Thanks for the pointers.

Ideally, I will succeed somehow to get the leather wheel conditioned to offer more grip. The leather look is lovely after all. No doubt about that.

If I can't get enough grip with leather... I'll read up on the steering wheel diy instructions. Most likely though, I'd pay for the installation from a dealer...as I'd hate to have the airbag not function properly at the moment of truth due to a subtlety I've missed. I know my limits when it comes to mechanicals.

THIS is the wheel I want: $1165
http://m.ebay.com/itm/PORSCHE-991-99...v=SEARCHThanks!
It says that wheel is remanufactured. Hmm ..I wonder what that means exactly. Also, it looks like the center circle (that holds airbag module) is off center being set too low. Could be the angle of the photograph.

It's half the price of the closest comparison at suncoast: $2450
http://www.suncoastparts.com/product/RS40STEER.html
And nearly the same price as the regular Alcantara wheel from suncoast at: $995
http://www.suncoastparts.com/product/GTS480.html

 

Going by what you've said you're looking for so far I think you should go the Dallas route. Not only can you customize the material but you can also get a thicker grip which is the way to go imo. Pictures attached of two I had done.

 

The quality looks pretty good. I actually don't want to thicken the wheel. It's perfect as is in my opinion. Thicker would move control further away from the fingers and more to the palms. I want the traction such that the wheel could be casually driven with the fingers only with no slip. Right now, that's impossible with my wheel as the wheel is to slippery forcing me to use more force and my palms.

Thanks for the suggestion. Those wheels look great. I'd want them in Alcantara by the way.

 

I guess thickness preference depends at least to some degree on the size of your hands. I', 6'3" with pretty big hands so the stock wheel feels on the wimpy side to me. And I agree that the leather on the stock wheel disappoints. As you said, it turns hard and slippery with time and almost doesn't even feel like leather anymore.

 

I think you're right on the thickness relative to hand size. Also, your last comment (that the wheel turns hard and slippery ) has me thinking that maybe it has dried out. Maybe if I apply some leather moisturizing conditioner, it'll become less slippery. I have reservations about magic eraser as that is basically an abrasive (very light sand paper) ..
I'll make an effort to fix over the next few days..

This article seems reasonable. If I could make the leather wheel grippy..it would be in many ways better than alcantara, and would save a comma or two..
IF..
http://www.ehow.com/how_5747611_clea...ing-wheel.html

OK...so I tried several iterations of the above. Right after each application of the technique, while the wheel was still wet/moist from hot water/soap rubdown .. the grip was perfect. The wheel could be turned with two finger tips. The grip was that good. However; after the wheel completely dried (about 5 minutes or so.. ) the wheel got slippery again
So..at least I've identified the problem. The leather has good grip when moist, and is slippery when dry.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

If you do decide to get an alcantara steering wheel do not pay the dealership to do the swap. I swapped my steering wheel on my 997.2 for the sport wheel and have the Torx bit required to make the swap. A very easy install and I would be happy to help you do it at my place here in Raleigh.

 

I had my wheel covered by Dallas too, but I didn't like the wrinkles in the leather (although I'm guessing most people don't care). I wanted more of an OEM wrinkle-free look, so I ended up sending it elsewhere to get covered. No wrinkles.

 

Where did you send it? Did you ask DCSW to fix it first? Just curious.

 

Thank You Very Much! I may very well take you up on that offer soon! For now, I'm still deciding whether or not to do the swap. The leather wheel is lovely..but knowing it is more slippery than it could be (compared to if it were alcantara for example)..is hard to ignore. I guess, I need to try out an alcantara wheel, something I have never really felt.

Talk soon..

 

You need more alcantara to balance the shifter.

 

Still thinking on it. Will probably get the alcanara wheel though. By the way, did your c2s come with pccb, or did you add them after? I'd appreciate your impression compared to steel.

 

Donald send photos of the finished wheel, which contained all sorts of wrinkles. I asked him to redo it, which he did. He send photos of the second version, and to my surprise, there were STILL wrinkles, though not as bad. I was hoping in real life, they wouldn't be noticeable. They were.


