996 GT3 Upgrades
Discussion
As I'm just about to pull the trigger on a buying a 996.2 GT3 which will be used 80/20 road/track, i'm after some pointers on some upgrades i'll like to make:
1) RS/Cup Front cutouts/rad tilting - Are there any kits for this or idiot proof instructions and shopping lists?
2) Rear Cup bumper - Where's the best place to get one from? I quite like the centre exit and assume it makes the exhaust pipe work less convoluted?
3) Exhaust systems - How easy is it to match a cup silencer with 200cell cats to make a road legal system? Failing that, which system provides proven power, is robust, sounds nice and would be track noise police friendly, even if turn downs are needed?
4) Brakes - Are Alcon replacement rotors still the 'go-to' or are there better/more easily obtainable options?
5) Cup rear spoiler - Where's the best place to get one from?
6) 8:32 final drive - Any feedback from people who've had this done would be welcome
7) Suspension - I've found that the higher end systems cope better with road and track use due to their greater damping control - Any recommendations on manufacturers & setups would be welcome
I'm all ears
1) RS/Cup Front cutouts/rad tilting - Are there any kits for this or idiot proof instructions and shopping lists?
2) Rear Cup bumper - Where's the best place to get one from? I quite like the centre exit and assume it makes the exhaust pipe work less convoluted?
3) Exhaust systems - How easy is it to match a cup silencer with 200cell cats to make a road legal system? Failing that, which system provides proven power, is robust, sounds nice and would be track noise police friendly, even if turn downs are needed?
4) Brakes - Are Alcon replacement rotors still the 'go-to' or are there better/more easily obtainable options?
5) Cup rear spoiler - Where's the best place to get one from?
6) 8:32 final drive - Any feedback from people who've had this done would be welcome
7) Suspension - I've found that the higher end systems cope better with road and track use due to their greater damping control - Any recommendations on manufacturers & setups would be welcome
I'm all ears
northerner said:
As I'm just about to pull the trigger on a buying a 996.2 GT3 which will be used 80/20 road/track, i'm after some pointers on some upgrades i'll like to make:
1) RS/Cup Front cutouts/rad tilting - Are there any kits for this or idiot proof instructions and shopping lists?
The roadgoing RS bumper duct wasn't functional (the radiator remained upright) For road use in the UK, it's of limited (for which read zero) benefit.1) RS/Cup Front cutouts/rad tilting - Are there any kits for this or idiot proof instructions and shopping lists?
northerner said:
2) Rear Cup bumper - Where's the best place to get one from? I quite like the centre exit and assume it makes the exhaust pipe work less convoluted?
http://gettydesign.com/996tailbases/996-cup-gt3-rs-and-2004-rsr/northerner said:
3) Exhaust systems - How easy is it to match a cup silencer with 200cell cats to make a road legal system?
A genuine 996 Cup silencer has no guts to it :
it's just a sodding great big resonance chamber, it'll sound wonderful at full chat, but otherwise will be the most awful, boomy, droning exhaust you can fit.
northerner said:
Failing that, which system provides proven power, is robust, sounds nice and would be track noise police friendly, even if turn downs are needed?
M&M : https://m-m-germany.de/ and they'll even make you a Cup look a like silencer.northerner said:
4) Brakes - Are Alcon replacement rotors still the 'go-to' or are there better/more easily obtainable options?
They're about as good as it gets in terms of durability and being silent on the road.northerner said:
5) Cup rear spoiler - Where's the best place to get one from?
http://gettydesign.com/996tailbases/996-cup-gt3-rs-and-2004-rsr/The genuine Cup spoiler uses a different (carbon fibre) engine cover which enables the use of a more efficient air filter assembly :
Something like this will probably require many hours of work to fit and adapt to the roadgoing air filter housing :
https://www.f-s-h.com/Rear-Spoiler-996-GT3-Cup
or try Getty again :
http://gettydesign.com/996tailbases/996-cup-gt3-rs...
northerner said:
6) 8:32 final drive - Any feedback from people who've had this done would be welcome.
For a car used on the road 80% of the time, it'll merely make things noisier when cruising, along with being less economical. Would it be high up on my list of modifications to carry out on a roadgoing 996 GT3 ? Absolutely not.northerner said:
(7) Suspension - I've found that the higher end systems cope better with road and track use due to their greater damping control - Any recommendations on manufacturers & setups would be welcome.
Ohlins, MCS, Moton, ExeTC along with all the other suspects. By and large you get what you pay for, though beyond a certain point the benefits won't be obvious without using rose/heim joints/spherical bearings on all the suspension components. I'm all ears
Alcon brakes (front discs and pads - rears as factory are fine but you could upgrade pads. PFC good too - and cheaper I think
Cup diff plates
Check all bushings and get a good geo (eg Chris Franklin)
If budget allows consider change to KWv3 etc
Cups or Toyos etc (but not so good in the wet on the road, and Toyos noisy).
