JPS

Longtime Rennnlist guy on 993 forum.
I've started considering upgrading my 993 to a 997 GT3. But I use and have modified my car a bit uniquely. So my question is, if I bought a 997 gt3, what would I need to do to get the same out of it as my 993? Let me explain.

I live in NYC and own one car. I can only own one car. It is my family car (weekend trips, as my feet or the subway is my daily driver). I take out the car seat and put in DAS rollbar for track weekends.

I have a regeared trans + LSD, MCS 2 way suspension, RS sways and clutch, lightweight flywheel. Annoying little expenses like the steering rack brace, high temp axle grease, etc. as well. I drive in Red as a National instructor for PCA.

So I know I would have to get a 997 rear seat set to install so my son could ride in back, but given the track nature of a GT3, and the track oriented mods I have in place, what would I need to do to the Gt3. Anything?

esc911

I came to the .1 gt3 from a similarly modified 993 (rs spec) and there's not much I miss. My suspension setup wasn't as good, only H&R coilovers, and I didn't have a regeared trans but everything else was pretty similar. The only things I really miss are the size of the car and the air cooled noises, although the mezger 3.6 in the gt3 is pretty glorious in its own right.

As for mods, I put in a 4.0 clutch setup into my .1 and think it really changes the feel of the car. That's one mod that I think would really help bring you closer to the 993 rs setup. Everything else, I think, the gt3 just does better. The gt3 is an awesome car. Ideally I would have liked to keep both.

tgil

I attended 5 Porsche DE events in the past and never got past the BLue group in my 2003 996 C4S, so very limited experience at track like many GT3 owners here.
I have chosen not to track my GT3 but have picked some spots to push it enough to get some sense of what this car can do.
the GT3 (997.1) is an incredible and pretty raw 911 that with maybe eliminating the side mufflers, would be good to go to the track, with the ability to adjust the stock suspension if desired.
Your run group always has more modded cars, so guess it depends what would satisfy you.

Good luck if you decide on a GT3.

JPS

How about stock suspension on GT3 vs MCS on 993?

Tom@TPC Racing

I know a little bit about GT3's... ;-)

Minimalist approach on GT3 suspension setup for street & track:
1. Adjustable rear toe links w/ bump steer adjustment(preferablyTPC brand)
2. If stock PASM shocks are in good condition keep them and get a DSC module
3. Corner balance, appropriate alignment and sway bar setting for the use
4. *Semi-solid engine and transmission mounts
5. *Rebuild the differential if its completely worn(to me diff is part of the suspension bc it affects the balance)

* denotes items more useful for track only.

Short of spending big bucks this is as good as it get.

mooty

^ do that and you will not think so highly of your 993 anymore. i had 993c2, c2s, TT, and TTS
i have none of those but a full garage of RS variants now.

brownan

NYC in a GT3 is workable. Ask me how I know.

nwGTS

Also note that the rear seats are not just drop-in for a GT3.

You'll need to weld a plate to the tub on each side where the rear seat latches are. I looked into this since I also have a kid I wanted to take around in my 911, went with a GTS instead, and upgraded what I could (mostly suspension) to GT3 parts. No kid? I'd be in a GT3. Food for thought.

audipwr1

I think not true on 997.1? I've seen them installed without mentioning of welding

nwGTS

Good point. I was looking at .2 GT3. Still something OP should look into.

JPS

Good points.

So ignoring the seat Q for a moment, what is the cost of the above mods?

Also, how easy is it to install/take out the rollbar ? I take out the DAS rollbar now for street and put it in for track in probably 60-90 minutes each time. Less to get it out.

Modena 1

So you need to get out of Manhattan.

Add 4% back to your income + 500 (at least) for parking + sleepless nights worrying if your baby will have some concrete juice poured on her (you know what I mean) and this is just for starters!

other guys touched on the performance points, but the other thing I would say is after a little homework it appears to me that kids can ride in the front in NY as long as the right seat is used. Installing seats in a car that doesn't have them however i doubt is very legal and not sure how safe. Yet another reason to get out of the city and get a nice little SUV for the fam.

Good luck. 993 sounds dialed in.

Ilko on this board has had both and can give you more feedback.

esc911

I don't think any of the popular roll bars (rs, bbi, rss, gmg, etc.) are as easy to install and disassemble as the das roll bar. I think das also makes one for the 997, that might work, but no personal experience.

Tom@TPC Racing

I have DAS Sport roll bar in my 997 GT3 and l like it a lot. Installation was easy.