997.2 C2 PDK performance upgrade ideas please

[964DRIV3R]

Evening All,
Second post, but long term 911 owner.
Having had a 964 and 996GT3, i want to make my 997.2 pdk a little more special and and turn it into a keeper (i owned my 964 for 14 years)

Its been used as a work daily doing long motorway commutes with delightful lanes to finish off.....so the standard suspension and pdk have suited the car really well. Retiring shortly so can now make it a little more focused, but do not want it anywhere near the gt3 in terms of harsh ride (although would love an engine & gearbox transplant !)

I'm thinking
+ The Sport button, with macan wheel and paddles
+ Cargraphic silencers and maybe headers (my car came with the centre box x pipe mod already done)
+ Cargraphic ecu tune
+ Bilstein B16 and any arms/bushes that need doing with wheel spacers - set up and weighted etc

I think, this is going to get as close to my 964 (pdk aside) as i can do with a "modern" 911.
Can i also confess to being tempted with the idea of 991.2 T MT !

I'm sure this is a well troden path, so please share your experiences or paste in some links for me !

Thanks in advance
Rick

 

[MaxA]

For a 9972 head on over to the Sharkwerks website where there is a very good article describing the path to take far better than I can (they've done it). See https://www.sharkwerks.com/tuning-guides/997.2-carrera-s-4-4s-gts-2009-2012

For what it's worth, in terms of power, my tuner suggests that it's not worth tuning the 9A1 unless you add both the inlet manifold and new headers, and that starts to add up pretty quickly. As such I'd focus on handling (wheels, tyres, coilovers, arms, bushes and alignment). And you'd better start looking now if you want a set of B16s.

 

[veetwin]

I have a Carrera 2 S PDK (2009 997.2), not sure if all of the below is translatable to a C2, but I have seen huge benefits of the below mods -

I was also looking at going down the Coilover path, but due to 80% road/20% track use, I was talked out of it by my Indy and a Bilstein aftermarket rep to stick with B4s. I have PASM so have bought a DSC controller, which has completely transformed the rebound and damping. Indy fitted H&R Springs, Powerflex bushed (purple) TCAs and set with a 'Fast Road' geometry (new topmounts and bumpstops also fitted). As its not a daily driver, not worried about the aggressive camber/tyre wear. They recommended B4s as they are way more compliant on our crap roads, and dont have the regular service intervals that B16s, Ohlins, Tractive coilovers do. The car now drives as it should have done as it left the factory. It has unbelievable front end grip on turn-in, zero understeer, the bouncey front end has gone on all roads and it inspires huge confidence when pushing hard.

As for engine, the car already had PSE from Factory and previous owner had fitted a Sharkwerks X-Pipe. I went further with this path as I was seeking lower-down torque. Exiting slow corners the car was getting bogged down in 2nd, and 1st gear was too crazy. So, fitted TopGear 200cell manifolds, BMC Filters and had a custom map from GAD Tuning, who have played with the Variocam timing so torque is produced lower down the revs. Its now making 415bhp and a crazy 493nm of torque on dyno (trying to find another dyno to validate 100%), but the butt dyno now definitely feels the NMs

Other mods are RS Engine Mounts, this stiffens up the power transfer when getting on/off throttle.

Interior - I ditched the Porsche Sport Design wheel with Paddles. The delay in selecting the gear with the paddle and the actual selection was horrendous. I now use the stick shift only for manual shifts as it is much faster in Sport Plus mode. Ive converted the PDK Shift to a 917 Wood Gear knob with leather gaiter. I opted for a Momo MOD 7 leather wheel that was recently retrimmed by Royal Steering Wheels with higher quality leather.

Overall now very happy with the car, pending a few more mods -

Sport Seats to have Pepita Retrim
EMC2 / 991 Sport front splitter
BBS LM on the wishlist

Happy tuning!!

 

[IMI A]

If its your last 911 I'd get the 991. Torque difference very noticeable.

 

[911UK]

exhaust makes a big difference

suspension refresh is also a game changer with a DSC controller

 

[964DRIV3R]

For a 9972 head on over to the Sharkwerks website where there is a very good article describing the path to take far better than I can (they've done it). See https://www.sharkwerks.com/tuning-guides/997.2-carrera-s-4-4s-gts-2009-2012

For what it's worth, in terms of power, my tuner suggests that it's not worth tuning the 9A1 unless you add both the inlet manifold and new headers, and that starts to add up pretty quickly. As such I'd focus on handling (wheels, tyres, coilovers, arms, bushes and alignment). And you'd better start looking now if you want a set of B16s.

Hi Max
B16s seem
Readily available from design911
But the sharkwerks review says tech art lowering springs are the way to go….which I found a bit surprising….anyone any experience of those ? Remembering mine is a base c2

On other points got the steering wheel upgrade in hand

Local OPC no use on the sport button upgrade… but have sent them the part number off the Porsche website

Thanks for all other replies

 

[911UK]

Hi Max
B16s seem
Readily available from design911
But the sharkwerks review says tech art lowering springs are the way to go….which I found a bit surprising….anyone any experience of those ? Remembering mine is a base c2

On other points got the steering wheel upgrade in hand

Local OPC no use on the sport button upgrade… but have sent them the part number off the Porsche website

Thanks for all other replies

Eibach are probably a better combo for UK roads

 

[MaxA]

As far as I know there are basically three alternatives for springs: Eibach, Techart (which are made by Eibach to Techart specs) and H&R. I fitted H&R as in another community, we had problems with snapping Eibach springs (which were at the top end in terms of price). I know they're popular but hey ho, that was my experience. My OE front springs snapped at c 6 years old by the way. I do not know the OEM.

