how to tell if 998 from a 996?

[Jwind]

I noticed something during my hunt for a 998. Every time I run a 998's VIN number on Carfax, it shows up as a 2002 996/996s. Assuming its a 02 base model. Did the same for a 2004 Matrix edition and it actually says 2004 996/ 996s. Which brings me to my point. 996's ended in 2002, when the 998's took over. So how does one tell one from the other?

Aside from the obvious fairings and title, how does one know if the owner didn't just throw on some 998 fairings onto a 996?

If a side fairing is removed, would the motor have the words "Testastretta" on it? Can I tell by looking at the airbox, since the 998 is using the shower injectors?

I'd ask DNA, but they took forever to respond the last time I emailed them. Problem gets worse as I'm looking at a possible candidate this Saturday. A base 02 model.

And yes, I really have lost this much faith in society

[carlchurchill]

im not 100% sure but is the 998's battery situated on the left side of the motor and the 996's on the right...if so thats an easy thing to look for!

[Jwind]

Originally Posted by carlchurchill

im not 100% sure but is the 998's battery situated on the left side of the motor and the 996's on the right...if so thats an easy thing to look for!

Thanks for the response, but is that relative to say, facing the exhaust, or the headlights? Its late, my mind isn't banging on all cylinders if you know what I mean.

[carlchurchill]

If you sitting on the bike the 998's battery will be on your left and 996's on your right.

[henk155]

battery is always on the right side of the bike if you sit on it with 916-748-996-998.
take a look if you can fit a 996 fairing on the bike,normally you can not put a 996 fairing on a 998.
where the vents of a 996 fairing has to come are the coils located of a 998.
so this should not fit then.

henk!!!

[Jwind]

Originally Posted by henk155

battery is always on the right side of the bike if you sit on it with 916-748-996-998.
take a look if you can fit a 996 fairing on the bike,normally you can not put a 996 fairing on a 998.
where the vents of a 996 fairing has to come are the coils located of a 998.
so this should not fit then.

henk!!!

Got it, will add this to my check list.


The 998's came with dual fans, and the 996's had 1 large fan right? Sorry if this is a noob question here, but where can I find these fans? Are they visible with either fairings taken off?

[DukeDesmo]

The 998 engine looks very different to the 996, particularly the cylinder heads.

996 has 'one-piece' cast heads with removable inspection covers front and rear to access the valves, whereas the 998 has a full removable rocker cover on top with showing bolt heads.

996 heads are also much bigger but, unless you are comparing then this may be hard to judge.

Here's a pic of a 996 engine (actually 916 but looks the same);



And here's a 998;



Note the cylinder heads, here's a close up of a 996 type;



Also you can see the front of the horizontal head behind the wheel on a 996 with the 'Desmo 4v DOHC' clearly visible whereas a 998 front head is hidden behind the 'V' piece front fairing due to it being shorter.

Here's a couple of pics of a 'Desmoquattro' (996 type) next to a 'Testastretta' (998 type) albeit they are cutaway pics but show the left side of both heads - the camshaft end caps give the 996 away;





There are other differences but the heads are the most noticable engine-wise and the horizontal head is easy to see.

[brian91cfr]

The 998 has one piece cam covers like the 749/999 testastretta on each cylinder head
the older 916/996 desmoquattro has two small cam covers for each cylinder head.

brian.

[vtwin]

the 998 has smooth fairings, as the 996 has the big vents on both sides. (of course, assuming they have original fairings). look at DukeDesmo's signature pic.

[Jwind]

Thanks everybody, I'll have this page loaded on my phone when I'm looking at the bike.