Lowering a 997 GTS
Discussion
Love my GTS but always been a couple of things that I wanted to improve... I tend to do subtle mods to most cars with very pleasing results and can't see any reason to exclude the 911. My BMW 1M was greatly improved with a few choice mods.
The Sharkwerks exhaust bypass cured my first complaint of the car being too quiet (even with the PSE fitted) and it now sounds like a proper 911!
I've also spent a lot of time looking at my GTS thinking it just needs to be a bit lower to look right so I've finally took the plunge and lowered it this week. After looking extensively into both Eibach and H&R spring upgrades I decided to go with the H&R and I'm very pleased with the results. Car looks a lot better now without the massive gap above the tyre on the arch and the ride quality whilst being sharpened up is still compliant and quiet. Handling wise I haven't had chance to go out and try but just on the commute it feels more planted and has less roll.
Height wise the car has come down by -21mm on the front and -18mm on the rear (full tank of fuel) which is perfect for what I wanted. Geometry has also been checked and reset (it had gained a fair bit of camber on the rear...) and has all come good being equal side to side and within Porsche spec.
Some pictures:
Car with standard springs
Car with H&R springs fitted:
Front of car before:
Front of car with H&R (-21mm)
Rear of car before:
Rear of car with H&R (-18mm)
Car whilst the H&R springs were being installed:
H&R springs used:
Overall I'm very happy with the end result and its visual improvement. What do other GTS owners think?
Next up an Aero kit front splitter...
The Sharkwerks exhaust bypass cured my first complaint of the car being too quiet (even with the PSE fitted) and it now sounds like a proper 911!
I've also spent a lot of time looking at my GTS thinking it just needs to be a bit lower to look right so I've finally took the plunge and lowered it this week. After looking extensively into both Eibach and H&R spring upgrades I decided to go with the H&R and I'm very pleased with the results. Car looks a lot better now without the massive gap above the tyre on the arch and the ride quality whilst being sharpened up is still compliant and quiet. Handling wise I haven't had chance to go out and try but just on the commute it feels more planted and has less roll.
Height wise the car has come down by -21mm on the front and -18mm on the rear (full tank of fuel) which is perfect for what I wanted. Geometry has also been checked and reset (it had gained a fair bit of camber on the rear...) and has all come good being equal side to side and within Porsche spec.
Some pictures:
Car with standard springs
Car with H&R springs fitted:
Front of car before:
Front of car with H&R (-21mm)
Rear of car before:
Rear of car with H&R (-18mm)
Car whilst the H&R springs were being installed:
H&R springs used:
Overall I'm very happy with the end result and its visual improvement. What do other GTS owners think?
Next up an Aero kit front splitter...
After a brisk Sunday evening drive (with no purpose or destination - the best ones!) I can report back that the handling for me feels a lot better than before. I accept some may be the placebo effect after lowering but the car just feels more planted. It corners flatter with less body-roll than before and the steering feels more pointy at turn-in making it a lot more involving than it previously felt.
Overall i'm very happy indeed with the results.
Overall i'm very happy indeed with the results.
Edited by chrisABP on Monday 20th July 13:41
hondansx said:
Looks good! I consider it mandatory. Once you see a standard car again, you can't help but feel they look a little silly in comparison.
I'm surprised you didn;t play with the geo more considering you have the tools! I had mine taken to pretty much the max given there's not much to play with without upgrading to GT3 bits.
Cheers Rob - recall you saying it needed lowering some time back!I'm surprised you didn;t play with the geo more considering you have the tools! I had mine taken to pretty much the max given there's not much to play with without upgrading to GT3 bits.
Geo wise the front camber is now on maximum adjustment (without changing parts) and I have -0.40 minutes of negative which is just on the edge of the recommended front spec (range is -0.10 to -0.40) but it feels great now. Next up some Michelin Pilot Cup 2's...
PorscheGT4 said:
you don't want recommended front spec , that's the whole point :-)
I would NOT bother with cup two's with that camber and go PSS a great tyre.
I understand geometry hence knowing that my car is now maxed out on full adjustment for the front camber. Considering how well it now feels on the road i'm not going to change out components to gain anymore front camber.I would NOT bother with cup two's with that camber and go PSS a great tyre.
Interesting what you say about the tyres, I upgraded to the PSS on my BMW 1M and loved them but not N rated which might be an issue once I come to sell. I know others using the Cup 2's are finding them great on standard geo and I've used track-based tyres previously (R888, Yoko AD08R) with good experience. Decisions, decisions...
c4sman said:
Chris, I am upset and disappointed with this post. This is the type of thing that ruins Internet forums for me.
There I am, enjoying my GTS, happy that with my sharkwerks mod the car is now perfect and just needs to be driven, and then you upset my day by posting this fantastic looking mod, which means I am going to have to start planning for the same mod as it looks so much better. damn you
LOL!!! Sorry about that...There I am, enjoying my GTS, happy that with my sharkwerks mod the car is now perfect and just needs to be driven, and then you upset my day by posting this fantastic looking mod, which means I am going to have to start planning for the same mod as it looks so much better. damn you
Really is a fantastic improvement and I fully recommend for the GTS.
Glad you're still loving the Sharkwerks
PorscheGT4 said:
weight till the temps drop a bit, I run both side by side, I think people forget how 1 tyre is over another.
When the temps get back to 5oc then the PSS will walk all over the Cup2 in the wet.
Isn't that what the Winter Sotto Zero's are for?When the temps get back to 5oc then the PSS will walk all over the Cup2 in the wet.
Absolutely agree on the PSS as I fitted them on my BMW 1M to replace the OE Michelin PS2 and they were a big improvement. Having said that the cars I've driven on the CUP 2's feel alive like I've previously experienced with Yokohama AD08R so that's what I'm going to fit in my new wheels. Bonus that they are N rated too!
LF11 said:
Hi Chris,
Coming back to this old thread from last summer. Would you say the drop is still only 20mm?
The reason I am wondering is that I am looking at these springs for my GTS (only PASM) and H&R say the drop ought to be 25- 30mm for these springs (29188-1). Do you have SPASM (i.e. Is your starting reference different) or have they settled?
Many thanks!
Alex
Hi AlexComing back to this old thread from last summer. Would you say the drop is still only 20mm?
The reason I am wondering is that I am looking at these springs for my GTS (only PASM) and H&R say the drop ought to be 25- 30mm for these springs (29188-1). Do you have SPASM (i.e. Is your starting reference different) or have they settled?
Many thanks!
Alex
Sorry for delay in replying but been away in Abu Dhabi until the return to COLD reality today!
The H&R 29188-1 is the correct spring kit for the 997.2 GTS (2WD) and I can confirm that even though it is listed as a -30mm drop in the application guide it only lowers the GTS by -20mm. It may well lower a non S car (997.2 Carrera) by the full -30mm but only -20mm on the GTS. I have checked the measurements again this morning and it hasn't settled anymore than the initial -20mm. My car does not have the SPASM option.
I know that some 997.2 GTS had the optional SPASM Sports suspension (supposedly -20mm) & LSD fitted but measuring these cars the ride height drop is closer to -10mm from standard GTS height.
Hope this helps, Chris
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