I don't see anything wrong with what you are doing, do you? I understand your motives perfectly!

Do what you need to do but I do hope you at least take advantage of Turbo S's explosive PDK acceleration before unloading it. Good luck and have fun.

 

Yes I have (see Car & Driver link someone posted above) - but my car unfortunately at that time only had Bilstein; I didn't have the great equalizer - the R comp yet. As such the GT3 overwhelmed my Turbo in tight corners: much faster speed because it has practically no body roll in comparison.

My very humble opinions: Where you are now is pretty good and you probably as fast as GT3 in high speed tracks already. However, if you want to take the GT3 in tight corners AND duplicates the subjective feel, you do need stiffer springs. I haven't talked about it too much because I don't want to make it sound too complicated and most people don't need it. But, the whole point about using coilover is it's designed with that in mind - you changing springs to your taste, anyway. I believe that anyone who tracks a lot might want to consider going to stage 4 below:

Suspension stages (roughly and arbitrarily):
1. Bilstein
2. Bilstein + stiffer sway bars
3. Bilstein + stiffer sway bars + R comps
4. Bilstein + stiffer springs + stiffer sway bars + R comps
And then of course there are the solid heim joint links to further increase precision feel, and camber plate/lower control arms to increase negative camber, etc., for the hardcore track junkies here - but let's not talk about it for now as I don't want to scare people away LOL.
As you go from 1 to 4, as you already know we'll lose comfort and gain handling, but I do think 4 will get you to the point where you are going to yield very little to any GT3 in any track (other than the 300 lbs weight gain unfortunately). GT3 steering would still be better though (less assisted).
The place to get springs is Hypercoil and Swift Springs. The springs you wan to look for is 70mm ID, 6 inches long front, 8 inches rear. Your Bilstein is at approx. 330 front/560 rear. I would suggest 450/560 (where I am at right now, with Swift springs), or 450/612-670. Let your tuner test drives and gives suggestion too. Very easy to do - changing spring should cost no more than $300-400 per axle.
Swift Springs: http://www.swiftsprings.net/file/metric.pdf
Hyperco: http://www.hypercoils.com/PDF/70mm.pdf

 

I have had many turbos, the last one i had was an 2008 spec'd 997TT, great car, however all of the watercooled TT cars are fat and boring to me. I like involvement with the car when i drive, you got that with the aircooled cars. I recently drove a 7GT3, great car, i drove a 6GT3 and loved it. I bought the 6GT3, much more involvement and pure IMO

If you want fast, luxurious comfort and a Porsche the TT is the car. However, if you want a driving experience the 6GT3 is the car

Hope this helps

 

I would think nothing of the 20 hp difference between 997.1 versus 997.2 Turbo. All the advantage in lower range acceleration (0-60 times) is mainly from the PDK faster shift and no-boost-loss shifting. If you are going to get a manual 997.2 Turbo, I very seriously doubt you are going to feel a difference from a 20 hp change. As mentioned, very clearly at this point the most desirable Turbo would be a low mileage Mezger-engine 997.1 with PCCB brake (don't forget PCCB brake). If you see one, jump on it! I know color is very important, but I would rank PCCB as important as the color. No difference in stopping distance but the feel and initial bite is night and day different.

GT3's RMS: They've said the latest seal is a cure for 10 years runnning now. IMHO: there will never be a cure for GT3's RMS design-flaw; some owners get lucky, some don't, and hundreds of "how and why" tell you there is not going to be a cure. People do Ok with this but it did bother me (post warranty repair) and was a factor in my decision.

Considering there are so few GT3's on the market vs. Turbo (Isn't it 200-400 a year versus 2000 a year for Turbo?), the GT3's for sale should tell you that as great a car the GT3 is, it's not for everyone and it has pluses and minuses just like any other car. You can't go wrong getting one - but for example it's not even Porsche's best pure handling car. That honor for me belongs to the mid-engine Boxster/Cayman. I have no plan for Boston but sure will keep in touch if I pass by the area. Thanks and good luck.

