So, I came from an M3 and have a fair amount of track time with it. my first track day with the turbo is coming up in october and I am somewhat worried. my main concern is the power delivery of the turbo. the M3 was very linear and predictable. with the turbo.....well.... lets just say that I'd compare it to being rear ended by a freight train. not linear at all. also, the handling seems to be a bit jittery compared to the M3. The M3 was VERY predictable and would let you know what it was going to do ahead of time. I am afraid that the turbo is going to end up biting me in the a*s! any advice?

 

You going to the event on Oct. 8th? I will show you how to drive it! If your going to the PCA event there is an instructor with you at all times. Show you everything you want to know about the car. Give me a call

 

Fear not, just start slowly.

I came from tracking an M5 (not really track car, but fun!) and a Cayman (great track car, but no power)-- both cars with smooth N/A power. Turbo "kick" can be jolting on the street, but your not really going from "maintenance" throttle and then flooring it mid-corner. (at least you shouldn't be)

Just roll on the power smoothly near the apex and you'll be fine. At worst, hitting the power curve may induce a little wiggle if you roll on power too soon/hard. If you aren't comfortable geting on the power past the apex, try a later turn-in.

On the straights, the torque "kicks" just add to the fun!

I've heard people talk about the turbo lag being a problem and how it would be "dangerous" to get a boost surge in a turn. Maybe true in some turbo cars, but the 997TT (even modded) seems pretty smooth to me.

I am a intermediate/advanced driver (about 20 events) so am not really 10/10ths out there. Maybe it would be a problem for a really experienced racer who was new to turbo, but I would not sweat it.

-Chris

 

On the track you should be well into the powerband beyond the point of lag. It is very unlikely you will be below 4k rpm anywhere on the track in all but the tightest corners. The car should just respond like a really powerful NA motor.

 

Roger that, the turbo is right at home on the track right out of the box. Align it and put some track rubber on it and watch out. Mod it like eclou, nobody will be near you!
Remember, most of the 'turbo is a POS at the track' guys don't actually go to the track.

 

Good question.. Considering the fact that we have raced the M3 and E46 chassis BMW's professionally as well as currently racing a 997 WCGT3 Cup and extensive track time with the 997TT ...

I will gladly shed some light on the question at hand.

The M3 is a easier car to drive no doubt about it. However thats not to say that a turbo is anything but difficult to drive., You simply have to anticipate what it is going to do. The only scary thing about the turbo is that it is going much faster than you think it is.. The sensation of speed in the 997TT is numb in comparison to the M3.


We usually do a ton of track events and are always willing to help out if driving instruction or some input is needed.

If you need the car set up we can also help with that.. There are minor things that can be done to the turbo to improve its handling and get rid of the pogo effect the stock USA suspensions seem to have.

Suspension and alignments are our specialty...

Either way.. Feel free to stop by the shop we usually have a few turbo's being worked at any given time...


Enjoy the new car.. You will soon get comfortable with the warp speed that car is capable of..


Feel free to give me a call or drop or send me an email.

 

+1

I agree. Except of course when you get to your M3 braking zones and you suddenly realize, you're going a hell of a lot faster than you were in the M3 and you almost crap your pants.
The good news is, you will inadvertently be working on your late, trail braking skills, LOL...

B

 

LOL AGREED!!

 

So true. I find the corners coming up so fast that it seems like a different track.