saveur2

There are so many variables that determine what you should/shouldn't do. But for the most part, the 997 is very stable, and when the rear is about to let go, you'll know. Whatever you do, don't jump/jab at the brakes/throttle. It'll upset the balance. Smoothness counts. In my turbo, when I was under stock wheels/tires, when the rear lets loose, I always felt that there was ample warning (ie, tires were squealing, lightness). But that was stock, with the 18 inch wheels. I've switched to 19", and the rear tires are 315/19. The grip levels are extremely high, but it gives very little warning when it's gonna let go. I've had it snap on me twice at trackdays, and couldn't recover in time it happened so fast!

From the factory, as some one else has said, there is a lot of understeer built into the car. In addition, there's the PSM to help out (although even that's flawed in certain situations). In all likelihood, you would have to be travelling at an insane speed, have very jerky inputs, to get it out of shape. These cars like to be driven with a certain accuracy, and will reward you for it. Can't chuck it into a turn, correct, turn, correct, etc., and be fast all at the same time.

Go for more trackdays and find out some more!

saveur2

Actually, it's not the car that's affected (not directly, at least) by tire pressures. It's the tire itself that determines how the car handles. If the tire isn't inflated enough, you'll roll right off the tire and onto the wheel. If the tire is over-inflated, the tire's tread can't roll with the road surface. Ask the track gurus, for more specific information about this. Another example: On trackdays, I start with a cold reading of 30 psi, but after about 4 laps, the psi jumps up to 48. Then the tail usually starts to squirm a bit at this point, so I let out the psi down to 30-32 (hot) and I find more grip.

MJones

a.) Why are you driving like this on public roads, not good for yourself of others

b.) You really need to get some instruction and learn about the basics of vehicle dynamics in a controled environment.
The Chicago PCA chapter is a great and active group.
PDE is great as well.

It sounds as if you have driven some cars however it also sounds like you really don't know how to drive either. Smooth is one of the keys as in the previous post, and another is vision

Getting the car out on the track (read controled environment) will most likley temper your youthfull exuberance to driving fast on public roads.
The track experience lets you really experience the capabilities of your car, that is near to impossible to do on a public road.
It's such a rush to have the car wiggle!

Drive within your limits and have fun.
If it feels exciting...slow down

boolala

Excuse me for butting in but don't these cars have stability management which allows INDIVIDUAL wheels to be braked (which, of course cannot be replicated manually)? I.e., understeer will cause breaking of the inside rear wheel and oversteer the outside front wheel and/or reduce the throttle.

Jim Michaels

I'm glad this ended happily because the day before this thread started I heard a story that popped into my head immediately upon reading about the strange handling. The story: A guy returns to the dealer claiming that his brand new Porsche has a very bumpy ride and handles very strangely. Upon inspection, they found that the transport clamps around the springs (placed so the car doesn't bounce around during shipping) were still attached. Made me wonder what else they forgot to do.

eilig

Jim -- Actually, in looking at the service records that came with the car, I noticed it had been in the shop back in January for: "Tighten rear sway bar link." Hopefully this has nothing to do with what I experienced. Then again, maybe I'll crawl underneath and make sure everything seems secure!

doc2s

eilig, good that your enjoying your new 997


all cars (especially street cars) understeer when entering a corner at higher speed than the car can handle. once speed drops and the front tires bite the car turns in. this has nothing to do with weight distribution of the 997.

when the speed drops and the front tires bite the 997 would turn in quicker than a vette because its lighter font end.

the suggestion from the guys to trail brake into the corner is good one. rear engine cars are much happier with trail braking because you keep more weight on the front tires during turn in and that reduces understeer and lets you enter the corner at a higher speed compared to no trail braking.

to correct for understeer inside a turn your inputs should be very smooth. you can reduces throttle, gently tap the brakes (you can do that with your left foot but it requires practice to develop left foot sensitivity) , or be a hero on the track and induce controlled oversteer and powerslide through the turn

my 2cents.

mooty

if you don't like that initial understeer, get more aggressive alignment.
perhaps slow down way more when entering a turn, wait until front end hooks up, then gradually goto wot at or slight before apex. way slow in, fast out.

of cousre don't do this on public street, try it on track.

MJones

Eilig-
Good thing you live in Illinois where it is pretty flat, but your understeer could put you in a ditch.
Remember It's not the car, it's the driver.
WATCH THIS!

AeroSmith

They do. It's called PSM, Porsche Stability Management. At the PDE they refer to PSM as the instructor's best friend.

OCBen

Is PDE offered only in Atlanta in the US?

MJones

PDE is located just outside of Birmingham, Alabama in Leeds, AL. It's their only location.

http://www.porschedriving.com

Nice set of pics & video from the Aug 9-10 Masters here:

http://imageevent.com/walks357/pdeaug2005

OCBen

Thanks. Are the Skip Barber schools altogether different and unaffiliated then?

AeroSmith

Correct. Barber Motorsports Park is not affiliated with Skip Barber.

MJones

Completely different and unaffiliated.

George Barber spent somewhere around 60-70 million $$ to house his MC collection and have a track to test them on. The Museum is a "living museum" where within a couple of hours almost any item in the collection can be up and running.

Interesting info here:
http://www.barbermuseum.org/