Carrera T vs. S vs. GTS
Thread Starter
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,966
Likes: 114
From: Vancouver, BC
Carrera T vs. S vs. GTS
Hi all,
I know this has been debated a lot... BUT, I wanna know EXACTLY what is the TECHNICAL differences between these models, NOT STANDARD FEATURES! I find Porsche website is very hard to follow exact technical details, they don't show brake size, or rear diff, etc.. on their technical specs to compare easily.
- Engine
Are they all have the same engine?! Nick Murray claims so. Really? Same Turbo/internal/downpipe/exhaust?
Brakes
- I believe T has the base, small, ugly black brakes. I've seen many complain they don't keep up tracking. What's the cost to upgrade to Carrera S brakes
- Is GTS brakes the same as S?
Standard Suspension/Diff
- Does T come with rear locking diff and Base/S/GTS do not?
Performance upgrades you can't get?!
- Is there anything you're not allowed to option in T (rear steering, etc)
While I think in general T, is a better buy than base, in the used, or barely used market (under 5K miles). S seems to be similar pricing as T, which makes it a better value. I just cannot get over the T tiny brakes under massive wheels, by far the worst aspect of T.
PS. Sorry if all of these are answered, I did some search, but it was mostly opinions than facts.
I know this has been debated a lot... BUT, I wanna know EXACTLY what is the TECHNICAL differences between these models, NOT STANDARD FEATURES! I find Porsche website is very hard to follow exact technical details, they don't show brake size, or rear diff, etc.. on their technical specs to compare easily.
- Engine
Are they all have the same engine?! Nick Murray claims so. Really? Same Turbo/internal/downpipe/exhaust?
Brakes
- I believe T has the base, small, ugly black brakes. I've seen many complain they don't keep up tracking. What's the cost to upgrade to Carrera S brakes
- Is GTS brakes the same as S?
Standard Suspension/Diff
- Does T come with rear locking diff and Base/S/GTS do not?
Performance upgrades you can't get?!
- Is there anything you're not allowed to option in T (rear steering, etc)
While I think in general T, is a better buy than base, in the used, or barely used market (under 5K miles). S seems to be similar pricing as T, which makes it a better value. I just cannot get over the T tiny brakes under massive wheels, by far the worst aspect of T.
PS. Sorry if all of these are answered, I did some search, but it was mostly opinions than facts.
RL Community Team
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Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 6,075
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From: Doylestown, PA
Hi all,
I know this has been debated a lot... BUT, I wanna know EXACTLY what is the TECHNICAL differences between these models, NOT STANDARD FEATURES! I find Porsche website is very hard to follow exact technical details, they don't show brake size, or rear diff, etc.. on their technical specs to compare easily.
- Engine
Are they all have the same engine?! Nick Murray claims so. Really? Same Turbo/internal/downpipe/exhaust?
Brakes
- I believe T has the base, small, ugly black brakes. I've seen many complain they don't keep up tracking. What's the cost to upgrade to Carrera S brakes
- Is GTS brakes the same as S?
Standard Suspension/Diff
- Does T come with rear locking diff and Base/S/GTS do not?
Performance upgrades you can't get?!
- Is there anything you're not allowed to option in T (rear steering, etc)
While I think in general T, is a better buy than base, in the used, or barely used market (under 5K miles). S seems to be similar pricing as T, which makes it a better value. I just cannot get over the T tiny brakes under massive wheels, by far the worst aspect of T.
PS. Sorry if all of these are answered, I did some search, but it was mostly opinions than facts.
I know this has been debated a lot... BUT, I wanna know EXACTLY what is the TECHNICAL differences between these models, NOT STANDARD FEATURES! I find Porsche website is very hard to follow exact technical details, they don't show brake size, or rear diff, etc.. on their technical specs to compare easily.
- Engine
Are they all have the same engine?! Nick Murray claims so. Really? Same Turbo/internal/downpipe/exhaust?
Brakes
- I believe T has the base, small, ugly black brakes. I've seen many complain they don't keep up tracking. What's the cost to upgrade to Carrera S brakes
- Is GTS brakes the same as S?
