Following the creation of an E39 M5 Competition I decided to build the arguably missing 996 model the 996 GTS. Inspired by the 997 and later GTS models.
For those interested here are the thoughts and build.
Why? - have kids, like to tweak, find the GTS the perfect mix between C2 and GT3 for a person who likes fast road, touring and a gentlemans occasional track day
Start? - a midnight blue C4S for the lovely wide body, bum and the fact it already had turbo brakes, larger radiators, stiffer chassis and wider track
GTS Inspired Specification:
GTS Chassis - 2WD Conversion, weight pack minus c.80kg (half this in the conversion approx) approx revised weight c.1,400kg vs c.1,470kg std and C2 at c.1,320kg all circa as dependant on options a bit, uprated engine mounts, GT3 shifter
GTS Engine Protection - deep baffled sump + LTT
GTS Interior - some grey alcantara over grey leather with a few yellow accents
GTS Suspension - Ohlins based, custom spring rates, custom geo, custom corner weight, 30mm wider track, Cup 2 tyres
Review:
Limited miles in the car at the moment mainly due to terrible weather but impressions are as follows. Comfort levels on par if not better than stock. Turn in substantially better. Understeer almost completely eradicated. Weight transfer more controlled. Picks up better with noticeable performance improvement, not massive but noticeable. Steering feel was the surprising winner here, much more communication coming back, a touch lighter also. Not one aspect has a huge change but certainly better than sum of parts. I guess that is the GTS though so perhaps mission accomplished. When the weather gets better I will get some photo's done and a few more miles to really reveal things.
Editing to answer post questions from folks:
- weight: was weighed yes, was 1590kg on scales with 110kg ballast for me plus 2/3 tank fuel plus a half cage of c20kg. So take that all off I get c.1400kg without fuel. If Porsche figures are no fuel also then comparable.
- lsd: I wanted to try car without first as 295 rears are pretty big for the power, I would add a quaife torque sensing as a tweak if needed rather than the plated type in GT3 which is similar to the wave track offering
- pics & driving impressions: I know, keen, believe me!
- power: be interested in folks views on this but doesn't seem lots can be had so where to go first? 200cel cats might be straight forward for a touch? A hartech 3.9 was clearly top of my list but expensive
For those interested here are the thoughts and build.
Why? - have kids, like to tweak, find the GTS the perfect mix between C2 and GT3 for a person who likes fast road, touring and a gentlemans occasional track day
Start? - a midnight blue C4S for the lovely wide body, bum and the fact it already had turbo brakes, larger radiators, stiffer chassis and wider track
GTS Inspired Specification:
GTS Chassis - 2WD Conversion, weight pack minus c.80kg (half this in the conversion approx) approx revised weight c.1,400kg vs c.1,470kg std and C2 at c.1,320kg all circa as dependant on options a bit, uprated engine mounts, GT3 shifter
GTS Engine Protection - deep baffled sump + LTT
GTS Interior - some grey alcantara over grey leather with a few yellow accents
GTS Suspension - Ohlins based, custom spring rates, custom geo, custom corner weight, 30mm wider track, Cup 2 tyres
Review:
Limited miles in the car at the moment mainly due to terrible weather but impressions are as follows. Comfort levels on par if not better than stock. Turn in substantially better. Understeer almost completely eradicated. Weight transfer more controlled. Picks up better with noticeable performance improvement, not massive but noticeable. Steering feel was the surprising winner here, much more communication coming back, a touch lighter also. Not one aspect has a huge change but certainly better than sum of parts. I guess that is the GTS though so perhaps mission accomplished. When the weather gets better I will get some photo's done and a few more miles to really reveal things.
Editing to answer post questions from folks:
- weight: was weighed yes, was 1590kg on scales with 110kg ballast for me plus 2/3 tank fuel plus a half cage of c20kg. So take that all off I get c.1400kg without fuel. If Porsche figures are no fuel also then comparable.
- lsd: I wanted to try car without first as 295 rears are pretty big for the power, I would add a quaife torque sensing as a tweak if needed rather than the plated type in GT3 which is similar to the wave track offering
- pics & driving impressions: I know, keen, believe me!
- power: be interested in folks views on this but doesn't seem lots can be had so where to go first? 200cel cats might be straight forward for a touch? A hartech 3.9 was clearly top of my list but expensive
