101 Projects for Your Porsche 911, 996 and 997 1998-2008 (Motorbooks Workshop) Paperback – Illustrated, February 15, 2014

Outstanding resource, don't know why I didn't buy this before. You can get all kinds of DIY info on the 996/997 all over the web and YouTube, but this book compresses a great deal of detail into one place. You might think it's silly (I did too, at first) to devote a "Project" about how to jack the car up. Who doesn't know how to jack it up? Well, all the points including two along the center line, and which jack, stands, and why is not something I knew right off. Almost every "Project" has those little pointers that make the work much easier. Having done a few of the projects and figured them out myself before getting this book, I could quibble with a few details and photo quality, but not many. And each project has a URL to get larger photos.With this book as a guide I feel much more confident starting a significant project, and even a simple one for the first time, because I'll avoid the mistakes that are usually learned the first time. Example: if replacing wheel bearings, put the bearings in the freezer before installing. Another positive is specific recommendations for tools, including a number of unusual ones that the author's experience has shown are valuable to have (not expensive ones, just unusual). I think this will become my go-to first reference for 996 DIY.Other reviews mention disappointment in the book that you need a full tool set. I think if you want to go past the super basic projects, yes you will need a significant tool set but you don't have to invest a great deal. Many bundled sets from Home Depot for example (mine) are plenty good enough, with a few specific other items as mentioned in the book. To do anything beyond the basics (about 90% of the projects in the book), yes you need a good tool set. The bottom line, though, is that if you do even a single ONE of the larger projects in this book yourself, you have already recouped much if not all of the cost of the tools. My guess is $500-$700 for the tools, plus whatever you want to spend for a good jack and stands ($300 - $700). Taking the high end of those, it's about 8 hours of a mechanic's labor. As also mentioned in the book, I would also highly recommend getting the Enthusiast Durametric tool to do diagnosis through the ECU fault codes and resetting check engine light, etc. But then, I have found that the 996 is pretty enjoyable and easy to work on, more so than most cars, so I will easily get back many times what I've spent on tools.But even the simple projects requiring few special skills or tools can save you a lot of money and let you become more familiar with the car: changing oil, air filter; changing serpentine belt; replace plugs and coils; replace oxygen sensors; replace battery; replace hood shocks; replace window regulator and motor; install an aftermarket stereo head unit for example. All these will require just an hour or two and under $200 in tools although a couple will require at least a usable jack and one jack stand.

Good and informative book with many smart tips.

This book is a must have for all 996 and 997 owners. Even if you don't plan on even attempting repairing your Porsche yourself, this book will give you an idea and appreciation of the work being done by your Porsche mechanic. I was surprised at how many repairs that can be done at home with minimal tools required. Nice to have all info in one place instead of searching online and having to spend hours in forums taking advise from "Joe Schmo" on how to work on my Porsche. Pictures are clear and useful. Detailed step by step instructions. The book also outlines how long the job takes, tools required, cost of parts, skill level recommended, tips, performance gained and important repairs to do while car is apart. At the price of this book, it is a steel. I was afraid this book was going to be too general but that is not the case, better than some dedicated repair manuals I have used. With this book you will have the confidence to tackle your repairs yourself or at the very least let you know if a repair looks over your head.

Bought the book as soon as I bought my 996. In my opinion this book doesn’t “get to the chase” fast enough and can look wordy. It also lacks torque specs which is crucial to doing lots of the work explained in the book. I have been finding myself forced to look things up almost entirely online (forum, Bentley etc).I am trying to prep for replacing suspension parts (control arms and struts) and there’s but 4 pages in the book about it with minimal torque specs mentionings.Maybe I am just using this book in a wrong way.

Wayne's book describes a wide range of maintenance items and (wish list) modification upgrades, and how to go about them. The information provided is very clearly written and backed with tons of full-color photos. In addition, Wayne's writing style tells it like it is, which is very helpful in deciding if project dollars and time are to be well-spent with the project, or better to look elsewhere. Most important, each article allows me to decide if I'll be over my head in tackling that project.Other reviews say the book is a catalog for Wayne's company, Pelican Parts, because he states which modification/maintenance parts are "carried by Pelican Parts". Not a problem. I would much rather be pointed to a part that I can see has been tested by a third party then a glowing review from the manufacturer's marketing department.My bottom line: This book, along with Adrian Streather's Essential Companion are far and away required references for any 996 owner.

If you have a 996 you need this book. Worth twice the price! Check it out.

This book is superb. It is in essence a color workshop manual. If you do your own maintenance, especially any engine work such as replacing camshafts or dropping the motor, this book is perfect. Although some of the information is available in various places on the web, it is much more concise and easier to pick up with this book rather than spending hours sifting thru rennlist posts. Clear differences in explanations between the five chain and three chain engines isn't in most of anything you might read online. Glad I got the book.