Does the aero kit actually increase the handling at higher speeds of the car or is it stricktly cosmetic? What do most people on the boards prefer the early generation kit or the newer kit that looks like the current gt3? Does the kit decrease the top end of the car by causing too much drag? Thanks

According to the factory the 01 aeroket adds a slight downforce and as near as I could tell on the Autobahn the top speed was still there. At least during the times my wife was distracted by the scenery.

Not cosmetic at all. With aerokit yields more downforce/less lift both front/back at high speeds. Mike

Functional AND cosmetic, very cosmetic, makes an otherwise dull car beautiful. IMMHO.

How fast did you see on the Autobahn? Mid 170s?

I club raced my 996 before and after I added the original kit and there is no question that it adds significantly to the stability of the car. The biggest advantage comes from limiting the amount of air that flows under the car. When you have air going under and air going over your 996 you are literally a wing. Along with lowering, the GT3 front can really help high speed stability. The wing helps in very high speed corners but I'm guessing you need to be way above 100 mph for it to do much. I wouldn't think that it would be of any real value on the street.

An aerokit will certainly reduce top speed somewhat. So what. Anyone can drive straight with their foot to the floor. Build your car to stop, go and turn. You'll enjoy it more in the end.

Just my 2 cents worth.
Jim

Agreed I honestly don't like the plain 996s unless they have the aero kit. Even without the wing it's amazing how the skirts can make such a difference in the appearane of the car.

I added the GT3 front bumper last week onmy car,which already had the sideskirts, and before that at high speeds I felt the car'sfront a little loose, now with the partial kit it's way better, more downforce on the front, great stability at 180-240 kph... very good!! I don't plan adding the rear wing... And from this weekend testing, it's not needed...

where'd you get the gt3 front bumper from? does it attach directly to even pre-2002 car?