Please pardon my ignorance as I have not read through all 25 pages of this thread , but other than reducing weight, how does the rear wheel conversion benefit our cars.

From a dig, isnt the new 911 turbo quicker than a 997 GT2 because of the AWD. I just read in a magazine (can't recall which one) that the 997 Tiptronic is quicker 0-30 than a 997 GT2 because of the AWD.

So my question is other than reducing weight why would you want to give up the AWD advantage. I don't see EVOs eliminating their AWD. Is there something about the 996 AWD system that places it at a disadvantage.

For those of you who race, what is your view? If you line up with someone doesn't the AWD give you an advantage (I have only had my car for a few weeks and thus haven't raced it yet). I know that the GT2s are typically all over the place out the hole. So unless someone is always willing to give you the break, what advantage do you get from removing the AWD.

What about from a roll on an uneven surface? My last car put down so much tq that it was all over the place if I raced someone from under 50 mph. AWD cars have much better traction on an even road surface, which is unfortunately what we have here in the northeast.

If I am missing something please inform me, but I would think there are many other ways to eliminate weight if that is the advantage here.

 

Maybe you should try reading the thread.

 

Thanks for the insight. I have scanned the 25 pages and I didn't find a lot of statistical evidence to tell me that the car is faster. 1/4 mile times, trap speeds before and after would be very valuable.. Not sure if you do a lot of racing in Manhattan Beach, but I can tell you that is close to my only purpose for buying this car. If the AWD conversion to RWD is so great I might just sell my newly purchased 996TT and buy a GT2.

 

it isn't any faster more likely slower, it just feels faster esp driving down highland in MB.

 

Thank you Sean, I think what you say makes sense. I just keep hearing people saying the car being converted to RWD has more advantage. I am really happy with the pull in all gears with AWD. I just wondered if RWD gives more advantage or not.

art

 

If everything is removed for the RWD conversion it is definately quicker and more fun to drive than when AWD

Christian

 

You arent going to find any concrete data because there isnt any, most of what you will see is butt dynos (which arent all bad). Cost per performance gained is not only unknown, it's likely only a feel thing, similar to a flywheel. If you drag race and need to heat up tires then it's good, and it's also a good way to reduce understeer quickly (although a good set of sways and some negative camber will do just as well on the AWD) Other than that it's not going to be a big deal.

If you are going to go through with all that, I say get the GT2. Less weight, more power, already RWD with LSD, cup suspension. Then all you have to worry about is maybe an ECU and coilovers and you'll have a better car.

 

I can only comment in straight line acceleration as this is something I witnessed first hand.......I observed a .3 tenth reduction in 60-130 mph times (I have not made a full pass on the dragstrip with my car in RWD yet)by removing the front diff and going RWD using a D-box to gauge.There is no denying the 73lbs weight reduction and reduction in rotating mass which NO DOUBT will make the car faster.I do agree with Heavy in that if RWD is what you want for the roadcourse a GT2 would probably be a better choice especially since the prices on the GT2 have dropped recently.

**Please note:I do not have the graphs from before and after the conversion......the graphs (before the conversion)were inadvertantly erased .......Sorry ,you will have to take my word on it.

 

How about the fact, that the 996 GT2 was 30+ seconds faster from 0-186mph and back to 0mph, then the 996TT X50 did 186mph in..

These car's have phenominal traction/grip being RWD, AWD simply is not needed IMO for all out performance, in these NE conditions yes the ride sucks cause my car is so stiff, but i'm not going WOT on messed up roads for it to **** me off!

Who care's if the 997TT is a 10th of a second faster to 60mph, once they go above 100, hell even 60, bye bye

 

My friend is on his 18th porsche... currently one just put down over 900 rwhp and the slowest 600 rwhp. All his cars are RWD conversions. He drag races a lot as well as does a decent amount of street racing. He also has a huge amount of knowledge as far as tuning P cars.
Mine is RWD as well.
markski

 

that's a sweet result!

 

Thanks. Makes sense that the reduction in rotating mass will make your car faster. My next upgrade is the lightest set of wheels that I can find. My only concern is whether or not the loss of the AWD will cause a loss in traction which could also cost you .3 seconds. Maybe you could try a 20-100 mph. Unless you have R compound or drag radials, I would think that the car would have problems hooking, especially in these temperatures.

 

I see that you are in NY. Maybe once my car is finished we can have a little friendly matchup from a dig to test AWD vs. RWD.

 

Joe,

sorry if I missed it in the post but do you have or think it is a must do for a LSD?
I am considering RWD but would only do it if I go with the LSD as I think on a road coarse without it it may handle worse?

 

Tom, you going to RWD? I've thought about it too, but only because when you tell people you have AWD they act as if you have an advantage. If I do it, I'm only going to remove the shaft to show I can go pretty much as fast, even without LSD.

The difference on the road course will barely be measured in 10ths. Between RWD w/ lsd, RWD w/out LSD and AWD, of course the setups will change drastically, but the end result will still be very close.

What I need to get rid of is PSM.