Real time value of the X73

I took my car out to Watkins Glen for the first time in months since returning it to stock. The last time I was there was in May with the x73, sport cups and full oem aerokit. Today was beautiful, but my oh my did I miss the x73 and cups! Where I used to be planted, I lost traction. Where I was at WOT, I had to back off. The difference was night and day. Anybody contemplating the X73 on a C4S or TT should do it without hesitation. I usually run in the red run group, today I switched down to blue as I just couldn't keep up with everybody with street tires and a rock stock suspension, I was just in the way. The best time I could muster was a 2:37, a full ten seconds slower than my last time out in May at 2:27. at one point I almost lost it in the heel of the boot, (tires broke loose), thank God for PSM it literally saved my ***. In short, the X73 suspension makes a dramatic difference in these cars, I couldn't believe it myself. Stock is barely adequate. If you're thinking about it, do it! I only hope the suspension on my new 997TT is close and not another dumbed down US version for the masses.

Chris - nice write up! When is your 997TT due to arrive?

Spring, maybe earlier.

How much of it do you think was the tires? I could see it being fairly significant. P.S - didn't know you ordered a TT. Congrats!

Chris, not a surprise. Kind of wish I just went with the x74 out of the gate and skipped the JIC's. BTW, the pics are posted of my new TT

It is not just the tires....X73 composes the C4S chassis to a degree that is seriously nontrivial. In combination with R-compounds, the C4S easily shades a 997C2S on streets, despite the chassis development and horsepower advantages of the latter. Turn in is sharp, mid corner stability defines poise, and with the right alignement understeer a thing of the past. X73 should have been standard for 996TT and C4S....real pity that few get to sample the step change it evinces.

What Bill said, the difference was dramatic. Tires had a little to do with it, I'm sure. Turn in and mid corner stability were gone.

Yup, no doubt about it. X73 is one MAJOR improvement. I used to liberally scream my street tires on the old suspension. I've been slowly rampng up the speeds, and still haven't gotten to that scream level despite being several mph and seconds faster. Congrats on the 997TT, Chris! Great car! Not meaning it to be a downer, but the 997TT is still targeted for the masses. Suspension, therefore will still be somewhat softer than what I suspect you'll want. You'll likely want the X73 997TT version sometime down the line. Maybe the new PASM will get you there. I'm going with the 997GT3, build date sometime fall 2007. See you around! BTW, sent you a PM!

Having just put the X74 on my 2002, I agree that it is a major transformation in the nature/character of the car. There are definite downsides in terms of harshness and some people may have problems with the ride height scraping things, but for those that want and big boost in handling feel and capabilities, it's a great way to go. There are definite plusses in my mind to having a "set it and forget it" suspension set up by Porsche engineers vs. the million and one possible settings of the adjustables. I'm not smart enough to figure out what is right on my own with an adjustable! :-) One thing that has piqued my interest since having it installed, however, is that the X73 and X74 differ a little bit in that the X73 includes different engine mounts while the X74 does not. I've since heard that these new engine mounts are a different height and that they are designed to better align the driveline components. Can anyone confirm that? And can someone explain why that same modification is not required on the X74 (narrow body cars)?

They are stiffer mounts, I thought they were part of the '74 package as well. Palting, I wrestled with getting a 997 GT3 well, but I need a backseat and I drive it everyday in all weather, plus I 'always' wanted a turbo.

tires make a lot of a difference

Couldn't agree with you more Chris. I found the car scary stock because it pushed so much. Good luck with the turbo!!

Chris, thanks for the x73. I now have it on MY baby. I also swapped on a set of hollow spoke turbo wheels I got off the net that came with really hard Contis instead of the almost new PS2s on my stock wheels. Damn, she REALLY corners now!!! I'm trying to wear the Contis out so I could change to PS cups that I already bought and sitting at Ruf Dallas. 8^)