Standard 996- lift @ high speeds?

Standard 996- lift @ high speeds?

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Discussion

456mgt

Original Poster:

2,509 posts

279 months

Sunday 2nd March 2003
quotequote all
Does anyone know if the 996 in standard form generates front-end lift when speed exceeds 100mph? I'm finding the lightness of the front end increases quite dramatically at these speeds. This is exacerbated on uphill stretches and less noticeable downhill, and the 'feel' is consistent with aerodynamic lift. The tyre pressures are fine and the tracking seems true.

So is this normal? It makes you a bit of a menace on the track when minor imperfections throw you off-line.

bennno

13,530 posts

282 months

Sunday 2nd March 2003
quotequote all
I never noticed this on my car, although the engine in the back feeling means the steering is unlike a front or even mid engined car.

If you want more downforce and talk to the right companies (speedart) you can get a fully adjustable GT3 Aerokit for sub 3k fitted. That was good for 302kmh (187ish) on a deserted French Road during which my c2 felt rock solid.

Bennno

clubsport

7,357 posts

271 months

Sunday 2nd March 2003
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Tricky one....I know what you mean,,but having driven 2wd 911 for 8 years or so now I have come to accept this.I feel I can anticipate the front going light before feel comes back..maybe it is a problem,but this is exactly what I prefer from the 2wd over 4wd 911.
It has to be said that this effect is more noticeable on lighter cars & less defined in the 996.
have you tried driving with at least 1/2-3/4 tank of fuel this can affect the balance.
maybe you have more experience of many or better cars and some of have been seduced by the 911 thing & its peculiarities?

Roy W. Olivier

116 posts

295 months

Sunday 2nd March 2003
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That is going to depend on what year 996 you have and what suspension you have. If you are experiancing a "dramatic" increase, I'd have a good race shop check your corner balance and suspension setup. My 2000 Cab, with standard suspension, was rock sold up to 120 or 130. My 2002 Cab with Euro Sport Suspension is also very, very solid.

I did have a bunch of bozos install some stuff on my older car. It was scary at anything over 80mph. I had their work checked by a race shop and they had left the front about 20mm higher than spec. As a result, a lot of air was getting under the front of the car and could not get out, pushing the front up. After a having the car alligned again it was great.

Good luck. I'll look through my mags and see if I can find some factory lift data for you.

Roy

456mgt

Original Poster:

2,509 posts

279 months

Monday 3rd March 2003
quotequote all
Thanks for the comments. I'll get the suspension & corner balance checked first (it has sports suspensions & 18" wheels). I'm not sure I want to go as far as spending 3k to bodykit it, since while it probably makes it easier to sell on, I doubt I'd get it back.
Cheers

Kev

bennno

13,530 posts

282 months

Monday 3rd March 2003
quotequote all

its true you might not get it back, but if the nose cone is stone chipped etc then it sorts that out (cost £5-600 of paintwork) at the same time.

plus the engine lid and front PU are worth £5-600 if you offer them to porsche breakers. (fitting and paintwork on my car were organised by Speedart but done at a OPC)

That makes the cost to change about £1800, a figure you may well get back at resale time - besides they look the nuts with the kit fitted and the drive is noticeably different.

Bennno

>> Edited by bennno on Monday 3rd March 10:01

rich1231

17,336 posts

273 months

Monday 3rd March 2003
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Yep,
Aerokits do look the nuts.


Notbiasedatallohnoimnot

HermanTheGerman

228 posts

279 months

Monday 3rd March 2003
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bennno said:
... and the drive is noticeably different.



Really ?

clubsport

7,357 posts

271 months

Monday 3rd March 2003
quotequote all
Noticeably different....sure all that extra weight makes them less agile on the twisties!


I think you have got to be doing some SERIOUS speeds to notice any real difference.

not a fan of the latest "Thunderbirds" kit on new GT3.
The old GT3 with the curly rear spoiler looks better to me.

>> Edited by clubsport on Monday 3rd March 12:44

bennno

13,530 posts

282 months

Monday 3rd March 2003
quotequote all

HermanTheGerman said:

bennno said:
... and the drive is noticeably different.



