Orthojoe's track build journal
01-19-2015, 12:17 PM
#31
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Regarding the passenger seat issue, I've asked my dealer to contact Porsche and look into it. Will let you guys know what he says.
IMO, selling these seats which are presumably intended for compatibility with harnesses and thus suited for track use, but without proper provision for ant-submarine belts, is misrepresentation and irresponsible.
Regardless of what constraints Porsche was working with, there should have at least been full prior disclosure of the issue with the passenger seat, and the inadvisability of using 4-pt harnesses as a workaround.
IMO, selling these seats which are presumably intended for compatibility with harnesses and thus suited for track use, but without proper provision for ant-submarine belts, is misrepresentation and irresponsible.
Regardless of what constraints Porsche was working with, there should have at least been full prior disclosure of the issue with the passenger seat, and the inadvisability of using 4-pt harnesses as a workaround.
01-19-2015, 12:41 PM
#32
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
Joe - thanks! It's great to finally see a thread that's not about color choices, stitching, cameras, and other nonsense!
Where did you get the caliper stud kit? I can't see buying new caliper bolts every time you need to change pads or rotors. Porsche considers them a one-use item.
I also agree with everything you said - phenomenal car so far. In fact, as others have mentioned, perhaps too good. There is no way to fully appreciate the car on US public roads.
The seats are also interesting. Not sure why they went with the 918 seat, unless it was strictly for the electric height adjustment. They have no side airbags - I thought those were required. They are certainly wider than the GT2 seats - perhaps they used those to accommodate us 'chunky' Americans? I'm 5'11" and 210# and the seats are not snug. They are more comfortable than the GT2 seats and really complete the GT3, fitting its sporting nature perfectly. For me, the 918 seat is now the most comfortable Porsche makes, the GT2 seat gets moved to second place.
The lack of a proper sub-belt pass through is a major error on the part of Porsche! Unless they want an easy way to monitor track use? Although, with the electric height adjustment, the seat base isn't really attached to the floor pan, it's attached to the mobile electrically adjusted platform - not sure how robust that would be for the track. I think for serious track use, a dedicated track seat is still the best option and certainly a better choice than either the 918 or GT2 seat. For casual DE or AX use, any seat will work.
They certainly accomplished their goal - a more daily drivable GT3. After a long search for 'the perfect car for me', I may have finally found it. Although the Cayman R would be a very close second place. Or the 997 GT2. . .
Where did you get the caliper stud kit? I can't see buying new caliper bolts every time you need to change pads or rotors. Porsche considers them a one-use item.
I also agree with everything you said - phenomenal car so far. In fact, as others have mentioned, perhaps too good. There is no way to fully appreciate the car on US public roads.
The seats are also interesting. Not sure why they went with the 918 seat, unless it was strictly for the electric height adjustment. They have no side airbags - I thought those were required. They are certainly wider than the GT2 seats - perhaps they used those to accommodate us 'chunky' Americans? I'm 5'11" and 210# and the seats are not snug. They are more comfortable than the GT2 seats and really complete the GT3, fitting its sporting nature perfectly. For me, the 918 seat is now the most comfortable Porsche makes, the GT2 seat gets moved to second place.
The lack of a proper sub-belt pass through is a major error on the part of Porsche! Unless they want an easy way to monitor track use? Although, with the electric height adjustment, the seat base isn't really attached to the floor pan, it's attached to the mobile electrically adjusted platform - not sure how robust that would be for the track. I think for serious track use, a dedicated track seat is still the best option and certainly a better choice than either the 918 or GT2 seat. For casual DE or AX use, any seat will work.
They certainly accomplished their goal - a more daily drivable GT3. After a long search for 'the perfect car for me', I may have finally found it. Although the Cayman R would be a very close second place. Or the 997 GT2. . .
Regarding the passenger seat issue, I've asked my dealer to contact Porsche and look into it. Will let you guys know what he says.
IMO, selling these seats which are presumably intended for compatibility with harnesses and thus suited for track use, but without proper provision for ant-submarine belts, is misrepresentation and irresponsible.
Regardless of what constraints Porsche was working with, there should have at least been full prior disclosure of the issue with the passenger seat, and the inadvisability of using 4-pt harnesses as a workaround.
IMO, selling these seats which are presumably intended for compatibility with harnesses and thus suited for track use, but without proper provision for ant-submarine belts, is misrepresentation and irresponsible.
Regardless of what constraints Porsche was working with, there should have at least been full prior disclosure of the issue with the passenger seat, and the inadvisability of using 4-pt harnesses as a workaround.
01-19-2015, 12:45 PM
#33
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01-19-2015, 12:46 PM
#34
Burning Brakes
Hope you've cleaned yourself up now from all that opti!!!!!
