T/C and non-T/C

Question: How do the non-TC carreras (996) handle compared to the ones fitted with TC? *talking about MY99* Do they at least have some sort of safety (differential lock or any other) the way T/C itself manages the car thru ABS and throttle control? The reason is that most MY99 here I am seeing are non-TC equipped and I wanted to know what to expect, or not to expect! Wael

MY99 cars WITH traction control are rare. Traction control was kind of a forerunner to PSM. It does include a LSD (60-40 I believe). If you are an experienced Porsche driver no TC will not be a problem... if not perhaps look for a C4 or later car with PSM.

I believe that LSD was also available as a separate option w/o TC but these cars are probably even more rare than those with TC. The biggest advantage to TC on the street is that it helps avoid spinning the rear wheels when you are powering out of a corner, starting from a dead stop on a hill, starting from a dead stop any time in the rain, etc. As a result, you are less likely to "hang the tail out" in a TC car. This is a negative on the track and most TC equipped cars will turn it off for track use, just like PSM. The only time I ever used it on the track was in the rain. Karl

Waz, I ordered mine w/ TC based on it being a dailey driver and seeing occasional snow conditions. I generally turn it off anyway. I can see it being helpful on gravel or low traction roads where you are, but generally not needed. Perry

My manual says PSM, even when switched off, is ALWAYS activated while braking.

I thought MY99 C2's all have the mechanical limited slip diff standard and T/C was an extra. I'm I right? Waz, you don't need a T/C you live in dry Dubai and you can sure drive so...

One option including TC and LSD was available for 1999 models.

Carlos, I believe that was true for European cars; at least a sales booklet I picked up in England in 1998 stated that a LSD was standard on all 6-speed cars. However, for the US market only those cars with the extra cost option P72, Traction control plus mechanical LSD, had the LSD. My car is so equipped. On the road I leave the traction control on 99% of the time and it is not intrusive. For autocrossing, however, it severely limits power in certain situations, and I turn it off and let the LSD do it's thing.

I'm told that the PSM can be turned off but once the brake the applied, the PSM come back on automatically.

Yes, only during the duration of braking. Once the brake pedal is released, PSM is off again until you enable it through the switch or turn the ignition off.

Just FYI, with the TC option on the '99 model cars, when you switch it off it stays off under all conditions. It reactivates only if switched back on or if the ignition is turned off and the car restarted.

During the time i owned my previous 996, I didnt realize TC intrusion until i started getting more and more used to the car.. Six months after owning the car, I realized T/C was really helping me in many situations. I am not refering to the normal first gear starts/corner spins.. It did help me when I was going thru roundabouts at +100km, going thru 90deg long curves (3rd gear mostly) at 140km, etc... I could feel the car shutting down its power while i wanted more... At this stage, I started understanding my limits and eventually shut down T/C in many occasions when I really wanted to go juuuuust a bit over the edge of my capabilities.. And I did succeed, with the help of some instructions here (thanks Carlos, managed to keep the weight biting the front while the tail was wiggling the defined track.. well mostly!) to really extract the best out of the car's capabilites: TC off. That was Lagos, mostly two lane roads, very basic infrastructure with not more than 100m stretches of exits (barely can engage 4th gear). You basically own the road there driving such a car.. Over here (Dubai), such actions of fooling around with a car are not really ethical nor permitted and can cause serious trouble: I found out there are people wearing strange uniform in funny cars with big writings saying: POLICE..! Anyway, to cut a story short.. I think T/C is somehow needed here. We happen to experience very thin desert sand waves covering the roads very often and the highway exits are many as well as very far stretched.. I think T/C is a must and since I do have the time to wait and look for more, I will hold my breath a bit more! Waz

Thursday 17th July, 2pm, Lunch with Fadz996.. Wael: ..remember the 996 Jade green we saw at the dealer's Fadz: sure.. Wael: well, it's been moved to sharjah, seems the car wont sell in dubai Fadz (wide open eyes): really... so what's the deal Wael: the colour is really getting to me, I start to like it u know.. the 18in rims are really neat, gives a lower feell, found out it's got 6cd changer and the black leather is the soft option with has matching green stitching... bla bla bla.. Fadz: nice, and.. Wael: see, it's got no T/C option Fadz: NO &(^%@# WAY! No, no.. Am not picking your parts up from the road. not me.. dont think of it. YOU+NO T/C = disaster.. I know your fooling around... Wael: but, but... Fadz: eat your lunch.. Wael: see, it's like i asked the rennlisters.. Fadz: shut up. you WILL clown with the car, you WILL slide one day or the other, you WILL fly over an exit, shut up and eat your lunch.. Wael: hey, check this chick coming in... do u think she's alone?! .... life goes on! Waz - on the search! Cruel Fadz996 (C4S 2002)!

Is there anyone who can tell me how to remove the bulb if possible for the TC when off. It is really irritating to see the bulb lit up with TC off : ). Regards. Mike

Thanks Mike, that must be it

LOL! that was funny Actually Fadz makes a lot of sense, you know you will push the car to its very limits, you will, and I had forgotten about that desert sand... I wouldn't turn my back to the PSM option, its really not intrusive at all and works better than the T/C.

Waz, You dont even need T/C in Dubai. In fact, you dont even need a porsche. I just got back from there and all the roads are straight as an arrow. No twisties at all!! I think I understand why all you folks out there are concerned with drag racing and always wanting more power. The fun of these cars is in the turns (you already know that), unfortunately outside of off ramps off of shiekh zayed rd, I didnt see any turns in the whole city!! Watch out for those speed cameras though. How hot is it there now? Ash996

Actually come to think of it, I saw that car you are speaking of at that dealer next to the shopping center with home center in it. Cant remember the name of the dealer. It looked like a decent car, but I saw better ones for sale from expats going back to Europe. Decent prices as well, but the jade green was an interesting color. What was that dealer called? 4X4 motors or something like that? Ash996

Ash! Why didnt you call us when you're around... no excuses! Anyway, 4x4 is not a porsche dealer but a general car seller inside the city along the airport road. They have a white 6sp 99 996 with Gembala exhausts and no TC... Pretty nice really to consider. They are giving their own 3 years 'warantee' on the car... go figure! The dealer you are reffering at sheikh zayed is Nabouda and they are the official Porsche Dealers. They are giving a one year dealer warantee (used car warantee, go figure also!). You are right about the straight roads and not having alpine curves and bends.. Toough I dont agree with you about NOT owning a porsche! You see the interchanges here are quite a few and nevertheless one little mistake can make it all a disaster.. Moreover, if you dont mind telling me how can i get contacts of the expats p-car owners please email me or post a reply. I am kind of new here in the country.. AND FOR ALL THE LISTERS OUT THERE, ANYONE VISITING DUBAI WITHOUT CALLING ON US (FADZ996-KHALED-WAZ996) WILL BE PROSECUTED! Waz ps: alistair, are you still around the forum? long time no hear..

Waz, Check out the gulf news or the place where I saw the most deals advertised was the spinneys bulletin board in Umm Suqiem. My fiance (she lives there and I was visiting her) said that a lot of expats sell thier cars around June (they leave for good for the summer so they need to get rid of them). I want to move out there so we can get married but I need to find a job out there first. While I was out there, I went to the Porsche Dealer (I think it was nabouda) and asked about importing my 996 when I move there, they told me I could bring it in straight away with no modifications and minimal tax. Check out that hamann showroom too, that hooked up 996 is ridiculous and the guys who work there were pretty cool. Ash

I will check! thanks.. will keep you informed. I know it sounds stupid, but does anyone have a refference on porsche's uae club here?! waz