The Evo TT is now the Evo GT2!
#1
04-11-2006, 07:08 AM
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 134
Rep Power: 26 
The Evo TT is now the Evo GT2!
After months of debating whether the Twin Turbo would be better running in AWD or 2wd the debate is over. The Evolution Motorsports/Gilhart Racing Porsche took on the GT1-R(unlimited HP) class as a GT2 at Road Atlanta's PCA Race. After 2 days of testing different setups the team came up with an excellent race car.
We threw several different changes at the car, some worked and some didn't, but the end result was a lighter-weight, better handling race car.
We didn't just pull the drive shaft for this event rather changed all necessary suspension components in order to make this car a true GT2 race car.
With the limited time we had left at Road Atlanta, one practice, a qualifier, and a sprint race, we were able to lay down some decent lap times. Q-Lap was 1:28.9, Race-Lap was a 1:29.1.
We were running 4th overall on lap 13 of 21 when a left rear tire failed ending our race. The tire failure occured exiting T1 at 100+ mph however the car was straight at the time and I drove it to the access road at the top of the hill. The Forgeline wheel was not damaged at all, thanks Forgeline.
All for now Mid-Ohio next month,
Rick
We threw several different changes at the car, some worked and some didn't, but the end result was a lighter-weight, better handling race car.
We didn't just pull the drive shaft for this event rather changed all necessary suspension components in order to make this car a true GT2 race car.
With the limited time we had left at Road Atlanta, one practice, a qualifier, and a sprint race, we were able to lay down some decent lap times. Q-Lap was 1:28.9, Race-Lap was a 1:29.1.
We were running 4th overall on lap 13 of 21 when a left rear tire failed ending our race. The tire failure occured exiting T1 at 100+ mph however the car was straight at the time and I drove it to the access road at the top of the hill. The Forgeline wheel was not damaged at all, thanks Forgeline.
All for now Mid-Ohio next month,
Rick
#4
04-11-2006, 11:43 AM
Basic Sponsor
great story and good luck.
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2001 996TT 3.6L and stock ECU
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2001 996TT 3.6L and stock ECU
9.66 seconds @ 147.76 mph 1/4 mile click to view
160 mph @ 9.77 seconds in 1/4 mile click to view
50% OFF ON PORSCHE ECU TUNING BLACK FRIDAY SPECIAL
#7
04-11-2006, 01:22 PM
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Los Angeles, Stockholm
Posts: 358
Rep Power: 36
Nicely done! So is this the same car as before, converted to a GT2? Can you go into more detail as to what changes were made? How much hp is the car running? Thanks!
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#8
04-11-2006, 02:29 PM
Good luck in the upcoming race. I guess that you're pretty happy about the two wheel drive conversion. You need that Gt2 front bumper though.
#10
04-11-2006, 02:36 PM
Former Vendor
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Orange County SoCal
Posts: 4,765
Rep Power: 0 
Awesome guys-
So is it safe to say that you will be joining us for Speed GT this year?
Mid Ohio and Road Atlanta - Road America?
The turbo should do well at the big tracks....
Hope to see you there....
So is it safe to say that you will be joining us for Speed GT this year?
Mid Ohio and Road Atlanta - Road America?
The turbo should do well at the big tracks....
Hope to see you there....
Last edited by Fabryce@GMGRacing; 04-11-2006 at 09:03 PM.
#11
04-11-2006, 08:14 PM
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 134
Rep Power: 26
Yes it's the same car as before but with all the necessary suspension changes/updates etc. Power is from the EVO Stage 4. The ceramic coated headers were the last power upgrade.
You're right, it's time for the TT bumper to say good-bye. It's hard to take off perfectly good parts however the time has come. We'll be taking it a little further than the GT-2 nose because of the need for brake cooling, etc.
Yes, the understeer is eliminated. It handles just like a GT2/3 street car. Steering response is very good. The PSM has been gone for awhile. The car can be compared to a 996 Cup car in terms of handling with 100+ more HP.
Fabryce, the risk vs. reward is not in my favor in today's crash 'em up WCGT fields. I love WC but have no desire in having someone else crash me out of a race. I'm perfectly happy(for now) developing this car and running the occassional PCA event with friends. I'm also running a Mazda RX-8 in the SCCA nationals with some friends out of SoCal, so I'm staying plenty busy. Good luck to you guys this year in WCGT.
Rick
You're right, it's time for the TT bumper to say good-bye. It's hard to take off perfectly good parts however the time has come. We'll be taking it a little further than the GT-2 nose because of the need for brake cooling, etc.
Yes, the understeer is eliminated. It handles just like a GT2/3 street car. Steering response is very good. The PSM has been gone for awhile. The car can be compared to a 996 Cup car in terms of handling with 100+ more HP.
Fabryce, the risk vs. reward is not in my favor in today's crash 'em up WCGT fields. I love WC but have no desire in having someone else crash me out of a race. I'm perfectly happy(for now) developing this car and running the occassional PCA event with friends. I'm also running a Mazda RX-8 in the SCCA nationals with some friends out of SoCal, so I'm staying plenty busy. Good luck to you guys this year in WCGT.
Rick
#13
04-11-2006, 10:18 PM
Originally Posted by Gilhart Racing
After months of debating whether the Twin Turbo would be better running in AWD or 2wd the debate is over. The Evolution Motorsports/Gilhart Racing Porsche took on the GT1-R(unlimited HP) class as a GT2 at Road Atlanta's PCA Race. After 2 days of testing different setups the team came up with an excellent race car.