 

Guess what? I drove another GT3 this weekend. What a car! Like cannga said in a prior post, the GT3 is not for everyone, but it speaks to me loud and clear. I felt connected to the car like I have never experienced before with any other car. I believe, I have found what tickles my fancy:-)

 

Which option is a must in a GT3?
What do you guys think of bucket seat?
Ceramic brakes vs Steele brakes?
driving the car 80% on the street and maybe 20% track.
Thanks guys

 

PCCB is a must, but the bucket seats weren't comfortable especially where the seat belt latches into - unless you go for the harness.

Cheers,

 

Thanks for the info. I had no idea that you could make things even better or customize it with stiffer springs. You really know your stuff when it comes to these cars!

 

... I hope that you do. Thank you, Can. You are a great ambassador to the art and science of driving. You share your keen knowledge of these cars generously. I am not surprised that a prestigious magazine like C&D wrote about you in the article. The car guys are truly a great group. We all have to stick together to protect what little rights remain on the road and track.

You're right, Can. The GT3 isn't for everyone it seems. I hope to drive one again this wkd to compare with the experience of a TT. There's a guy selling a 997.2 GT3 4 only miles away, so I can't go wrong looking into it to compare.

I am glad that the 997.1 Mezger block is a keeper. PCCB will be a tough find, but will try to seize the opportunity if it comes my way. After I drive it for a while, I'll see what I'd like to improve upon. When the warranty is up, I'd like to add a GT2 like wing done with good taste. I don't like some of the cheesy looking wings that look like field goals. The exhaust, suspension, and engine mods might be in the cards too..... Ahh, I just have to find one NOW!

You guys are the best!

 

^^^^^ come on and buy the car already!


less talk, more action.

oh and pics pleeeze!

 

Congrats. Looks like you found your calling. PCCB is a must for street because of the un-sprung weight saving and the incredible initial bite; for track, I am uncertain unless you are rich, rich, rich. Just read up on it and ask on GT3 forum. There is a history of damage when used at the track and it seems to me people who track their car tend to use the iron brake.

Bucket seat: Beautiful and very appropriate for a track car, but this is the sort of seat that you fall into and climb out of. The high thigh bolster makes it impossible to swing your legs and get out the normal way IMHO. If you are older and/or have back pain, I would be careful about ordering it.

Just curious: Which aspect of the Turbo S that you dislike the most, that causes you to get rid of it so quickly? The soft suspension? The PDK?

 

Karman, i moved from a 07 GT3 to a 2010 Turbo. But i could not stand the 997.2 Turbo ride height. So i immediately bought New H&R springs and lowered it back to my GT3 ride height. I also have the Aero kit and so the front spoiler (Painted) often scrapes. I have to be careful in and out of driveways but i would rather have the firmness and ride higher similar to the GT3 than the Turbo. I keep a black Marker in my glove box to touch up the spoiler.

 

Can,

There was nothing really to dislike. The car is an amazing work of art. It has so much power that it's scary fast.

The suspension is softer than I would prefer. The PDK is something else...I have driven many cars in the past, and there is nothing out there that comes close to the way the PDK handles. The PDK is outstanding!

The paddle shifting on the other hand did not keep me connected/excited to the experience. The engine is louder than the normal tt, but not enough to put a smile on my face. The car could have worked for me in maybe 20 yrs, but at the moment I am looking for a car that could wake up all my senses. I want to get in the car, and feel like I am driving a street/race car with some level of comfort. Is this possible?

 

I have the TPC stage III Bilstein set up. They change the valving and use stiffer springs, with linear rate springs in at least the front, if I recall. Speak to them, these are highly modifiable dampers, but you need to know what you're doing if you're going to deviate from they way they come. Any good tuner can help. Definitely does transform the car. Add a EP2 and a tune, .... wheels, and you've really got something. I'm glad I got the 997.1 (PCCBs, etc.), will drive it for lots of years.