Quote:
Dock (Atlanta) said:
I can't tell any difference in any performance area (via my seat of the pants) between when I have a full tank of gas and my wife with me, versus an eighth of a tank and no passenger with me. Sharper steering is a function of the steering rack ratios and the suspension. During street driving I can't tell the difference between 110 feet and 120 feet in a stop from 60-70 mph. Acceleration runs that are a half second apart can't be differentiated seat of the pants.
As for gearing, I would make 1st a little longer, and 2-6 a little shorter. More shifting? This is a sports car, I don't mind shifting.
Hi Dock,
I hear all you are saying, but ......
I drive differently when I have my wife on board to when I'm alone ..... I have to, to maintain the peace!
I wouldn't notice the effect of her weight on performance, because I'm not using it to the full when she's there.
But, when I found myself driving around without a 50 lb passenger seat for a couple of days some time ago (because it needed to be repaired), I thought I noticed a distinct difference in performance due to the weight reduction. Maybe you also unconsciously drive differently when you have a passenger aboard?
All other things being equal, a given steering / suspension setup will still give you a subjectively better feel for the road in a lightly laden car than in the same car when fully laden.
I've not had the feeling driving when 996's that the steering desperately needed a higher ratio. Anyway, the 997 variants apparently have variable-ratio steering, so your prayer may have been answered.
When you say you cannot notice improvements in braking distance or acceleration times resulting from weight reduction when driving on the road, then you might as well say that you would also not notice better acceleration resulting from a power increase. That could be misconstrued as an argument for maintaining the status quo, which is surely not what you intended?
If you made 1st gear longer and 2nd to 6th gear shorter, the first two would probably be so close that you might as well go back to a 5 speed box.
I realise you you don't mind shifting; I don't either, but it is much more fun when the gears are fairly evenly spaced - as they already are on the tt.