R8 V10+ to GT4
Discussion
The two professional racing drivers I've been lucky enough to meet explained and demonstrated that the understeer is largely dependent on how you drive, especially on track. it only takes a couple of hours with a Calum Lockie for you to save thousands on parts and realise that some small changes in habits massively increase the enjoyment.
RPM Technik and others, opinion that the GT4 can pound round all day and not tire to the same extent as more road biased cars.
But that V10 and amazing construction from Audi......
RPM Technik and others, opinion that the GT4 can pound round all day and not tire to the same extent as more road biased cars.
But that V10 and amazing construction from Audi......
Edited by robj4 on Thursday 19th April 20:21
RSbandit said:
Some reviews I've seen have mentioned some understeer ( motor trend while doing a hot lap) and that the car is too long geared .... anyone agree with these observations ?
The car has fully adjustable suspension on the front and can be made fully adjustable on the rear with a couple of additional parts.Understeer can be eliminated with a geo configuration, and understanding how to take advantage of MR layout - i.e upgrade the driver.
With respect to the MotorTrend review I think the text write up and the video review acknowledged that the car didn't have an optimal geo setup.
Randy Pobst then did some work with TPC for another review - and when running a properly set up car with the DSC, he was totally blown away.
As for the gearing.. its down to personal taste. But I think it is the single general gripe of the car.
If it had shorter ratios it would have extremely explosive performance.. so its clear that Porsche made a decision not to enhance this aspect of the drivetrain to help maintain the hierarchy in the brand line up.. i.e. Not faster than a GT3 from the factory at basically 2/3rd the list price.
Again with performance upgrades you can overcome some of the gearing issues, as there are dips in the power curve which once ironed out make the gearing much less of an issue.
Edited by TDT on Thursday 19th April 20:57
Thanks for the detailed input above I have to admit some of the suggested fixes are above my technical understanding I'm sure it's something that only pretty advanced drivers would care about ? I've found it interesting that the responses here are very balanced in acknowledging what a belting car the V10 plus is and that it's not a change that should be made lightly nice to see such objectivity.
I went from a Manual 2014 R8 V10+ to a 981 Spyder.
R8 was definitely faster (lots more torque), R8 engine was great but very quiet (new R8s are a lot louder inside).
Spyder handles much better, is far sharper. Spyder easier to live with, less super car effort, felt more up to date inside.
IMO the engine in the Spyder is the biggest let down, its ok but its not a classic like the GT3/R8 engines.
R8 was definitely faster (lots more torque), R8 engine was great but very quiet (new R8s are a lot louder inside).
Spyder handles much better, is far sharper. Spyder easier to live with, less super car effort, felt more up to date inside.
IMO the engine in the Spyder is the biggest let down, its ok but its not a classic like the GT3/R8 engines.
Guys so quick update I had a drive this morning in the GT4 at East London Porsche ...I really really liked it ...leaves me in a serious quandary! Some thoughts I loved the overall feel, cockpit is lovely , proper well sprung clutch , lovely gearshift short throw and engaging the auto blip feature is great for those who can't heel n toe ( of course would try to learn to do myself !) , car felt plenty quick enough overall . One thing was the break pedal travel was quite short ( a few cm/s at most at the top ) is this pretty normal ?(it's was on steels).
The slight negative for me was the fixed carbon seats, great for track but normal road driving over longer distances I could see it being a touch uncomfortable , however I think without those resale value would be impacted. Of course back in the R8 afterwards and it's so comfortable by comparison and then the V10 honey ...I'm really not sure on this one ...if I could have both I would but that's not a runner !
The slight negative for me was the fixed carbon seats, great for track but normal road driving over longer distances I could see it being a touch uncomfortable , however I think without those resale value would be impacted. Of course back in the R8 afterwards and it's so comfortable by comparison and then the V10 honey ...I'm really not sure on this one ...if I could have both I would but that's not a runner !
RSbandit said:
Guys so quick update I had a drive this morning in the GT4 at East London Porsche ...I really really liked it ...leaves me in a serious quandary! Some thoughts I loved the overall feel, cockpit is lovely , proper well sprung clutch , lovely gearshift short throw and engaging the auto blip feature is great for those who can't heel n toe ( of course would try to learn to do myself !) , car felt plenty quick enough overall . One thing was the break pedal travel was quite short ( a few cm/s at most at the top ) is this pretty normal ?(it's was on steels).
The slight negative for me was the fixed carbon seats, great for track but normal road driving over longer distances I could see it being a touch uncomfortable , however I think without those resale value would be impacted. Of course back in the R8 afterwards and it's so comfortable by comparison and then the V10 honey ...I'm really not sure on this one ...if I could have both I would but that's not a runner !
