Out With the Old, In With the New
06-21-2018, 08:12 PM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Out With the Old, In With the New
I'm now approaching 3,000 miles on my GT3T and put 63,000 miles on my 2014 GT3. So, here's my thoughts on some of the questions that have been asked...
First, I'm delighted to have the 6-speed back. While I had the 2014, I flip-flopped a couple of times as to whether I wanted to go back to a stick or whether the advantages of the PDK out-weighed the involvement of the stick. Since it IS my daily driver and the clutch IS heavier than my 2009 C4S, you definitely put it in neutral, rather than holding the clutch down, a LOT in stop and go traffic and at lights. As far as the "notchiness" that some have mentioned with the 6-speed, it definitely takes a deliberate motion to get it into 5th on the 4->5 shift. The spring to the center gate is stronger than on the 2009 C4S and there's a little more resistance. I have, done some 4->3 shifts while driving gently and I think I better understand how my dealer's first 911R customer blew a 4->5 shift and trashed his clutch.
I'm also delighted to lose the wing. I prefer the improved visibility and it helps the car draw a little less unwanted attention. Since it's my daily driver and autocrosser (I don't do DEs), I just don't drive fast enough to benefit from the stability of the wing.
The increased torque, over the old 3.8L engine, is noticeable when driving gently.
It does sound rather different from the 2014. From the drivers seat, it sounds a little more lower frequency/mechanical. At the autocross last Saturday, one of the other participants said that my 2018 was a LOT quieter than my 2014. I don't hear that much difference from inside the car. But, apparently from outside it is quieter. Maybe I need a primary bypass (like Sharkwerks)
The two other things that I noticed while autocrossing is that, with the 6-speed, it took some practice to get a really good launch. The course had a series of gates, at the start, that you could really straighten out and get some speed going up to the first circle. With the PDK, you just drop the loud pedal. With the stick, I had to turn traction control off and let the wheels slip some so that the clutch didn't have to take abuse. The other thing that I noticed is that I swear I had a lot more front-end grip. I don't know if that's the new parking lot, the Dunlops vs the PSC2s my last car had, or if other changes have been made. But, I never hit a corner and pushed. I always had the speed right or wished I was moving a little faster.
The only thing that I'm not sure I like as well as (or better than) the 2014 is the new PCM. Sure, it has some nice added features (better traffic data, for example), but I find it less intuitive. I've yet to figure out how to turn the phone (Bluetooth) volume up enough. I learned that the volume control does turn that up while the phone is active. But, it still won't go loud enough. Yeah, I know, RTFM...
First, I'm delighted to have the 6-speed back. While I had the 2014, I flip-flopped a couple of times as to whether I wanted to go back to a stick or whether the advantages of the PDK out-weighed the involvement of the stick. Since it IS my daily driver and the clutch IS heavier than my 2009 C4S, you definitely put it in neutral, rather than holding the clutch down, a LOT in stop and go traffic and at lights. As far as the "notchiness" that some have mentioned with the 6-speed, it definitely takes a deliberate motion to get it into 5th on the 4->5 shift. The spring to the center gate is stronger than on the 2009 C4S and there's a little more resistance. I have, done some 4->3 shifts while driving gently and I think I better understand how my dealer's first 911R customer blew a 4->5 shift and trashed his clutch.
I'm also delighted to lose the wing. I prefer the improved visibility and it helps the car draw a little less unwanted attention. Since it's my daily driver and autocrosser (I don't do DEs), I just don't drive fast enough to benefit from the stability of the wing.
The increased torque, over the old 3.8L engine, is noticeable when driving gently.
It does sound rather different from the 2014. From the drivers seat, it sounds a little more lower frequency/mechanical. At the autocross last Saturday, one of the other participants said that my 2018 was a LOT quieter than my 2014. I don't hear that much difference from inside the car. But, apparently from outside it is quieter. Maybe I need a primary bypass (like Sharkwerks)
The two other things that I noticed while autocrossing is that, with the 6-speed, it took some practice to get a really good launch. The course had a series of gates, at the start, that you could really straighten out and get some speed going up to the first circle. With the PDK, you just drop the loud pedal. With the stick, I had to turn traction control off and let the wheels slip some so that the clutch didn't have to take abuse. The other thing that I noticed is that I swear I had a lot more front-end grip. I don't know if that's the new parking lot, the Dunlops vs the PSC2s my last car had, or if other changes have been made. But, I never hit a corner and pushed. I always had the speed right or wished I was moving a little faster.