Standard Suspension/Diff
- Does T come with rear locking diff and Base/S/GTS do not?
Performance upgrades you can't get?!
- Is there anything you're not allowed to option in T (rear steering, etc)
While I think in general T, is a better buy than base, in the used, or barely used market (under 5K miles). S seems to be similar pricing as T, which makes it a better value. I just cannot get over the T tiny brakes under massive wheels, by far the worst aspect of T.
PS. Sorry if all of these are answered, I did some search, but it was mostly opinions than facts.
S/GTS are mechanical the same in the engine bay with the same turbos. They are differentiated by the tune. While the engines themselves are very similar between the base/T and the S/GTS, it is my understanding that they are not identical.
With regards to brakes, the Base brakes are entirely adequate. S gets bigger brakes. GTS brakes come from the Turbo. GTS also gets the helper springs from the Turbo.
Base RWD is the only variant that doesnt have LSD available or as an option. Base 4 has it as an option. Standard on all higher trims.
Base is the only trim where so called performance options are unavailable. This is where the T gets special treatment.
If you want a manual transmission with the Base engine, this is why the T exists for the 992 generation. A lightly optioned T is a great car. If youre specing a T into S territory, just get the S for the bigger brakes and more power. Note that the peak power and torque numbers dont tell the full story the S is substantially beefier in the lower revs. The GTS is an incremental bump over the S in this regard.
Thread Starter
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,966
Likes: 114
From: Vancouver, BC
S/GTS are mechanical the same in the engine bay with the same turbos. They are differentiated by the tune. While the engines themselves are very similar between the base/T and the S/GTS, it is my understanding that they are not identical.
With regards to brakes, the Base brakes are entirely adequate. S gets bigger brakes. GTS brakes come from the Turbo. GTS also gets the helper springs from the Turbo.
Base RWD is the only variant that doesn’t have LSD available or as an option. Base 4 has it as an option. Standard on all higher trims.
Base is the only trim where so called performance options are unavailable. This is where the T gets special treatment.
If you want a manual transmission with the Base engine, this is why the T exists for the 992 generation. A lightly optioned T is a great car. If you’re spec’ing a T into S territory, just get the S for the bigger brakes and more power. Note that the peak power and torque numbers don’t tell the full story — the S is substantially beefier in the lower revs. The GTS is an incremental bump over the S in this regard.
With regards to brakes, the Base brakes are entirely adequate. S gets bigger brakes. GTS brakes come from the Turbo. GTS also gets the helper springs from the Turbo.
Base RWD is the only variant that doesn’t have LSD available or as an option. Base 4 has it as an option. Standard on all higher trims.
Base is the only trim where so called performance options are unavailable. This is where the T gets special treatment.
If you want a manual transmission with the Base engine, this is why the T exists for the 992 generation. A lightly optioned T is a great car. If you’re spec’ing a T into S territory, just get the S for the bigger brakes and more power. Note that the peak power and torque numbers don’t tell the full story — the S is substantially beefier in the lower revs. The GTS is an incremental bump over the S in this regard.
As far as brakes on T, I am sure they're great for street, but I've seen quite a few post of them not working well on track. They also look tiny in the larger wheels.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,713
Likes: 2,693
From: Arizona
Thanks so much, exactly what I was looking for. I just looked at curb weights, and there's 10kg difference between Carrera and Carrera S, probably most due to larger brakes, and I assume larger standard wheels, but unclear is any internal is different.
As far as brakes on T, I am sure they're great for street, but I've seen quite a few post of them not working well on track. They also look tiny in the larger wheels.
As far as brakes on T, I am sure they're great for street, but I've seen quite a few post of them not working well on track. They also look tiny in the larger wheels.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 1,120
Likes: 833
From: West Coast
Hi all,
I know this has been debated a lot... BUT, I wanna know EXACTLY what is the TECHNICAL differences between these models, NOT STANDARD FEATURES! I find Porsche website is very hard to follow exact technical details, they don't show brake size, or rear diff, etc.. on their technical specs to compare easily.