Enjoy!
For the brakes - is there really any need for Alcons for a car that is mostly on the road, when standard discs are so cheap these days?
FVD in Germany sell front discs for only eur 166 each, so let's say worst case scenario maybe £200 each once they get through customs etc. Actually £200 is maybe around the UK price anyway.
https://www.fvd.net/de-en/99735140990EQ/brake-disc...
For people doing 10+ track days a year Alcons make sense. A decade ago the Alcon option wasn't much more expensive than the factory option so it was a no-brainer. But now you are paying maybe triple the factory cost for Alcon discs.
FVD in Germany sell front discs for only eur 166 each, so let's say worst case scenario maybe £200 each once they get through customs etc. Actually £200 is maybe around the UK price anyway.
https://www.fvd.net/de-en/99735140990EQ/brake-disc...
For people doing 10+ track days a year Alcons make sense. A decade ago the Alcon option wasn't much more expensive than the factory option so it was a no-brainer. But now you are paying maybe triple the factory cost for Alcon discs.
I’d leave everything else alone and spend your money on suspension, brakes, final drive and tyres. If you’ve got any money left over, buy a momo cup steering wheel. £ for £ they will be the best upgrades and all you need.
Personally I’d fit kw Clubsport or a higher end damper. Also take the car to a specialist tuner - reputable proven Carrera cup winning race team or c of g etc. Don’t bother with bodywork or exhaust. Waste of money and restricts track day options
Personally I’d fit kw Clubsport or a higher end damper. Also take the car to a specialist tuner - reputable proven Carrera cup winning race team or c of g etc. Don’t bother with bodywork or exhaust. Waste of money and restricts track day options
Surface Transforms now do a ceramic rotor option. Not tried them myself due to eyewatering expense. Of late, I've used Performance Friction front discs and pads, although quite noisy I've been happy with them and crucially they are durable.
The stock exhaust is problematic enough for UK track days these days - just my experience!
Suspension - I have had a good experience with KW v3s a few years ago on my old 996.2 CSR. Have you considered a lightweight clutch and flywheel combo rather than final drive? Likewise, my experience has been that this is very effective at making the car feel much more urgent in 1st, 2nd, 3rd although noting the CSR was a non-Mezger engine but I expect the impact to be similar for the GT3.
I find the 996.2 GT3 very sensitive to set-up so look to work with someone that can get to something that suits your preferences and driving style. You need to be aware that setting the car up for your use case will create compromises elsewhere - for example, in my case a track focused set up makes for quite a lively drive on bumpy B roads in Cup 2s in the wet. You probably know all this but worth reiterating
The stock exhaust is problematic enough for UK track days these days - just my experience!
Suspension - I have had a good experience with KW v3s a few years ago on my old 996.2 CSR. Have you considered a lightweight clutch and flywheel combo rather than final drive? Likewise, my experience has been that this is very effective at making the car feel much more urgent in 1st, 2nd, 3rd although noting the CSR was a non-Mezger engine but I expect the impact to be similar for the GT3.
I find the 996.2 GT3 very sensitive to set-up so look to work with someone that can get to something that suits your preferences and driving style. You need to be aware that setting the car up for your use case will create compromises elsewhere - for example, in my case a track focused set up makes for quite a lively drive on bumpy B roads in Cup 2s in the wet. You probably know all this but worth reiterating
braddo said:
For the brakes - is there really any need for Alcons for a car that is mostly on the road, when standard discs are so cheap these days ?
None whatsoever. Ditto the Cup 'esque exhaust, Cup wing, Cup rear bumper, Cup radiator mod and CWP.Personally I'd chuck the best dampers I could at the car and then leave it at CG for a couple of days (and I'd probably fit an RPMT CSR carbon ducktail) but that's not what the OP is craving ... and far be it from anyone else to tell him what he should or shouldn't do with his pride and joy.
Thanks all for some great feedback & guidance 
@Slippydiif - I did think about toning the car down and going for the ducktail but must admit was reticent airing what could be viewed as heresy.
The car i'm looking at, already has Alcons fitted which need renewing. On the topic of replacement rotors for the Alcons, who supplies these? I've contacted RPM who reached out to Alcon who then pointed me towards Uber9s. Uber9s have since confirmed that they no longer supply Alcon brakes
@Slippydiif - I did think about toning the car down and going for the ducktail but must admit was reticent airing what could be viewed as heresy.
The car i'm looking at, already has Alcons fitted which need renewing. On the topic of replacement rotors for the Alcons, who supplies these? I've contacted RPM who reached out to Alcon who then pointed me towards Uber9s. Uber9s have since confirmed that they no longer supply Alcon brakes
vilfredo said:
I am a little confused about your question, to be honest. In my experience the 996.2 GT3 is a track-ready car. Might need a few upgrades in case you want to use it as a track-only tool but with the 80/20 profile, why do you want to modify it at all? Keep it stock.
