Tractive Suspension

[Aikidoka]

I took my 991.1 GT3 with DSC module and Tractive suspension to the Alps with some friends. I only drive in sport, even around town and i do not track the car. Ken at Nine Excellence tuned the suspension for fast road driving (apparently there is a corner he likes to test at 140...).

The results were impressive and the car is more neutrally set up and there was a lot less under steer and it was flatter and faster in the corners. I know others track and their set up may be different. Pound for pound the DSC module is easily the best bang for the buck, but for drivability the TracTive is just in a different league and a worthy upgrade.

 

[Diggermeister]

Got more use to the road feel. It is very different and not what I'd expected. Geometry is obviously tamer than it was, so the fronts don't bite and chatter like they used to, but the car, sitting flatter, just seems to turn in effortlessly.

It's removed a good deal of road 'buzz' too, so the car is nicer to and from the track, although in a way I do miss a bit of the old school thuggery. Call me a Luddite.

Anyway, on track, it's utterly staggering. Far, far more to lean on than I have ever had before.

First and last sessions from PCGB Donington:



Looking forward to returning to Silverstone though. This is the place where I can fully understand the high-speed cornering.

 

[IMI A]

Did you sort the knock?

 

[NineExcellence]

So there have been some reports of knocks on some Porsche cars. We seen various posts on multiple forums etc. As always it js difficult to assess because lots of cars have different set ups etc. I know Mike at S&C contacted me a little while ago with a knock that he could not find.

This has been finally resolved and was caused by a leaking connection on the top of the dampers so that over a period of time ( could be very quick or slow ) the gas was leaking.

This only affects certain models of Porsche and Tractive are supplying replacement front dampers with a revised top seal which offers a permanent solution. It would affect 987 both front and rear as the same dampers. There is no cost to the owner.

The check is easy - open front bonnet, remove the plastic strut covers and circle cover of the damper and check to see that the damper top seal is as in the picture attached- if it is not and there is a gap then get in contact with your installer.

As it happens Imi a car is having it fronts replaced with the revised part this week as a knock was reported after the car was painted.

Ken

 

[Diggermeister]

The knock on mine, that Mike at S&C was concerned about seemed to emanate more from the rear than the front.

I had a look at the front turrets last night and there's no visible protuberance of the o-ring seal.

New parts are on the way, so we'll get to it shortly.

 

[IMI A]

US users have been reporting these knocks and also leaks for last 5 years.

Thats why I waited a few years before ordering Tractive as i have worked with lots of early stage companies with new tech over the last 30 years.

No fault of 9e but its held back delivery of my 997 which I'm not hp about. Disappointing it is still occurring TBH.

In Tractive's shoes I'd be sending me a whole new set of 4 dampers not just the front two like they have reading this with trepidation.

Starting to wish I'd ordered B16 Comforts Like Apollo being perfectly honest. His 997 turbo with exactly the same set up as mine lovely on our UK roads. Lets hope I'm wrong. Really don't want Minty in and out of

 

[IMI A]

Just a quick update to say very pleased I persevered with TracTive Touring Line. 5000 miles completed.

I've tried Bilstein B16 Damptronics both Comfort and ClubSport. Seriously no comparison.

With the Bilstein both OEM and aftermarket if you hit a corner with a bump the suspension at the front of a 911 bounces and then when it settles you get on the power. Same situation throw in a series of bumps and the Bilstein literally fall apart and just crash over the bumps again resulting in not being able to get on the power.

Non of the above unwanted characteristics with TracTive. Amazing product and so relevant on our poor UK roads and even better on track basically you're much faster. Air-cooled, 944, 968, Water-cooled GT3, Turbo, C2S, C4S , GTS 997, 991, and 992. Do it :thumbs:

 

[IMI A]

 

[Yellow]

Which versions of the dampers is everyone running? Touring vs Road & Track

I've booked with Center Gravity for the end of June for some changes on mine and trying to decide which option to pursue. Have the DSC controller on the car at present, top mounts in the car are planned for replacement anyway.

The touring front dampers look like a twin-tube design vs the road/track as a monotube/inverted. Is there a noticeable difference in performance on the cars?
Are monoball top mounts tolerable on the road (i.e. not too noisy/rattly)?