We threw several different changes at the car, some worked and some didn't, but the end result was a lighter-weight, better handling race car.
We didn't just pull the drive shaft for this event rather changed all necessary suspension components in order to make this car a true GT2 race car.
With the limited time we had left at Road Atlanta, one practice, a qualifier, and a sprint race, we were able to lay down some decent lap times. Q-Lap was 1:28.9, Race-Lap was a 1:29.1.
We were running 4th overall on lap 13 of 21 when a left rear tire failed ending our race. The tire failure occured exiting T1 at 100+ mph however the car was straight at the time and I drove it to the access road at the top of the hill. The Forgeline wheel was not damaged at all, thanks Forgeline.
All for now Mid-Ohio next month,
Rick
We threw several different changes at the car, some worked and some didn't, but the end result was a lighter-weight, better handling race car.
We didn't just pull the drive shaft for this event rather changed all necessary suspension components in order to make this car a true GT2 race car.
With the limited time we had left at Road Atlanta, one practice, a qualifier, and a sprint race, we were able to lay down some decent lap times. Q-Lap was 1:28.9, Race-Lap was a 1:29.1.
We were running 4th overall on lap 13 of 21 when a left rear tire failed ending our race. The tire failure occured exiting T1 at 100+ mph however the car was straight at the time and I drove it to the access road at the top of the hill. The Forgeline wheel was not damaged at all, thanks Forgeline.
All for now Mid-Ohio next month,
Rick
Last edited by cjv; 04-11-2006 at 11:30 PM.
#14
04-12-2006, 02:00 AM
Originally Posted by Gilhart Racing
Yes it's the same car as before but with all the necessary suspension changes/updates etc. Power is from the EVO Stage 4. The ceramic coated headers were the last power upgrade.
You're right, it's time for the TT bumper to say good-bye. It's hard to take off perfectly good parts however the time has come. We'll be taking it a little further than the GT-2 nose because of the need for brake cooling, etc.
Yes, the understeer is eliminated. It handles just like a GT2/3 street car. Steering response is very good. The PSM has been gone for awhile. The car can be compared to a 996 Cup car in terms of handling with 100+ more HP.
Fabryce, the risk vs. reward is not in my favor in today's crash 'em up WCGT fields. I love WC but have no desire in having someone else crash me out of a race. I'm perfectly happy(for now) developing this car and running the occassional PCA event with friends. I'm also running a Mazda RX-8 in the SCCA nationals with some friends out of SoCal, so I'm staying plenty busy. Good luck to you guys this year in WCGT.
Rick
You're right, it's time for the TT bumper to say good-bye. It's hard to take off perfectly good parts however the time has come. We'll be taking it a little further than the GT-2 nose because of the need for brake cooling, etc.
Yes, the understeer is eliminated. It handles just like a GT2/3 street car. Steering response is very good. The PSM has been gone for awhile. The car can be compared to a 996 Cup car in terms of handling with 100+ more HP.
Fabryce, the risk vs. reward is not in my favor in today's crash 'em up WCGT fields. I love WC but have no desire in having someone else crash me out of a race. I'm perfectly happy(for now) developing this car and running the occassional PCA event with friends. I'm also running a Mazda RX-8 in the SCCA nationals with some friends out of SoCal, so I'm staying plenty busy. Good luck to you guys this year in WCGT.
Rick
You mind sharing the specs of your new suspension set up.
#15
04-12-2006, 04:16 AM
Congratulations this is an excellent decision IMO. It is great to see the progress you are doing with this car, always a pleasure to see a turbo engine giving those Cup Cars a hard time
What I have found out from changing to 2WD is the following:
- Much better predictability on turn-in than the Porsche 4WD system
- By far sharper steering feel and "lighter" steering
- Weight loss of about 100lbs
- Faster exits in turns since you can throttle steer your way out more precisely at threshold
- You can adjust suspension more accurately.
- Most importantly, performance gains resulting from less friction losses across the transmission setup (differential, axles, torque tube, etc). These can be up to 10% of overall performance, and critically, less components subject to failure during a race.
All of the above make it an overall faster car around the track especially when matching the RWD to a race LSD.
Loss of grip on the track vs. the 4WD is marginal, not the same as in a drag race. You typically run these turbo engines at 1-1.1 Bar maximum on the track so the 4WD benefit is very limited in the dry.
Keep updating us on your changes!
What I have found out from changing to 2WD is the following:
- Much better predictability on turn-in than the Porsche 4WD system
- By far sharper steering feel and "lighter" steering
- Weight loss of about 100lbs
- Faster exits in turns since you can throttle steer your way out more precisely at threshold
- You can adjust suspension more accurately.
- Most importantly, performance gains resulting from less friction losses across the transmission setup (differential, axles, torque tube, etc). These can be up to 10% of overall performance, and critically, less components subject to failure during a race.
All of the above make it an overall faster car around the track especially when matching the RWD to a race LSD.
Loss of grip on the track vs. the 4WD is marginal, not the same as in a drag race. You typically run these turbo engines at 1-1.1 Bar maximum on the track so the 4WD benefit is very limited in the dry.
Keep updating us on your changes!