LifeIsGr8

Hi All,

I'm pursuing the 991.1 GT3 market and have come across an otherwise perfect example, but it does not have a front axle lift. Living in LA, entering sideways has become a way of life--but the GT3 is lower than my R8 and I worry about damaging the car.

For those without a front lift, how is your experience?
Do you often scrape?
Is it just a matter of replacing the front lip, or is further damage being done?

Thank you in advance all!
- LifeIsGr8

koven

no FAL in a metropolitan is a nightmare, in the suburbs its fine

Bxstr

I would rather not have the front lift and replace $200 front lips rather than have it and have to replace the components of it eventually. If you are just keeping the car for a couple years though, get the lift, it will help you especially around a place like LA. Not sure I would have that option make or break a purchase.

LifeIsGr8

I've thought about this. And I'd be fine with the approach, but what I don't know is if the lip is the only potential damage. Are there other components under that bumper that could also be getting damaged?

evilfij

You could conceivably scrape enough to damage the bumper itself ($6000 for the part). Unless you are tracking and want minimum weight, FAL is super helpful, if for no other reason than you can go faster over bumps at a 45 degree angle with it than without it. 🤣

kage65

There are a few threads about this in the gt3 forum. Check or ask again in there. You’ll save some money on a no fal gt3 as they are priced lower.

ChrisF

They are a waste of money and a liability if you want to own the car long term. Really the only thing scraping is the replaceable $200. lip. It's there to take the damage. Consider it a consumable. Get used to the loud SCRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAPEEEEEE! noise and you'll be fine.

If you are going to own the car out of warranty, the FAL mechanisms are a very common failure item. The last person I know who had one go out of warranty was quoted $9k to fix it.

This is a polarizing topic especially on the GT3 forums. I've put 60K+ miles on GT cars without FAL and the only scraping I've ever had was to the replaceable part. That's in LA and SF.

Wing Commander

I had my Carrera T lowered to roughly GT3 ride height I think. The 991.2 T comes with Sport PASM as standard. My car is then further lowered by 10mm at the rear and 20mm at the front. I take it easy over speed bumps, but have had no major issues, having no FAL. As long as due caution is exercised, you should be fine.

Psorcery

Nothing beats using and timing FAL during your drive to keep your drive smooth and seemless. That KKHHH SCRAPE is gut wrenching and embarrassing. Not just because of what you look like but because you're scraping the front of an iconic beautifully sports car. Even if the part is $200 bucks, what kind of hassle is that to order the part and either replace it on your own or pay someone too?

Having to come to near complete stops and going sideways makes you look like a ricer. The system works flawlessly, with very good parameters and indication as to what's going on.

I have it on my GTS with SPASM. I'd agree that its not needed on a PASM suspension. My C4S never had issues. On a GT3? Mandatory. Unless its purely for track purposes only.

George from MD

Completely disagree. Wouldn't have ordered my car without it.

sampelligrino

It's a must have for me, even as a liability down the road for long term ownership (had my GT3 just under a year here in LA)

As Chris mentioned I think you could make it work, but get ready to pucker up real tight and get used to that "scccccccrape" noise of the plastic lip. I am too OCD or too much of a wuss to get used to that so I'd use the lift in every scenario I could. And sometimes, I scraped even with the lifter up

Additionally, not that it should matter but inevitably it does, for ease of resale FAL seems to be better than without

Bob Z.

Search FAL in this forum and the GT Forum and you will find pages and pages of the same comments - you are the only one who can decide if the option is worth while.

GiuseppeM

There is “scrape” and then there is “impact” guess what the lip is attached to. It really depends where you live and if all you obstacles can be 45ed

fskof

I have it. I never had any issues with it and can’t think of anyone posting that they had issues or malfunctions with the FAL so I wouldn’t be worried about it.

Maverick787

GT3/2 RS 90% of sales have FAL