Did you replace the caliper bolts because of the unusual nut shape or did you manage to find a head with the correct pattern?
Did you replace the caliper bolts because of the unusual nut shape or did you manage to find a head with the correct pattern?
01-19-2015, 12:50 PM
#35
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
You want to replace the caliper bolts because they are technically a one time use part. The studs will also save you from screwing up the threads in the upright when using bolts.
01-19-2015, 12:55 PM
#36
LOL, you could probably sense the frustration in the garage when you saw us working on the car. I had to use a brush that scraped off skin in order to remove that goop! Next time, I will cover the hub with a plastic bag to stop myself from bumping into the hub and getting that crap everywhere
You want to replace the caliper bolts because they are technically a one time use part. The studs will also save you from screwing up the threads in the upright when using bolts.
You want to replace the caliper bolts because they are technically a one time use part. The studs will also save you from screwing up the threads in the upright when using bolts.
01-19-2015, 01:00 PM
#37
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
Maybe someone more technical can chime in, but that is my understanding. The studs make it easier to re-install the caliper. Just slide back on. It's also much easier to screw up threading a bolt into the upright vs. a simple nut. If the upright threads are jacked, the upright needs to be replaced.
01-19-2015, 01:01 PM
#38
GT3 player par excellence
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did
u take apart the CL nut to greae too? that will add more hoop to
everywhere. I uae lots gloves and put not far away from everything and I have three xl sockets
u take apart the CL nut to greae too? that will add more hoop to
everywhere. I uae lots gloves and put not far away from everything and I have three xl sockets
01-19-2015, 01:06 PM
#39
Burning Brakes
OT
We'll do a proper photo shoot in the summer as it's winter here and I'm a lousy photographer to booth.
In the meanwhile, I look forward to your reports and setup info and will live vicariously through you and others until I can get on the track myself. Maybe I should ship my car down your way in the winter so I can have some fun too...
Got any space in that beautiful garage of your ?? 
In the meanwhile, I look forward to your reports and setup info and will live vicariously through you and others until I can get on the track myself. Maybe I should ship my car down your way in the winter so I can have some fun too...
Got any space in that beautiful garage of your ??
01-19-2015, 01:06 PM
#40
Nordschleife Master
I'm sure a lot of people reuse them,but it's probably a very good idea to install new ones if you track extensively because of the heat brakes generate on the track.
01-19-2015, 01:19 PM
#41
Rennlist Member
Maybe someone more technical can chime in, but that is my understanding. The studs make it easier to re-install the caliper. Just slide back on. It's also much easier to screw up threading a bolt into the upright vs. a simple nut. If the upright threads are jacked, the upright needs to be replaced.
I don't think the bolts are stretch bolts. However all bolts do stretch some when torqued. My belief is the issue is the insert/remove process has some wear on the bolt tip and this makes the chance of cross threading or wearing the upright threads higher.
The upright is aluminum, the bolt is steel. With the studs, the bolt and nut are steel. And as orthojoe points out you can hang the caliper on the stud, makes the process much easier.
On my 997 I replace my caliper stud nuts every couple months (i use high quality US sourced grade 10.8 metric flange nuts with parabolic lock). The studs show no wear but will time them out later this year and replace.
01-19-2015, 01:35 PM
#42
Maybe someone more technical can chime in, but that is my understanding. The studs make it easier to re-install the caliper. Just slide back on. It's also much easier to screw up threading a bolt into the upright vs. a simple nut. If the upright threads are jacked, the upright needs to be replaced.
01-19-2015, 02:52 PM
#43
Rennlist Member
Great start to the thread Joe. So glad someone is going to document the trials and tribulations of getting this car sorted for regular track use.
For the Optimally, a combo of disposable gloves and lightly diluted Simple Green remove the stuff from hands and other body parts.
Can't wait to see the car out at the track next week. May I be the first Mezger GT3 to give you a point by
For the Optimally, a combo of disposable gloves and lightly diluted Simple Green remove the stuff from hands and other body parts.
Can't wait to see the car out at the track next week. May I be the first Mezger GT3 to give you a point by
01-19-2015, 03:19 PM
#45
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
We'll do a proper photo shoot in the summer as it's winter here and I'm a lousy photographer to booth.
In the meanwhile, I look forward to your reports and setup info and will live vicariously through you and others until I can get on the track myself. Maybe I should ship my car down your way in the winter so I can have some fun too... Got any space in that beautiful garage of your ??
In the meanwhile, I look forward to your reports and setup info and will live vicariously through you and others until I can get on the track myself. Maybe I should ship my car down your way in the winter so I can have some fun too...
Got any space in that beautiful garage of your ?? 
