Hi there guys, I'm selling my turbo to get a GT3-RS probably with the White/Red combo. My quistion is should I get the PCCB brakes? They are an option and want to ask people who tried them if they are worth having. I'll track the car from time to time and this what made me decide to sell the Turbo and go for the RS. I couldn't belive that the dealer had one available so I'm jumping on the chance to own it

The cars that we get differ from Euro spec in that they have airconditioning because it's just too hot in here to live without it. Anythoughts on GT-3 ownership perticularly from those who used to own a turbo?

 

Whoa There!!

A real hornets nest is about to be stirred up I think.

My car is equipped with the PCCB and whilst I am happy with the performance there is always the nagging doubt in my mind that if I experiance the problems alluded too on other forums it is going to cost me plenty.

Having said that I am in dialogue with PCGB and, so far, they seem very supportive. Only time will tell I suppose.

If you are going to do a lot of track days I think I would stick with the Steel disks unless you can get something in writing from Porsche.

Good choice of car however, you will enjoy it!!

P.

 

This is strictly based on what I've read as I've never driven a PCCB car on a track: If you intend to track the car, go with steel brakes and actually I can't find a reason to go with PCCB seeing that there are many options to reduce the car's weight. Just my $.10

 

wow I did'nt even think we could get th RS in America and no dont get Ceramic ..havent heard enough good things to outweigh the drawbacks

 

Thank you all for responding Mr. RS and MJSpeed, seems like I might be "stuck" with someone else's order. Turned out that it was the other color combo, White with blue. I am still waiting for the dealer to confirm what options it has so if it does have PCCB, then I'm stuck with that. I might be tracking it once every couple of months and I do get great support from my local dealer so I'll just wait for the confirmation on options.

turbo_freak, The RS is not sold in the States. I'm from Bahrain which is about 10,000 miles away from the States

 

oh man, I did'nt see that...you are lucky and I like the white and blue better

 

Hey 03 - I am currently in your neighboring country KSA...One of my friends here who is in Bahrain every weekend also ordered a GT3RS....Cant wait ot hear and sit in that thing!! Congrats...

 

Porsche had said no RS for the U.S.?????????????

They are available now???

 

No Shawn they arent, he is overseas.

 

Hey misindi,I've been in one already and that's why I'm selling the turbo, provided I can find an RS that's available. Currently I'm number two in the list. If I don't get lucky I might have to modify the turbo which I'm loathe to do. Are you guys coming to the Formula one event here this weekend?? Don't miss it!!

p.s. Does your friend drive a seal grey turbo? He might be one of the KSA Porsche club members who came to Bahrain last may. I've met a few of them..

 

03 - just saw this reply - not sure if he had a TT?? However, I also just got him to join this forum and his usernam is falgo...He sent me a bunch of stuff with respet to your Q on PCCB by e-mail...PM me your e-mail addy so I can forward to you. (He is still awaiting activation before he can reply here or send PMs)

 

03 this is for you courtesy of falgo (this is form EVO mag in the UK). Also, Steve Wiener is a memebr here

" Porsche enthusiasts are embroiled in a building row over the longevity of the company's hi-tech and extremely costly Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) technology. The ceramic discs were claimed in Porsche's original literature to be 'the most effective braking system ever featured on a production Porsche'.

Launched on the 911 GT2, the company said the cross-drilled and
ventilated discs were '50 per cent lighter than conventional
alternatives' and combined with 'an innovative new composite brake pad... temperature is no longer a factor in brake performance'. Most amazingly, Porsche's own literature claimed that each disc would offer 'a service life of approximately 300,000km (186,000 miles)'.

However, many Porsche owners - who either bought GT2s or paid the £6000 option price to have the PCCB system fitted to a GT3 - are finding that the discs and pads don't last anything like as long. Trackday drivers are finding that hard use can lead to extensive cracking of the discs and the need for replacement. Replacing four PCCB discs and pads costs over £27,000. A figure that has shocked owners who have been affected. GT3 owners at least have the option of swapping back to conventional steel discs.

Owners and Porsche specialists are trying to pin down the reason for the problem, and most agree that excessive heat is the main cause, although some are also blaming gravel damage from trackside excursions.

The general consensus of opinion is that the nose design of the
996-series 911 does not draw enough cooling air onto the front brake discs. Porsche specialists are devising fixes for the problem, including altering the angle of the nose-mounted radiators to allow more air into the wheel wells. Special ducting is also being designed by specialists to channel more air to the discs.

For its part, Porsche has now changed the wording of its literature, warning brake components must be checked and, if necessary, replaced after track driving. Some dealers have replaced discs under warranty, but others are now not changing cracked discs until the fissures are relatively extensive.

The same problems have already been encountered in the US, according to Steve Wiener, of Porsche specialist Rennsport Systems, with some PCCB discs cracking badly enough to physically fall apart. However, he told evo that failures are not consistent and much depends on the individual driver.

'The problems are caused by heat, but each driver is different and some are harder on the brakes than others. Professional drivers are unlikely to cause a temperature 'spike' when driving hard.' Wiener ruled out gravel-trap damage as US circuits generally don't use it. 'We are switching back to iron Brembo or Alcon discs and advising owners of PCCB-equipped cars to take the discs off and store them for when the car is eventually sold.'

A Porsche UK spokesman said that while there had been PCCB failures, these were all attributable to 'significant overheating' of the brakes. 'While the ceramic discs can take much higher temperatures than steel, they are not indestructible. We are also quite happy with the amount of brake cooling that the 996 provides for its front brakes.'

A number of 911 drivers have also told evo that they no longer place high value on the braking abilities of PCCB. The hot word is that PCCB are not felt to brake better than steel discs using Pagid yellow sport pads, which are Porsche's factory standard. Other owners are now saying that PCCB are actually less effective on the track than steel discs with Pagid orange pads (designed for 24-hour endurance racing).

The truth is, with the composite discs so phenomenally expensive, few enthusiast drivers can currently risk this hi-tech option."

 

Thanks msindi, appreciate all the info It's a bit too late though. Regretfully I couldn't find any GT3RS anywhere for list or slightly above list so I decided to keep the TT.