996TT for Street \ Track Use
06-30-2015, 10:59 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
996TT for Street \ Track Use
I've done a few track days with my 996TT and frankly it's a bit of a letdown. I couldn't even keep up with a similarly experienced driver in a stock E46 330i through the twisty bits.
Trying to decide if I want to "invest" the $5k-7k in suspension (Ohlins DFV, GT3 LCA, etc) or just sell. Anyone else been in the same boat? Should I do the suspension mods or just cut my losses and move on? Maybe I'd be better off with a 7GT3? I've had a V8 M3 and a Ferrari 360 before among others. This car is fast in a straight line but seems to be missing something.
Thoughts?
Trying to decide if I want to "invest" the $5k-7k in suspension (Ohlins DFV, GT3 LCA, etc) or just sell. Anyone else been in the same boat? Should I do the suspension mods or just cut my losses and move on? Maybe I'd be better off with a 7GT3? I've had a V8 M3 and a Ferrari 360 before among others. This car is fast in a straight line but seems to be missing something.
Thoughts?
06-30-2015, 11:36 PM
#3
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What tires are you running and have you installed adjustable sway bars?
07-01-2015, 12:02 AM
#4
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I tracked mine for a few years, but I have Motons, a suspension put together and tuned by GMG, and a host of other mods. It is quite a quick car on track, and extremely fun to drive. It doesn't give anything up to anything with a license plate.
But, I think that the bottom line is this: A lighter car that is designed for track use is probably a better starting point. The GT3 is a fantastic car for track use. It will cost you a bit of money to get the turbo to the same level of handling. If you do want to spend a little of time setting it up, though, the turbo has the potential to be a very powerful car that handles well and can run with most any car. It will always be heavier, but will have much more potential power.
This car was not meant to be a track car, but has the potential to be a great one. If you want a car for mostly track use, and can trade it, a GT3 is a great way to go. If you want to spend a little to set it up, you can end up with a car that will outrun just about anything out there short of a professionally tuned cup car.
Or, some good tires, mid-level shocks, and sway bars, and you are most of the way to a good dual purpose car. If I could trade mine for a similar GT3, I wouldn't. Maybe a factory cup car. Maybe.
Justin
But, I think that the bottom line is this: A lighter car that is designed for track use is probably a better starting point. The GT3 is a fantastic car for track use. It will cost you a bit of money to get the turbo to the same level of handling. If you do want to spend a little of time setting it up, though, the turbo has the potential to be a very powerful car that handles well and can run with most any car. It will always be heavier, but will have much more potential power.
This car was not meant to be a track car, but has the potential to be a great one. If you want a car for mostly track use, and can trade it, a GT3 is a great way to go. If you want to spend a little to set it up, you can end up with a car that will outrun just about anything out there short of a professionally tuned cup car.
Or, some good tires, mid-level shocks, and sway bars, and you are most of the way to a good dual purpose car. If I could trade mine for a similar GT3, I wouldn't. Maybe a factory cup car. Maybe.
Justin
07-01-2015, 01:17 AM
#5
what seats do you have? IMO, stock comfort and sport seats are horrible for aggressive driving...best upgrade I've done is going to Euro seats
good set of track seats and basic off the shelf coilovers will make it a very competent car to track
good set of track seats and basic off the shelf coilovers will make it a very competent car to track
07-01-2015, 06:28 AM
#6
What? You can´t even outrun a stock E46 330i? 996 Turbo is not a track dedicated car but it did lap the Nürburgring in 7:56 min back in 2001. M3 E46 from the same era did a 8:22 min lap. I would assume that it would do even better with todays tire technology.
A couple more...in 2008, the LP560-4 Lambo did a 7:52 min lap, in 2007 the 997 Turbo did a 7:54 min lap.
These times are all from magazine Sport Auto in Germany, with the same driver, Horst von Saurma!
It´s easy blaming the car, you should mod the driver.
A couple more...in 2008, the LP560-4 Lambo did a 7:52 min lap, in 2007 the 997 Turbo did a 7:54 min lap.
These times are all from magazine Sport Auto in Germany, with the same driver, Horst von Saurma!
It´s easy blaming the car, you should mod the driver.
07-01-2015, 08:30 AM
#7
996TT for Street \ Track Use
I moved from a 996tt to a 997rs. But I think either something is broken suspension wise (maybe need an alignment?) on your car or you are in older tires or possibly less aggressive tires. You should be able to brake much later than the BMW and should have a lot more traction coming out of the turns.
TT isn't meant for the track but at the same time it should be quicker than most cars short of fully set up track/race cars and the occasional fast gt3 driver.
I would pass gt3s when I had my turbo. It's usually more the driver than the car. My suggestion is get an instructor that has a similar car to show you the untapped potential the car has. Maybe you'll be surprised.
TT isn't meant for the track but at the same time it should be quicker than most cars short of fully set up track/race cars and the occasional fast gt3 driver.
I would pass gt3s when I had my turbo. It's usually more the driver than the car. My suggestion is get an instructor that has a similar car to show you the untapped potential the car has. Maybe you'll be surprised.
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07-01-2015, 09:46 AM
#9
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
I tracked mine for a few years, but I have Motons, a suspension put together and tuned by GMG, and a host of other mods. It is quite a quick car on track, and extremely fun to drive. It doesn't give anything up to anything with a license plate.
