I'm really backed up on work for my client, since the area has been shut down with heavy snow, so yesterday morning I decided I'd take my 996TT the 38 miles to their site and do some work. So I get in the car, take off and wow... It's like I'm driving a new car. I hadn't driven the car in almost 5 months, so it was sooo new to me... The power of my car is way different from anything I drive on a daily basis, so getting used to the "off idle" torque was a bit tricky, and the high clutch pedal has caused me to stall the car more than once. First gear is now good to 52mph at redline (7200) and the gearing changes we made from shorter to taller are really nice. I am impressed with how far I can now run 1/2/3 gears in the car. The LSD is very functional with PSM off. You can feel it working on decreasing radius corners at "above" legal speeds...

The one thing I hate, and this is being fixed ASAP, is the long throw of the shifter. I have the 997SSK coming from Suncoast and will instal it within the next week. I can't imagine that doing that instal won't resolve the issue... What I'm "feeling" is that with the added resistance of the GT2 clutch pedal, my timing for shifting is impeded from what I used to expect. Nothing wrong with the stock 997 shifter, but with the GT2 hydraulic pedal conversion, it seems more exagerated. Installing the 997SSK will resolve that, I'm sure...

One thing that really caught me off guard while driving the car yesterday was getting on it from a stop at an intersection. This car pulls so hard and accelerates so quickly, not driving it for so long really put me off at how blindingly fast the acceleration is... I always tell the story of out-running a guy on a Hyabussa, often gloss over the fact at how fast that really is... So yea, yesterday morning, trundelling up the highway I was thinking "What the hell do I own?"

Feels good to have the car back at home, and it feels even better driving it... Got to put 500 miles on the clutch to break it in, but I already like the feel of the clutch engaging and disengaging the driveline. With the GT2 hydraulic upgrade you can modulate it and feel when the car is starting to move, and more importantly, you can feel it every time in the same exact spot.

Pedal effort being stiffer, I find myself leaving the car in neutral at stoplights until it's time to pull out... but it isn't as stiff as something like a cable driven Ford Mustang GT/Cobra clutch setup from the 90s. It actually feels similar to the clutch kit I had in my 99 Corvette with the Spec Stage3 clutch kit. Not soft, but not a leg breaker either...

The list of things I need to instal has grown:


Speetech Xcellerator Exhaust
Mode upper mounts with spring hats
Vivid Rear Dog bones (Removed when I wasn't tracking the car)
Vivid rear toe links (To replace the worn out RS pieces)
RSS Adjustable thrust bushings
GT3 Inner Arm Upgrade kit (monoballs installed)
997SSK
New front bumper skin
New inner fender liners
New front brake rotors

 

I hear you my friend! We have had a crappy winter here in Illinois too, and I have a garage full of Porsches and end up taking my Jeep everyday..While it is great in the snow etc.....It sucks to pull out in a jeep and leave all that muscle and beauty in the garage...I too recently just said screw it and took out my 997 Turbo....And it sure makes you smile when you step on it! Forget how fast they accelerate

Can't wait til summer or at least spring....Now I have to go wash all that nasty dust off of my car....It is Black too, so that doesn't help.

DC

 

Mike -

Glad to hear that you are enjoying the car. Mine went in for upgrades (turbos + Clutch) this week to be done while I am away for a month. Can't wait to drive it when I get back, and I hope I have the same feeling. I'm doing the GT2 clutch actuator, but the way Kevin likes it, rather than the EVOMS style. I wonder if it will feel different?

Jon

 

Jon, did you get the LWFW also?

 

Wow, out running a Hayabusa!?!?! That's impressive if so! From what speeds? What has been done to the engine and what kind of power are you making?

 

Let me know when you are doing the suspension swap out and I will come down to watch.

Glad it was worth the wait!

 

It was from a stop and neither of us will be a threat at the local drags. That said, he followed me to my destination and made it known that he gave it his all!!

Mike

 

Bikes are quick. Cars are fast. Bikes are pretty dirty with their aero despite what appears to be a small frontal. Cars will reel them in as HP overcomes wind resistance and the slippery car pound through the air.
I've had Hayabusa's turbo gsx-r's, now a B-king. The king is much quicker to a quarter mile, but once the P-turbo gets up to speed, it'll fly on by....

Nice write up Mike. I can't wait till Spring. I just plowed snow again yesterday....

 

Sorry I was so brief... Was typiing on my iPhone while at the hospital with me mum... Just found out last night she's got cancer again, and been a heck of a "valentines weekend"...

 

prayers for your mom Mike...glad you have the car back

 

Sorry to hear Mike. You and I sound like we have a lot of common ground. Love the ZRX too. Close friends of mine have them and one long time friend has that and and a real eddie he bought back in 82.

Again, so sorry to hear about your mom. I lost both parents 8-9 years ago within months of each other. Mom had throat cancer from smoking, dad prostate...
I feel guilty for not visiting their gravesite often enough. You're right. Don''t wait to give them a hug as you never know....
Take care friend and enjoy your time together with your family. Even the tough times are times together.

 

Sorry to hear the bad news about your mom.

 

My sentiments exactly, sorry to hear Mike :/

BTW pulling Busa's?? DAMN, glad to hear your car is running beastly, driver sure helps too

 

God bless your Mom Mike.

 

Thanks for the comments gang.