Guys, today was the end of the 2010 Track season in the Mid West and I just wanted to share my thoughts about my TPC Suspension Upgrade. This was my first year with the TPC Stage 3+ suspension on my 2007 TT and all I can say is it’s AWESOME( I had over over 25 track days this year at Putnam Park, Autobahn, Gingerman, VIR, Carolina Motorsports Park )! This mod has totally changed my my car into a truly fantastic sports car. I debated doing engine mods or suspension upgrades with my goal being to improving my track times and I believe I made the right decision. This year I was able to improve my time by over 4 seconds at our local road course ( Putnam Park 1.8 mile road course ). The car has significantly better cornering and handling and is totally different from stock...turn in is crisper, high speed corning is much more stable and the car is much more nimble...it’s like driving on rails. Now when you put the power down the suspension is able to handle it in a controlled and predictable manner. I know many of you are focused on 0-60, 1/4 mile or dyno numbers, but I’m a believer that a Porsche is meant to be driven on the track and with the TPC suspension I feel I have a car that is able to compete with most any “stock” vehicle at the track.

Not sure what I will do next to improve my times ( engine is stock but I have Spraco DTM seats, roll bar, harness , Hoosier R6’s, Padgid Yellow’s) but I think I have the basic platform to build on. Any input is appreciated. Thanks Mike, Casey and the TPC team and to EP Werks in Indianapolis for the outstanding install and ongoing service.

 

More seat time and maybe some coaching from a pro driver will do far more for you than more modifications. What you have is enough to beat 95% of cars that show up to DE's, you just have to extract it.

Also, experiment with different alignment and sway bar settings so you really learn the handling of the car and how it reacts to changes in suspension settings.

I think the Bilsteins will be a limiting factor down the road. They are more street than track by far.

Good post though, we need more of this around here. FAR MORE.

 

The TPC ultimate suspension what are the coil overs that are used in this setup? Ohlins or Motons?

 

Oh nm, my bad.

 

Lol, that was funny!

OP, thanks for ur insight and exp with the TPC set up. I like where ur starting from and when the time comes to add more power the boys here will quickly get it to u. I too am gonna wait to add more power as I'm still fixing the nut behind the wheel.


Ken

 

I'm actually in the position as you where vpmick, i've talked to Mike at TPC about a 3 weeks ago and he also suggested to go with the GT2/GT3RS Track package. I told him that i modifying my shocks is an advanced step for me, i should track the car a couple of times and i'll see from there.

What i noticed on the track is that i needed more high speed cornering stability and better turn in, this was the first track day with the stock/street setup.

The second track day was even better after i altered the stock alignment with more negative camber up front and rear with the front stock bar being stiff and the rear soft. What i noticed was better turn in and a bit more stability, at i high speed corner which is an uphill and the begining and a down hill at the end of it, its very very technical. But I spun off at the corner of a speed of about ~160 kph, thank god nothing happened had a lot of spin off area away from the barrier.

Do you think the track setup will help with high speed cornering that you have ? or aftermarket shock is needed ? or is it just my driving ?

Sorry for the long post

 

GT Silver, I'm not super technical nor am I a mechanic but I can assure you that after the suspension upgrade the car is significantly more stable in high speed corners. An example might be in the climbing esses at VIR where I am now so much more comfortable really pushing speeds, or turn one at Putnam Park where it's now 100% on the throttle. I won't argue with Heavy Chevy's comment on more seat time and good instruction but the investment in suspension has really been a good one for me.

 

I cant agree more with what Heavy Chevy's comment, more track time and good instruction will help a lot. I want to increase high speed stability and with your package you have gained that, I will talk to Mike soon and find out whats best for me.

Thank you for your input vpmick

 

I was just saying that opposed to continuing to bu more mods, you should focus on maximizing what you bought already. the best way to do that is with coaching

 

Congrats to OP. Although I have no direct experience, based on what I know and read, I hold TPC's suspension work in highest regard. In my opinion, anyone who is close to their shop and is looking to improve the tragically soft stock 997 Turbo suspension (both 997.1 and 997.2), a test drive of the TPC Turbo test car is an absolute no brainer.

Anyone who is not familiar with suspension: What TPC does is modifying the Bilstein Damptronic, (from what I could see - Casey corrects me if I am wrong) mostly by using stiffer front spring and with a pillow ball upper mount. I would expect firmer and sharper steering response and less side to side weight transfer, with some increase in stiffness, over the Bilstein Damptronic. What's more important is TPC then uses professional test driver (owner of the shop, I think?) and integrates the modded coilover with their own sway bars, and revision of the PASM software. What you have is a total integrated system that's still street friendly. Although there are more track oriented systems like Moton/JRZ, using Moton/JRZ essentially eliminates "reasonable" street usability (I've been told that it's more than just about the springs, Moton/JRZ have solid mounts and no rubber bushings --> impossibly harsh for daily drivers, for a majority of people).

I am giving so much praise to TPC because I think more work like this should be done by other tuners - a street friendly, custom tune suspension system using proper coilover - yet TPC is the only one I know of to date.
Of note, my tuner who is more of a canyon racer, not a professional driver like TPC tester, has developed something similar in concept (but definitely not as elaborate): For a select few of his customers, he has changed front spring to a stiffer rate (with soft front sway bar setting). The transformation over basic Bilstein is indeed remarkable, firmer and direct steering and cornering as if on rails - click link in my signature. At any rate were I to start modding today, no doubt the TPC system would be one I audition first.

 

^^ Can, in addition to what you mentioned the setup that I have (along with the OP) also includes adjustable drop links and adjustable rear toe links.

It is a great setup and will transform the car while keeping it totally streetable.

 

Is there anyone here that have TPC GT2/GT3/RS track package on there car ?

 

Casey thank you for your input im really interested in your package but i have a couple of Q's.

I just want to ask is every setup different, ie suited for every car or is it one setup for all? If so how will the suspension alignment setup determined for my car ?

Because im actually in Kuwait and not in the states so for me to send my front and rear shocks a couple times or bringing my car in to get the right setup isnt an option for me. How will i know that i will have the best setup for me ? I track my car at the bahrain international circuit, i dont think that you may have heard or seen the track so how will you setup my car ?

Here is a picture of the track layout ( sorry dont know how to post it )

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...Layout.svg.png

I was on the track this last weekend with a track setup using the stock suspension parts. What i found out even with the alignment which was good is that the car wasnt that stable through the chicane between corners 5-7( link above ), and also my car spun off 3/4 of the way between corner 12 and 13 while I was pushing to about ~170 kph.

What i actually want is to increase stability and especially through high speed turns and crisp turn in.

Sorry for the long post but i wish that you could help me find the suitable suspension setup for me.

p.s FYI any suspension will be done at the dealer, no dedicated suspension shop around here.

 

vpmick - I really appreciate your post as I've been looking at a 997TT. I've been reading about TPC but wondered how their suspension upgrades worked on the track. Putnam is where I spend most of my time as well, and just wondered if we might have met. Have you been there with any of the Porsche, BMW or Audi car club DEs?

 

Hey PyroKerry...PM sent