Strut braces do they really help?
#16
10-02-2007, 09:21 PM
In any earlier Porsches with lots of wide open space between the
shock towers, they can help, but please look at all the bulkhead
metal that already exists between the shock towers in the 996.
There is no way some silly thin rod mounted with flexible endpoints
is going to contribute any appreciable stiffness. In my opinion, they
would be nothing but wasted, added weight, poser bling.
Joe
shock towers, they can help, but please look at all the bulkhead
metal that already exists between the shock towers in the 996.
There is no way some silly thin rod mounted with flexible endpoints
is going to contribute any appreciable stiffness. In my opinion, they
would be nothing but wasted, added weight, poser bling.
Joe
Thank you for your opinion!
What about a set of Monoballs in front and rear? The Monoballs bolt in plates replace the upper front and rear strut and shock bearings. Whould it help?
Last edited by S4corrado996TT; 10-02-2007 at 09:31 PM.
#18
10-02-2007, 11:11 PM
to be able to do with it. There might likely be many other things that
would be more cost-effective first, and with such a modification, unless
you have reached the higher levels of track-day run groups and have
taken a racing driving school or two, you'll get faster and more stable
driving a lot faster that way than tweaking the car.
Joe
#19
10-03-2007, 06:51 AM
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Michigan
Age: 54
Posts: 6,325
Rep Power: 333 
Joe,
Suspension wise what would you recommend for my car. It has KW v3 coilovers, H&R sways front and rear and I run Sport Cups at the track. I am in the instructor group and plan to have the car corner balanced before my next track event. Rear bar is currently full stiff, not sure where the front is set because I have to remove the front cover to see it.
The car seemed to handle pretty well last time out but I was getting some hopping as I was drifting out coming out of the final turn onto the front straight at Grattan.
Thanks!
Suspension wise what would you recommend for my car. It has KW v3 coilovers, H&R sways front and rear and I run Sport Cups at the track. I am in the instructor group and plan to have the car corner balanced before my next track event. Rear bar is currently full stiff, not sure where the front is set because I have to remove the front cover to see it.
The car seemed to handle pretty well last time out but I was getting some hopping as I was drifting out coming out of the final turn onto the front straight at Grattan.
Thanks!
#20
10-09-2007, 03:34 AM
Tell us what you've done with your car already, and what you want
to be able to do with it. There might likely be many other things that
would be more cost-effective first, and with such a modification, unless
you have reached the higher levels of track-day run groups and have
taken a racing driving school or two, you'll get faster and more stable
driving a lot faster that way than tweaking the car.
Joe
to be able to do with it. There might likely be many other things that
would be more cost-effective first, and with such a modification, unless
you have reached the higher levels of track-day run groups and have
taken a racing driving school or two, you'll get faster and more stable
driving a lot faster that way than tweaking the car.
Joe
Hey Joe actually, I am planning to install a set of PSS9, GT3 or H&R sway bar. Thus, If a set of monoball is good to improve car's handling, I may buy it and install them all at once. That's all. As to the engine, I am planning to mod the car to somewhere around 650 crank HP. My driving will be mainly stree driving such as high speed 60~130mph or 130mph~186mph and occasionally guarter mile. Beside that, I like to drive on the winding mountain road. I don't really drive on the track. Thus, may you have any good advice Tks?
#21
10-09-2007, 11:24 AM
Ok. I would advise holding off on the monoballs. The difference they'd make
functionally would be imperceptible to you, and they might simply annoy
you with added road noise etc. I would recommend you work in this order:
1 - A good coilover/shock combo and handling-oriented alignment.
2 - Enter 10-15 PCA autocrosses to familiarize yourself with how
your car handles at the limit and over, in a safe street-speed
environment, and whatever power mods you want to make. I
would start with a reflash package and a good performance
exhaust/cat system. Europipe II is the best IMHO. If you will
be wanting more power later, choose a flash company that
has an upgrade path, like UMW, Evo etc. You will want to
upgrade your diverter valves now, and I would get a stronger
clutch at this time.
Do those first, and I am serious that you should do those autocrosses
to get you familiar with your car. Talking about monoballs at this time
is like asking whether you need to switch from aluminum to titanium
spikes for your track shoes when you're planning to get into shape by
starting to jog at the local park. Your car is already very special, and
'taking out the looseness in the nut that holds on to the wheel' is usually
the best start to more real enjoyment, confidence and real performance.
Joe
functionally would be imperceptible to you, and they might simply annoy
you with added road noise etc. I would recommend you work in this order:
1 - A good coilover/shock combo and handling-oriented alignment.
2 - Enter 10-15 PCA autocrosses to familiarize yourself with how
your car handles at the limit and over, in a safe street-speed
environment, and whatever power mods you want to make. I
would start with a reflash package and a good performance
exhaust/cat system. Europipe II is the best IMHO. If you will
be wanting more power later, choose a flash company that
has an upgrade path, like UMW, Evo etc. You will want to
upgrade your diverter valves now, and I would get a stronger
clutch at this time.
