GT350

As for "livability", I have 31K miles on my '04 GT3, most of them commute and vacation travel miles. The car is definitely a pleasure to drive every day; the only thing you always have to remember is the low ground clearance, the front splitter, driveways and such.

Skip,

Plima is right on the money. I drive my Mk.2 996 GT3 as a semi-daily drive with my wife. We have a good ride and can talk easily, while I keep it under 5,000 rpm. Above that the fun starts and all bets are off. The item I like about the 996 is it doesn't have any driver "help", you're on your own. They are a fun car.

johnthomas...that is what I am going to do.

I was surprised when a PCA approved shop talked about plugging the tire. I thought maybe because I was in the lower run groups that it would be good. But I am not going to "play" with it. Thanks for the comments and ideas. subject closed.Regards.

Thanks for the comments. The nail is more towards the center so I think I will go with that.

I would like to get some advise from the experts. I have a GT3 that now has a nail in the drivers' side rear tire. A local, experienced, PCA shop said that they could plug the tire and I would be good for DEs. While I am in the lower groups I was still a little concerned about taking a "plugged" tire on the track. Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Great photos and job on the wing. I have a red GT3 and am thinking of something similar. How did this impact the control on the track (i.e. at DEs).

Sorry - I've only driven her about 20 miles since doing the job - the weather over here is not good enough to venture too far in a car with no traction control :eek:

However, I think I noticed more downforce on the rear end above 40mph ish - front felt a little lighter - which I suppose is kind of logical :unsure:

I'll be out in her some more at the end of the week when the weather is due to improve and I'll let you know.

Philip

Thanks. Great looking car.

"dark and overcast" in England? How can that be?

Don't! It's soooo depressing :angry: It was glorious sunshine (but chilly at 1degree c) this morning - thought "great - get out and enjoy it!" by the time I went outside the sun had gone :help:

I saw the pics over on Rennlist of the SY with its winglets painted. I really like that look, and may go that route, but, for now, I like the cf to complement my wheels.

I don't mean to be a copy cat - but I'm looking for a scrappy set of wheels I can refurb.....in black :thumbup:

Philip

Guys,

Great photos and job on the wing. I have a red GT3 and am thinking of something similar. How did this impact the control on the track (i.e. at DEs).

Thanks

I currently own a 996 GT3 and have been "tempted" to get a new 997 GT3. I went to a Skip Barber school at Lime Rock and drove the new 997, it was very impressive. If that difference is the same for the new 997 it would be great.

I would be very interested in anyone's comments that have checked out the new 997. I know that it is still very new, but any comments would be good.

Thanks,

Kensai,

I know that the GT3 RS is going to be great on the track. Have you seen anything on how it would be on the road? I have an '04 GT3 and it runs nice on the road and is strong on the track. I would be very interested in the GT3 RS if I could drive it on the weekends also.

Hi GT350..... I have no personal experience with those Kumhos on my GT3...but, I do have some personal opinions. As you know, the GT3 is very sensitive to suspension settings, especially alignment and tires. The factory engaged Michelin to develop tires for current 911 models including the GT3 and GT2. The N spec Michelin PS2 and Pilot Sport Cup (in PCar sizes) are a result. My personal experience is only with those two tires on my GT3. The Cup is, of course, track oriented and the PS2 is street (and a little track) oriented. There is a difference in how each feels and handles. You might notice that the rear PS2s in 295/30-18 N2 are Extra Load rated at Load Rating 98. That means they are designed to handle a bigger load at standard pressure than the same sized tire that is not an Extra Load. Several European manufacturers are spec'ing Extra Load tires as original equipment these days. I've seen what happens when a 30 aspect ratio tire loses pressure slowly, or blows out. It is usually destroyed quickly before you can feel the tire going low....and without a spare, you are on a flat bed home. Personally, I feel a little bit better with the Extra Load rating and with the factory's recommendation of that tire. I know that the Michelins are really expensive...but so are your wheels (which can get damaged in a deflation) and your time. Over the last 25 years, I've tried lots of different tires on lots of different cars. I've come to the personal opinion that I get what I pay for in tirres.

Craig,

Thanks for the comments, some good points.

I am looking at replacing my OE tires on an '04 GT3. They are Pilot Sport PS2 that were good on the street and effective the couple times I went to the track. Instead of the Pilots I am looking at Kumho ECSTA SPT. These had a good rating on Tire rack and are half the price of the Pilots.

Has anyone had experience with the Kumho tires?

Thanks,

Thanks for the great feedback. I am participating in my local club's DE's, they are educational. Have you attended the PDE? If so was it worth the money to learn how to drive a GT3?

