Hey guys. Here are the symptoms. Hoping for some input.

Upon hard acceleration the car feels like the front end wants to sway too much to either side, almost feels a bit loose or slippery. Also during a hard gear shift (aka 2-3rd at redline) the off throttle part makes the car feels a bit unstable.

Any suggestions ? Any potential issues ?

I am willing to spend and do whatever possible for the best solution. The car is for street use only.

The tires I will say are near the end of their lifecycle, so could be that ? Maybe alignment is just off ?

Should I upgrade any suspension bits? Even if the car is fine what upgrades to the suspension should I do to make it 1000% stable?

Thank you so much everyone !

997.1 GT3. PCCB. 32000 miles

 

My first thought was tires. Before you start replacing components, I’d recommend fresh tires and an alignment since you need those anyway. While It’s up on the alignment rack, hopefully they can give you some insight on if anything looks worn/loose.

Have you driven rear engine cars prior? Just curious if this is a normal feeling but you’re used to front engine cars with weight over the front axle.

 

Thank you for the response ! Much appreciated

I have owned the car for 7 years and previously had a 996 GT3 so this is a different feeling then before !

I also think tires and alignment would be a good start for sure !

Would upgrading to ohlins R and T and also some RSS parts make the car feel super stable ?

I just want max confidence

 

What would be the best system for mainly street use to inspire full confidence in any situation ?

Billstein? Ohlins?

This is all hugely helpful.

 

Is what you’re describing happening in a straight line? If so, I think this is an issue of weight transfer and for one reason or another your is transferring way too much weight in the rear (hard acceleration and 2/3 shift) and leaving the front end light with not much traction. Possible issues could be rake, corner balance being off, worn shock(particularly rears). I’d look in that order.

 

Definitely bad tires and an off alignment will make the car feel that way. Good advice given on previous posts.

 

If you don't have the DSC controller I would do that before changing other suspension parts. Obviously tires and alignment and inspection of the shocks and bushings and then if not fixed go DSC. When I first put in the DSC controller I thought the changes were fairly subtle but when pushed in the corners the car is less skittish, more predictable, more stable with the DSC. A lot easier and cheaper than changing shocks.

 

I can’t really give good, or any advice, on if you should change to aftermarket components such as RSS parts, Bilstein, etc. On a street car I’ve realized that some (not all) aftermarket components just add more compromises to the car. I try and stick with genuine or OEM on my own car. I’m just not experienced or adventurous enough to take the risk and find what is best in the aftermarket space. The car is so much better than I can personally drive. If the car was fine years ago, I’d likely try and find what is wrong and replace with OEM components and restore it back to the feeling you enjoyed.

 

I truly appreciate this response. That's exactly when it's happening.

How would someone fix the rake/corner balance issue ? Is that essentially doing an alignment on the car ? That's the way to fix that ?

Thank you again

 

I third that it's your tires. Mine did that and I switched tires and it was like I got a whole new car.

 

Good advice above. I'd add that these cars are VERY sensitive to setup. Get it wrong or something gets loose and they are terrible. Proper tires and a full corner balance and alignment is where I would go. They should check dampers, end links and the rest of the suspension for wear, damage, etc. After that's done, then decide if you think you need anything further. Always think seat time and instruction before suspension unless you're already a pro.

 

get it on a lift and check your suspension. You have adjustable parts and something could have come loose. Had a similar problem with a rear wheel coming out of alignment with too much toe. car would feel like it was lifting to one side on hard acceleration.

 

tire, pressure, alignment

if all above are good, chk sway bar and bushings

if all above are good, chk if ur shocks are dead (leak)

I think OEM suspension (when property aligned and in working order) are really really good, you don't need Ohlin, DSC or any of that stuff.
less mod = better car
more mod = frustration

BTDT.

 

Yes, Mooty!

Tire pressures (or lack of) are the single greatest influencers of feedback, both positive and negative. Most 911s are light in steering anyway unless the fronts are under load. Check those first...

 

To add to tires, I had a similar feeling situation as above in my 6GT3, where the rear would step out to one side on hard acceleration, and thought something was loose and the car was toeing out on one side. Talked to a shop, and he recommended I switch the rear wheels side to side, as he’s seen that with a tight diff, tires that have worn a certain way, and that were then removed and swapped sides.

Swapped the wheels and the issue went away…