My rusty datsun is faster than my 996 - need some help

Hi I did my second track day with the Porsche (996.1 c2 cab) today, the feel is just amazing. Steering is so precise, love it. However it didn't grip as good in corners as I thought, my Datsun 280zx from 1980 has much better grip. Played around with tire pressure and rebound a bit but still not the same. To be fair the Datsun is running Ventus RS4 (extreme performance) and the 996 Pilot Super Sport (Max performance), the Datsun is also ~400 lbs lighter (but with ****ty suspension design). 1. Does the RS4 just have so much more grip? 2. I am running race pads on the Datsun but stock pads with RB600 on the 996. The datsuns stops quicker, is this due to tires as well? 3. How much is there to be gained by experimenting with the rebound? My intention was not to track the 996, but I can see how that is changing. It's just so amazing. There is also an interesting effect with racing a nice car vs a POS. With the Datsun I can sell my soul for nano seconds. With the 996 I try to focus on being a better driver, I shift at 5500-6000 to save engine, ignore shifts sometimes etc... (Only did modest 1.36-1.37 at Harris Hill, slightly slower than the Datsun. The Datsun has 135 crank hp....max) Seems like a silly comparison but these are the only cars I have driven on track, I am a beginner with maybe 30hours total track time. Thanks

I haven't had RS4s but the RS3s were a MUCH better tire than MPSS. On a 40-second lap they're about a secondish faster, maybe a little more- on a 1:35 track I'd expect them to be 2-3 seconds faster, easily. They also held up at temps MUCH better so when the MPSS are getting greasy and really falling off, the RS3s are staying sticky and fast. Check the date codes too since neither are going to be very impressive after 2 years, especially if they've been subjected to freezing temps through a winter. The stock pads on the 996 are okay in my experience (with excellent fluid) up to about 6/10 pace. I'd run them if it were a wet day, or on bad tires. If you don't have much experience driving a 911 on track, get some instruction. Going back to front-engined rear-drive feels like easy-mode afterwards.

Tires are your difference maker. They usually are...

First, you said it yourself, the 280 is 400lbs lighter. That's a big big deal. Not only is lighter, faster, but tossing less inertia around a track is far easier for novice racers. Second, feel vs reality is at play, im sure. A lighter car always feels faster. Also given the more traditional front engine rwd set up in the 280 it's a bit easier to properly drive the lines around a circuit. But neither of those translate to faster track times. If driven properly the 911 is going to be several seconds faster around a track 10 times out of 10. That's not to say it will feel faster or be as fun. Why do you think so many people choose Miatas as track cars? I wouldn't own one if it was given to me, but I'll never turn down a few hot laps in one,

have you done any motor mods to the Porsche before you began tracking it? The M96 does not really like to stay alive at the track very long without some help.

Lots of variables at play here, but the simplest answer is tires. I'd wager that's 80% of your difference. Suspension, alignment, technique, all are variables.

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If you have enough pad to consistently lock the brakes up / trigger ABS, look at the tire; if you don't feel like you're getting the brake bite you need, look at the pads. If you're threshold braking in the Datsun because it doesn't have ABS, and you're just crushing the brakes on the 996 since it does, that could also be the difference...under ABS, you're alternating between sliding and braking. Datsun shot for a 50/50 weight distribution, so I would expect the brake bias between the cars to be different, especially non-straight-line braking. I've had the car for 5 years, and I still don't know how to drive it as fast as my Boxster. I suggest giving it a little more time before you determine that more parts are needed.

The rusty Datsun is lighter and has stickier tires. -Jason

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...and 135 crank hp

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With his current 996 setup I still think it would be faster then the Rusty Datsun around a track. -Jason

I think we are thinking the same thing.

I think getting the pilot super sport was a mistake. I don't mind racing on slow tires and practice technique but these tires are very expensive and gets eaten up on the track. MPSS is not a good tire for track unless it's a very beginner DE. Interesting about the brakes, I guess getting better tires the stock pads might be the next thing.