Brake pedal travel sounds right. You'll think it feels very short for road driving but it will then travel a bit further when the brakes get hot on track and you're using them harder. The pedal travel will then feel perfect. I heard quite a few complaints about the 918 bucket seats and despite being a bucket man myself I went for the normal 2 way adjustable sports plus seats because I bought the car for me and not someone else on re-sale. I'm very impressed with them on the road and accept that they won't be as good as buckets when on the track. Saying that, my GT4 was probably £5K less than a similar specced car with buckets. So it's swings and roundabouts when it comes to current and future value.The slight negative for me was the fixed carbon seats, great for track but normal road driving over longer distances I could see it being a touch uncomfortable , however I think without those resale value would be impacted. Of course back in the R8 afterwards and it's so comfortable by comparison and then the V10 honey ...I'm really not sure on this one ...if I could have both I would but that's not a runner !
RSbandit said:
The slight negative for me was the fixed carbon seats, great for track but normal road driving over longer distances I could see it being a touch uncomfortable , however I think without those resale value would be impacted.
I use my GT4 daily— frequently over long distances— and the 918 buckets suit me just fine....!! Really comfy in fact.... It’s horses for courses on this one: depends a lot on individual body shape etc... But i certainly wouldn’t dismiss the fixed buckets based upon mere rumour/heresay.... 
Swimfinz said:
I use my GT4 daily— frequently over long distances— and the 918 buckets suit me just fine....!! Really comfy in fact.... It’s horses for courses on this one: depends a lot on individual body shape etc... But i certainly wouldn’t dismiss the fixed buckets based upon mere rumour/heresay....
I really dislike the 918 seats :-)As you say it's very personal.
In truth I've always found the regular seats in the R8 lacking in support (particular on the sides) come track time, the buckets in the GT4 look the nuts and are very supportive I'm sure I could live with them wouldn't be doing more than 3-4k miles a year in the car anyway. I don't think I'm far away from a deal level as had a bit of over and back with the sales guy since the drive. I wouldn't normally go for a bright yellow car but I think its suits the racy nature to a tee, decals as well to finish the look. I think I'd like a longer drive in it just to be sure, its on sale or return so would need permission from owner on that I'd imagine.
I find this interesting as I also contemplate what (if anything) might be a suitable alternative to the GT4 ...
Other than one more step to RS' iffying it with an irreversible 430bhp power upgrade ...
By then to will be out of warranty and I'd stick the warranty cost into a kitty ... and it would then follow that I'd have to keep it forever !
Other than one more step to RS' iffying it with an irreversible 430bhp power upgrade ...
By then to will be out of warranty and I'd stick the warranty cost into a kitty ... and it would then follow that I'd have to keep it forever !
So Porsche can't offer me an extended test drive ( I asked for an hr in the car ) as it's not a demo vehicle and they said owner wouldn't be on for it, thought that given I'm a serious buyer that this could have been sorted but alas no ...anyone wanna lend me theirs for a couple of hrs ?? Bit of a tricky one as I really need more time in the car to be sure of switching
ravon said:
I was at Estoril and Jerez last Autumn with my somewhat modified GT4 and it simply couldn’t live with the two R8 V10’s on the same event , they were so much faster on any breath of a straight. Left me thinking the exact opposite of the original poster !
Interesting.... not my experience at all!Gen2 R8 (and a huracan for that matter) doesn't leave my standard GT4 on track, and if anything, the complete opposite. Yes they had the legs on the straight, but then we are only talking a few car lengths on the straights which is easily neutralised under breaking (one thing the GT4 is brilliant at). Round the twistys the GT4 has much more grip that the audi/lambo can muster.
n17ves said:
Interesting.... not my experience at all!
Gen2 R8 (and a huracan for that matter) doesn't leave my standard GT4 on track, and if anything, the complete opposite. Yes they had the legs on the straight, but then we are only talking a few car lengths on the straights which is easily neutralised under breaking (one thing the GT4 is brilliant at). Round the twistys the GT4 has much more grip that the audi/lambo can muster.
most Audi have oem road tyres (yep P zero) vs the GT4 cup 2's and most tracks the v10 plus laps faster on road tyres as is.Gen2 R8 (and a huracan for that matter) doesn't leave my standard GT4 on track, and if anything, the complete opposite. Yes they had the legs on the straight, but then we are only talking a few car lengths on the straights which is easily neutralised under breaking (one thing the GT4 is brilliant at). Round the twistys the GT4 has much more grip that the audi/lambo can muster.
add cups and Audi's own performance parts, ie track bits which you can have under warranty, a GT4 would not see where the R8 had gone with track shocks and cup's imo. the great thing about the Audi is their track parts are under warranty and we all know how well the LM GT cars do.
https://youtu.be/j0JcaQ5lpfk
while you cannot change anything on the GT4 Audi will give you a real track pack and warranty !!!!
Aero parts
real brakes
Forged wheels
3 way shocks
I wish Porsche offered track packs, but we have to go via Manthey Racing and void the warranty !!
Shame no one has lap times of the V10 + track pack cars.
Edited by Porsche911R on Wednesday 25th April 13:35
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