Nizer

The following quote is from R&T story on new Cup car. Re: Cup car being seam-welded, just wondering if anyone knows if the standard GT3/GT3 RS's are seam-welded too?

"Once I settled into a rhythm, I found this 911 Cup car to be incredibly responsive to steering and throttle. Unlike the road car that seems to teeter-totter over its rear axle at mid-corner, or on uneven surfaces, the Cup car's suspension moves together giving a sense of balance. Most impressive is the ability of the rock-steady chassis to absorb curbing. Where the street car shakes and skitters, the seam-welded Cup car on racing slicks sucks up the vibration without disruption."

Full article:
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....rticle_id=8515

Nice video with the article as well.

Would also be interesting to know if the author's criticism of the street car refers to Gen1 or Gen2.

Asquared

Don't know the answer to your question, but this morning I just happened to re-read the exellence article that compared the 996 and 997 versions of the GT3. They commented that the 997 PASM could cause the car be a bit unsettled as the suspension loaded up in a turn and the computer was looking for the right setting. That may be the same thing the R&T article is talking about.

Carrera GT

That's a pretty decent article for R+T -- I'm surprised we haven't seen write-ups from other mags getting an invite to play with the new Cup.

I think I need a job as a writer ... will work for seat time in factory race cars! : )

As for the comparison of the race car with the road car, hell, I'd begin with the driver's seat cushions and the 10%+ extra weight in the GT3 and end the comparison with just the tires, suspension and bushings.

All 911's since the 996 have been marvelously stiff and certainly the GT3 (a C4 chassis) is amply capable and far beyond a driver to discern what's chassis and what's race rubber versus some mediocre street tires.

box01s

If you happened to see National Geographic "Ultimate Factories" the Porsche GT3 street & Cup cars are made on the same assembly line as all other 911 models. The three body subassemblies are initially tack welded by robots, then two human welders finish the seams by hand. There are over 5,000 welds on a completed 911 body.

Whether or not the Cup car, which is assembled on the same assembly line is welded any differently is unknown, but a race car with its side bracing and integral roll cage would certainly be somewhat stiffer than the GT3 street cars. Not to mention, the suspension on the Cup car has different spring and shock rates and multiply different anti-roll bar and suspension adjustments. Add to it, different seats, transmission gearing and racing slicks, the Cup car is by no means a GT3 street car.

Having said that, the RT video seemed to confirm the author is a bit too critical of the very capable GT3 street cars.

More on build of Cup & GT3's here:

http://www.cartype.com/pages/4257/po...cup_race__2010

According to the article:

"For the first time, the race car is based on the street-legal 2010 GT3 RS version. However, in keeping with tradition, it continues to be assembled on the same production line as all road-going Porsche 911 vehicles in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen."

"Porsche Motorsport, located in Weissach, Germany, is the Porsche factory division that is responsible for all worldwide Porsche motorsports activities. This includes not only the development, building, and servicing of race car models, plus all customer racing programs, but also the engineering development of Porsche street models like the 911 GT3, 911 GT3 RS, the 911 GT2 and, previously, the Carrera GT."

Better ask Forest Gump

_rocket

No.

KINGSRULE

I thought the 996 GT3 was seam welded

Not sure on the 997 variations...

Joe S.

I thought that the C4 was seam welded back on the 996 and that is the same body the 996 GT3 used. Not sure about the 997.

box01s

Yes.

See for yourself in Part 1:

Ultimate Factories - Porsche - Stuttgart~Zuffenhausen

Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1a0Vg5kZPjE

Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNITtru8hgU

Part 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btdQlzfiMRc

Part 4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aH_9smvM3Oc

Part 5

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMbkpTqXndQ