997 GTS – Is Sport Chassis with LSD a must have? - Page 1 - 911/Carrera GT - PistonHeads UK

Following on from various ‘what car’ threads and having driven a few at the weekend, I think I’m pretty set on a 997 GTS now. The only problem seems to be that none of them for sale (2WD) have the sports chassis option with the LSD. I’m not going to be tracking the car regularly, but I can’t help think that when I do I’ll really regret not having held out for one that’s got it. I’ve spoken with a few well known specialists and apparently you can’t even retro fit it to a PDK car so that’s out as well. What do owners think? Is it worth holding out for or not? Having had a GT3 beforehand I think the LSD makes a big difference in being able to control the rear if it does come out as opposed to it just snapping. Thanks!

funtimee said: Following on from various ‘what car’ threads and having driven a few at the weekend, I think I’m pretty set on a 997 GTS now. The only problem seems to be that none of them for sale (2WD) have the sports chassis option with the LSD. I’m not going to be tracking the car regularly, but I can’t help think that when I do I’ll really regret not having held out for one that’s got it. I’ve spoken with a few well known specialists and apparently you can’t even retro fit it to a PDK car so that’s out as well. What do owners think? Is it worth holding out for or not? Having had a GT3 beforehand I think the LSD makes a big difference in being able to control the rear if it does come out as opposed to it just snapping. Thanks! My GTS is a PDK car without the factory sport chassis / LSD kit. I have driven quite a few 997 GTS now and in my opinion the sport chassis gave the GTS a firmer ride in normal driving which took away some of the GTS's natural chassis compliance. Also parked side by side with my car the difference in ride height is closer to 10mm (as opposed to the claimed -20mm). You are right though there aren't that many around in that spec and the ones I have seen have all been manual (which is no bad thing...) Good luck and you won't regret it! PS: The car needs a Sharkwerks exhaust silencer deletion to make the 997.2 PSE sound like a proper 911!

Not the best images to show the minimal ride height difference but my white car (standard non-sport chassis) next to a manual GTS with the factory sport chassis kit....

So as a former owner - I agree with what Chris has said. The beauty of the 997 GTS is that is really is a brilliant all-arounder that brings that little bit of special, no matter how much you drive it. I'd recommend you buy the best one you can, then add: TPC Dynamic Suspension Control (DSC) unit - makes the PASM system more responsive and adds couple extra mode steps. Sharkwerks bypass - more lovely sound. and thats it. Drive it, service it, love it. I think the LSD come as part of the gearbox package from what Jackwood has posted on here before - so not sure about being able to retrofit - but would imagine this would be more straightforward on a manual that a PDK car. Edited by TDT on Monday 9th March 12:20

The sport chassis is not -20mm relative to another PASM car, it's a comparison with a non-PASM model.

Thanks for the replies. I should have stated at the start that I'm aware that the sport chassis is only 10mm lower, but it's not the suspension element that bothers me, it's just the LSD. How good is the TCP PASM controller? I've seen many threads about them in the US but not many UK users. Also, how much did it set you back once you'd paid duty etc? And same goes for the sharkwerks really - any UK distributors? Thanks!

Chris sells the Sharkwerks bypasses.

Magic919 said: The sport chassis is not -20mm relative to another PASM car, it's a comparison with a non-PASM model. Ah! My mistake and that makes sense why there was so little ride height difference when side by side. Chris

Magic919 said: Chris sells the Sharkwerks bypasses. Sharkwerks now held in stock by ABP here in the UK for the 997.2 (including GTS, PSE and non PSE cars) and the 997 & 991 GT3. More info here: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... Chris Edited by chrisABP on Monday 9th March 15:36

Thanks for the replies again everyone. I'll take a look!

chrisABP said: Not the best images to show the minimal ride height difference but my white car (standard non-sport chassis) next to a manual GTS with the factory sport chassis kit.... Nice pictures Chris ;-) The Aqua Blue Manual GTS with the -20mm PASM and LSD on the left is my car. It was in with the guys at ARB Motorsport having the geo tweaked last Friday. And a great job they have done too. Tram lining had all but disappeared. And where previously it was easy to trigger the nearside front ABS, now you can really lean on the brakes. If an impending property purchase didn't mean I had to put the car on the market I’d definitely be replacing the standard PSE with the Sharkworks silencers. I left kind of hoping that the property purchase would fall through just so that I had an excuse to cheer myself up with the upgrade.

rudester said: Nice pictures Chris ;-) The Aqua Blue Manual GTS with the -20mm PASM and LSD on the left is my car. It was in with the guys at ARB Motorsport having the geo tweaked last Friday. And a great job they have done too. Tram lining had all but disappeared. And where previously it was easy to trigger the nearside front ABS, now you can really lean on the brakes. If an impending property purchase didn't mean I had to put the car on the market I’d definitely be replacing the standard PSE with the Sharkworks silencers. I left kind of hoping that the property purchase would fall through just so that I had an excuse to cheer myself up with the upgrade. They did look good together didn't they! Glad to hear you're feeling the improvements of the geometry set-up, it's surprising the difference it can make when all four wheels are pointing in the right direction and geometry figures are equalised side to side. After seeing the smile on your face listening to my exhaust I know you'll be back if the house purchase doesn't proceed! Hey - maybe the OP funtimee might be keen to buy your car? He won't find a lower mileage one that's for sure! Cheers, Chris

There is a really nice sub 3k miles manual buckets etc for sale I would be tempted but its in N.I.!

Spoke to him earlier - already sold!

funtimee said: Spoke to him earlier - already sold! Not surprised looked a really lovely example