Noob track prep questions
I will likely be attending my first track day in my new-to-me 997.1TT. I'm fairly experienced and have done many in my previous cars and have occasionally instructed with the Audi Club, and other organizations. I do have a few questions though since I am still learning about the 997TT.
1) (Bay Area specific) Will a bone stock 997TT pass sound at Laguna Seca on a 90db or 92 db day? If not, have people done it with turnaway tips? I'm very familiar with rigging up exhausts to pass since my previous cars have been highly modified and loud, but I was hoping a stock 997TT might pass.
2) Pads - Do the OEM/stock pads hold up to track use? What pads do most people use?
3) Wheel options - what are the popular lighter-weight wheel options? The price points I'm seeing for some wheels are nosebleed high, and yet I almost never see weights posted or considered. Seems like many purchase just for looks.
4) Harness mounting options - are there any harness mounting options that do not involve bolting in a cage or something that essentially renders the back seat useless? Any comments or feedback on the Brey Krause options I've seen? How long does it take to install and remove?
5) Alignment - any recommendations or guidelines? Tire pressures?
Sorry for all the questions, but I'm a bit surprised that very few of the track-oriented question-and-answer threads that I've turned up in searches are in the 997TT forum. I certainly expect to see lots in the GT3 sections, but I really haven't turned up much that seems to relate to 997TTs specifically.
1) (Bay Area specific) Will a bone stock 997TT pass sound at Laguna Seca on a 90db or 92 db day? If not, have people done it with turnaway tips? I'm very familiar with rigging up exhausts to pass since my previous cars have been highly modified and loud, but I was hoping a stock 997TT might pass.
2) Pads - Do the OEM/stock pads hold up to track use? What pads do most people use?
3) Wheel options - what are the popular lighter-weight wheel options? The price points I'm seeing for some wheels are nosebleed high, and yet I almost never see weights posted or considered. Seems like many purchase just for looks.
4) Harness mounting options - are there any harness mounting options that do not involve bolting in a cage or something that essentially renders the back seat useless? Any comments or feedback on the Brey Krause options I've seen? How long does it take to install and remove?
5) Alignment - any recommendations or guidelines? Tire pressures?
Sorry for all the questions, but I'm a bit surprised that very few of the track-oriented question-and-answer threads that I've turned up in searches are in the 997TT forum. I certainly expect to see lots in the GT3 sections, but I really haven't turned up much that seems to relate to 997TTs specifically.
Harness Bar: Generally a full cage is the safest using a harness. You can try running a harness bar, but it's not safe on the track. We have 997 Porsche clubsport cage or our own KA Motorsport cage.
Wheels: BBS or Motegi Racing are the best options. Pricey but they don't warp or deflect on the track and super reliable. PM for more information.
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What happened to this forum ? Nothing but sponsors pushing products. Don't you guys have a classified section ? There is nothing tangible about your recommendation other than what you have on the shelf.
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We sell what we run ourselves in pro racing. What is wrong with recommending the products we pay for and use ourselves?
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Thanks for the replies everyone. This has been helpful. Keep other setup and parts recommendations coming. I actually haven't signed up for an event yet because my car is still in transit with Intercity and I will need time to prep it, but track days are definitely coming.
Seats suggestions are another interesting topic for me in addition to harnesses. The primary issue for me is that I want to retain access and functionality of the back seat. That's the reason I purchased a Turbo instead of a GT3, which surprised most of my track friends. I do anticipate using it for fun family drives and outings once in a while. Therefore, any harness mounting options I would like to be relatively easily reversible, and any seat I install will likely be driver side only or will need to retain flip-forward functionality so my kid can get in and out of the back. As cool as the OEM Porsche GT seats are, at that price point I'm much more likely to get a Recaro or Sparco, which is cheaper and FIA certified. At the OEM prices, I could even get a Recaro or Sparco custom covered in leather and still come out ahead.
Seats suggestions are another interesting topic for me in addition to harnesses. The primary issue for me is that I want to retain access and functionality of the back seat. That's the reason I purchased a Turbo instead of a GT3, which surprised most of my track friends. I do anticipate using it for fun family drives and outings once in a while. Therefore, any harness mounting options I would like to be relatively easily reversible, and any seat I install will likely be driver side only or will need to retain flip-forward functionality so my kid can get in and out of the back. As cool as the OEM Porsche GT seats are, at that price point I'm much more likely to get a Recaro or Sparco, which is cheaper and FIA certified. At the OEM prices, I could even get a Recaro or Sparco custom covered in leather and still come out ahead.
Last edited by mavila; Oct 19, 2015 at 09:08 AM.
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FYI.......PCA (US) does not allow harnesses without belt pass-thru seats. I was going to run a harness bar with belts and stock seats for my Cayman and was told that was not allowed due to safety concerns. The pass-thru seats keep belts from sliding off your shoulders.
If you are going to do an occasional DE/track-day stick with mostly stock setup inside. An aggressive alignment and track oriented brake pads are worth the investment. You can do more upgrades later if you decide to do more than 1-3 events per year and start to move up into more advanced run groups.
I just discovered the CG lock as a result of this thread.....I am ordering it for both cars. Too bad our last DE of the year was a week ago. Living in the northeast US sucks for track days. We are all done by early November, nothing until early April.
If you are going to do an occasional DE/track-day stick with mostly stock setup inside. An aggressive alignment and track oriented brake pads are worth the investment. You can do more upgrades later if you decide to do more than 1-3 events per year and start to move up into more advanced run groups.
I just discovered the CG lock as a result of this thread.....I am ordering it for both cars. Too bad our last DE of the year was a week ago. Living in the northeast US sucks for track days. We are all done by early November, nothing until early April.
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