- Engine
Are they all have the same engine?! Nick Murray claims so. Really? Same Turbo/internal/downpipe/exhaust? <<< Same long block but the S/GTS has a larger turbocharger and the GTS is tuned for a little more boost than the S.
Brakes
- I believe T has the base, small, ugly black brakes. I've seen many complain they don't keep up tracking. What's the cost to upgrade to Carrera S brakes <<< If you are going to upgrade the brakes for track go with something aftermarket without dust boots. They tend to degrade and need replacing if you track regularly. Cost will depend on new vs. used and OEM vs. Aftermarket
- Is GTS brakes the same as S? <<< No the GTS gets the brakes from the Turbo
Standard Suspension/Diff
- Does T come with rear locking diff and Base/S/GTS do not? << The Base doesn't come with the locker, but I believe the S/GTS do if you spec the manual. Base PDK gets an Open and S/GTS get an E-diff (AFAIK)
Performance upgrades you can't get?!
- Is there anything you're not allowed to option in T (rear steering, etc) <<<< Center lock wheels, bigger brakes, PDCC (If you consider it a performance upgrade), the GTS has a helper spring in the susp.
While I think in general T, is a better buy than base, in the used, or barely used market (under 5K miles). S seems to be similar pricing as T, which makes it a better value. I just cannot get over the T tiny brakes under massive wheels, by far the worst aspect of T.
PS. Sorry if all of these are answered, I did some search, but it was mostly opinions than facts.
I know this has been debated a lot... BUT, I wanna know EXACTLY what is the TECHNICAL differences between these models, NOT STANDARD FEATURES! I find Porsche website is very hard to follow exact technical details, they don't show brake size, or rear diff, etc.. on their technical specs to compare easily.
- Engine
Are they all have the same engine?! Nick Murray claims so. Really? Same Turbo/internal/downpipe/exhaust? <<< Same long block but the S/GTS has a larger turbocharger and the GTS is tuned for a little more boost than the S.
Brakes
- I believe T has the base, small, ugly black brakes. I've seen many complain they don't keep up tracking. What's the cost to upgrade to Carrera S brakes <<< If you are going to upgrade the brakes for track go with something aftermarket without dust boots. They tend to degrade and need replacing if you track regularly. Cost will depend on new vs. used and OEM vs. Aftermarket
- Is GTS brakes the same as S? <<< No the GTS gets the brakes from the Turbo
Standard Suspension/Diff
- Does T come with rear locking diff and Base/S/GTS do not? << The Base doesn't come with the locker, but I believe the S/GTS do if you spec the manual. Base PDK gets an Open and S/GTS get an E-diff (AFAIK)
Performance upgrades you can't get?!
- Is there anything you're not allowed to option in T (rear steering, etc) <<<< Center lock wheels, bigger brakes, PDCC (If you consider it a performance upgrade), the GTS has a helper spring in the susp.
While I think in general T, is a better buy than base, in the used, or barely used market (under 5K miles). S seems to be similar pricing as T, which makes it a better value. I just cannot get over the T tiny brakes under massive wheels, by far the worst aspect of T.
PS. Sorry if all of these are answered, I did some search, but it was mostly opinions than facts.
Last edited by Mike818; Jan 27, 2024 at 08:26 PM.
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Rennlist Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,243
Likes: 3,653
From: Newport Beach, CA and Melbourne, Australia
S/GTS are mechanical the same in the engine bay with the same turbos. They are differentiated by the tune. While the engines themselves are very similar between the base/T and the S/GTS, it is my understanding that they are not identical.
With regards to brakes, the Base brakes are entirely adequate. S gets bigger brakes. GTS brakes come from the Turbo. GTS also gets the helper springs from the Turbo.
Base RWD is the only variant that doesnt have LSD available or as an option. Base 4 has it as an option. Standard on all higher trims.
Base is the only trim where so called performance options are unavailable. This is where the T gets special treatment.
If you want a manual transmission with the Base engine, this is why the T exists for the 992 generation. A lightly optioned T is a great car. If youre specing a T into S territory, just get the S for the bigger brakes and more power. Note that the peak power and torque numbers dont tell the full story the S is substantially beefier in the lower revs. The GTS is an incremental bump over the S in this regard.
