GT4 MR kit review - Page 3 - Boxster/Cayman - PistonHeads UK

I say 'review' - i'm not a race driver, so this is only useful if you track your car and want to know what an average person experiences in terms of the difference. I only really drive my car at the Nurburgring, the first time i took it out I did a 7.32. I've had the kit installed and did a 7.21. I've also been consistently quicker, which I think is linked to having more confidence I don't have the lightweight wheels. I have read somewhere that Forgeline do lighter wheels? Would be interested in knowing if there are UK stockists for those that fit the GT4 and what price they paid Summary - the camber adjustment prevents tyres being killed. I did 2 days before the outside of the tyre was toast. I've done 2 days and wear is perfectly even - the kit makes higher speed sections 'safer', notably the crest at the top of kesselchen and (though it's now gone) the bump after the bridge on the dottinger hohe - over harder bumps, the car feels stiffer and more grounded - like it hits the bump and moves to the next one. The stock suspension (on stiff) still felt 'floaty' and the car would be suffering from feeling lighter for longer. Sprunghogel is a good example of this, though if you launch the car into it, it'll still go light. Better to go slower there and then pick up speed for the next section - under 'immediate, hard' braking, the back is still unsettled, but it feels more controllable. If you let the car settle in by braking more progressively, it seems to enable you to brake harder when you do reach the threshold. This is all subjective though - could just be i'm not talented enough I guess the question is, "is it worth it?". If you go to the ring, yes. If you have circuits with high speed corners, yes. If you track your car a lot, but generally at shorter tracks without high speed corners, you can probably make do with the parts to increase camber Really pleased with the car, just need to get to know it a bit more intimately https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRgwjrgiiZo&ab 7.21

Just watched that lap Now I know why I don’t track!

Glad you like it.

Yeah 144mph through the foxhole is committed alright.

What settings were you on for bump and rebound, and ARB?

Standard Manthey settings : ARB is soft at the front, medium at the rear Rebound (fast and slow): 9 at front, 8 at rear Compression (fast and slow): 8 at front and rear Camber: -3 at front, -2.5 at rear 1 degree toe in at front, 2 degrees at the rear

dashobbit said: Standard Manthey settings : ARB is soft at the front, medium at the rear Rebound (fast and slow): 9 at front, 8 at rear Compression (fast and slow): 8 at front and rear Camber: -3 at front, -2.5 at rear 1 degree toe in at front, 2 degrees at the rear Ok yep. Standard MR. For UK circuits… I’ve had my ride height lowered to take out some of the initial body movement and lower the roll Center a little. Also for Silverstone found that one click harder on low speed bump really locked the car down. On the road and else where so far I’ve run the standard MR settings.

Useful to know, cheers Have you done anything else? Wheels, exhaust etc? Wondering if anything makes a real difference, but isn’t totally crazy

Mine is a 981. Have full MR package the chassis side, but not the MR wing PFC rotors and Pagid RSL29 For engine… have done 718 CS/GT intake, headers, exhaust & appropriate remap to give around 718 GT4 equivalent performance, but sounds better. Lol. For a 718 GT4 PDK like yours… personally not sure I’d do more than MR kit and brakes. Wheels would be nice and would be an advantage…. but add a decent chunk to costs. Edited by TDT on Friday 3rd June 14:37

Wheels are expensive but did wonder if some lighter weight forged ones would be worthwhile Was also wondering about an exhaust but not interested in anything that requires a remap, which I think is just the OFP section Not sure if the JCR ultralight uses the OFPs or not

dashobbit said: Was also wondering about an exhaust but not interested in anything that requires a remap, which I think is just the OFP section Not sure if the JCR ultralight uses the OFPs or not The superlight system replaces the OPFs, and there are ways to stop the car showing a CEL without remapping the car. Not sure I'd do it myself as the car will be potentially be running out of spec? If you replace just the final silencer, as I have done, you'll have no issues whatsoever. Thanks for the camber specs by the way, I'm running something very similar on my car and even without the MR suspension the car feels really planted. As standard the cars have nowhere near enough camber in them IMHO, even for road use, unless you're just pottering about to and from Cars and Coffee meets

