997 GTS Update and Mods

[btchudson]

Afternoon fellow enthusiast

So i've been meaning to post some updates of my ownership experience in the GTS.

First off a lil background to my car ownership, first sports / supercar I ever purchased was back in 2012 when I bought a V8 Audi R8, which I loved! It needed a lil more power but the balance of the car was beautiful, not only did the car corner flat but the ride was incredibly smooth for what it was. It was a car I instantly came to terms with and could exploit within hours of ownership.

Next came along my M3 CSL back in 2013, I lusted after one of these ever since I saw the original Top Gear review by Clarkson. It ticked all the right boxes for what I look for in a car, a road going racer. I was apprehensive prior to collection due to it being a "childhood” hero of mine, and like most childhood heroes they seldom deliver but... OMG did it deliver! The sound the car makes is simply intoxicating! as a stock car imo it has been the best sounding car i’ve owned, literally sounds like a touring car when you take it through a tunnel! The handling required a learning curve which I like in a car, but was very well balanced and genuinely felt "light”. Downsides were most certainly the brakes, I’d cook them on an empty road let alone on a track! Also unfortunately my car developed the early signs of a vanos issue so I got rid, which till today, is my single and only regret across my car history. The values doubling since have certainly added to the bitterness of selling

Next I bought a 06 Gallardo with a tubi exhaust, crazy loud, would shoot flames on the overrun and fun in a lambo kind of way. However handling wasn't the greatest and I can't say I connected with the car as a driver. Still a very fun machine, just in its own way.

Now on to my GTS

Well, this is the first time i’ve ever driven a Porsche let alone owned one! I actually wanted to buy a GTS back in 2012, then at the last minute I changed my mind and bought the R8. I think I’m glad I decided to do that as I think the GTS would've completely changed my car ownership history…. Put it this way, I now "get it” I understand why the 911 is such an icon, however, initially it was a completely different story. See now, i’m the type of guy who jumps into a new purchase, lets the engine warm up and then gives the car a good spanking in order to acquaint ourselves…. Not so with the GTS, I don’t know what it was exactly but I just didn’t feel comfortable doing that with the GTS, I could feel the engine was in a place I’m not accustomed with, therefore I didn’t know how to decrypt that information and feed it into my driving abilities. It took 3 months I’d say, 3 months of frugally testing the cars limits till I became confident enough to give it a spank and learn what it had locked away, and my god! What a car! This car can do things I didn’t or wouldn’t ever of dreamed of if I hadn't had a better understanding of its limits, it has the steepest learning curve of any of the cars I’ve owned, and for that, I adore it! The handling is sublime and the grip, is the genuine raw, point, stick and go type! And even more impressive than the grip / handling are the brakes (PCCB), the way they shed speed is just ridiculous tbh!

So i’ve fallen in love it seems and not only was I not expecting to fall in love with a 911, neither was my bank balance as this is now officially dead cash! I don’t think I can sell her, so what i’ve now decided to do is pencil out some mods to make her even more perfect than she is today.

So, here are the mods I’ve done thus far and the mods I plan on doing.

Done:

Sharkwerks Exhaust Bypass
I took a video straight after we installed the exhaust, believe it or not, it doesn't actually do the exhaust justice!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tx1itySq4qw

Please excuse the occasional swear word

Planning:

Centre Lock Wheel Spacers?? Are these even being produced? They would really help give the car a perfect stance.

Painting the rear of the Sports seats, my car has alcantara delete and leather porsche sports seats which I prefer. I want to get the rear of the seats painted in the exterior body colour. If anyone knows of where I can get this done, please let me know.

Paint side skirts in body colour

Alloys polished to give the matt steel / chrome effect, really hard to decribe what I mean here so i’ve attached a photo below of woppums GT3 RS.

[attachment=FullSizeRender.jpg]


I'm planning on getting all these mods done within the next month ideally, so I will do my best to keep posting the updates in this thread!


So to finish up....I think you guys will have me here indefinitely so please get used to my poor spelling / grammar

Michael

 

[stephen.m.thompson]

Hi,

Nice video - I'm having the Sharkweks bypass fitted to my manual C2 GTS on Thursday. How much difference does it make to the noise in the cabin? Mine seems too quiet at present with the PSE on, even though I've had several comments on how good it does sound.

I'm also wondering about getting the Sport button fitted - my instructor at the 997 Register day at the PEC said I'd find heel and toe easier with it. Any experience with that?

Stephen

 

[Wratten]

Hi Michael,

Welcome to Porsche ownership and to the club and 997 Register.

I agree with you about the 911 taking some learning to extract her full potential, but then so much happy motoring awaits exploring the traction, handling, steering precision, and and and...

Do keep the posts coming as you progress though your planned modifications. The exhaust sounds absolutely terrific!

Clive

 

[btchudson]

Hey mate,

The exhaust is so worth it, the noise in the cabin is most certainly increased in a nice way, and with the valves closed i'd even argue that it's as quiet if not even more quiet than the standard exhaust. Not sure how factual that comment is but it certainly feels / sounds that way to me. It really gives you the best of both worlds, you'll love it im sure!

In reference to the sports button, I assumed all GTS's had this? It does make it easier to heel and toe, so you're mate is correct. Id say the throttle is at least twice as sensitive as in normal mode which can be quite jarring if you've been in normal mode for quite some time. I didnt use the sport button for the first month of ownership, the first time I used it I was lurching all over the place like a learner driver! haha! But now i'm used to it, l stay in sport mode with suspension on soft at least 90% of the time.

If you are in the london area i'd happily let you have a spin in my car with the sharkwerks and sports button so you know if it's worth it or not?

 

[shorthouse]

Hi Michael
Sounds like you are enjoying the car!
You'll be pleased to know that "Total 911" magazine lists the 997 GTS as one of their top 20 best collectors 911's .... you have a very desirable spec with manual and PCCB's
http://www.total911.com/20-of-the-best-collectors-porsche-911s/

 

[waxman]

Nice post !
Once down the sharkwerks route you'll never go back ????????

 

[McMurray]

Hi Tony, as a matter of interest do you have the Sharkwerks bypass fitted in conjunction with the Porsche switchable silencers? Considering this upgrade to my too quite 997 C4s (gen 2)
cheers
Steve

 

[flat6]

Not so with the GTS, I don’t know what it was exactly but I just didn’t feel comfortable doing that with the GTS, I could feel the engine was in a place I’m not accustomed with, therefore I didn’t know how to decrypt that information and feed it into my driving abilities. It took 3 months I’d say, 3 months of frugally testing the cars limits till I became confident enough to give it a spank and learn what it had locked away, and my god! What a car! This car can do things I didn’t or wouldn’t ever of dreamed of if I hadn't had a better understanding of its limits, it has the steepest learning curve of any of the cars I’ve owned, and for that, I adore it! The handling is sublime and the grip, is the genuine raw, point, stick and go type!

I had a similar experience. I'm glad I had owned the 987 before the 997. Makes me appreciate the 997 more as I didn't think rear-engined handling could quite follow a mid-engined experience in terms of satisfaction but it has.