TRAKCAR

Thanks for posting, very interesting!

mjb

So it now has PSM with GT2 characteristics. I don't recall, in the GT2 is PSM completely off when in the off position? or is it lurking in the background?

NJ-GT

The new GT3 is lighter. It has a sunroof delete option, that's ~50 lbs less.

Lighter brakes? Yes, but they're saving just 4 lbs total. They're better standard brakes though.

Somewhere else I read about stiffer springs and sway bars.

They made the car lighter, more powerful, better brakes, better aero, better suspension. I see a better GT3 in every way.

GrantG

Track appropriate gearing would be a great option, but I see no need for them to adjust the street gearing, since:

1. The top speed of the cars is about the same (more power, but more aero drag) and the 3.8L motor makes its peak power at the same revs as the 3.6

2. The very slightly higher redline of the 3.8 implies that it could have a touch lower gearing, but the slightly higher torque means that it will be punchier with the same gearing as before.

To optimize the street gearing for the 3.8L (max theoretical speed achieved) and keep optimum spread between ratios, any changes would have been extremely subtle and not worth the effort to change them.

Track gearing with top speed of 160mph or so and very close ratios would be a totally different story (and great to have for track rats), but that has always been the domain of the aftermarket (or Motorsports Dept.).

C.J. Ichiban

I think it all fits in what should be expected from porsche especially considering the car is a face lift and not a 991 or next generation body style. It's an evolution of a fantastic product, not a clean sheet re-design

20hp
more torque
new gizmo options (LED, front lift, ipod stuff, etc)
sunroof delete (customer response)
better standard brakes


it's hard to argue with them keeping the same gearbox- in my opinion it is the absolute best one they make. what I really noticed in that table is how much faster the car is from 0-100mph with the newer car. .5 seconds faster, right? that's pretty useful torque and HP for track use I'd say.

sjgreco

How about the RMS, same seal as before or redesigned not to leak with limited driving.

jumper5836

Wait and see with that one. The new gt3 has me interested because I need the nanny assist (PSM) but the RMS plague i can do without.

997gt3north

- if we haven't met (apex days at Mosport, kensai, porsche) then would be happy to give you a ride next year
- i actually don't think the gt3 needs PSM (TC in the rain or snow) yes
- now, the gt2 is another matter with the tq spool but the 997gt3 is very easy to drive

Carrera GT

FWIW, I've had two 997 GT3's, but with pitifully few miles over the course of a year. The first didn't leak and the second is still dry. I don't give any credence to "not driven" or "driven too much" or "garaged near an ancient burial site" excuses.

In any case, it really would be just too pathetic for words if Porsche hasn't solved the crank seal problem with this generation of the engine. If they can mess about with gadgets like the nose lift and the engine mounts, they better have put their A team on that bloody seal problem -- it's such a trivial problem and they're letting it make them look bad. Just nuts. Let's hope the 997.1 crank seal designer didn't have anything to do with the new vario-cam. : )

Yargk

I'm sure the suspension has been improved.

It seems the electronic dampers have come along way since the first pasm system on the first gen 997 Carrera. It appeared that the GT2 system was not just a little softer, but more sophisticated than the 997.1 GT3 which was in turn not as disconnected feeling as the 997.1 Carrera. Maybe Porsche is getting to the flatter part of the learning curve with these shocks and they'll be pretty awesome?!

I'd like to hear if the car really got stiffer springs and sways. A stiffened up suspension with better PASM would be just dandy.

Coochas

The front rotor is over an inch wider in diameter, I wonder if 18" wheel sets will still fit.

carrering

pccb's clear certain 18" wheels now. I'm sure the usual suspects will have wheels to fit along with cool centerlocks.

Marv

Thanks!

I read the whole thing, but I did not see anything about the key. How do you know the key weighs the same? Do you have an inside contact?

rmag

X2. Think of how many places on the track where you come out of a tight turn around 50mph and need to accelerate. 1/2 second at each of those is good for a second or two a lap depending on track.

Nizer

Re: PSM in GT2, there's a great article in latest Automobile Magazine with GT2 going head to head with Nissan GTR at The Ring. Discusses PSM in GT2 and just how much trouble it allows one to get in before intervening.