Thats very fast and beautiful driving. I don't think you need to do anything tbh to go faster. Already rapid and very smooth. I think you need a 992 GT3 RS

19 seconds to go until it matches the pace of the MR in the hands of a race driver Unless I can claim 17 of those are the wheels… I have very little interest in the GT3s. A fast lap in those (ie 7mins or less) relies heavily on the tyres sticking. Engine in the “wrong” place, so can’t balance the car like you can with a mid engined one (not in my hands anyway), so it’s a whole lot more speed, a whole lot more risk, and if you make a mistake there’s less room to correct it before you meet the side of a mountain If anyone wants to swap me for a 4RS though…

Twinfan said: The superlight system replaces the OPFs, and there are ways to stop the car showing a CEL without remapping the car. Not sure I'd do it myself as the car will be potentially be running out of spec? If you replace just the final silencer, as I have done, you'll have no issues whatsoever. Thanks for the camber specs by the way, I'm running something very similar on my car and even without the MR suspension the car feels really planted. As standard the cars have nowhere near enough camber in them IMHO, even for road use, unless you're just pottering about to and from Cars and Coffee meets Agree - the MR kit is probably not the cheapest way to achieve stability but it’s tried and tested I looked at the exhaust options properly. I think it’s either JCR back box - which no doubt makes it too loud for some UK tracks - or a cargraphic system with high flowing OPFs and race cats- which throws the warranty out the window for about 25bhp I’ll keep it standard and spend the cash on tyres and fuel instead

I watched Sport Auto do a Ring lap in a 991 turbo s I'd prefer a lap with you

dashobbit said: Agree - the MR kit is probably not the cheapest way to achieve stability but it’s tried and tested I looked at the exhaust options properly. I think it’s either JCR back box - which no doubt makes it too loud for some UK tracks - or a cargraphic system with high flowing OPFs and race cats- which throws the warranty out the window for about 25bhp I’ll keep it standard and spend the cash on tyres and fuel instead Replacing the silencer alone doesn't make the car any louder for track use. The standard system is wide open pipework above 4k. On static tests at around 4k my car blows the same as a standard car: 90-91dB. Changing the silencer makes it louder at lower revs but more importantly, if you choose an option that mixes the cylinder banks unlike the OEM system, you change the exhaust tone/note for what most people seen to think is one that is subjectively "better".

Twinfan said: Replacing the silencer alone doesn't make the car any louder for track use. The standard system is wide open pipework above 4k. On static tests at around 4k my car blows the same as a standard car: 90-91dB. Changing the silencer makes it louder at lower revs but more importantly, if you choose an option that mixes the cylinder banks unlike the OEM system, you change the exhaust tone/note for what most people seen to think is one that is subjectively "better". Sorry should have said - i would only do that for the non silenced version, which I think adds 6-7db

That is such a fantasticly smooth lap, I had to watch it twice it looks like a video game! Amazing job.

dashobbit said: Sorry should have said - i would only do that for the non silenced version, which I think adds 6-7db Only at low revs. If you keep the OPFs it's no different to the stock straight through system after the valves open at 4k revs (or 3k revs with the exhaust button pressed). As I've said, the valves open part of the stock silencer is open and unsilenced. The 6-7dB difference is if you use their silenced tips which will make the car quieter than stock for tracks with low noise limits e.g. Brands Hatch. Edited by Twinfan on Sunday 5th June 10:55

Oh right. Kinda seems pointless then

Amazingly smooth and fast lap ! I could never imagine being able to do that ! Bravo ! Were you running standard Cup 2s? Obv the Rs are worth "10s" on the Ring if I believe what I've read.....

