I have noticed that some 996TT cars are doing what is called a rear wheel drive conversion. They remove the front differential and axles which gets rid of 130lbs. and gives a "seat of the pants" horsepower gain because there is less mass for the engine to push the drivetrain. It also apparently improves understeer.

Just wondering if anyone has tried this on their C4S, may be entertaining to try.

 

RocC4S:

Wow, that seems to be a long way around the block. I would have thought that Porsche would have started out with a switch in the dash to engauge the AWD on the fly but I gues not.

99C2

 

99C2-

Yeah, I would have to assume the AWD is always engaged to a certain point robbing power.

Don't you think it sounds interesting though? Less weight, better handling, and more usable power...

 

there was an article on the PCA Panorama magazine awhile back. It is major work to do this.....def not DIY.

I like the wide body coupes anyway....i see the point though.

jorge

 

[quote=zdr2k;1693813]there was an article on the PCA Panorama magazine awhile back. It is major work to do this.....def not DIY.


Was it done on a C4S or TT, do you remember?

 

Not sure how costly that conversion would be. Also you may destroy the blue book value of your C4S with the conversion. From a financial standpoint, you may be better off trading in your C4S for a newer, C2S or a GT3.

 

I was actually thinking the same thing, as all the guys who have done it to their TTs seem to rave about it! I wonder if their is a "half-***" job you could do, just to see weather of not you'll like the 2wd?

 

No need...The C4 normally is 95% rear and 5% front drive under normal conditions. The only time it kicks in is when it senses the rear wheel slipping, then it goes up to 60 rear 40 front....depending on how much slippage there is.

 

Less weight, yes. More useable power, questionable, useable is the key work, getting the power to the ground is the factor and 4WD often offers big advantages, four times the rubber on pavement. Better handling, not really only different feel. If you look at track statistics the 4WD laps consistently faster, even in the hands of less experienced drivers. However, many prefer the feel of the 2WD, and the "challenge" of 2WD over 4WD, more traditional feel. I see many posters who question 4WD and PSM as taking away the skill factor and unnecessary technology, yet they never want to give up their ABS.

Once it gets wet and/or slippery, especially a little ice or snow and the 4WD will far out perform the 2WD. Also, removing the system will involve the PSM in a 4wd car which is programmed for 4WD and may effect the ABS. Having had 5 2WD porsches, and now a C4 Cab I would never go back except in the case of an older car, I still want to get another 928 as a toy.

 

I kinda agree...I drove alot of C2's before I bough the C4...I liked, no LOVED the AWD handling. As for the less weight and more tossability, yes, a C2 is that, but the C4's handling made up for it in my opinion....I loved rainy days in teh C4...nothing like driving a car that felt like it was glued to the road in horrible conditions....

 

It is reversable.

 

I don't plan on driving the car in the rain, snow, or ice anyway....its a weekend driver.

Unfortunately, no one has answered my question... Can you do it? Have you done it? If so is it worth a try? I don't plan on trying until I know it's feasable.

 

There is no way after I did the conversion on my TT would I ever go back...ever. You can do it on the C4S as well, no worries it is reversible when and if you sell the car. I understand why you want to do it, you don't want a Narrow body car,or you would have bought one. I don't blame you the WB is way more aggressive looking.Don't worry about the how good the car works in the not so friendly weather, if you adjust your driving styles for the conditions you wont have any issues.Now stop reading and get out in the garage and start wrenching!

 

OK, so that's cool it's reversible. How much would it cost to do, how many labor hours, or is it easy enough to DIY?

 

did you do a LSD when you did the conversion as well? Do you "need" it, or will it drive perfectly w/o it? Does you PSM still work just like stock, or did you have to disable it? ummmm...think that is about it. Thanks.