So I sent it to another company that does wheel recovering. They looked at the wrinkled wheel and commented that the wrinkles were the result of the choice of materials/padding (can't remember). This company removed the wrinkled covering, and replaced it with their own. It is OEM-quality, no wrinkles, excellent workmanship. However, their follow up communication was terrible (didn't respond to requests for a status update after 1 month) so I don't recommend them either. If you search my posts in this forum, you can figure out which company I'm referring to. If anyone wants to start a business that does high quality wrinkle-free work AND has good customer service, here's your chance. To be fair, most people don't mind having wrinkles in their aftermarket steering wheel leather. My opinion is why would I replace the steering wheel on a 100k car with a lesser quality finish compared to OEM.

 

Thanks for sharing your experience!
The leather oem steering wheel I have on my GTS is of impeccable quality. I'll probably keep it, and swap in another oem alcantara wheel from Suncoast. Will post pictures along with my impression.

 

I'm now contemplating this:
http://www.fabspeed.com/porsche-997-...intake-system/
but am a bit weary about both sides of the argument. StormeRune, You've posted an analysis comparing Ambient Temperature vs MAF sensor Temperature (with Fabspeed installed on a 997.2 I believe). Your argument was as follows (please correct if I'm wrong).. Using a mathematical calculator for engine hp/torque loss due to temperature delta that you've collected, and assuming no benefit of air-flow improvement from Fabspeed; Worst Case Results:
- Idle after heat soak: Calculated Loss of a maximum of around 10hp at startup after car is idle (having been run extensively just prior) and while sitting in garage ~70C outside, garage door opened, but no wind.
- Once car is moving above around 25mph:. Calculated Loss can be as high as 5hp maximum but typically about 3hp.

Someone else countered, or I see it more as complimented your argument by noting that; a desired comparison would be to compare temperature delta of a car with Fabspeed relative the delta with the OEM cold air intake box.
Unfortunately there''s a lack of info (or independently gathered data) showing the temperature difference (between ambient and air at maf sensor) with the stock OEM CAI box to compare with the data you've collected. Of course Fabspeed explicitly said in their video demos and literature, that They Have made such a comparison. (I hope they were not just referring to your data lol) And that Fabspeed has found there to be no appreciable difference in MAF temp compared to ambient when comparing the data from the same car with the Fabspeed intake unit vs with Porsche''s oem CAI box. I wish they could provide specifics...like, was that for a 997.1 or 997.2?

I think its reasonable to assume, (based upon visual inspection of the two designs) that Fabspeed's intake and filter design probably Does improve air flow at least to some degree relative to OEM. The question becomes, Does the net performance result an improvement under all cases relative to oem? Is it a wash? (meaning the only benifit is sound) Or, is there actual loss in performance under certain situations if not always..??
For me to purchase this.. the answer has got to be yes, no, no. Meaning ..there has to be a significant improvement in performance under ALL situations and without harming the engine. I fear the true answer is: mostly yes, sometimes yes, and in certain situations yes. Meaning... the unit can be hugely beneficial most scenareos, occasionally a wash, and for particular scenarios would hurt performance relative to the stock oem airbox. If true, that might be fine for some, but I wouldn't be comfortable doing it.

A GTS has a bit more hp, but I'm not sure how different the air box is compared to say a 997.2 C2S. It's hard not to heed the advice of experts who advise against this type of intake mod. (for exmaple: Sharkwerks categorically advises against any intake mod for a 997.2, praising Porche's design to be probably the best solution out there with little gains to be had. Of course Sharkwerks did not specifically mention Fabspeed). I wonder if Sharkwerk''s assessment was made having tested a Fabspeed unit.

Bottom line, do you endorse the Fabspeed carbon fiber CAI solution to be used on say.. my 2012 GTS?
Why / Why Not ?

Judging by their posted videos and literature, Fabspeed seems quite frustrated at the concerns and doubts many in the community have of their design. I'm not sure they know how to solve that problem yet. The longer they take, the greater doubt grows in the market. Hope they see... that they stand to gain $$$ provided they can convince the community.


Thanks

 

I've opted against getting the Fabspeed intake..
Now, I'm seriously considering this and suggestions from the collective experience here is much requested and appreciated.