Do those first, and I am serious that you should do those autocrosses
to get you familiar with your car. Talking about monoballs at this time
is like asking whether you need to switch from aluminum to titanium
spikes for your track shoes when you're planning to get into shape by
starting to jog at the local park. Your car is already very special, and
'taking out the looseness in the nut that holds on to the wheel' is usually
the best start to more real enjoyment, confidence and real performance.
Joe
#22
10-12-2007, 04:24 AM
Ok. I would advise holding off on the monoballs. The difference they'd make
functionally would be imperceptible to you, and they might simply annoy
you with added road noise etc. I would recommend you work in this order:
1 - A good coilover/shock combo and handling-oriented alignment.
2 - Enter 10-15 PCA autocrosses to familiarize yourself with how
your car handles at the limit and over, in a safe street-speed
environment, and whatever power mods you want to make. I
would start with a reflash package and a good performance
exhaust/cat system. Europipe II is the best IMHO. If you will
be wanting more power later, choose a flash company that
has an upgrade path, like UMW, Evo etc. You will want to
upgrade your diverter valves now, and I would get a stronger
clutch at this time.
Do those first, and I am serious that you should do those autocrosses
to get you familiar with your car. Talking about monoballs at this time
is like asking whether you need to switch from aluminum to titanium
spikes for your track shoes when you're planning to get into shape by
starting to jog at the local park. Your car is already very special, and
'taking out the looseness in the nut that holds on to the wheel' is usually
the best start to more real enjoyment, confidence and real performance.
Joe
functionally would be imperceptible to you, and they might simply annoy
you with added road noise etc. I would recommend you work in this order:
1 - A good coilover/shock combo and handling-oriented alignment.
2 - Enter 10-15 PCA autocrosses to familiarize yourself with how
your car handles at the limit and over, in a safe street-speed
environment, and whatever power mods you want to make. I
would start with a reflash package and a good performance
exhaust/cat system. Europipe II is the best IMHO. If you will
be wanting more power later, choose a flash company that
has an upgrade path, like UMW, Evo etc. You will want to
upgrade your diverter valves now, and I would get a stronger
clutch at this time.
Do those first, and I am serious that you should do those autocrosses
to get you familiar with your car. Talking about monoballs at this time
is like asking whether you need to switch from aluminum to titanium
spikes for your track shoes when you're planning to get into shape by
starting to jog at the local park. Your car is already very special, and
'taking out the looseness in the nut that holds on to the wheel' is usually
the best start to more real enjoyment, confidence and real performance.
Joe
Hey Joe:
Thank you for your detail advice. Your word save me some bucks. The reason my car is still stock is that I want to get familiar with it. Once I am familiar with factory setup. Then, I will install all the chassis parts I bought such as rim, break, shock, sway bar..... Then, next step is to power up. Again thank you very much!
#24
10-12-2007, 07:28 AM
Trade it to me for lots of good advice and an '86 Mustang?
You already have the nuts, powerwise. What do you do with the car?
I tend to be conservative with mods, doing only what I am very sure
will make a material difference to achieving my goals. Note that your
car is already at the best of the very best in the world of all time as-is.
I'll repeat this for everyone, that getting to know your car so you can
jump to the limits of handling at an instance's notice and be fluently
comfortable there will make your enjoyment and appreciation of the
car four times as good as the 'waxers-n-gassers'. With bux, anyone can
pimp up any car to be stupid-fast from 60 to 130 etc. That's a fun game
I guess, but staying there with a 996tt is like marrying Katherine Zeta
Jones and keeping her in your home office for really cool twin paper
weights!
I vote that everybody learn to dance with your car. Autocrosses
are cheap and can't hurt or wear your car out and they are the *best*
training for performance and emergency handling skills at street speeds.
Look up your local PCA chapter and enter their events. A half-day,
and a full day once you're hooked, and PCA events get lots of seat
time compared to SCCA, over ten shots at a course, and that'll
wring you out.
At the end of the day/life you want to say you got the most out
of what you had, not just that you got the stuff. Dig in! Get into what
the car can do with you at the wheel. No one should wait till they get
that last possible bit of CF veneer bolted on before they have the real
fun.
Joe
You already have the nuts, powerwise. What do you do with the car?
I tend to be conservative with mods, doing only what I am very sure
will make a material difference to achieving my goals. Note that your
car is already at the best of the very best in the world of all time as-is.
I'll repeat this for everyone, that getting to know your car so you can
jump to the limits of handling at an instance's notice and be fluently
comfortable there will make your enjoyment and appreciation of the
car four times as good as the 'waxers-n-gassers'. With bux, anyone can
pimp up any car to be stupid-fast from 60 to 130 etc. That's a fun game
I guess, but staying there with a 996tt is like marrying Katherine Zeta
Jones and keeping her in your home office for really cool twin paper
weights!
I vote that everybody learn to dance with your car. Autocrosses
are cheap and can't hurt or wear your car out and they are the *best*
training for performance and emergency handling skills at street speeds.