Snowy999 said: Amazingly smooth and fast lap ! I could never imagine being able to do that ! Bravo ! Were you running standard Cup 2s? Obv the Rs are worth "10s" on the Ring if I believe what I've read..... Thanks. Yes, they don’t do an “R” version in the GT4 size. The GT4 RS seems to run the same tyres so maybe they will release some for that Some people run Trofeo R tyres, but camber needs increasing. There was also someone running Yokos, maybe the AD48, but not sure id go there I also gather that some people move to 19” wheels to reduce tyre cost, but you can’t do that with the PCCBs and I am a fan of the brakes being consistent

dashobbit said: 19 seconds to go until it matches the pace of the MR in the hands of a race driver Unless I can claim 17 of those are the wheels… I have very little interest in the GT3s. A fast lap in those (ie 7mins or less) relies heavily on the tyres sticking. Engine in the “wrong” place, so can’t balance the car like you can with a mid engined one (not in my hands anyway), so it’s a whole lot more speed, a whole lot more risk, and if you make a mistake there’s less room to correct it before you meet the side of a mountain If anyone wants to swap me for a 4RS though… Its such a shame what Porsche do with this VIP thing. First person I'd send an RS to is someone like you...f.idiots.

dashobbit said: Oh right. Kinda seems pointless then Weight saving, aural improvement, looks They do add differing levels of low rev drone though.

The car looks planted at the ring with the mods! cracking lap. Was the camera the dash cam hanging from the screen?

No, that wasn’t actually on, It’s a 360 camera but i forgot the battery and it doesn’t record without one, even if powered from the USB. The footage is from a bullet cam from a video vbox, hence the overlays etc

dashobbit said: Thanks. Yes, they don’t do an “R” version in the GT4 size. The GT4 RS seems to run the same tyres so maybe they will release some for that Some people run Trofeo R tyres, but camber needs increasing. There was also someone running Yokos, maybe the AD48, but not sure id go there I also gather that some people move to 19” wheels to reduce tyre cost, but you can’t do that with the PCCBs and I am a fan of the brakes being consistent R is out in GT4 sizes as it is the same as 4RS, if you can source…. Are you on MR pads with PCCB? I was running them on PFC rotors (steel car)… felt like they are formulated to wear… recently changed to RSL29 and prefer the initial bite and feel.

Yes, MR pads. They seem more progressive than the standard ones

That looked like a great lap. Nice!

Just watched that lap ... very smooth and from the tyre sounds, close to the limit Of course, with smoothness comes pace ... impressive !! Maybe you should think about racing ??

Appreciated! I’m 19s slower than a race driver, and probably 20yrs too old… and not wealthy enough! There are plenty faster than me out there

That is still an excellent time at The Ring where I'm guessing you have not done thousands of laps ?

Not thousands, no. Have been going for a while so I know the circuit, but the car is also super capable. If anyone else knew the circuit and wanted to spend a couple of days following and being in and out of cars, they'd probably replicate it easily enough As I say, 19 seconds between me and an actual race driver, and at an average speed of ~80mph at the ring, that's a very big distance!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rM-CpzWA1qU&t=... An interesting YouTube narrated lap with a professional driver in the new M3CSL ... for comparison ...

Beautifully driven, and bloody rapid. I dont care who you are or what you drive, sub 8 is properly moving and sub 7:30 is seriously bloody impressive. Well done

dashobbit said: ... As I say, 19 seconds between me and an actual race driver, and at an average speed of ~80mph at the ring, that's a very big distance! 19 seconds a lap at the 'Ring vs a GOOD professional racing driver is good going. Not every racing driver will be that quick so don't sell yourself short - remember, many of those laps were set by people who have very little invested interest in the car, something that owners of road cars rarely benefit from! Plus, if you did decide to try a season racing - age is not super relevant; money, much more so ... - they would be on smaller tracks and likely against mostly lesser quality drivers than those setting the fastest 'Ring lap times (plus you'd be able to follow and learn, as you reference above), so those 19 seconds would quickly reduce to 1-2 seconds or less, at the start. If you cannot afford or do not want to race, that's one thing, but please do not let the 19 seconds be the deciding factor!

