an extra 60 whp) has been both fun and reliable, but sadly, there’s no room for three child seats in the back row.

It is winter, and Project GT3 sleeps soundly in my heated garage, quietly pining for spring. Such a shame, not to be able to drive it. Hearing the glorious sound of its motorsport-inspired 3.8-liter flat-six, feeling the continuous thrust blasting down the front straight, well into the triple digits, at my home track, or interpreting the miraculous chassis feedback through the grippy steering wheel and tight-fitting bucket seats in any given corner. What to do? Well, it’s best to do something other than daydream the hours away. So, like other European car enthusiasts stuck in the Snow Belt, I needed to conceive, plan and execute a new modification to keep me up close and personal with my four-wheeled pride and joy during this downtime.

In the last installment we deduced that there was likely a mechanical problem with T-Rex. The GPS data acquired at the track indicated reduced grip in many of the medium- and high-speed corners. Also, on the odd occasion during the initial phase of extreme braking at the track the car became very unstable in the rear, providing the driver an unwelcome wake-up call. Fortunately, this provided an additional clue to the mystery of lackluster lap times.

Sometimes things just don't go precisely as you expect, and this is especially true at the race track. My last project series, Project Z4 M, progressed perfectly, with each performance addition resulting in a machine far more capable than the bone-stock starting point, as shown by the Traqmate GPS test data.

There it is: my first (and likely only) factory ordered Porsche 911, with beautiful GT Silver metallic paint and factory red calipers-more or less just as I always dreamed it would be. More than 25 years ago I decided that purchasing a Porsche 911 built at the factory to my precise specifications was something that I absolutely had to do during my lifetime. What I didn't know until recently was that my path through life would lead to Porsche's new and improved, and already infamous, 2010 GT3. Thanks for starting me in the right direction, Dad!

We left off in the E46 Racecar project series with pro skateboarder Rune Glifberg's 2003 BMW M3 receiving an six-point chrome-moly rollcage, fully fabricated and welded together by the metal artisans at Evosport in Huntington Beach, Calif. This was an important step in terms of race chassis prep, and quite possibly the most important safety system the car will receive. Now it's time to look at performance upgrades.

According to the fossil record, 66 million years ago dinosaurs roamed the earth and had evolved through natural selection to their greatest success and diversity. The Age of Dinosaurs and the Cretaceous Period of geologic time ended suddenly (geologically speaking) about 500,000 years later. Their demise was caused by a catastrophic climatic event widely thought to be either a massive asteroid impact on the planet, greatly increased world wide volcanism, or some combination of both. This event also initiated mass extinctions of many other reptiles, mammals, and plant life on Earth.

All was quiet in the 14 bay workshop at Norden Autohaus. With every engine part securely bolted into its new forbidden home, it was finally time to turn the key. The factory-fresh X51 engine cranked and reluctantly sputtered to life, much to our excitement. Project Cayman X51 had been nicely taking shape prior to its "mid-build" showing at the Edmonton International Autoshow, but this was the first real moment to be savored for all involved with this project car series.

BMW E46 Racecar
A couple months ago we introduced you to professional skateboarder Rune Glifberg and his 2003 BMW M3, which he wanted to turn into a competition-ready club racer. We left off with Glifberg ripping out the interior-headliner, seats, carpet, door panels-and turning the car over to Evosport in Huntington Beach, Calif., for chassis prep in the form of a six-point chromoly rollcage.

Z4 M Part 7
This is it, the grand finale. An all-out track shoot-out with three completely different, yet wisely modified modern enthusiast cars. Each fit perfectly into the "OEM Plus" category. We took our Project Cayman X51 and Project Z4 M to the track for direct comparison to an intelligently modified Porsche 911 (997) Carrera S to wrap up two exciting project car series in one wild swing.

Maybe you've noticed that cars are suddenly much more affordable. More succinctly, great cars that would have cost a second mortgage just a couple years ago can now be traded for a cup of coffee and a bagel. And you may even have come to the same conclusion we have-that of these suddenly affordable cars, the E46 M3 has to be the no-brainer buy of the decade. But while most are aware that the M3 represents one of the best deals going for both daily transportation and a weekend or two at the track, few would guess that it's cheap enough for the average guy to hack apart and build into a dedicated racecar. With prices solidly in the teens, we're officially doing just that.

Before we close the book on this series, or decide to go off on some crazy tangent like pulling the trigger on a warranty-blowing power upgrade--interesting thought--we recently performed an additional test that you may have a great deal of interest in.

Volkswagen's R32 is a great car. It's got a feeling of solidness that makes you want to rub the steering wheel and pat the shift knob, just sit there and appreciate the cabin's elegance.

Project 997 TT started life already classified as an exotic car.Yet we've still managed to make it significantly better. The words that come to mind when driving it are: "This car isn't fair." It feels like it can out-handle and stop faster than anything, ripping off the line in a sport-bike fashion, followed by a top end akin to the performance of a $1 million supercar.

Many years ago, when I was but a boy, this magazine started a project that apparently has no end. Editor Bidrawn leveraged the power of family and their associated check books to 'team buy' a 1997 Porsche Boxster. The goal was to make the best Boxster in the world. Apparently there's some sibling rivalry within the Bidrawn clan. Being an editor for a car magazine, this was his chance to get something stuck on the proverbial family fridge.

At just under 3,300 pounds and with an honest 330 hp under the hood, the Z4 M Coupe is already a fast machine. In parts two through four, we improved handling and braking, but now it's time to add more power to this highly competent chassis. In keeping with the original premise, I endeavored to do this without voiding the factory warranty and to back up power improvement claims with further track testing and thorough dyno work.

Project 997 TT started life already classified as an exotic car.Yet we've still managed to make it significantly better. The words that come to mind when driving it are: "This car isn't fair." It feels like it can out-handle and stop faster than anything, ripping off the line in a sport-bike fashion, followed by a top end akin to the performance of a $1 million supercar.

It's time to say goodbye to my most extensive project yet. I pushed the envelope in some areas and definitely learned from a few wrong turns. But that's all part of the experience. In the end, I can say this was a success, as anyone who's ridden in it can attest.

In response to joy or sorrow, Arabic women share a common response. They semi-cover their mouths and make quick, rhythmic elaa-elaa-elaa sounds.

It's been a while since my 1973 Triumph TR6 graced the pages of this fine magazine. I'm pleased to report the time away has been well spent. Since the last installment (ec, April 2006), I've fixed most of the TR's perennial problems. And of course, added more power.

In part two, the initial handling upgrades were an OEM strut tower brace and a widened, lightweight wheel and tire set. These pieces greatly improved cornering confidence, something borne out by Traqmate's GPS telemetry. But being a track junkie, I want even more corner-gobbling prowess from Project Z4M.

I must admit, Project 951 was taking forever to get going with its motor swap and, after it was ready, we were running into issues that kept slowing things up. Thankfully, Precision Motion-the guys behind the project's recently rebuilt engine-got the gremlins worked out.

Throughout this project, the goal was to take a Porsche 996 Carrera 2 and transform it into a GT3 replica, using factory and Tequipment components. The car has turned out excellent, offering near-GT3 handling and fooling even trained eyes, aesthetically. After that success and a couple of track sessions, we decided to go to the next level in handling and braking performance.

Crevier BMW in Orange County, California, is one of the bigger dealerships in the United States. They service and maintain our long-term BMWs for free. Actually, they do the same for everyone. Free maintenance is included with every new BMW sold. For four years or 50,000 miles, anyway. After that you're on your own.