996 "float"

[Mike IRL]

Hi there,
Being a newbie to 911 driving the biggest difference experienced to date is the sense that the car feels like it "floats" in the front (hope I'm using a reasonable term here!)- most notable at higher speeds (may even coincide or be exaggerated when rear spoiler rises at 70+ mph). This is to be expected given the engine location ie a 911 key characteristic, but are there any suggestions on how this can be improved or is it just the newbie driver factor that you learn to live with - if the latter, any practical advice or tips? or are there any aerodynamic improvements possible or worthwhile? or suspension upgrades that can help? Do all 996 variants behave the same or does additional front weight in C4 behave differently?
Any suggestions or help appreciated.

 

[ashley]

Mike,

the C2 is lighter at the front end for obvious reasons, I noticed this even more changing recently to a C4S which is more planted. That said I enjoyed the handling of the C2 and it never felt unsafe even at high speeds.

 

[Mike IRL]

@ashley, I assume the C4 carries 50-60kg of extra weight up front but does it also have one of the lower suspension kits. Mine does have the M030 which is the 10mm drop.
Another option mentioned to me was the fitting of a lower front splitter which would aid downforce up front. Ultimately, it's the nature of the car and I just need to get used to it but are there any other suggestions short of dropping 100kg ballast into the front bay (I am kidding of course)

@skyline1, keeping a full tank can be a challenge in it's own way

 

[Robertb]

C2s do feel a bit light in comparison to other cars. To be on the safe side, you could have the geometry checked. I doubt an aerokit would make a significant difference at ahem, legal road speeds.

C4Ss do have lower turbo-spec suspension.

 

[childish]

I had a similar issue with my C4 about a year ago. I found that speeds above 70 made the car feel unstable and that feeling of floating. I had a four wheel alignment done by a Specialist and it has completely changed my car and feels it completely planted even at higher speeds.[] On the wheel survey it was discovered that I had too much toe which was causing the problem. I would suggest a four wheel alignment done by a good specialist.

 

[jamma]

I dont get this in my c2, did 140 mph last week ( on a private road of course) and it's very stable. I had it corner weighted though a few months back plus full geo and I have M030 also.

 

[smj996c]

ORIGINAL: Mike IRL

Hi there,
Being a newbie to 911 driving the biggest difference experienced to date is the sense that the car feels like it "floats" in the front (hope I'm using a reasonable term here!)- most notable at higher speeds (may even coincide or be exaggerated when rear spoiler rises at 70+ mph). This is to be expected given the engine location ie a 911 key characteristic, but are there any suggestions on how this can be improved or is it just the newbie driver factor that you learn to live with - if the latter, any practical advice or tips? or are there any aerodynamic improvements possible or worthwhile? or suspension upgrades that can help? Do all 996 variants behave the same or does additional front weight in C4 behave differently?
Any suggestions or help appreciated.

Hi Mike, before you start investing in suspension and geometry - what tyre pressure are you running? - if you are running standard 36F/44R (cold) try dropping it a couple of PSI, for reference I run 32F/38R.

The car does take a bit of getting used to if you have been in front engined cars, and yes a c4 does feel a lot different than a c2 (its heavier for a start) - confidence will come once you understand the characteristics and limits that will come with driving it over time.

Another tip always have at least 1/2 tank of petrol in.

- Simon


Edit by Richard - substituted PSI for bar.

 

[jonbentley]

Id agree completey. I have a 996 C2 also, had similar feelings at motorway speeds.
I recently took mine to a specialist, following the advice from Sutton OPC when I went the other week and my free 111 check at the club meeting there.
They identified uneven tyre wear and suggested a full 4 wheel alignment check (I went to a specialist near me in Tamworth details on request but I would fully recommend him!) and found the following -

Tyre pressures, as above - mine were overinflated by about 5psi per wheel - the machine at sainsburys might be free but isnt accurate.
Geo settings, we found during the checks that the front wheels on mine were noticeably out of tollerance making a big difference (due to somone setting the car up very badly prior my owning it - but luckily not as the result of any accident)
The way the car feels. The engines at the back - they do feel different, but mine I will now say feels so different after the work the specialist did and feels very very planted at all speeds, but yes the front is lighter than other cars.

Speak to the specialist in question, a fair bit more than quick fit, but i was there for best part of 4 hours, and the results and knowledge are well worth.

Jon