While PDE is a lot of fun if you are really interested in learning how to drive on the track your money will go a lot further with a lot of the private groups that rent the track.  Depending on the track, meals, etc, typical private track days run $200-400 per day.

For example right now I am at Willow Springs and the event cost was $235 for two days (www.speedventures.net).

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I have beem going to Lime Rock with the different Porsche clubs. I didn't know if the PDE took it a level above that. Thanks for the comments.

No man, I tried the same thing when I purchased my 3 and no discount... However, it is money WELL spent... :)

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Thanks, I think I will give it a try.

I am interested in attending the Porsche Driving School at the Barber Motor Sport track but I notice the courses are approximately $2-3K. Does anyone know of or heard of discounts or promotions to help offset this price?

I was hoping since we had purchased the GT3 that maybe there was something out there.

Thanks,

You can buy race fuel (96 and 100) at some 76 stations.  If you go to the 76 web site (probably also the citgo site) you can usually do a search to find which stations carry it (sunoco too maybe).  You can also buy race fuel at most race tracks.

Is it worth it for a car that is used primarily on the street?  No.  You will not notice the increased performance under normal every day legal street driving.  It is certainly not worth the 2x price differential.  You can certainly use it but you are basically blowing $$$ out the tail pipe.

I think that the reasons some stations carry it are that 1) there is a local demand for it, modified cars, street racers, etc. 2) there are a lot of people with track cars in the neighborhood who buy fuel for the track (cheaper than buying it at the track) 3) profit (of the $.20 differential between regular and super it has been reported the $.08 is manufacturing cost, the rest is profit.  I leave it up to you to guess how much of the $2-3 premium for race fuel is profit).

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Thanks.

A local Citgo gas station has started selling what they refer to as Racing Fuel. It has 97 and 101 Octane rating. I was wondering if anyone else has seen this at a local gas station. Also would this be good in/for the 996 GT3?

Thanks,

did it work? Should be a pic of the car at the dealer. I will pick it up tomorrow after work.

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Great looking car! These are the most fun of the 911s I have driven. Good luck :drive:

Well this is my first post on Renntech.org, I'm a longtime Porsche fan not currently owning a Porsche.

I moved to the US from the Netherlands back in 2000 and tried to import my 996 GT3 but DMV here in California was very difficult when I came over with the specs of the car to research if it was feasible to take it with me. Especially my Ruff muffler system and some of the suspencion mods were a problem...

But I'm learning about the 997 and I'm awaiting the new 997 GT3... :thumbup:

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Well its always good to have another Porsche nut in California. The GT3 is a great car.

^ yeah they're made by recaro (very solid workmanship...just make sure you don't carry any fat chicks in them)

GT350, additionally to all the very good points made here about doing some DE's and basic bolt ons, a bit of weight reduction wouldn't hurt either, maybe get the car down to RS spec?

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Thanks. I am going to look at the Recaro seats. Also check into the weight reduction, a recent article had the GT3 at 8.5 ib. per bhp where others are at 7.

Might also consider an alignment- many of the cars came with a "unusual" free factory alignment that was way off.  Many also swear by corner weighting, though I haven't done that... yet.  (And of course, the real euro seats.)

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Did you put in the real euro seats? Are they a Sparco brand?

Thanks,

I've only done a couple of things, Fabspeed Mufflers and different air filter, about 5 hp or so gain. More gain with the Fabspeed muffler bypass. All mods reasonablly priced, less than 4 figures. What kind of HP are you looking for, out of the box this car is faster than I can reasonablly drive it. Plan on spending a grand on driving schools, then worry about more HP.

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RayGT3,

Great point, I am going to the PDE and other track events. I had seen some articles about "improving" the GT3 and thought maybe there was something I was missing. I think between your suggestions and the comments about the flywheel that will address any changes. You are right this is a great car.

Thanks,

Two things, first get rid of those OE yellow "Comfort" brake pads, I changed to Pagid RS 4-2-1 dark blue in the rear and street black in the front, different colors but essentially the same, both same compound. Second being the change to a light weight flywheel. A world of difference.

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Thanks. Have you done anything to increase the HP?

Might help if you are a little more specific about "performance".

Power, handling or braking?

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I was thinking power. I have about 1500 miles on the car and the handling and braking seem good.

I have read several modifications and additions that people have made to their GT3s. I was wondering what people had the best luck with. If you were going to make one or two mods. to improve performance what would you recommend?

Thanks

:drive: Ivan the car looks great! Is it an '05?