997 GT3 - new owner and splitter question!
Discussion
Good morning all, I'm the proud new owner of a lovely Cobalt Blue 997.1 GT3.
I'm absolutely loving and first impressions are that this is a lot of car, and does need to be afforded respect however "easy" it may be, perhaps even more so than the TVR. It really does feel like a race car and reactions are very fast from the steering rack and throttle. Clutch is f-ing heavy at least compared to the TVR, which reminds me that my old Turbo was heavy too.
It's got the factory roll cage in place of rear seats, bucket seats (not the comfiest but I will get a lumbar cushion today) and has ceramic brakes which stop the car like you wouldn't believe.
The "sport" button, is (as far as buttons go) really just the best button ever
Splitter query : I live in NW London where speed bumps abound. The car is scraping away happily, and whilst the part is completely replaceable, it does make me grind my teeth!
Any tips?
1. Trim the spoiler to make it smaller?
2. Raise height of car slightly (did this for TVR)
3. Are there smaller splitters available?
It's looking scratched in the front already, so I may invest in some black spray paint to seee if that keeps it looking fresh (the splitter, not the car!)
I'm absolutely loving and first impressions are that this is a lot of car, and does need to be afforded respect however "easy" it may be, perhaps even more so than the TVR. It really does feel like a race car and reactions are very fast from the steering rack and throttle. Clutch is f-ing heavy at least compared to the TVR, which reminds me that my old Turbo was heavy too.
It's got the factory roll cage in place of rear seats, bucket seats (not the comfiest but I will get a lumbar cushion today) and has ceramic brakes which stop the car like you wouldn't believe.
The "sport" button, is (as far as buttons go) really just the best button ever
Splitter query : I live in NW London where speed bumps abound. The car is scraping away happily, and whilst the part is completely replaceable, it does make me grind my teeth!
Any tips?
1. Trim the spoiler to make it smaller?
2. Raise height of car slightly (did this for TVR)
3. Are there smaller splitters available?
It's looking scratched in the front already, so I may invest in some black spray paint to seee if that keeps it looking fresh (the splitter, not the car!)
Edited by AdvocatusD on Friday 25th May 09:00
Glad you got one! Looks lovely - you won't look back.
You'll get over the splitter worry. Mine would scrape going into and out of the garage every time so it helped me to just accept it as part of everyday life with a GT3. I wouldn't go messing with the ride height; simply take it as part and parcel of running and awesome and aggressive road car
You'll get over the splitter worry. Mine would scrape going into and out of the garage every time so it helped me to just accept it as part of everyday life with a GT3. I wouldn't go messing with the ride height; simply take it as part and parcel of running and awesome and aggressive road car
Congrats on the car - that's a lovely colour.
The plastic is fairly hard wearing, so as others have said it's not a big problem if the splitter scrapes occasionally.
You may already be doing this, but I find approaching speed bumps or ramps at an angle helps a lot and can avoid most scrapes. It does mean going more slowly, and sometimes traffic conditions make it impossible, but it's worth doing where you can.
Cheers
The plastic is fairly hard wearing, so as others have said it's not a big problem if the splitter scrapes occasionally.
You may already be doing this, but I find approaching speed bumps or ramps at an angle helps a lot and can avoid most scrapes. It does mean going more slowly, and sometimes traffic conditions make it impossible, but it's worth doing where you can.
Cheers
Congratulations on the car, it looks lovely in that colour too!
As for the splitter, I would TRY not to worry about it but I can understand how you feel when you hear it scraping, it must not feel good.
However, if the alternative (to replacing a replaceable item every year or so) is to raise the ride height and compromise the handling I would say stuff it and let it scrape the floor all day long!
As for the splitter, I would TRY not to worry about it but I can understand how you feel when you hear it scraping, it must not feel good.
However, if the alternative (to replacing a replaceable item every year or so) is to raise the ride height and compromise the handling I would say stuff it and let it scrape the floor all day long!
You can take it off and trim it if you want, but tbh you just get used to it after a while. You can get a cargraphic lifting kit but you'll be looking at £3+ I think vs buying a new splitter occationally for £150.
Agree on the clutch, really heavy, I live in SW London so know how much of a pig it can be when you're stuck in London traffic, but on the open road it all makes sense.
I kind of love the fact that the car is impractical, it's a big part of the appeal and why it puts a smile on your face when you drive it. Reminds you that you're basically driving a road legal track car. Congrats!!!!
Agree on the clutch, really heavy, I live in SW London so know how much of a pig it can be when you're stuck in London traffic, but on the open road it all makes sense.
I kind of love the fact that the car is impractical, it's a big part of the appeal and why it puts a smile on your face when you drive it. Reminds you that you're basically driving a road legal track car. Congrats!!!!
Congrats on the purchase, looks awesome in cobalt (check out this thread: http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f... I tried looking for a cobalt 997.1 GT3, couldn't find one, so settled on black instead. Happy with black (when it's clean!) but would have preferred cobalt, looks lovely.
Regards the splitter, best to look at these as consumables and change every year. I also live in NW London and am used to scraping the splitter everywhere (not least the entrance/exit to the underground carpark). I just bought a new one on one of the Porsche forums for £150. Should only take 10/15 mins to fit myself, will probably do it this weekend.
Regards the splitter, best to look at these as consumables and change every year. I also live in NW London and am used to scraping the splitter everywhere (not least the entrance/exit to the underground carpark). I just bought a new one on one of the Porsche forums for £150. Should only take 10/15 mins to fit myself, will probably do it this weekend.
I have 997 RS and every time I drive up Avenue Road where I live its scrape scrape scrape, however I used to actually get out and look at it and now i just see it as part of the charm, cheap to replace.
The splitter also saves you if you park forward facing into a kerb, like a services whcih I have done once or twice, tough as old nails mine
The splitter also saves you if you park forward facing into a kerb, like a services whcih I have done once or twice, tough as old nails mine
I had a RS until last week and it did exactly the same: scrap every single speed bump in town - and i can relate: i live in Central London SW7.
Order a few front lips from JZM, the cup ones: they are cheaper than the standard on, more rubbery/flexible and it takes 5min to change.
£126 a piece
http://www.porschetuningparts.com/997-gt3-rs-motor...
I always had 1-2 spare at home
Order a few front lips from JZM, the cup ones: they are cheaper than the standard on, more rubbery/flexible and it takes 5min to change.
£126 a piece
http://www.porschetuningparts.com/997-gt3-rs-motor...
I always had 1-2 spare at home
Edited by 911Thrasher on Friday 25th May 15:25
Thank you all for the good wishes. I do hope I can get used to the scraping noise double quick! Perhas the key is to drown it out with the engine? 
Off on the Eurotunnel tomorrow to christen the car and have a trip to Italy. I'm sure there will be scraping noises there.
The big issue for me is that my egress and ingress to my propery has a sharp dip between the road and the property. I try my best, but it's just physics and scraping is inevitable.
Off on the Eurotunnel tomorrow to christen the car and have a trip to Italy. I'm sure there will be scraping noises there.birdcage said:
I have 997 RS and every time I drive up Avenue Road where I live its scrape scrape scrape
A fellow St Johns Wood resident on the thread, looking forward to seeing you around. The killer is Hamilton Terrace as well...The big issue for me is that my egress and ingress to my propery has a sharp dip between the road and the property. I try my best, but it's just physics and scraping is inevitable.
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