Great idea indeed. I have been struggling with the idea of orange wheels or calipers that would look great and the inconvenience of more visible brake dust. Since it is a track oriented car, it's not like I will be washing it (or driving it) all the time so I may end up there, but I'll keep my $$ for more functional upgrades in the short term

 

what motor mounts are those? are they semi solid?

 

I've never been on a track before, do you think a 996 is a good car to take to the track as a first timer? I dont have PASM or any of that fancy stuff.

 

A 996 is most certainly a good car to start on the track!!! (even more with adjustable PSS9's that you can make more stiff). You have PSM as standard and there is no need for any kind of 'fancy stuff'. The stock 996 is a sportscar and is not tricky as you already know the basic rules: no need to be on the track to find out that your 911 does not like when you lift the throttle in a turn All (2-doors) Porsche are good track cars. I never see them breaking down unlike many American or Japanese cars that are far from being as sturdy.

Go to 'MotorsportReg.com' and look for a 'Driver School' in your area. There is not much going on from December to February, but after that you should find a bunch of HPDE's organized by your PCA Chapter and other auto clubs (BMWCCA, Audi NA or independent clubs). These events are opened to all makes and (sporty) car models. A week end at the track will probably cost you about a bit more than $1,000 when you add all the costs (registration fees, track insurance, accelerated use of tires and brake pads, gas and track inspection). As far as gear is concerned, you usually only need a Snell 2005 helmet and a pair of gloves. You will have an instructor sitting in the passenger seat who will teach you the best line on the track and it all remains safe as overtaking is subject to point by's. Track days are typically divided in 30 minutes sessions (usually 4 to 5) per driver level (from novice to advanced solo).

Go do it and, as a friend and fellow 6speeder says, you will have the most fun you can get with your pants on

...and very soon, you'll be turning your 996 in a track car and start thinking of attending a racing school!

 

Quick photoshoot to keep track of the car progress. Nothing new this week except the steering wheel (alcantara, thicker and flat bottom, very nice improvement over the stock wheel. Airbag transferred from the stock steering wheel). Making progress on aero parts orders, laser jammer and Lamin-x ready to be installed... to be continued...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/60293300@N06/8238772328/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/60293300@N06/8238772874/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/60293300@N06/8238769936/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/60293300@N06/8237703387/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/60293300@N06/8237702725/

 

Car looks great! Love the color scheme.

 

I love that steering wheel,
what motor mounts are those? are they semi solid?

 

Thanks! I wish the same steering wheel would be available for my 991.
What motor mounts are you referring to? Those shown by alpine003 in post #54? I have not changed motor mounts on my 996 and have not yet determined if it is worth the effort.

 

Love that steering wheel!

 

How to like that Fabspeed intake? I'm planning on ordering one tomorrow but would like to here your thoughs on its performance on the track?

 

I went for the full Fabspeed Performance Package with Competition Intake & ECU Upgrade at once, so I can not comment on the intake itself. This being said, it is good quality, finish is excellent and the heatshield looks OK too (the shop I am working with seemed to have ideas to improve the shielding, but the basic design is fine). I just do not know if on a 'stock' 996, the intake is your biggest bottleneck. Fabspeed advertises meaningful power/torque gains with their intake and I found them to be a serious and reputable company.
It can certainly do no harm to upgrade, but headers and hi-flow cats would be a great next step

 

Thanks. That's good to hear. Intersted in seeing what you come-up with on the heat shield. I do currently have a FabSpeed Maxflow exhaust system and will be looking for an ECU flash after the intake. The 200 cell cats does seem like it would be a vey worth while addition. Looking for quicker throttle response out on the track. Slippery slope.

 

To really get those lap times down, you should look into a limited slip diff. With the PSM turned off, it will allow you to get on the gas much earlier out of the corners.

 

You are perfectly right and it is part of the long term plan. First, firm up the suspension a bit more where possible, Second stabilize the car through improved aerodynamics and then third, a proper LSD.
Right now I keep learning and tweaking the car and developing more acute skills that those that were required in my super computerized 991S (that I still love BTW). When I feel I have made enough progress, the LSD will follow shortly. Let's just see how patient I can be...

 

Back on the dyno...

Now that the Fabspeed Performance package (Maxflo mufflers, headers, X-Pipe sportcats, tips, ECU upgrade, Competition Intake) has been installed and that all the mods are 'broken in', it was time to get the car back on the dyno for a before & after comparison.


The results were satisfactory with a gain of 24hp at the wheels and 21 ft.lbs of torque. The dyno shows a max power of 312 hp at the wheels at 7,100 rpm and 270 ft.lbs of torque at 4,500 rpm.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/60293300@N06/8255199249/
The significant increase in torque around 3,500 rpm is clearly noticeable but is sometimes challenging in slow corners when you either lose time downshifting to stay above 3,500 rpm or drop to lower rpm's and have to relaunch the car with only 200 ft.lbs.

Anyway, given the performance improvement and the nice sound of the exhaust, I'd recommend the Fabspeed package with no hesitation