The only thing that I'm not sure I like as well as (or better than) the 2014 is the new PCM. Sure, it has some nice added features (better traffic data, for example), but I find it less intuitive. I've yet to figure out how to turn the phone (Bluetooth) volume up enough. I learned that the volume control does turn that up while the phone is active. But, it still won't go loud enough. Yeah, I know, RTFM...
06-21-2018, 08:44 PM
#4
SJW, a Carin' kinda guy
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
If you turn up the volume on the phone while on Bluetooth that increases the “output” volume to the PCM (or at least it does in my other cars ....).
06-21-2018, 10:46 PM
#6
Enjoyed reading your write up
where are the pictures!!!!!
where are the pictures!!!!!
06-22-2018, 03:43 AM
#7
You sir are doing things right, keep on enjoying the car.
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06-22-2018, 05:22 AM
#8
Burning Brakes
Interesting info on your relatively high mileage Touring. I have about 2,500 miles on mine and plan to take a 3,000+ mile trip up to the Northwest next month from the Bay Area. I'm really looking forward to it!
My experience autoxing mine was very similar and like you, was most happy with the front end grip (I have Michelins).
My experience autoxing mine was very similar and like you, was most happy with the front end grip (I have Michelins).
06-22-2018, 06:03 AM
#9
Interesting points about the PCM. I think it's the best in-car navigation system I've ever used and I figured it out almost instantly the first day but I'll admit I could have overlooked what is annoying you about it. Mine gets plenty loud when I'm streaming music from my phone but maybe it's because of the Bose option?
06-22-2018, 07:54 AM
#11
Wow! 63,000 miles. That has to be a Rennlist record!
06-22-2018, 01:05 PM
#13
Instructor
Thread Starter
Gee, I posted pics of the car when I first got it Maybe tonight I'll post a couple from the first autocross. They've been posted on FLICKR.
I did to forget to talk about two other things that come up.
Everyone knows how frustrating/annoying the oil measurement system is on the 991.1 GT3. It takes a reading any time the car has been sitting for two minutes, whether or not it's really level, and displays that until the next reading (or some time has past or the engine cover has been opened). There's a lot of threads on that here on Rennlist. On the 2018 GT3T, they've switched back to the system more like my 997.2 C4S: you park it, go to the read oil level screen, and watch it count down for 2 minutes and get a reading. So, IMO, that's a big "improvement." I haven't had to add oil, yet. So, I don't know if when it gets to add oil, that means to add 1/4 of a quart like it did on the 2014.
The other thing is, my 2014 had an E-series engine and had some seriously smoky starts - about one in 10 starts you'd get an impressive cloud of smoke. The technician at the PEC said that was because the piston skirts were so short. But, I think that dropped way off on the F and G-series engines. It wasn't enough that I actually consumed any oil. Between the 12,000 mile service intervals, I usually didn't have to add oil. With the 2018, it still get smoky starts about one in 10 times. But, it's just a teeny bit of smoke. Nothing like the 2014.
Maybe tonight I'll post a couple from the first autocross. They've been posted on FLICKR.I did to forget to talk about two other things that come up.
Everyone knows how frustrating/annoying the oil measurement system is on the 991.1 GT3. It takes a reading any time the car has been sitting for two minutes, whether or not it's really level, and displays that until the next reading (or some time has past or the engine cover has been opened). There's a lot of threads on that here on Rennlist. On the 2018 GT3T, they've switched back to the system more like my 997.2 C4S: you park it, go to the read oil level screen, and watch it count down for 2 minutes and get a reading. So, IMO, that's a big "improvement." I haven't had to add oil, yet. So, I don't know if when it gets to add oil, that means to add 1/4 of a quart like it did on the 2014.
The other thing is, my 2014 had an E-series engine and had some seriously smoky starts - about one in 10 starts you'd get an impressive cloud of smoke. The technician at the PEC said that was because the piston skirts were so short. But, I think that dropped way off on the F and G-series engines. It wasn't enough that I actually consumed any oil. Between the 12,000 mile service intervals, I usually didn't have to add oil. With the 2018, it still get smoky starts about one in 10 times. But, it's just a teeny bit of smoke. Nothing like the 2014.
06-22-2018, 01:06 PM
#14
Instructor
Thread Starter
06-22-2018, 01:43 PM
#15
The two other things that I noticed while autocrossing is that, with the 6-speed, it took some practice to get a really good launch. The course had a series of gates, at the start, that you could really straighten out and get some speed going up to the first circle. With the PDK, you just drop the loud pedal. With the stick, I had to turn traction control off and let the wheels slip some so that the clutch didn't have to take abuse.
Put it in 1st > Step on the clutch > Step on gas, the car will go to 5000RPM and hold > Then you just pop the clutch.
Here's a video of me using launch control.