My only experience comparing the 981 with the 718 motors was in the club sports where the 718 had way more top end and even some more torque.

Can someone who has real experience with the road versions talk about the engine improvement on the 718 GT4... is it significant?

 

I owned and tracked a 981 GT4 and now have a 718 GT4. The power difference is significant in my opinion, with much more torque across the low and mid range. The pull at the top end is also much better and doesn't fall flat past 7k, but pulls all the way to 8k.

It's no McLaren 650/675 with time warping power, but the new 4.0L coupled with a nice suspension improvement is very noticeable compared to a 981 GT4.

 

JCR posted a dyno curve comparison of the 981, the 981 Clubsport and the 718GT4. The 718 GT4 had more torque across the rev range and was much more linear than the 981 GT4, without the big dips. The 718GT4 and the 981 Clubsport dyno curves were very similar.

 

Yep, the BGB dyno numbers below of a 981 vs 718 GT4 show with data what I summarized in my comments. Drive them back to back, and there is a noticeable difference in power.

 

Deleted duplicate post.

 

I guess it's a good thing I can't see the dyno graph when out driving. I worry about that almost as much as I worry about servicing it myself and getting it wet with water that falls out of the sky.

 

Thanks for that info guys, very interesting. I may have an angle on GT4RS so I'm just patiently waiting and hoping.. but it's hard not to be curious. I love the front end design of the 718 GT4, and good to know it's not just appearance package. Frankly with all the intake/Cobb/headers mods I had done to my spyder it was a really nice engine to drive.. very different from stock. I should never never had sold that car for a Gt3. It was perfect for my interests and location. Live and learn.

 

Agree, if you own a 981 GT4, it's still a great car!

Yeah, I too was dumb enough to sell my 981 GT4 to try more powerful bigger cars.. now I'm back in a GT4 which feels like home. The 718 GT4 is just so nice because it's small, agile, and now even more powerful. The 718 GT4RS or 992 GT3RS may temp me though.

 

This is pretty much the case.....718 GT4 ultimately feels stronger across the rev range, because even though it doesn’t have a higher peak torque value... its torque is pretty much delivered flat from 2k to nearly 8k with no dips and without significant drop off near the top end.
This means power continues to rise until redline also with no drop off as HP=(torque x revs) /5252
BGB and JCR dyno charts show this.
I have recently had 718 Clubsport intake fitted to my 981 GT4, as this is really the significant part of the 718 Clubsport engine upgrade, and with proper tuning my dyno chart have a very similar profile to the 718 GT4 and 718 Clubsport.
The difference vs stock 981 is very interesting because you get the immediate urge combined with this amazing new soundtrack, enhanced with even greater induction noise.
My car now makes peak HP at 7.8k, limiter set @ 8.1k. In the region of +55whp. Torque flat from 2k to nearly 8k, no dips.
It’s a pretty racy application and delivery now.
Just like the 718 GT4, you might not immediately call it night and day, at lower revs below say 4K unless you spend time with it... but after a few real miles, it does become apparent how quickly the car picks up, with no delay and surges forward.... at the top of the rev range, the car is very fast, and has a rush to the redline which is part way to GT3-like

 

Great info, thank you.. I must say that the intake and throttle body was the last engine mod I did to my 981 spyder and it really woke up the top end (once I retuned the Cobb)...

Well... I can't wait to see what they do for the RS... I'm mega curious about those window intakes.

 

I can see wanting PDK as being a make or break option, so I understand your choice. I'm the opposite, I only want manual. Did you consider holding out for the GT4RS since we all assume it will be PDK only?

Interesting the 718 Clubsport intake bolts up to the 981 GT4. What other mods do you have?

If I could wave a wand, more usable torque (which the 718 seems to have) would be what I would seek as I daily drive my car, but again, for that price difference I could go to DeMan for a 4.5L,

 

So remember the 718 CS uses the same engine as the 981 GT4 - with X51 Head and Cam - and this intake which is essentially a 991.1 R/RS intake solution.

On the engine performance side I have -

• Headers - custom built... Equal length, long tube race style - which then goes back to 2.5 over axles pipes with integrated 200 cell hi-flow cats - this is mated to OEM PSE.
• BMC Air Filters
• Remap... direct ECU.

Chassis and Braking -

• Manthey Racing Trackday Arm Package + RSS Rear toe links
• PFC V3 Rotors
• Manthey Racing Brake Pads, MR lines and SRF

I was running DSC sport but have gone back to OEM PASM for the moment whilst testing out a few things.

 

To be honest.....I give the GT4RS a 75% chance of happening...I know, the buzz, hype and Youtube videos are all over the place but I still have a few reservations(and theories) about that car and fitting into the Porsche lineup.
The other problem is pricing....it will be expensive and even more where I live (you can add 35% tax on top of the price to get an idea) so at that price level a used 991.2 GT3 could be an option. I use my car a lot on the track so feel bit more comfortable on a GT4 than a limited edition GT4RS.
I still have the option to move to a GT4RS if indeed does happen but will probably take a hit on my 718 GT4...will see if it does gets release but unless the price is far from a 992 GT3 once you are in that pricing ballpark the difference wont matter.

On the 718 CS intake...it bolts up because the Clubsports are still using the 9A1 engine in the 981 GT4. The upgrades where the intake and the cams.

 

100% concur... this is exactly what i have been saying on other forums.... how does it fit in the line up - performance and price wise.
The problem is RS should mean they have thrown the kitchen sink at it, all of Porsches knowhow.. including the big boy engine... because it exists.... if they do that it will be an outlier in performance and therefore super limited number plaqued car and will be stupid expensive - as in more or the same as 992 GT3. It has to be.
I don't think they will do this... therefore we end up with a 'mild' RS - which is just small bump in power and dynamics.... but then its price will probably not be far away from 991.2 GT3 so then as a value proposition the GT4 RS won't stack up - as a 991.2 GT3 will be better by every technical performance metric at a similar price.
Porsche probably won't care thought as they will still sell new cars - that's their objective....

 

TDT can I ask what is the ball park cost of the 718 CS intake?