Floaty at Speed???
Pro
Joined: Jul 2012
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I've had my 991S basically topped out (once) and the car was nailed down until about 178mph+ or thereabouts. That's when the sunroof started lifting out of the body slightly and leaking air into the cabin and the front end started getting lighter. Again, the car was absolutely rock solid except for that last 10-12 mph, which is to be expected as you close in on the limit of the car's performance envelope. FWIW, my car had SPASM and did not have the Aero kit. Could be the alignment, could have been tire pressures, could have been a crosswind. I'd check the alignment, reset the tire pressures to the 165 MPH door jamb spec and try again if you're feeling adventurous.
Last edited by Cogito_Ergo_Zoom; Oct 11, 2013 at 12:02 PM.
Thread Starter
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From: GA
I live in upstate NY. There are plenty of open areas on the highways. I was cruising at about 85 and saw a nice open stretch I know where there weren't any other cars. This car is pretty quick so I get up there fast.
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
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From: Ontario, Canada
Agreed. Even in my older 997.2 it could get to that mark in a relatively short time.
What are the legal consequences in NY if you happen to run into a speed trap at that speed?
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From: GA
Race Car
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From: Maryland USA
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I recall commuting home one day in my Honda, northbound 405 just south of the NE 8th exit (the one you would take going to Barrier Porsche.... hmmm...) and I check my mirror as I routinely do all the time, expecting to see nothing because I know that even though its rush hour with a lot of traffic I had just left a big group behind and there was a big gap behind me, but no, there's one car in the mirror, a little one but getting big fast, a 997 doing at least 140. The situation is similar to what chuck described, the guy probably came out of the group behind me, hit 150 coming downhill in a gently sweeping right hander, massive visibility, nobody there but me and by the time he comes past he's clearly coasted down to only about 120, and taking the exit... to Barrier? A test drive? Nope, only one guy in the car...
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Thread Starter
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From: GA
Hi Chuck, thanks for checking in on me. I drove it the other day but I did not have a safe opportunity to get up to that speed. I think I had it around 110 at some point. Everything felt good but we all know a lot can change in 30 mph. Anyway I have about 340 miles on the car. Still haven't had any real opportunities to play with her too much.
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From: GA
Well I hit 142 this morning and things felt better than the other time. I also was not in brand new asphalt.
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From: Central New York
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I think this is your answer.
I came from an M5 as well and that car was stuck solid to the road at high speeds. I went into a 996TT after the M5 and had the same experience as you ("This is a Porsche, how could this be?").
I added PSS9's, sway bars, and an alignment and it got a lot better but still a bit floaty. In the end I chalked it up to having no experience in a rear engine car. The turbo seemed light to me even with the heavier front end because of 4wd.
I image the 991 is much improved with the longer wheelbase but haven't found a dealership that will let me take it to '11' (aka 140) yet.
I came from an M5 as well and that car was stuck solid to the road at high speeds. I went into a 996TT after the M5 and had the same experience as you ("This is a Porsche, how could this be?").
I added PSS9's, sway bars, and an alignment and it got a lot better but still a bit floaty. In the end I chalked it up to having no experience in a rear engine car. The turbo seemed light to me even with the heavier front end because of 4wd.
I image the 991 is much improved with the longer wheelbase but haven't found a dealership that will let me take it to '11' (aka 140) yet.
It might be that you're just not used to how a 911 feels. Certainly the weight distribution is totally different than an M5.
My first test drive in a 911 (997) I had a similar sensation of the very light front end and it may also be described as the car feeling "floaty" at the front and I was used to driving a Boxster at the time.
I wonder if it's just that; you're perception of "floatiness" because of the much lighter front end. The grip is there, but the car is a lightweight compared to the tank like M5. Just something to consider. This feeling will certainly go away as you get used to the car.
My first test drive in a 911 (997) I had a similar sensation of the very light front end and it may also be described as the car feeling "floaty" at the front and I was used to driving a Boxster at the time.
I wonder if it's just that; you're perception of "floatiness" because of the much lighter front end. The grip is there, but the car is a lightweight compared to the tank like M5. Just something to consider. This feeling will certainly go away as you get used to the car.
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From: GA
I think this is your answer.
I came from an M5 as well and that car was stuck solid to the road at high speeds. I went into a 996TT after the M5 and had the same experience as you ("This is a Porsche, how could this be?").
I added PSS9's, sway bars, and an alignment and it got a lot better but still a bit floaty. In the end I chalked it up to having no experience in a rear engine car. The turbo seemed light to me even with the heavier front end because of 4wd.
I image the 991 is much improved with the longer wheelbase but haven't found a dealership that will let me take it to '11' (aka 140) yet.
I came from an M5 as well and that car was stuck solid to the road at high speeds. I went into a 996TT after the M5 and had the same experience as you ("This is a Porsche, how could this be?").
I added PSS9's, sway bars, and an alignment and it got a lot better but still a bit floaty. In the end I chalked it up to having no experience in a rear engine car. The turbo seemed light to me even with the heavier front end because of 4wd.
I image the 991 is much improved with the longer wheelbase but haven't found a dealership that will let me take it to '11' (aka 140) yet.