mobonic

Ok, my car is becoming less of a street car and more of a track car.

But when i drive it close to its limit, it feels unsettled.

Only mod I have is GT3 Cu Control arms: -2.7 front camber

What are the best bang for the buck suspension mods (non coilover I'm waiting a year for those as I want to get to my skills honed to the most this car can do with its current set up).

So I'm thinking:

Sway Bars (GMG or GT3) which are better?

also Im getting lightweight 18" wheels with better rubber, something with a treadwear in the 200 range. (Currently using used Ps2's)

mobonic

Here is a pic from this weekend BTW:

JEllis

Mobonic,

I like your style, a great driver in a stock 997S is always going to be faster than a average driver in a modded 997S.

Have you considered switching to Pilot Sport Cups instead of the PS2's? There is nothing like a great set of tires to improve your grip!

Also, GMG's sway bars are designed to be an improvement for the GT3/RS and so in essence should be superior to OE GT3/RS bars.

Jason

p-cardriver

On 18 inch tires you can put on Nitto NT-01 R-compound tires which are much less expensive than the MPSCs. Buy wheels to fit the tire sizes you like, which you can find by googling Nitto. FWIW we run these on my 997S and my wife's CaymanS on the track and we've found discount tire offers good prices and our local shop can mount/balance without damaging the wheels. We're on factory 18 inch wheels for now, but would like to shed some weight and I'd like a wider rear so I can get the wider tires on there.

I have made no mods to my suspension other than a bit of toe and max negative camber with the stock PASM/Sport suspension. I think if I was going to start making expensive mods I'd first look at the GT3 (996 and early 997) as these seem to be falling into the affordable range now.

p-cardriver

Another popular tire choice for track use is the Toyo - either R1A (I think) or R888 with plenty of opinions on both (see the Racing and DE board). Nitto is a Toyo subsidiary I think.

mdrums

mobonic, when you get your 18's with R-compound rubber you will see a great improvment in handling at the edge.

I use 9x18 and 12x18 CCW's with Toyo R888's 245-40-18 front and 305-35-18 rear. This keeps the overall diameter the same as the stock 19's and that keep the ABS and PSM happy. This set up has proven faster than the Michelin Cups in 19" which really are not true R-Compound tires...the Michelin 18" cups are though but they do not come in the correct size.

Check out Sharkwerks as they have a complete set of suspension mods designed for the track.

Carrera 69

TRG swaybars.

mobonic

mdrums,

Why did you go with 12" rears.

It seems you can fit up to 315's on 11" wheels and you save a 1lb+ in weight.

Plus I don't plan on using a wider tire than 295/305, so a 12" seems like a waste.


Also will I see a difference in handling with upgraded sway bars? Or should I just save my money for my suspension next year

mdrums

It is best to stretch the sidewall of the tire....that is why I went with 12's. 12's were highly recomended from race teams and tire and wheels places I spoke with.

Honestly I can not tell you about sway bars....you would be better off asking someone like TRG or GMG racing. I would assume they would help, especially adjustable ones but I bet for you to really feel a difference you should do some sort of suspension package...coilovers, sways and get rid of the most amount of rubber in the suspension that you can stand.

sharkster

Just an FYI we have an explanation of some of the trick parts we used on our PDK car:
http://sharkwerks.com/porsche/techni...s-ztadpol.html

mkk62

mobonic
i have same set up with gt3 arms. i have followed and kept up with some good drivers with the various race suspension set ups on their 997s', i believe they give more confidence on the turns but do not add much on reducing lap times...gt3 race seats and rollbar will make your laps less tiring and may even chop a seond off your laps and you can always move them to the gt3 when you upgrade imho, keep the stock suspension and when you are ready, get the gt3. i have been tracking the 997s since it came out at the end of 2004 and still am getting faster on the stock suspension...it will always be more car than me as a driver...

oh and i am using r888's too..

mdrums

mkk62, did you notice better tire wear with the increase of camber you are able to get with the GT2 lower arms?

OldGuy

I agree with the stock setup. Rubber is your friend and on the 997 GT3 alot of us put on 18's and got
better. I have a hard time believing any of us is better than the stock 997.2 engineers.
Having said that you wont go wrong having Alex setup your car for you.

996toomey

Mobonic:

I think the stock suspension is really good with the exception that the ride height is too high for serious track work. Too much body roll & front end dive. I lowered my car with Bilstein Damptronics and have been happy with the results. This is a compromise to the full track set ups available but I bought a new set from a member here for $1800 and for my needs and skill level they work fine. I also have the GMG adjustable sways, the Porsche Motorsport front lower control arms and the rear toe links from GMG. All of this was done for under $5000 and the car is definitely more comfortable to drive in a track setting.

mkk62

mdrums, yes in fact before i switched to gt3 arms, i corded a brand new set of ps2's in one day at the track....all outside wear..now with neg camber up front more even tire wear...i still corded the set of r 888's in 6 track days including 2 rainy days at RA...not so great...probably should drive a little slower...

will miss you at RA(road atlanta) end of the month...mk