It has been long spring for me, trying to decide where to start ( or to start) upgrading my 997TT. After the first track day, it was obvious I had to start from suspension!! After it will be fixed, it's time for the engine! We all now the OEM suspension is not up for the car ( road & track), but HP's are good to go for a while

SUSPENSION

It was a long battle, I was following all threads in this forum and checking all PSM & non PSM Coilovers... Bilstein PSS10, H & R, Moton, KW etc... I really wanted to find a setup which is good in track but not totally ruining daily drive. first I was leaning towards Moton, but did not want to have these external canister around the car. But last night I had to chance to participate our local Porsche Club evening arranged by local KW dealer, and they had a a visiting star Michael Grassi fro KW Germany. He is in response of Porsche lineup and he made good presentation why KW is right choice and what is real 2 way adjustable suspension. Also we learned Manthey Motors are offering KW's to their customers! ( US operation with KW has started recently).

So after this presentation I made my mind to go for KW Clubsport for Turbo 997 with KW strut cups to front and back. To support this set up I also ordered GT3 arms ( from Porsche Motorsport) and adjustable swaybars ( from FVD/ Porsche Motorsport) front & back. This way I should be able to adjust the car properly and get wheel alignments optimized to MPSC's. Order has been made today, but Michael from KW insisted me to wait two weeks for the coilovers since they will launch new set up ( they have a 997TT in their test bed in Germany at the moment). What really surprised me was this service Michael provided: he wanted me to give him a call if any questions about the set up!

After installation we make proper alignment and corner balance two this new set up before going to the track! Work is carried out by local Porsche specialist, I try to have some photos while the process in moving ahead!

Then I have to upgrade PCCB's pads & fluid because of problems occuring. Any good suggestions for good bite without terrible screaming in daily use?

When suspension completed it is time for tuning... I am waiting for EVO to make their EVT700 to work with Tiptronic.

Meanwhile I am flying tomorrow to UK to buy 997 GT3 Cup for our tracktoy...I can't wait to see how it changes the way I am thinking about tuning the TT

Excellent choice going with the KW's! Change the Brake Fluid to something better like Motul or Castrol SRF and you'll see a difference. As to over-heating rear pads, you're correct in assuming that it happenes because of PSM interference. Try running without it for now. Some trackers are going with the Motorsport pads but those are meant for track days only and will squeak like crazy. Pagid RS29's were also used but I'd be weary of using them with expensive to replace PCCB's.

Thank's for the advice!

Have You heard that Ceramic rotors are falling apart after around 2 500km's track use??

I can't wait to get my new set up under

That's true to some extent on the early PCCB mk1's but I haven't heard of anything going wrong with the new ones.

Ok, nice to hear... since we have only a fistful of PCCB- cars in Finland it is really hard to get correct info!

So new fluid and full sped ahead!

I orginally purchased the KWV3's but I could get the local dealers or area dealers to turn off the PASM faults since KW's didn't have PASM. I could not get the local tuners to do it because they did not have the PWIS(?) to disable it. So I went for the Bilsteins. I sometimes wonder what it would be like with the KW's since I have always been a fan.

Looking forward to your write up on it. Congrats on the Suspension bits first. I did the same thing. I have to be able to use more of my engine power before I upgrade so the suspension was first.

Pete: you can always ask me! The left pedal is brake.

-ESu (the thumb of the finnish PCCB-fist)

Great to hear that

I promise next time to be 2 second faster.....

Brad, is the PASM issue even a concern for you at all? Like Khanh said..he couldn't get anyone to turn it off. That was the reason why I chose the PSS10 because of its PASM full compability.

on stock 997TTthere is really no use for PASM. The basic mode it is too smooth/ comfy, and on Sport mode it is really harsh. In my opinion, backed uo with KW's opinion, actually on track there is more traction with normal mode when Sport is only hard. In my opinion, I feel the stock suspension setup is dangerously soft!

So when getting coilovers with real adjustment I really want to find the best compromise for my street/ track use. I do understand by choosing KW's it is same time saying bye bye to PASM suspension options, but this I was ready to sacrifice to get optimum suspension!! I don't see the need in my use to change the setup while driving, at the moment I am only using it on soft mode. Same was with my M5/M6, I always used it in the mode I liked the best.

Bilstein was option for very long, but I did not believe it would fill my need for track! Also I believe the Normal/Sport button is working better with them but still...

PASM can be turned off by Porsche Service so You will not have any suspension related warnings!!

I think for a full on track setup, Moton's would probably be the best. I honestly think that my setup as I have it with the PSS10, H&R sways and Tarett droplinks is an extremely capable setup for both street and tracking purposes. I especially love the fact that the normal vs sport really does make a difference in feel to the point where both are well composed for either scenario. I'd strongly encourage you to give those PSS10s another look if you're not considering Motons.

I know you have the Bilstein's, but I wouldn't count out the KWV3s. I don't think Moton's are available for the 997TT yet (without modifying 997s to fit on the TT.) KWV3's are one of the the OEM coilovers for SpeedArt. There was a good head to head review in SportAuto last year...Marcus Peters reviewed modified 997TTs from SpeedArt, TechArt, 9ff, Gemballa, and Wendland. The KWV3 setup performed really really well, I believe, out lapping higher horsepower TechArt on re-valved Bilsteins.

Brad's going with the KW Clubsports which are a notch above the V3. For his use, Moton's are an overkill! No experience with the Clubsport but plenty of experience, all of it positive, with the V3's. Bilstein's are more suited to street than track driving and if he just wanted better control, Bilstein are the way to go. For his purposes, the KW Clubsport would be perfect!

Thanks for the clarification, Bobby and Khalid.

Update:

Today I ordered EVOMS EVT700 for my TT Tiptronic, maybe I am frist Tip to have it in Europe???

Anyway, it was not nice to see my car beeing torn down with only 14 tkm's on it

Today I shipped VTG's & ECU to USA, should arrive there 8th of may.

My goal is to get car in one part by the end of this month, we will have to wait & see if this happens!

Well, the good news is that KW's arrive tomorrow, so I am able to do all the mods same time!

Also, new brake pads & brake fluid are on the order, Motorsport pads/ Castrol :

Single pads and jumper plugs are available only from Porsche Motorsport (PMNA)Brake Pads for use on race track use only
Characteristics:
Reduced pad wear at high operating temperatures
Higher tendency to squeal
Higher pedal forces required at low operating temps
Identification:
Green finish on all lateral pad surfaces

P/N of single pad
996.351.940.93 (F)
997.352.930.91 (R)

Jumper plug for brake pad wear indicator (964.612.026.70)
(Race pads have no provision for the wear indicator)

Single pads and jumper plugs are available only from Porsche Motorsport (PMNA)

Anyhow, I will keep You updated on this project!