So the car i'm going to collect tomorrow already has a few upgrades fitted (Alcons, Cup2's Half cage, Ohlins R&T, cup diff & steering wheel) but I wanted feedback from people who have ran a 996 GT3 also performed upgrades, to understand what works, doesn't work, etc as some of these items need refreshing.My questions have led to some great responses on this thread which have helped me shape the direction I'm looking to take the car. So for me, its been very useful.
Edited by northerner on Friday 21st May 22:28
northerner said:
So the car i'm going to collect tomorrow already has a few upgrades fitted (Alcons, Cup2's Half cage, Ohlins R&T, cup diff & steering wheel) but I wanted feedback from people who have ran a 996 GT3 also performed upgrades, to understand what works, doesn't work, etc as some of these items need refreshing.
My questions have led to some great responses on this thread which have helped me shape the direction I'm looking to take the car. So for me, its been very useful.
Alcons + RS29 work really well and seem to last forever.My questions have led to some great responses on this thread which have helped me shape the direction I'm looking to take the car. So for me, its been very useful.
I’m also on similar usage, 80/20 road/track, about 5000 miles pa. I’m having a hard time deciding whether to go for shorter final drive. I’ve read all there is to read and currently leaning towards keeping it standard. Answer on a postcard please!
Are you keeping the Ohlins or replacing them? I had less than satisfactory experience when having my ‘high end’ dampers rebuilt; so choose a brand with good UK support. If I was to do it all over again then I would go with Nitron.
My car’s geo is quite mild (1.6 / 2.3 camber) but works well for my use. Great fun on Scottish B-roads / single track, where it could be driven like a tarmac rally car, and only fingertips control is required.
Have fun in your new car! 996.2 are superb, standard or otherwise.
Slippydiff said:
northerner said:
As I'm just about to pull the trigger on a buying a 996.2 GT3 which will be used 80/20 road/track, i'm after some pointers on some upgrades i'll like to make:
1) RS/Cup Front cutouts/rad tilting - Are there any kits for this or idiot proof instructions and shopping lists?
The roadgoing RS bumper duct wasn't functional (the radiator remained upright) For road use in the UK, it's of limited (for which read zero) benefit.1) RS/Cup Front cutouts/rad tilting - Are there any kits for this or idiot proof instructions and shopping lists?
northerner said:
The car i'm looking at, already has Alcons fitted which need renewing. On the topic of replacement rotors for the Alcons, who supplies these? I've contacted RPM who reached out to Alcon who then pointed me towards Uber9s. Uber9s have since confirmed that they no longer supply Alcon brakes
I looked into the Alcons solution albeit a little late in the game. It seems that you can still get them if you buy a few sets. Six pairs (min purchase) seem to ring a bell although they may have just been making it sound unattractive as they couldn't bothered. Nick at Uber9 seems to have come up with another supplier of two piece discs.Pip
Steve Rance said:
I’d leave everything else alone and spend your money on suspension, brakes, final drive and tyres. If you’ve got any money left over, buy a momo cup steering wheel. £ for £ they will be the best upgrades and all you need.
Personally I’d fit kw Clubsport or a higher end damper. Also take the car to a specialist tuner - reputable proven Carrera cup winning race team or c of g etc. Don’t bother with bodywork or exhaust. Waste of money and restricts track day options
This 100% potentially do the exhaust to save some weight, you can without compromising track day levels. Personally I’d fit kw Clubsport or a higher end damper. Also take the car to a specialist tuner - reputable proven Carrera cup winning race team or c of g etc. Don’t bother with bodywork or exhaust. Waste of money and restricts track day options
Collected the GT3 on Saturday and managed to get a grand total of 3 laps in around Donington on Monday before the alternator went.
One thing I did notice, is the high level of corner exit understeer when applying the power. The rear felt it was squatting a lot under power which may well be down to suspension setup but any feedback on how these cars are supposed to handle on track - e.g. is this typical behaviour for a 996, would be welcome? For full disclosure - The cup 2 tyres are of a 2013 vintage and its running Ohlins R&T's for which I couldnt find the rear adjuster and the front adjuster is seized.
The joy of old cars
One thing I did notice, is the high level of corner exit understeer when applying the power. The rear felt it was squatting a lot under power which may well be down to suspension setup but any feedback on how these cars are supposed to handle on track - e.g. is this typical behaviour for a 996, would be welcome? For full disclosure - The cup 2 tyres are of a 2013 vintage and its running Ohlins R&T's for which I couldnt find the rear adjuster and the front adjuster is seized.
The joy of old cars
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