Sep 29, 2019 8:24:59 PM
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- Loc: SZ , Switzerland
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- Registered on: Jan 17, 2005
- Reply to: DaveGordon
Re: Pimped my GT3
DaveGordon:Just got back from Mugello - great piece of machinery
First get my racer's excuses out off the way: I struggled with pick-up all weekend - maybe because it was a Cup event and a huge amount of rubber gets laid down. Picked up so much I lost grip and was sliding around a lot, and therefore slow, got fed up and went off line to let people though, in the process getting more pick-up. Tried hard to clear it with some limited success but still have tons now. Net result was I was slower than I was with the GT3 last year. Maybe one day I'll figure out how to deal with it..
That said, when I did have some grip, it's mighty. The stiffer springs work really well on a smooth GP track like that, and you can lean so hard on the tyres it's amazing. Also things like flat, fast left/rights don't upset it at all - my GT3 did roll considerably more in those scenarios. You can feel the aero gives it more stability, and it doesn't wag its tail under strong braking the way the GT3 sometimes did. I had it in all factory settings so even in low-downforce configuration. Steering is very direct, taking the rubber out makes it very communicative.
At first it seemed like it was quieter/smoother than my GT3, but I wondered if it was the tyres. It was. Now it drives like the Flintstones' car and is hellish loud on the Autostrada. The Bose stereo is good: you can run it loud and it thumps out some old skool dance tunes with good effect. Took my mind off my back problems exacerbated by forgetting to put it back in soft suspension mode before driving home
Now I have a lot of cleaning to do, and a little fixing. A big chunk of rubber went through the protective metal mesh on the extraction side of one of the radiators, leaving the mesh clipping the fan blades. Hopefully no big deal.
So yes, I love it - nice upgrade. Was the monetary difference consistent with the level of upgrade from the GT3? Probably not. But so what? You only live once.
Regarding the pick-up, usually it flies off when you get the tires properly hot again no? Of course it's a vicious circle as it's difficult to get them up to temp with low grip and vibrations...
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1969 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3 / 2008 Porsche 911 GT3 RS (sold) / 2011 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Performance / 2014 BMW-Alpina D3 biturbo Touring / 2018 Porsche 911 GT3 Clubsport