The Sharkwerks article is good but it isn't gospel, but it is pretty much what you asked for. It could well use some updating by now.

As to B16s, there was a long lead times but if they're available from D911, that's great!

 

[Mezgerite]

Speak to Hartech about a 4.2 conversion.

 

[9XXs]

Interior - I ditched the Porsche Sport Design wheel with Paddles. The delay in selecting the gear with the paddle and the actual selection was horrendous. I now use the stick shift only for manual shifts as it is much faster in Sport Plus mode. Ive converted the PDK Shift to a 917 Wood Gear knob with leather gaiter. I opted for a Momo MOD 7 leather wheel that was recently retrimmed by Royal Steering Wheels with higher quality leather.

Really interested that you found the paddles a poor experience.

Like you I have a 997.2 C2S PDK. And in recent week/s months I have been condiering selling the car as I don't find it as engaging as my manual 996 C4 and 987.2. As my best years are behind me I can see the benefits of the PDK and it's a lovely car, the 997.2 might we be looked back at being peak 911.
So rtahr than sell it, recently I contacted my local OPC for a quote to have the Sport Design wheel with Paddles, and upgrade to Sport and Sport Plus. You comments have made me think again, so thanks. Also I really like your idea of convert the PDK Shift Gear knob along with leather gaiter. Can I ask where you had this done, and would you be happy to share a few photos? If as you suggest I start with the upgrade to Sport and Sport Plus, maybe I don't need to bother with the paddles!

If I get brave enough and find the money, I may also have the seat inserts of the hardback sports seats replaced. At present I have a GT Silver body over full Carrera Red leather interior. Who know maybe even a ducktail might follow...... But that is not anytime soon.

 

[MR997]

So my .2 C2S has sport/sport plus and paddles. I was in two minds when I began searching but decided PDK suited my use of the car better - weekend car with touring in mind for summer so opted for PDK. I have no regrets and I enjoy the PDK. I do however find the tiny delay on the paddles annoying, although the solid feel of the paddles themselves is excellent. So on a twisty b road and time to enjoy the car in manual mode I often find myself using the stick to change gear and not the paddles. The sport/sport plus does make a noticeable difference and I fitted a DSC controller - a great upgrade that's easily reversed if you wish, not sure id spec paddles if I was specing the car from new.

 

[9XXs]

The potentail delay with the paddles, even if tiny, does put me off a little. The addition of the Porsche Sport Design wheel with Paddles will be near £1,500 even if I fit it myself, not that I will be doing any of this myself. That does seem like money well spent if I end up disappointed. So I will probably just go for the Sport/Sport+ upgrade, if my reading/reseach continues to indicate the paddles with introduce a delay.

 

[MR997]

Where in the country are you? Maybe you should try a car with paddles first. The delay is tiny, but it is there and for me seems more noticeable on upshifts. All that said, I wouldn't want a car without paddles as i much prefer the Sport design wheel.

 

[flatstick]

I have a 4s PDK with sport plus, sport exhaust, design wheel and paddles. had the car flat out in Germany driven hard on the on the back roads of Europe and the UK and very rarely use the sport and think have used the paddles less than 10x!!! The best upgrade has to be the Xpipe put on for the noise as even the PSE is quiet.

Iam just looking at getting a DSC just so i can use the PASM to the full.

Dean

 

[veetwin]

Really interested that you found the paddles a poor experience.

Like you I have a 997.2 C2S PDK. And in recent week/s months I have been condiering selling the car as I don't find it as engaging as my manual 996 C4 and 987.2. As my best years are behind me I can see the benefits of the PDK and it's a lovely car, the 997.2 might we be looked back at being peak 911.
So rtahr than sell it, recently I contacted my local OPC for a quote to have the Sport Design wheel with Paddles, and upgrade to Sport and Sport Plus. You comments have made me think again, so thanks. Also I really like your idea of convert the PDK Shift Gear knob along with leather gaiter. Can I ask where you had this done, and would you be happy to share a few photos? If as you suggest I start with the upgrade to Sport and Sport Plus, maybe I don't need to bother with the paddles!

If I get brave enough and find the money, I may also have the seat inserts of the hardback sports seats replaced. At present I have a GT Silver body over full Carrera Red leather interior. Who know maybe even a ducktail might follow...... But that is not anytime soon.

The Paddles on the Sport Design Wheel presented a noticeable delay during upshifts, comparing to a VW Golf R DSG (7.5) that I had recently got rid of. WOT full throttle driving in Sport Plus mode was the only time that delay became negligible. Also the distance (throw) you had to pull them was annoying.

The Manual Stick PDK setup has me placated from seeking out a 6MT gearbox, at least for now. The Stick really does shift faster than the Steering Wheel paddles/buttons. Sadly the stick shifts the wrong direction (in my opinion), push forward for an upshift. Am currently seeking a PDK TCU Specialist who can swap this through the TCU software itself.

The 917 Wood-look PDK Shifter is supplied from a chap called Manuel Campuzano (from Rennlist forums, he is based in Mexico), direct message me and I will share his email address. His work is fantastic. You can customise wood-type/colour and build/shipping takes around 6 weeks.

Leather gaiter and Manual gearshift surround can be bought from Porsche or Design911, let me find part numbers. It was easy to fit, there are a number of How-tos online, will also try and get the links for you.

Attached pictures of the current setup