But, I think that the bottom line is this: A lighter car that is designed for track use is probably a better starting point. The GT3 is a fantastic car for track use. It will cost you a bit of money to get the turbo to the same level of handling. If you do want to spend a little of time setting it up, though, the turbo has the potential to be a very powerful car that handles well and can run with most any car. It will always be heavier, but will have much more potential power.
This car was not meant to be a track car, but has the potential to be a great one. If you want a car for mostly track use, and can trade it, a GT3 is a great way to go. If you want to spend a little to set it up, you can end up with a car that will outrun just about anything out there short of a professionally tuned cup car.
Or, some good tires, mid-level shocks, and sway bars, and you are most of the way to a good dual purpose car. If I could trade mine for a similar GT3, I wouldn't. Maybe a factory cup car. Maybe.
Justin
But, I think that the bottom line is this: A lighter car that is designed for track use is probably a better starting point. The GT3 is a fantastic car for track use. It will cost you a bit of money to get the turbo to the same level of handling. If you do want to spend a little of time setting it up, though, the turbo has the potential to be a very powerful car that handles well and can run with most any car. It will always be heavier, but will have much more potential power.
This car was not meant to be a track car, but has the potential to be a great one. If you want a car for mostly track use, and can trade it, a GT3 is a great way to go. If you want to spend a little to set it up, you can end up with a car that will outrun just about anything out there short of a professionally tuned cup car.
Or, some good tires, mid-level shocks, and sway bars, and you are most of the way to a good dual purpose car. If I could trade mine for a similar GT3, I wouldn't. Maybe a factory cup car. Maybe.
Justin
What? You can´t even outrun a stock E46 330i? 996 Turbo is not a track dedicated car but it did lap the Nürburgring in 7:56 min back in 2001. M3 E46 from the same era did a 8:22 min lap. I would assume that it would do even better with todays tire technology.
A couple more...in 2008, the LP560-4 Lambo did a 7:52 min lap, in 2007 the 997 Turbo did a 7:54 min lap.
These times are all from magazine Sport Auto in Germany, with the same driver, Horst von Saurma!
It´s easy blaming the car, you should mod the driver.
A couple more...in 2008, the LP560-4 Lambo did a 7:52 min lap, in 2007 the 997 Turbo did a 7:54 min lap.
These times are all from magazine Sport Auto in Germany, with the same driver, Horst von Saurma!
It´s easy blaming the car, you should mod the driver.
I moved from a 996tt to a 997rs. But I think either something is broken suspension wise (maybe need an alignment?) on your car or you are in older tires or possibly less aggressive tires. You should be able to brake much later than the BMW and should have a lot more traction coming out of the turns.
TT isn't meant for the track but at the same time it should be quicker than most cars short of fully set up track/race cars and the occasional fast gt3 driver.
I would pass gt3s when I had my turbo. It's usually more the driver than the car. My suggestion is get an instructor that has a similar car to show you the untapped potential the car has. Maybe you'll be surprised.
TT isn't meant for the track but at the same time it should be quicker than most cars short of fully set up track/race cars and the occasional fast gt3 driver.
I would pass gt3s when I had my turbo. It's usually more the driver than the car. My suggestion is get an instructor that has a similar car to show you the untapped potential the car has. Maybe you'll be surprised.
07-01-2015, 10:06 AM
#10
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Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
I've done a few track days with my 996TT and frankly it's a bit of a letdown. I couldn't even keep up with a similarly experienced driver in a stock E46 330i through the twisty bits. Trying to decide if I want to "invest" the $5k-7k in suspension (Ohlins DFV, GT3 LCA, etc) or just sell. Anyone else been in the same boat? Should I do the suspension mods or just cut my losses and move on? Maybe I'd be better off with a 7GT3? I've had a V8 M3 and a Ferrari 360 before among others. This car is fast in a straight line but seems to be missing something. Thoughts?
07-01-2015, 10:18 AM
#11
I didn't say the Turbo was slower than an E46 330, I said it was slower through the corners. I passed that E46 330i on the next straight. I am not blaming the car, and I'm just a beginner driver, but that doesn't change the fact that the 996TT as delivered from the factory is kind of a pig.
Mod the car and be happy.
07-01-2015, 10:34 AM
#12
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
The Turbo is as stated not a track dedicated car. That being said, this "pig" should absolutely dismantle a 330i even in the turns. Driver error and the fact that Porsche makes the cars understeer a bit for safety reasons tend to show itself pretty fast when driving on a track. Even GT2s and GT3s understeer, not nearly as much as the Turbo but it's there.
Mod the car and be happy.
Mod the car and be happy.
07-01-2015, 02:02 PM
#13
Not enough as I bought it 8 months ago. I have been in other cars and know my way around. I for one know that the Turbo isn't a GT2 or 3 so I don't expect that from it, but it has never let me down. Lots of people track their 997 Turbos too, and they haul ***, even in stock form.
I live by the "rule" that the car is far more capable than me, so I need to learn to get the most out of it before I can mod, but that's me.
I live by the "rule" that the car is far more capable than me, so I need to learn to get the most out of it before I can mod, but that's me.
