wjk_glynn

Hi folks,

Taking my .2S to Laguna Seca tomorrow.

It's 100% stock, but that includes the PSE option.

I've heard that might trip the 90 dB check at turn #5. The obvious mitigation is to short shift and take it a bit easy in that section

Was wondering if any here have experience and recommendations to get the best out of the car, but avoid the dreaded black-flag for sound?

Thanks.

Karl.

lurchphil

I drove my 997.2 at Laguna Seca. My instructor told me not to use the PSE because of the decibel issue. The PSE does not change the performance of your Porsche, only the sound.

josserman

I run at Lime Rock a lot, which he an 86db limit. A lot of ppl including myself have claped elbows onto the exhaust. The idea is to move direct the exhaust away from the sound meters.

Tcc1999

I've been to L/S a number of times and have never been black flagged for noise (997.2 GTS). Just turn off the PSE and you should be fine. (Plus, I have a center bypass which probably ups the PSE off sound slightly.)

wjk_glynn

Yup, it's a familiar thing to see at Laguna Seca as well. But 86 dB... yikes...

Karl.

wjk_glynn

Thanks everyone.

I did as lurchphil and Tcc1999 suggested and simply ran with PSE off. Up to and including the 2nd session, had no problems hammering past the sound booth and up the hill.


But then I had to abandon the day because I boiled-the-effing-bejesus out of the brakes so badly that they couldn't even stop the car from 10 mph while tootling around the paddock.

I wasn't even going that hard (~1m55s laps). Everyone there was super encouraging (TMR track day), saying get them bled, etc. But I kinda lost confidence in them and decided to bag the day (vague recollection about discretion and valor).

I got the car ~3 months ago and said "I'll leave it 100% stock because you've poured way too much money in mods on previous cars".

Well... lesson learned.

I'm going to get on the phone with ECS tomorrow and ask them for guidance on a full set of ducting (front and rear) and proper fluid, and see how that goes.

Karl.

Backmarker

With ducting, fresh SRF600 and braking less you should be okay with an S

Consider Pagid RS29s but on a street car they shriek and throw off a ton of dust

If you don't need to worry about clearance cup ducts are much more effective

Hella-Buggin'

I've run LS many times in my C2S without any issues. I don't even think about it but I don't have PSE. A buddy has a Gundo Hack which is similar to PSE and he's been black flagged. Just leave it off and have fun.

ADias

FYI... a stock 997 can track LS without any brake issues, assuming it is maintained properly. No need to 'upgrade' brakes.

lurchphil

I did 5 sessions with my 2012 997.2S at Laguna Seca with YellowStuff brake pads without any braking issues. Everything else was completely stock including the brake fluid.

John@Fabspeed

Glad you had fun the first bit on track Karl, but that last bit certainly is no fun! First things first, highly recommend you bleed the whole system with Castrol SRF. Although on the expensive side, it is the best fluid myself and countless others I run with have experienced on track. I only bleed once a season and its perfect. For pads, I'd suggest picking up a set of Ferodo DS2500 for street/track use. They are very similar to the Pagid RS29 but they don't fall off as hard as you get farther into the pad life. They also aren't noisy on street at the Pagids. If you can swing it get some Girodisc rotors too, but the pads and fluid should be your priority.

Tcc1999

I wonder if your brake fluid was contaminated (water) when you got the car. I appreciate everyone's driving style is different, but I can't recall experiencing much, if any, fade at L/S. As suggested, I'd try a flush and new pads before ducting. If that works, the money you save can be used for other things (e.g. a proper tire pressure gauge, proper lap timing/info system, etc.)

Hatzenbach

I have Fister exhaust mod (1.75") & sharkwerks x-pipe. Car sounds very loud, so I asked for a sound check. Result 84 dB :-)

stronbl

Just saw the posting ... my reply is too late, but sounds like all was good except brakes.

Another point of reference - I have 997.2 w PSE and leave it on and never had an issue at LS in the 90db days.

A brake fluid bleed and/or upgrade (some type of racing brake fluid) may be in order if you return to LS. It is a hard track on the brakes so it is important to have proper maintenance prior to any track outing. I've been happy with RBF 600/660 or SRF - the main advantage is the time between your brake bleeding can be longer with the specialty fluids. As for pads, I've experimented with several brands / styles and found that by the end of 2 full hard days, almost any pad is worn down to the point of replacement.

wjk_glynn

Thanks everyone..

All great advice.

Karl.