My typo... I meant to say 5 track days...

 

My typo. I meant to say 5 track days...

 

But isn't DeMan just using the OEM block/heads that come with the customer's car, and thus already tested? Maybe some issue with the machining during the conversion? Extensive testing would not prevent and issue if someone wasn't careful during these one at a time conversions.

 

Well, I decided on the T and it was sold from under me. The GT4, amazing as it may be, it's clearly not the right car for me right now. It'll get trashed on the roads where I live and won't get much use on the track until I join some car clubs and start scheduling track days. It's a bit different here... clubs are exclusive and not open to just anyone with a Porsche. Also tracks seem to organize events through clubs exclusively. Anyway, you're right, great problems to have. Sounds like you have some cool plans ahead...

Thank you for this. This is another concern. These levels of mods sound great in theory but when they don't turn out, I fathom it could get painful. Very different from bigger OEM turbos, exhaust and a mild tune.

Anyway, thank you all for helping me figure this out. The knowledge base of RL is truly invaluable.

 

What a great thread, if not horrible for my wallet.

Added a GT4 to my modest stable (76 w/ 3.2, 96 C2 stock, 15 Macan S) in June, and I came _this_ close to picking up a T instead. My own dilemma is how to cross off the bucket list of "order a new sports focused p-car and do euro delivery" in the next few years. I'm having no luck getting a spot on a list for a Spyder RS (and I don't know how to rationalize a use case for a 200k non-daily, non-track car. I dont do garage queens). GT3 is much of (both the) same problems. Maybe a 992 T for semi-daily/backroads (that is the 993's role, but that's a problem for another day). I have to assume with the proliferation of the T trim across the model range that we'll see a 992 T toward the end of 992.1, has anyone heard/thought different?

 

Nice stable! How you cross that off your bucket list is you ship your GT4 to Europe and drive it there for a few months. That's what I plan on doing at some point in the next few years. Save the hassle of allocations. As for the 992, I personally don't care if they build a T, it wouldn't appeal to me. The 992 for me is the generation that went too far. It's too digital and too big. The 991.2 is the ultimate modern 911 I think, in spite of the turbos and because of the turbos. Of the 991.2, the T, with the right options, is the ultimate expression: light, quick, good at both road and track duty.

 

+1000 the 992 series is ugly and blotted. I have never gotten a car model, except for owning 2 different 6GT3's, that I have owned before but in the 991.2 T's case I would make an exception.

Peter

 

Fair points, both. I'm headed to LA for Luft tomorrow and have a 991 T rented from Turo for a few days. Let's hope it doesn't leave me craving one. :P

 

Please post your impressions!

 

@Avid Fan I've had the great fortune to spend some time in the T and in the 981 GT4 (and the 718 GT4). I really dig the T, especially with a simple Softronic tune. What I find is that the power is really good and it's a blast to drive. As said, it's not as focused as a GT4 but I think the limits being reached faster will certainly create a better learning tool and with some suspension mods it's pretty competent on track with some sticky tires. I don't know what tracks you run, or your run group, etc, in making this recommendation.

One thing though, if you are after the full Porsche experience, the 991.2's are a departure with the turbo engines as you know. I'm open minded and would absolutely be able to be happy with the turbo 3.0. I really love the 997.2S as far as 911's go, there just aren't that many and they lack some tech that makes them feel a little dated for those who daily.

I will share that I have a friend who is a very aggressive track driver (not necessarily the most refined skill), and by nature he started chasing lap times in his T by throwing money at the power side. The car was a rocket, but he was going through rear pads in a day because of PSM intervention. That may or may not be you, but it certainly is a thing to consider.

Good luck with your search, those are 2 cars that would be at the top of my FUN list as well! I have a lowered Boxster S and the recent natural gas work in the philly area has made it a total PIA to drive.

Check out our 991.2 goodies right here.

Dave @ SOUL

 

Dave @Soul Performance and Pete @stout nailed it.

Back from Luft week. Had 2 days with the 2019 T: Friday when I took it from El Segundo to ACH for Good Vibes Breakfast club and back to Singer and PEC (gave me a nice mix of backroad and daily/city driving), and Saturday when I took it from Hollywood to Malibu via Mulholland and Sunset before returning via Malibu backroads (Malibu Canyon->Piuma->Stunt->Mulholland->Old Topanga->Tuna).

Im jealous of PCM4 and Carplay. Both my Macan and GT4 have 3.1 and no Carplay, so this pretty much cemented me needing to do the joyeauto add-on to both of them.

"Not as focused as the GT4" is a great way of putting it, and how I thought of everything from the engine response to the exhaust to the rev matching auto-blip in sport mode. I don't drive 10/10ths on public roads, more like 6-7, and the T was tons of fun without approaching the limits as I had a rare clear shot up ACH and some of the Malibu roads. It's definitely easier to daily than my lowered and bucketed GT4, and the 18 ways were more than comfy and supportive for spirited driving. Engine didn't "feel" overly turbo, but it didn't sound as good as the NA GT4, even with PSE open. Like Stout said, you have to listen for it. To summarize my thoughts, I think the decision really comes down to what you're prioritizing. I agree the T is a fantastic "do it all" while the GT4 is swung a bit far to the track side of the tradeoffs. It's more attention, more of an event, more spectacle. Sometimes, that might be more than you want for a quick spin on the twisties.

 

Agree with that. I happen to attend a track day with my GT4 where friends with a 911T and GT3 RS respectively each gave me a ride.

The 911T is a really impressive car. Friendly handling, good body control, even feels quite special getting in with the LWBs. Engine has a lot of torque and just scoots out if turns turns. It’s really an all arounder car that can do everything.

 

faced the same decision as going with a GT4 or a 911T after selling my 997.2 and I'm potentially going to be selling my S2000 so I went with the GT4 since its going to be about the only thing I feel can replace my S2000 and be an improvement. Its the German Honda.

 

Thank. you so much for your insights. There is no question that I have to have a T. Ultimately, I'd like both cars but the T is the one I don't want to be without. It's the perfect p-car; more so than the GT3 Touring IMO. It's light, powerful when you unlock its potential, it has the 911 rear bias, it has torque pulling out of corners, and it's not $200k+. It's the ultimate modern 911 and the perfect expression of what a p-car was designed to be - an accessible car you can drive to the track, pound on it all day, and drive it back home. With more of a bias toward canyon drives, the T makes more sense to me than the GT4 at this time.

That sounds like a fantastic week! Jealous. You summarized it well too. "GT4 is swung a bit far to the track side of the tradeoffs." The exhaust on the T is an easy fix. I'll still aim for a GT4 in the garage at some point.

It's really great to hear from GT4 owners. Thank you and @sqweak .

That makes sense. Enjoy the GT4. Especially on the track.

 

Did anything ever come of the shock tower issue with the GT4? I sold mine several years ago and stopped being concerned about it. I did install the DSC Sport controller which made the car more livable for me. The suspension is so stiff and it's the first Porsche that I felt it a necessity. I partly wanted the controller because of the issues some were having with stress fractures in the shock towers.

haven't owned a T, but did own a 992 base Carrera and the motor is all Stout reports. Purely fantastic in all but the howl you get with a NA 3.8 18" behind your head.

The gearing wasn't as enjoyable on the GT4 for me either, and after the gearbox recall, my new gearbox had an annoying occasional 1-2 grind that the original gearbox never had.

Finding a properly spec'd T as the OP has would be hard to pass on. Car just needs some Porsche side strips to tone down all the white.

It's easy to see that Porsche really improved the 718 GT4 versus 981, especially in aero. We'll see about the 992 T versus 991.