I've read the 991 articles indicating an improvement to the PDK transmission in the 991 over the 997.2 but have not seen details of how this was done. Anyone know if this was a software upgrade and if so might it be made available to those of us with 997.2's?

 

personally, i dont think they did anything to the trans or engine, except de tune it. It looks like the same engine as the gts, w/less hp. detuned. I cant believe they did anything to the trans.
The car does have porsche torque vectoring, which may be the upgrade they refer to.

 

I was wondering about the PDK upgrade as well. I was also surprised that the 991S didn't have 408 hp or a bit more than the GTS. My GTS is supposed to have torque vectoring.

 

Both pdk and mt is 7 speed. Pdk has been tested by many and is reported to be quite different and better shifts.

 

I've seen the same comment on the forums and in trade press. From the April 2012 Excellence magazine, p. 57;

"The only carryover from the 997: the basic 9A1 engine and the PDK gearbox introduced in the 2009 997 Carrera - but even these would be extensively updated."

Unfortunately the article does not elaborate on the updates to PDK. Since 997 PDK is able to handle power / torque in the 997 turbo, my guess was that Porsche focused changes on the software programming versus changes to the physical components. IF (big if) that is the case, it would be a great example of customer service to make that updated software programming available to 997 PDK owners.

I've also sent an inquiry to my service manager on this topic. Will let you know what I find out.

 

Back developing for 6 speed would be interesting for previous gen pdk owners. Probably unlikely, but maybe giving it a year and coming into service for harsh shifting could be good. Maybe a tsb will appear.

 

991 does have more torque than a GTS - so i dont think its simply a detune.

as to pdk. not sure. i love my current pdk. maybe its more responsive to the paddle/button. sometimes i feel there is a small 'delay' before the upshift. i'm not sure how the shift itself gets better. but maybe i will find out when i drive it..

 

Response:

"Having driven the 997 and 991 in training last week, I can say there is an improvement. However, we haven't seen anything from Porsche just yet.

Stay tuned"

 

i know they added a coasting feature to it.

 

I drove a 991 and noticed no difference from my 2012 S PDK in sport mode.
It did not feel any more power either. Drove it about 3 miles.
The PDK changes are probably related to sailing and engine stop start at red lights.
I had salesman with so while I kicked in the butt I did not drive it deep into the redline
Where the 991 gets any more power it has.

 

My own experience, from about a 1/2 hr test drive of a 991S this past weekend, is that the 'new' PDK is a noticeable improvement from the 997.2. The shifts are lightning-fast and remarkably smooth. Under light load, the changes are nearly seamless. Under significant load, they're even better.

It would be interesting to know if this was accomplished with vector mapping & software upgrades, or if there were physical changes as well.
The 'old' PDK is just tremendous IMHO. An amazing piece of engineering and a huge step beyond the Tiptronic.
The 'new' one is not such a quantum leap. It's more of a refinement. But the refinement is noticeable.

 

After testing a 991 I went looking for PDK software updates. Everyone said couldn't be done, doesn't exist, or that there was no diff b/w the 991 and 997 PDK.

I considered trading my 997.2 for a 991 but didn't like the electric steering and some other things so I decided to hold out as I knew it was just a matter of time before some aftermarket company would address it.

Looking across the web I came across a Florida company known as 1016 Industures. They do software tunes and are well received for their R8 R-Tronic software.

I contacted them and inquired if they had one for the 997.2 PDK. They in fact did. I bought the software and loaded it. Very easy install, software comes on a writer that is plugged into the OBDII port. Took about 5 min.

All I can say is WOW. The software completely transformed the car. 1016 Industries (Peter) states shifts are 19% faster and it definitely is. Upshifts/downshifts are much faster, crisp and aggressive. Overall the update has made the car more immediate and importantly satisfying to drive. The delay bw pulling the paddle and the car shifting has been minimized

Still not as 991 fast but a huge improvement nonetheless. Shifts are fast but also have some feel to them. They don't feel so sanitized as the 991.

Definitely keeping the 997.2 for some time. Been enjoying it a lot lately and really look forward to driving it every chance I get. Couldn't say the same before the PDK update.

Here is video of the car after the software was loaded. Car is in Sport Plus mode:


Contact Peter at:

sales@1016industries.com for more info

-Khanh

 

Are you saying the 997.2 PDK is a 6 speed? Pretty sure the 997.2 PDK was a 7 speed.

 

Nice video. And sweet pants.

 

Check index number of your pdk software bros...if its a low number like 33, 34 the. Your missing out on a lot. The oem pdk software upgrade is leaps and bounds better than the old software. Almost to 991 levels. I used to have same sentiments but when i got the software upgrade, i was a happy camper.