RWD Impressions
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nothing really extra for me. maybe a cpl hours but they had my box opened for fresh bearings. some folks will have to hunt down the proper lash specs, the majority of trans people wont even know and many wont even want the install job. choose your installer well. its trans out work w/ a press needed, iirc.
getting the part is easy, finding someone local to you not to fu*k it up is another thing to consider.
getting the part is easy, finding someone local to you not to fu*k it up is another thing to consider.
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So, if you went a full GT2 conversion, you would need a new front suspension as well? Im not a huge fan of the steering feel with AWD but I just installed my coilovers and love them. Dont really want to mess with a new setup.
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that doesn't preclude the ability for you to get an lsd and remove the cardan shaft and you'll still be fully RWD!
you just won't be FULLY RWD converted in the nomenclature and thinking that in order it be done properly, all of the suspension geometry changes need to occur to turn the car from an AWD with a lumbering front differential, to one without.
again, doesn't mean you can't be RWD! my only earlier point was that RWD while running OPEN DIFF is a wheel spinning exercise in futility. it actually puts LESS power to the ground, albeit ( one wheel ) power.
purists will say you have to FULLY convert, while many of us are quite happy with the "half way" measure as described above. rwd WITHOUT an lsd though, is a 25% measure lol. not good enough. though i'm sure, some'll argue it's just fine
it really isn't.
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plus you can throttle steer 2wd and cannot awd i wont bother to expound on the benefits of that.
996 gt2's and gt3's are 2wd. nuff said
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they must be all over the site, although sometimes an actual google search of the topic returns thread results better than the 6psd ones. odd but true.
as for me, i originally simply removed the cardan shaft which is the "poor man's" 996 turbo rendition of going "rwd" but to date have found nothing wrong with it, the caveat being that once i discovered the joys and efficiencies relative to power to the ground in my daily driving condition, it became immediately apparent that the LSD of ONE TYPE ( gear/clutch plate ) or another was absolutely essential for maximizing this new found power to the wheels efficiency. so i installed the wavetrac after much research and the realization i did not "need" a $4000.00 guard to go with my "stock" g'box ( albeit minty fresh so again, upon instantly realizing the frustrations and INefficiencies of running rwd open diff by simply removing the cardan, i opted to leave the front diff hanging and have not yet swapped out for the gt2/3 uprights/stubbed axles etc etc. this setup still suits my needs handily and is instantly reversible back to awd and would STILL retain the wavertrac rwd! ). win/win.
so.. while i DO have many of the ( gt2/3 ) parts in my possession to fully "complete" the rwd conversion "properly" as the geometry isn't 100% for the 996 turbo front end to be running rwd with the 96turbos cantilevered uprights ( different to accommodate the space the front diff requires? ) i am a bit on the fence about changing ALL the front bits out as a REVERSION back to stock is an hour job as i sit today, and i actually favor the weight of the front end with the diff there given i have removed the spare/tools etc ) and i don't need any further "lightness" up front ( in the way i drive ) as i have much power to the fully 2WD ( as opposed to 1 wheel drive lol ) of the car running with simply the cardan removed, and no rear lsd and the front weight in corners adds stability, particularly since i lost a 1/2 inch going back to 8.5 from my previous 9" front wheel.
anyway.. rwd must include an lsd but not "necessarily" a full stubbed axle/uprights/coilover conversion, but for tracking, yeah. for canyon carving and fwy onramps? nah.
this post was brought to you by a minor overdose of caffeine. hope it helps somewhat. just my .02
as for me, i originally simply removed the cardan shaft which is the "poor man's" 996 turbo rendition of going "rwd" but to date have found nothing wrong with it, the caveat being that once i discovered the joys and efficiencies relative to power to the ground in my daily driving condition, it became immediately apparent that the LSD of ONE TYPE ( gear/clutch plate ) or another was absolutely essential for maximizing this new found power to the wheels efficiency. so i installed the wavetrac after much research and the realization i did not "need" a $4000.00 guard to go with my "stock" g'box ( albeit minty fresh
so again, upon instantly realizing the frustrations and INefficiencies of running rwd open diff by simply removing the cardan, i opted to leave the front diff hanging and have not yet swapped out for the gt2/3 uprights/stubbed axles etc etc. this setup still suits my needs handily and is instantly reversible back to awd and would STILL retain the wavertrac rwd! ). win/win.so.. while i DO have many of the ( gt2/3 ) parts in my possession to fully "complete" the rwd conversion "properly" as the geometry isn't 100% for the 996 turbo front end to be running rwd with the 96turbos cantilevered uprights ( different to accommodate the space the front diff requires? ) i am a bit on the fence about changing ALL the front bits out as a REVERSION back to stock is an hour job as i sit today, and i actually favor the weight of the front end with the diff there given i have removed the spare/tools etc ) and i don't need any further "lightness" up front ( in the way i drive ) as i have much power to the fully 2WD ( as opposed to 1 wheel drive lol ) of the car running with simply the cardan removed, and no rear lsd and the front weight in corners adds stability, particularly since i lost a 1/2 inch going back to 8.5 from my previous 9" front wheel.