Really ?



yep, feel sure that at very high speeds the car felt more stable

Bennno

WalterU

470 posts

290 months

Wednesday 5th March 2003
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I have a 2WD Targa. I've had it up to 165+ mph showing some cheeky bugger in a souped up Audi TT what REAL speed is. No problems at all. However, in fairness, I tend to have the (front) boot full of luggage.

gaxor

332 posts

266 months

Thursday 13th March 2003
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had my 996 MY2003 up to 135 at Goodwood last week, have to say did'nt notice any lifting.

Gary

domster

8,431 posts

283 months

Thursday 13th March 2003
quotequote all

gaxor said: had my 996 MY2003 up to 135 at Goodwood last week, have to say did'nt notice any lifting.

Gary


135? That's parking speed for Kev (456mgt)

C'mon Kev, exactly what speed were you getting this so called lift

ninemeister

1,146 posts

271 months

Thursday 13th March 2003
quotequote all
Common fault, particularly on convertibles. We change the springs to drop the car by 25-30mm all round and reset the geometry, usually effects a 90% cure on a standard bodied car.

456mgt

Original Poster:

2,509 posts

279 months

Thursday 13th March 2003
quotequote all

domster said:C'mon Kev, exactly what speed were you getting this so called lift


I wish! Nothing that extreme actually Dom. My sphincter won't let me go too far when the car is being thrown off line by irregularities in the surface.

I suspect Ninemeister is right- I've got the car booked into JZ Machtech in a couple of weeks to have the geometry & suspension settings/components checked. They told me it was common and were confident they could sort it.

>> Edited by 456mgt on Thursday 13th March 11:55

domster

8,431 posts

283 months

Thursday 13th March 2003
quotequote all

456mgt said:

domster said:C'mon Kev, exactly what speed were you getting this so called lift


I wish! Nothing that extreme actually Dom. My sphincter won't let me go too far when the car is being thrown off line by irregularities in the surface.

I suspect Ninemeister is right- I've got the car booked into JZ Machtech in a couple of weeks to have the geometry & suspension settings/components checked. They told me it was common and were confident they could sort it.

>> Edited by 456mgt on Thursday 13th March 11:55


Are you sure it isn't the sphincter settings that need readjusting?

9M's suspension plan sounds a good 'un, and the boys at JZ Machtech come highly recommended. Let us know how it goes!

Cheers
D


456mgt

Original Poster:

2,509 posts

279 months

Thursday 13th March 2003
quotequote all

domster said:Are you sure it isn't the sphincter settings that need readjusting?


No they do not. I don't even want to THINK about how you would do that

dds1

1,407 posts

271 months

Monday 17th March 2003
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456MGT,

I had a fairly similar problem, JZ Machtech had the car this weekend, and did a complete geometry check.

Turned out the Rear suspension was WAY out. Following this being sorted, and all 4 wheels being balanced, the vibrations/front end lightness seem totally cured (although not taken it much above 110 to check)

IIRC Geometry check was about 220pounds.


Dean

456mgt

Original Poster:

2,509 posts

279 months

Monday 17th March 2003
quotequote all
Thanks Dean.

Kev

456mgt

Original Poster:

2,509 posts

279 months

Tuesday 25th March 2003
quotequote all
It's so nice when you get something done to your car and you can feel the difference within the first 100 ft of driving it. Thanks for the advice- it was spot on.

Had the suspension geometry sorted out today @ J Z Machtech. Turns out the rears were way out for both camber & toe. It was explained to me that this would give the effect of rear end 'steering', causing the car would follow cambers and ridges, and feel nervous. Yep- that's it!

It doesn't any more. Feels nice & planted, much more confidence-inspiring over rough roads and corners more sweetly too. Felt like a different car on the way home.

It's quite a long job- a couple of hours. Cost £258 and it's transformed the car. Very impressed with J Z Machtech. Waited while the car was done and it was no hardship at all. They put my car through first when they realised I was going to wait. Friendly, helpful people and a good vibe to the place. Much better standard than you see in independent Ferrari specialists. Quite enjoyed the day actually- obviously not getting out enough.

The only question on my mind is why it goes out in the first place? I've never needed to have this done before.