As there was a bit of interest in this, just returned from the second trip with the MR kit Managed a 7.15 this time around, with a little bit of traffic that based on other laps would have seen a 7.13. Looking at the clip, it's probably all I can manage https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9DWclyla7U&ab for the vid I was also reminded of how good the suspension is as I was out in a couple of other cars, a 4RS and another 4, both of which were on standard suspension. Far more confidence with the MR kit There's a 360 cam version - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uveP1nnE_8&ab Edited by dashobbit on Wednesday 13th July 23:29

Had my 718 a couple of weeks now… done a trackday @Goodwood and then have some local b-road driving on some of my favourite local routes…. I need to get my MR kit put back on the car as soon as possible! It’s been almost 3 years since i last drove a GT4 with OEM dampers ‘in anger’ and the 718 is definitely ‘softer damped/riding’ than the 981 OEM. So to me that means you get much more body movement with load in the car, which then means that on a bumpy road or circuit with a bit of undulations, the car can quickly become a bit of wild ride! Car is straight out of the box, from the dealer… with factory settings… suspensions adjustments have never been moved and the car had never seen a circuit prior to day 2 of my ownership. It still on the original factory delivered tyres. lol. It is fast… engine is strong, and the potential is there… need to get this chassis locked down. I was booked in for last week but postponed as I want to spend a bit more time with it totally stock… but driving this weekend… the delta is too big for me to delay further. Edited by TDT on Monday 29th August 20:15

Agree, it was a couple of “moments” at the ring that made me think it was worth the investment So glad I did, sounds like you can’t ever go back either. If I ever got an RS, I’d not even bother driving it without having the suspension changed It’s actually really frustrating because it makes you wonder what Porsche at playing at, but I guess the MR kit will need a rebuild every few years and that’s hardly an option for a manufacturer

TDT said: Had my 718 a couple of weeks now… done a trackday @Goodwood and then have some local b-road driving on some of my favourite local routes…. I need to get my MR kit put back on the car as soon as possible! It’s been almost 3 years since i last drove a GT4 with OEM dampers ‘in anger’ and the 718 is definitely ‘softer damped/riding’ than the 981 OEM. So to me that means you get much more body movement with load in the car, which then means that on a bumpy road or circuit with a bit of undulations, the car can quickly become a bit of wild ride! Car is straight out of the box, from the dealer… with factory settings… suspensions adjustments have never been moved and the car had never seen a circuit prior to day 2 of my ownership. It still on the original factory delivered tyres. lol. It is fast… engine is strong, and the potential is there… need to get this chassis locked down. I was booked in for last week but postponed as I want to spend a bit more time with it totally stock… but driving this weekend… the delta is too big for me to delay further. Edited by TDT on Monday 29th August 20:15 Nice one! did you go for the PDK? I agree the suspenion on track is a little soft.

Manual for me.

@dashobbit…. did you notice any impact on your vMAX/ end of straight speeds as result of the aero package… have you driven with the rear wing trimmed out by running it flat?

Yes, there’s a marginal difference But for me, vmax is irrelevant so I’ve not done anything about it

dashobbit said: Yes, there’s a marginal difference But for me, vmax is irrelevant so I’ve not done anything about it Ok, was just thinking of long straights on some of the GP circuits… Silverstone and Spa etc… but the gains in speed carried through high speed corners will outweigh the possible couple of mph difference. In fact because you should be carrying extra mid corner to exit speed… might be no difference at all anyway.

TDT said: Ok, was just thinking of long straights on some of the GP circuits… Silverstone and Spa etc… but the gains in speed carried through high speed corners will outweigh the possible couple of mph difference. In fact because you should be carrying extra mid corner to exit speed… might be no difference at all anyway. This is exactly the same scenario for the new 992RS. The standard 992GT3 is apparantely faster at the end of the long straights at the Ring than the RS due to less aero and drag. However the 992RS will be faster overall due to the higher corner speeds and faster exit speeds.