 

[IMI A]

It really depends what you're looking for and budget as the Race kit starts to get pricey. TracTive Touring Line is the most cost effective way in @ circa 3500 GBP and for road use with a couple of track days a year not much more than this required.

You should maybe reach out to Steve Bennett who runs TracTive UK via email re differences / costs but first thing is you really need to be clear on are your own goals you're trying to achieve for your 911. For 9/10 Porsche drivers the stock factory set up the best option. [email protected]

Interesting that even old bus Land Rover enthusiasts are now speccing TracTive on their older Defenders! :thumbs:

For me with 997.1 GT3 RS spring rates on TracTive Touring as standard from TracTive on a 997 turbo I can have my cake and eat it too. Minty still surprisingly comfortable and now handles more like a 1450kgs 997 GT2 with 700bhp TracTive masks the turbo's not inconsiderable heft so very well. I do have RSS rear toe steer kit, GT2 engine mounts and GT2 anti roll bars too to compliment the coil overs. My main goal was not to ruin the comfortable ride of a factory 997 turbo.
:thumb:

 

[911Time]

Which versions of the dampers is everyone running? Touring vs Road & Track

I've booked with Center Gravity for the end of June for some changes on mine and trying to decide which option to pursue. Have the DSC controller on the car at present, top mounts in the car are planned for replacement anyway.

The touring front dampers look like a twin-tube design vs the road/track as a monotube/inverted. Is there a noticeable difference in performance on the cars?
Are monoball top mounts tolerable on the road (i.e. not too noisy/rattly)?

I've just had TracTive coilovers installed on my 991.1 C4S and am very happy with the outcome. Took my time and put a lot of thought into it - have been following TracTive's progress for almost 4 years and spent 6 months talking with Steve Bennett, Center Gravity and several others, before deciding on TracTive Touring plug and play.

You definitely need to determine your own usage case but unless you're regularly doing track days and focussing on eeking the N'th degree out of each lap, I'd say go with the Touring Line.

Touring fronts are inverted and very robust - I have no worries about durability - they also use OEM dust boots (though you may need CG to order some, as they didn't come supplied)..

Given the roads I enjoy most are challenging B roads with lots of undulations, mid-corner bumps and variable surfaces, my brief erred towards a tarmac rally type spec and whilst the TracTive setup can't provide that sort of travel, the difference in composure, wheel & body control, between the OEM Bilsteins and TracTive Touring is HUGE! Night and Day different!

At my request, Pete (at CG) replaced the front top mounts with OEM (although there was minimal wear at 30k) and a fresh set of OEM lower control arms, but both were more about refreshing things whilst in there...

Fresh rubber bushings have helped maintain low NVH and whilst I have no doubt that TracTive monoball would improve response on track, the trade-off wouldn't suit me, or my use.

When I have the time, I'll write a full review but in the meantime, all I can say is if you're undecided about which kit, then speak with Steve or Center Gravity (both have been fantastically helpful on my journey) and that although it's early days with my new suspension, so far I'm VERY impressed!

 

[IMI A]

:thumbs:

 

[IMI A]

 

[Yellow]

Thanks all. I have time booked to chat with Steve tomorrow morning, so should get a bit more information for the choice afterwards.

 

[tob_today]

I'm very curious about Tractive Touring for 996.2 GT3.

The dual needs for my car are not complementary with stock set-up: mostly fast bumpy (poorly surfaced) b-roads vs occasional track day, and motorways to get there. Added to horrible city speed bumps & potholes where I live which require very fine tuned ride height & compliance just to get around without virtually stopping every few seconds to navigate the next hurdle (with queue of frustrated drivers behind). My wife also refuses to get in this car, which doesn't help.

On paper Tractives seem a good solution to give different mode for each use-case, however are a major investment and given the very few installs on these cars, it's an expensive leap of faith.

Plus if I ever sell the car, I'm stuck knowing what to do as most people want stock. Given the amount of labour hours to fit due to all the wiring, I imagine it will cost lot to remove & refit original, then question what to do with used Tractive system. I've just gone through similar exercise with bespoke suspension setup on my previous 996. So I'm being more thoughtful this time.

Or maybe I should just invest money into 997.1 GT3 with PASM and start from there, which would also be major outlay as I've only recently purchased my 996 last year but maybe better overall long term. 🤔

Any thoughts / suggestions?