Look up your local PCA chapter and enter their events. A half-day,
and a full day once you're hooked, and PCA events get lots of seat
time compared to SCCA, over ten shots at a course, and that'll
wring you out.
At the end of the day/life you want to say you got the most out
of what you had, not just that you got the stuff. Dig in! Get into what
the car can do with you at the wheel. No one should wait till they get
that last possible bit of CF veneer bolted on before they have the real
fun.
Joe
Last edited by Joe Weinstein; 10-12-2007 at 07:32 AM.
#25
10-12-2007, 07:40 AM
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Michigan
Age: 54
Posts: 6,325
Rep Power: 333
Joe I am a pretty good driver, done tons of DE's spent 8 days with Skip Barber doing their school and have competed in Formula Dodge races from Laguna Seca to IRP. Did some stock car racing for 2 years, etc...
That being said I right now only do a few days of DE's per year because of a busy life with a wife and 4 kids. Hopefully that will increase over time, so I like to have the power and the handling both.
My last track event the car handled pretty well but on the final turn leading onto the front straight I got a little hopping on the track out. My biggest problem was not running full slicks, so next time I will try that.
That being said I right now only do a few days of DE's per year because of a busy life with a wife and 4 kids. Hopefully that will increase over time, so I like to have the power and the handling both.
My last track event the car handled pretty well but on the final turn leading onto the front straight I got a little hopping on the track out. My biggest problem was not running full slicks, so next time I will try that.
#26
10-12-2007, 08:49 AM
Joe I am a pretty good driver, done tons of DE's spent 8 days with Skip Barber doing their school and have competed in Formula Dodge races from Laguna Seca to IRP. Did some stock car racing for 2 years, etc...
That being said I right now only do a few days of DE's per year because of a busy life with a wife and 4 kids. Hopefully that will increase over time, so I like to have the power and the handling both.
My last track event the car handled pretty well but on the final turn leading onto the front straight I got a little hopping on the track out. My biggest problem was not running full slicks, so next time I will try that.
That being said I right now only do a few days of DE's per year because of a busy life with a wife and 4 kids. Hopefully that will increase over time, so I like to have the power and the handling both.
My last track event the car handled pretty well but on the final turn leading onto the front straight I got a little hopping on the track out. My biggest problem was not running full slicks, so next time I will try that.
that because of a bumpy surface? What is your alignment and swaybar
settings? Shock adjustments? If you're wanting to do better in DEs
(and those autocrosses
), you might consider a GPS datalogger next.The graphs and data allow you to compare your lines, braking points
etc, and show you what makes you faster. Get a tire pyrometer too.
Joe
#27
10-12-2007, 09:44 AM
i too am a big fan of autox & DE's. i've been doing them for years in my 993. now that i have the 996tt, i must confess i'm a bit worried about taking the car on the track. It is a lot of car to handle and it will take me a lot of time to get to 8/10 of the car's abilities. So prior to overly modding (weight reduction aside) get lots of driving experience.
Cheers,
Boris
Cheers,
Boris
#28
10-12-2007, 09:48 AM
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Michigan
Age: 54
Posts: 6,325
Rep Power: 333 Gotcha. Then I won't have any new insights for you. 'Hopping'? Is
that because of a bumpy surface? What is your alignment and swaybar
settings? Shock adjustments? If you're wanting to do better in DEs
(and those autocrosses ), you might consider a GPS datalogger next.
The graphs and data allow you to compare your lines, braking points
etc, and show you what makes you faster. Get a tire pyrometer too.
Joe
that because of a bumpy surface? What is your alignment and swaybar
settings? Shock adjustments? If you're wanting to do better in DEs
(and those autocrosses
), you might consider a GPS datalogger next.The graphs and data allow you to compare your lines, braking points
etc, and show you what makes you faster. Get a tire pyrometer too.
Joe
#29
10-12-2007, 11:28 AM
OK, Buddy, then I would go faster through that one corner so you spend
less overall time there.
less overall time there.
#30
10-12-2007, 11:32 AM
Fly, I'm also rinky about doing track days with the Porsche. My 996tt is a
once-in-a-lifetime-afford-it-so-go-for-it deal so I have to nurse the most
life out of it forever. I also have an '86 Mustang that's significantly modified
to be track-suitable, so that'd be what I did track days with. Autocross is
maximum-energy, minimum risk so it suits my Porsche-car/Ford-budget.
However, if I ever get that good idea and become a successful entrepreneur,
the Porsche is probably perfect for DEs, with the sole addition of the GT3 Cup
brake-cooling scoops.
Joe
once-in-a-lifetime-afford-it-so-go-for-it deal so I have to nurse the most
life out of it forever. I also have an '86 Mustang that's significantly modified
to be track-suitable, so that'd be what I did track days with. Autocross is
maximum-energy, minimum risk so it suits my Porsche-car/Ford-budget
.However, if I ever get that good idea and become a successful entrepreneur,
the Porsche is probably perfect for DEs, with the sole addition of the GT3 Cup
brake-cooling scoops.
Joe