With regards to brakes, the Base brakes are entirely adequate. S gets bigger brakes. GTS brakes come from the Turbo. GTS also gets the helper springs from the Turbo.
Base RWD is the only variant that doesnt have LSD available or as an option. Base 4 has it as an option. Standard on all higher trims.
Base is the only trim where so called performance options are unavailable. This is where the T gets special treatment.
If you want a manual transmission with the Base engine, this is why the T exists for the 992 generation. A lightly optioned T is a great car. If youre specing a T into S territory, just get the S for the bigger brakes and more power. Note that the peak power and torque numbers dont tell the full story the S is substantially beefier in the lower revs. The GTS is an incremental bump over the S in this regard.
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Joe Kucinski
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From: Newport Beach, CA and Melbourne, Australia
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Hi all,
I know this has been debated a lot... BUT, I wanna know EXACTLY what is the TECHNICAL differences between these models, NOT STANDARD FEATURES! I find Porsche website is very hard to follow exact technical details, they don't show brake size, or rear diff, etc.. on their technical specs to compare easily.
- Engine
Are they all have the same engine?! Nick Murray claims so. Really? Same Turbo/internal/downpipe/exhaust?
Brakes
- I believe T has the base, small, ugly black brakes. I've seen many complain they don't keep up tracking. What's the cost to upgrade to Carrera S brakes
- Is GTS brakes the same as S?
Standard Suspension/Diff
- Does T come with rear locking diff and Base/S/GTS do not?
Performance upgrades you can't get?!
- Is there anything you're not allowed to option in T (rear steering, etc)
While I think in general T, is a better buy than base, in the used, or barely used market (under 5K miles). S seems to be similar pricing as T, which makes it a better value. I just cannot get over the T tiny brakes under massive wheels, by far the worst aspect of T.
PS. Sorry if all of these are answered, I did some search, but it was mostly opinions than facts.
I know this has been debated a lot... BUT, I wanna know EXACTLY what is the TECHNICAL differences between these models, NOT STANDARD FEATURES! I find Porsche website is very hard to follow exact technical details, they don't show brake size, or rear diff, etc.. on their technical specs to compare easily.
- Engine
Are they all have the same engine?! Nick Murray claims so. Really? Same Turbo/internal/downpipe/exhaust?
Brakes
- I believe T has the base, small, ugly black brakes. I've seen many complain they don't keep up tracking. What's the cost to upgrade to Carrera S brakes
- Is GTS brakes the same as S?
Standard Suspension/Diff
- Does T come with rear locking diff and Base/S/GTS do not?
Performance upgrades you can't get?!
- Is there anything you're not allowed to option in T (rear steering, etc)
While I think in general T, is a better buy than base, in the used, or barely used market (under 5K miles). S seems to be similar pricing as T, which makes it a better value. I just cannot get over the T tiny brakes under massive wheels, by far the worst aspect of T.
PS. Sorry if all of these are answered, I did some search, but it was mostly opinions than facts.
You should get the GTS, if not possible, then S and finally T.
Thread Starter
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,966
Likes: 114
From: Vancouver, BC
I tried to answer in bold to the best of my knowledge.
Are they all have the same engine?! Nick Murray claims so. Really? Same Turbo/internal/downpipe/exhaust? <<< Same long block but the S/GTS has a larger turbocharger and the GTS is tuned for a little more boost than the S.
Are they all have the same engine?! Nick Murray claims so. Really? Same Turbo/internal/downpipe/exhaust? <<< Same long block but the S/GTS has a larger turbocharger and the GTS is tuned for a little more boost than the S.
Thread Starter
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,966
Likes: 114
From: Vancouver, BC
Biggest bang for the buck! I believe 992 or 992.2 would be last ICE Porsche worth buying and keeping. So would like a long-term 911 to do it all. BUT, prices are so insane out of hands, specially the ridiculous options since my 997 times, I rather get the best technical platform for the money I can get.
