Manual?
#16
Those of us that love manuals know the PDK is faster. It doesn't matter.
I elk hunt with a muzzleloader. Hardly the best weapon to use, but I enjoy it. I fly fish with a bamboo rod.
I'm just old school to the core.
I elk hunt with a muzzleloader. Hardly the best weapon to use, but I enjoy it. I fly fish with a bamboo rod.
I'm just old school to the core.
#17
Race Director
I love manuals too, Trackfan. But even after 45 years of driving, I was able to graduate from "old school". If there are enough people like you that are willing to pay the price, maybe some outfit will take the plunge and invest in a MT "upgrade".
#19
Race Director
#22
Rennlist Member
#23
And therein lies the rub, IMHO. At least when an aftermarket manufacturer like Ruf offers a re-engineering of a Porsche product it's with the implicit understanding that it will outperform the original. In this case, in addition to whatever engineering, construction, and reprogramming challenges may be involved, there will be the issue of whether it's possible to raise or even reach the PDK-S performance bar with a MT.
It's one thing to take a risk on building and marketing a tweak for big money that gives the customer bragging rights to a faster car. It's another to take the same risk for something that makes the car slower. I'm not saying it can't or won't be done, just that it's another obstacle to such a project.
It's one thing to take a risk on building and marketing a tweak for big money that gives the customer bragging rights to a faster car. It's another to take the same risk for something that makes the car slower. I'm not saying it can't or won't be done, just that it's another obstacle to such a project.
At some point I do believe an automated transmission is the way to go for a track car. It's virtually impossible to argue that a modern F1 car experience would be improved with a manual transmission. For a street car, however, especially one used on public US roads at something below "go directly to jail" speeds, the manual undoubtedly increases involvement, and most reviews of the 991 GT3 so far lament the loss of this involvement. Whether gaining that involvement on the street is worth the price (in outright speed and in dollars) will depend on the individual, but I have no doubt some would be willing to pay it if Porsche doesn't offer that alternative. I do agree with the idea of getting an older car too, especially if it's to be used on the street. GT3 RS 4.0 or '73 RS might be a tough call if you were willing to drive both of them.
#24
Rennlist Member
In a nutshell, this is why some of us are having such a hard time letting this issue go, as the GT3 has traditionally been Porsche's "involvement uber alles" choice, and those days are probably gone forever. There have always been much faster cars out there, even from Porsche. And I'm too tall to fit in an Exige/Elise.
I've not driven them, but would imagine the most purely involving Porsches now - not the fastest on a track, or even on the street - are the Boxster S/Cayman S with the tried 'n true 6-speed stick and PSE.
And for those with the means, various Ruf models, or one of the mega-motor long-hood Singer 911s would be epic. Make my Singer around 380 HP and 2,200 lbs...
#25
Rennlist Member
Alois Ruf is moving most of his models to PDK too.
I think if you simply cant live without manual then wait for the new Cayaman R. With a few choice modifications (chip, intake exhaust and some bucket seats) you will have a 380bhp car with a very well balanced chasiss weighing 1350kg which would give 997 GT3 a run for its money around a 3 mile track...
I think if you simply cant live without manual then wait for the new Cayaman R. With a few choice modifications (chip, intake exhaust and some bucket seats) you will have a 380bhp car with a very well balanced chasiss weighing 1350kg which would give 997 GT3 a run for its money around a 3 mile track...
#26
Though honestly it's a bit too much for the street.
I think if you simply cant live without manual then wait for the new Cayaman R. With a few choice modifications (chip, intake exhaust and some bucket seats) you will have a 380bhp car with a very well balanced chasiss weighing 1350kg which would give 997 GT3 a run for its money around a 3 mile track...
#28
Rennlist Member
Pete. Your car is beautiful. But there's some serious $$$$ in that car for anyone else wanting to follow your lead and drop a water cooled engine into a long hood tub. You would be one of the few that's done this. Infact I would think it would make fitting a 7 speed manual into the new GT3 look rather easy....
#29
Nordschleife Master
Forget about the new GT3 when you have that!
#30
Anything is possible, but lets get real. First off you spend 150K on a brand new car. Then you are going to spend another 150K (in all reality god knows how much) paying someone who might remotely think he can do the conversion on a brand new complicated vehicle. This is not even worth contemplating, nor even discussing really and my apologies for being blunt.
Like someone here suggested if you cant live with the PDK just buy yourself a 997.2 GT3 RS and you know what it surely will be enough car for you to have your race fix.
Like someone here suggested if you cant live with the PDK just buy yourself a 997.2 GT3 RS and you know what it surely will be enough car for you to have your race fix.