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See a comparison of my car to my previous Spyder:
Oddly enough, the Spyder doesn't look visually unbalanced, but the Cayman does to me. I can't figure out why that is. Is it because my brain is used to the GT4, GTS and Spyder, and a Frankenstein mix of the 3 doesn't look familiar to me? Does the 10mm drop affect the perception? Does the subtle extension of the lower rear with the GT4/Spyder Rear Diffuser make a difference? [Edit: Also, I think the roof in Black also changes the look of the Spyder, it gives it a much "lower" sort of look.]
That's design - those who do it for a living or study it understand. You have to consider the whole. For the spyder it is the top, and the visual complexity of the humps, roof wings, and hollow / void between the top and the wing that help balance the heavier front fascia. On the GT4, the wing does the same thing - something for your eye to grab at the back. The GTS has the smooth resolution of geometry which is what makes it such a sexy car. I think the stock front bumper and a suspension drop will give you the aggressive GTS you were after. Good luck!
I think the bigger duck tail, side scoops, lowering / suspension mods are all good - GT4 front end, a step too far IMO.
Quote above from way back on July 27th from the "Building a GT4 Touring" Thread.
Originally Posted by UncleDude
That's design - those who do it for a living or study it understand. You have to consider the whole. For the spyder it is the top, and the visual complexity of the humps, roof wings, and hollow / void between the top and the wing that help balance the heavier front fascia. On the GT4, the wing does the same thing - something for your eye to grab at the back. The GTS has the smooth resolution of geometry which is what makes it such a sexy car. I think the stock front bumper and a suspension drop will give you the aggressive GTS you were after. Good luck!
That was a VERY polite "I told you so", LOL! (I wouldn't expect any less from a fellow Canadian, our people are known for being polite.)
I guess I should have listened to you way back then! Ha-ha. In my defense, I had already ordered the bumper kit by then, and it had shipped - so there was no turning back at that point.
I may not always agree with your choices but they are yours to make LOL, but I’ve always admired your spirit of experimentation. Lots of forum members benefit from it!
I'm going to have to say I definitely like the GT4 bumper over the GTS bumper on your car Pete, though I think maybe the slightly shorter spyder front splitter might be better for the overall proportions of the car
I'd try the rear GT4 diffuser paired with the GT4 front, as my bet this will balance out the aesthetics. Currently, the front is too aggressive vs the rear.
The other thought I have for you Pete, that could balance the car without going as all out as the GT4 spoiler would be to do the TechArt Spoiler II. However the FV spoiler you currently have does look really nice on the back, so I hate to even recommend that....in Uncle's Styling notes I do think we need some additional weight to the back end to balance out the side profile. You could also look into some TWL Carbon/Black side skirts to bring some of the visual aggression from the front to the rest of the car. I know some users on the 718 forums have full builds of the rear splitter conversion on the 718, and as you can probably attest to with your experience, it's quite a few more parts than just the splitter.
I think the viewing angle also makes a big difference with the car, I love the look from the front, and 1/4 angles, but the side profile does leave a bit of desire for some visual weight in the back. I'm sure you will come up with a great solution and I can't wait to read about it. I will have to catch up with you next spring so I can experience the gearing goodness myself. As others have said, thanks for being a wonderful Pioneer for the rest of us and I can't wait to see the project continue.
Thank you for the additional inputs, everyone! I got the stock bumper back on yesterday. I think it looks great and balanced now.
I am going to hold onto the GT4 bumper and perhaps later give it another go, down the road - but live the car first for a while and finish the rest of the initial build now. I would need to address those imperfections on the top of the bumper, but also I don't like how you can see the parts through the top vent, I would want to address that as well before trying again. Who knows, maybe I will just decide to stick with the existing bumper and keep the front stock, or maybe longer term put on a lower front lip like TWL Carbon's or TechArt's. (There are surprisingly few available for the GTS / Sport Design Front Bumper.)
Next steps:
Put on the Kline Exhaust - I am really looking forward to this. I have been running with just the Soul Street Headers and the Stock Exhaust and OAPs, with the Sound Deadening removed from under the side compartments. I want to get the Kline Exhaust on, and then figure out optimizing the sound inside the cabin, with the full exhaust on.
Put on the GT4 Rear Diffuser. I may create an opposing imbalance, having the rear of the car be too prominent on the bottom, relative to the GTS front bumper. But I have it sitting there, so why not try it? I think it will balance the top and the bottom of the rear with the beefier FV Spoiler. In that light it would look like the rear of a Spyder, from the spoiler down.
Get the Zunsport Grills installed in the stock bumper. Those should be in soon.
(These three above will be in the next couple/few weeks.)
Then work on making a decision about what I want to do about the suspension and lowering.
(This is less of a rush, will address over the winter.)
Pete, my wife likes your car better with the GTS front than the GT4 and is silently thinking that I am destroying my CGTS. But, yes she thinks it looks much sleeker with the GTS front. But I like the more aggressive look, so onward with my project.
Looks better with GTS front. Suggestion is to paint that lower black strip on the bumper as it will give the appearance it is lower and more aggressive. Some member on RL has done it and looks good.
Also get the mesh inserts for the front radiators as adds to GT looks and blacks out those rads. I went with Rennline guards, which require bumper removal, but they are secure.
Get tires with straighter sidewalls and needs another 5mm poke on the rear with a 295.
Put on the GT4 Rear Diffuser. I may create an opposing imbalance, having the rear of the car be too prominent on the bottom, relative to the GTS front bumper. But I have it sitting there, so why not try it? I think it will balance the top and the bottom of the rear with the beefier FV Spoiler. In that light it would look like the rear of a Spyder, from the spoiler down.
Pete, I think you should add the RS side fins while putting on the GT4/Spyder diffuser. Otherwise it looks incomplete to me, like a cheaper add-on part. The RS fins make the rear end look more flush and lower to the ground
10-06-2023, 01:18 PM