anyway.. rwd must include an lsd but not "necessarily" a full stubbed axle/uprights/coilover conversion, but for tracking, yeah. for canyon carving and fwy onramps? nah.
this post was brought to you by a minor overdose of caffeine. hope it helps somewhat. just my .02
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I loved the RWD conversion on my 996TT, it was much more fun to drive. While I used the car as a DD and for highway pulls, I never had traction issues (1.1bar tune, exhaust, etc). Normal driving in the wet was no different than AWD. Snow performance would definitely be lacking compared to AWD.
I make front axle deletes for the 996 which allow stock half shafts to say in tact, don't require a press like the GT2/3 stubs and weigh 3lbs less than torn down half shaft ends.
I make front axle deletes for the 996 which allow stock half shafts to say in tact, don't require a press like the GT2/3 stubs and weigh 3lbs less than torn down half shaft ends.
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Wow thank you for writing this. I was trying to put into words the type of driving I do, and after reading this, this would totally suit my needs. If you're ever in the SD area, shoot me a PM - I'd love to take a ride in it. I'm worried that RWD would be a traction issue (even with an LSD), just want to see how yours handles it.
i have no traction issues at all, but this all must be taken into account as a dry weather preference. rwd is not for snowy weather!
it optimizes the capabilities of the car, and whoever said "training wheels" really got it right. once you know what you and the car is doing most all the time, then this rwd setup will be appreciated! this in spite of the fact that i am still only able to temporarily disable psm with the dash button. haven't removed the pump unit like pdwr has lol..
and yeah, whiteout below sells the stubbed axles for anyone really taking the plunge. i already have some
rwd+psm off =
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Looking forward to being able to offer my impressions here since I'll be ditching the front diff when I swap some new parts on in the next couple weeks.
Anyone else here done this recently, like 2016?
Anyone else here done this recently, like 2016?
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I have been RWD for 4.5 years now and wouldn't go back. I started with just removing the cardon shaft. Then later the front axles. If you know the do's and don'ts of driving a 911 you will be fine. Even without LSD. Not optimal but fine. I am now in the process of installing GT3 spindles with a cup LSD to finish the conversion. I would definitely budget for an LSD sometime down the road if you will be RWD.
As for the LSD, you should decide before buying if you need optimum track performance or street before buying. Wavetrac or any helical type diffs are great for street and some track. The helical diffs is great because it never needs to be rebuilt. But if you do any more than the occasional track day get a proper clutch LSD that will add more braking stability where the helical does not.
As for the LSD, you should decide before buying if you need optimum track performance or street before buying. Wavetrac or any helical type diffs are great for street and some track. The helical diffs is great because it never needs to be rebuilt. But if you do any more than the occasional track day get a proper clutch LSD that will add more braking stability where the helical does not.
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I have been RWD for 4.5 years now and wouldn't go back. I started with just removing the cardon shaft. Then later the front axles. If you know the do's and don'ts of driving a 911 you will be fine. Even without LSD. Not optimal but fine. I am now in the process of installing GT3 spindles with a cup LSD to finish the conversion. I would definitely budget for an LSD sometime down the road if you will be RWD.
As for the LSD, you should decide before buying if you need optimum track performance or street before buying. Wavetrac or any helical type diffs are great for street and some track. The helical diffs is great because it never needs to be rebuilt. But if you do any more than the occasional track day get a proper clutch LSD that will add more braking stability where the helical does not.
As for the LSD, you should decide before buying if you need optimum track performance or street before buying. Wavetrac or any helical type diffs are great for street and some track. The helical diffs is great because it never needs to be rebuilt. But if you do any more than the occasional track day get a proper clutch LSD that will add more braking stability where the helical does not.
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Trail braking is night and day after the upgrade. Also noticed power on off-camber was hugely improved.
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Let me know what you think when you get it done, Mark.. I've been toying with the idea myself, especially after I get the LSD from John and decide on suspension bits will be very tempting. (This is Chris from RL btw).
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Originally Posted by 911mhawk
The main reason, along with my transmission builder recommendation, that I went with a Cup LSD.
Trail braking is night and day after the upgrade. Also noticed power on off-camber was hugely improved.
Trail braking is night and day after the upgrade. Also noticed power on off-camber was hugely improved.
Are you running it in full 8 plate configuration? Would be interested in your feedback considering the insane static preload. I am in the process of installing a cup LSD with 6 plate configuration.