Meanwhile, to accommodate the long block Mezger power unit in the 996 engine bay, Porsche Motorsport had devised a GT3-specific dry-sump lubrication system with the oil tank mounted on the engine block.

Custom-mapped Bosch engine management was configured to the Mezger engine’s characteristics and the compression ratio was markedly higher than the Carrera (11.7:1 as opposed to 11.3:1).

Compared to the M96/76 engine in the 996.1 GT3, the updated M96/79 fitted to the 996.2 GT3 featured lightweight pistons, con-rods, valves and tappets, a drive-by-wire throttle, a free-flow exhaust system and the latest Bosch ME 2.8 engine management with sequential multi-point fuel-injection. The crankshaft damper was deleted in the quest to save weight and the engine was allowed to run 600rpm higher than before. Overall, the M96/76 motor came out 3.5kg lighter than its predecessor.

Otherwise, the engine’s basic characteristics were carried over: it was another water-cooled all-alloy Flat 6 with dual overhead camshafts per bank, four valves per cylinder and a VarioCam dual-stage intake system.

Displacement remained at 3600cc (thanks to a bore and stroke of 100mm and 76.4mm) and an 11.7:1 compression ratio was retained.

Peak output was 375bhp at 7400rpm and 284lb-ft at 5000rpm.

For comparison, the 996.1 GT3 engine had produced 355bhp at 7200rpm and 273lb-ft at 5000rpm.

Instead of the original Getrag G96/90 six-speed manual ‘box, the 996.2 GT3 received a G96/96 unit with an 8000rpm limiter on fifth and top.