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The lap time delta from a 981 to a 718 is only ~1.5 secs at a 2 minute track like Watkins Glen. The PDK can make a difference if you a a slow shifter. But unless you are chasing lap times, you'll get 99% enjoyment for 70-80% of the cost from the 981.
Less than that for most drivers.
OP, DO it. You won't be sorry. Simplicity is good.
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"Combining the Art and Science of Driving Fast!"
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The lap time delta from a 981 to a 718 is only ~1.5 secs at a 2 minute track like Watkins Glen. The PDK can make a difference if you a a slow shifter. But unless you are chasing lap times, you'll get 99% enjoyment for 70-80% of the cost from the 981.
I have owned a 2016 GT4, 2020 GT4, and now have a C8 Z06. The 981 GT4 is a peach, highly recommend it. It is the most fun of the bunch and best to drive as well! My. 02.
Last edited by electron mike; 09-29-2024 at 12:15 AM.
The GT4 will still require modification. Heat issues will be fine, but you'll likely want to modify the suspension. Consumables will also not be cheap. Iron rotors and pads on a GT4 are still $$$. Tire selection is semi crap also, so you're looking at running 19s which means new rims, but again, tire selection is only moderately better and still similar on price to running 20s.... You mentioned a price limit of 100k ideally and I don't think that's doable to get into it and consumables are going to start murdering your pocket book if you drive as much as you are.
IMO dedicated track car that is street legal you should be looking at NA, rims no larger than 18s with common sized tires so you have good selection to do what you want with it, and cheap options for rotors/brakes. IMO in the Porsche world a 987 base or S is probably the answer. Add a mechanical diff, drop some decent suspension into it, make sure it runs cool enough where you drive, and go have fun. A well sorted 987S can be very fast.
If you're on a budget consumables really add up, and when tires are $2500 a pop (and you're stuck running cup2s because everything good is out of stock) and last half as long vs 1200 vs some 17/18in hankooks it makes a big difference. Same thing when you're spending 500 in brakes to get 10 events vs spending 3000 in brakes to get 5-10 events.
If you run R7s, or Hankook z214 or other R-Comps, then you will be pushing the limits of that fragile street/track balance. At those g-loads you will find you need to upgrade the suspension, brakes, cooling, safety, etc. etc, and you’ll wear things out more quickly, increasing the chances of mechanicals, scrambling to find a tow, or leading to a trailer. I’d go with the very capable “200” TW tires like RE71RS, the new Conti equivalent, or the new Hoosier equivalent when they release sizes that fit. You’ve already slid down that slope with the Corvette. The Porsche slope is no less slippery, just with more expensive parts.
also, find a way to drive a GT4 or GTS on the track. The Clubsport is a whole different animal, and isn’t what you should expect from the street version.
I recently went from running a 981 GT4 to a 982 Clubsport to get more into a real race car.
I still have been hanging onto the GT4 which I have spent years dialing into the best track car it could be. All the suspension, brake mods as well as Dundon headers and tune. Really a great street/track car and maybe best mod was re-geared (Bill Radar) transmission.
On the fence about keeping now or selling it. If you are looking for a well developed 981 GT4 Let me know. Recently big overall refresh by SP Motorsports last winter and hasn't been tracked since.
09-26-2024, 04:52 PM
