'02 996 C2 handling issues

Hi all, I have a '02 996 C2 with the OEM 18 in. wheels that came with the Michellin Pilot Sport 225 & 285 tires. Reading about some handling test that was done to this car, the article mentioned that it had too much vertical travel (something that I changed by installing H&R springs and HD bilteins). Also mentioned that: -It felt very light in the front with a vague feeling of having contact with the road surface (In a fast curve) (I just ordered a front lip spoiler from xtreme motorcars to increase the down force to fix that issue). -Handling nature that was numb and uncommunicative, didn't gave the reassuring feel, couldn't tell how close to the limit was through some corners. -The rear felt like it wanted to come around under heavy braking. It just told the least about what it was up to. I'm planing to participate in DE and X events, and still be able to drive my car in the street. Please advice how can I improve the above and probably any suggestion on how to modified for a sharper throttle response. Original brake pads will do the job, or I need to look for something like yellow pagid pads?. Best regards, JM

I would put an aerokit on to plant the car down at speeds... put on gt3 or H&R adjustable roll bar, these are great upgrades... Pics of your car would be appreciated...

I always wonder about the, "my car doesn't handle well" posts. Does the driver have any advanced training? If so, how much? How is anyone to know if the ill handling is a result of poor driver input (not saying bad driver) or some other issues. You can slap any number of parts and pieces on the car to make it stiffer and it can seem to handle better at 7-8/10ths. But ultimately even a stock 996 can be made to go very quickly in the right hands. Now, to this particular posters issues: I'd suggest getting to the autoX and DE (as you say you plan) a couple times BEFORE making too many changes. Have an instructor it with you to maximize your ability to manipulate the weight transfer in the car to affect the handling. Afterwards look for areas to improve. Where are you located? Perhaps some local experienced track drivers can help assess your car? -KJ

1) KJ makes some great points about sharing your own experience and/or having someone else with more experience help you sort out the car 2) How's your alignment? Just getting a car aligned properly for its intended use can have an amazing transformation on how your car handles.. at low speed, high speed, corners, turn-in etc. 3) um, 60% percent of the weight is in the back.. it should let you know what it is doing. Does the car feel "twitchy" or is it, quite simply, that you now notice more about wight placement and transfer? 4) Aero is a total package.. Put too much downforce on the front and that rear end could feel even "looser". If you improve one end, its best to improve the other to maintain a balance. 5) Sometimes DE and AX want very different things when it comes to car set up, so be prepared to compromise. Toe Out is very helpful at AX but makes for a very twitchy car everywhere else. Mild understeer is great at the track (from a comfort perspective) but becomes amazingly annoying at AX. Get the idea?

Hi all, My car feels great, specially after the H&R and bilstein installation, also looks more agressive with the lowering of the springs. My car has not been in the track yet. I belong to the lower RGV Texas PCA. The new Porsche 996 MK2 2002+... GTX Turbo Spoiler lip from xtrememotorcars, looks awsome in the picture. I can't wait to install it. . By the way the article that I mentioned apeared in Road and Track "Mixing and Matching" from 3/ 2002. Thanks all for the advice & Happy Holidays. I will post pictures after the installation of the lip. JM

Are those your observations about your car or something that you read in a magazine article or post? I also have an 02 and found the handling a little loose and sloppy sometimes. I learned how to out drive those issues, but I found the best solution was to change the suspension from the M032 (touring suspension and default setup in the US), to the ROW M030 sports suspension. It is a good blend of compliance and drivability with very sharp feel and excellent response. From what I can gather the "reference" 996 was designed with the M030 in mind as the default suspension setup. After that this car is very stable and balanced. It seems to get especially stiff and stable after 125-145 and feels great up to the limit. Be sure to look at the whole picture with aerodynamic aids as they usually have to be balanced front to back. Just adding a lip spoiler can upset the balance of the car rather than help it. Is PCA RGV in the Valley? If so where?

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+1 A 996 handles pretty damn good right out of the box even with the stock US suspension. That being said it just doesn't feel like other sports cars. The front feels lighter than other cars because it is!! However, I wouldn't confuse that feeling for a lack of front end grip. My advice.... Start with a few autocrosses to get feel for how much grip you have (front and rear) and how the cars is balanced. After that decide what you'd like to change/improve and go about making the necessary changes to make it happen. If you are not super knowledgeable about suspension set-up the x74 is hard to beat. It's tuned out of the box by Porsches own engineers. Good luck.

I have a '99 996 with stock suspension, and I wondered about the handling too for a few months after I bought it. However, I took the advice of fellow 996 owners and track-experienced friends and did my first DE with the suspension as is. I learned that the tires needed to be replaced, and that the car was great for my skill level on the track. It was solid, predictable, and tight - again, at my current novice skill level. So, I also recommend taking it to the track before determining what you need. It might put things into better perspective. Bob

Hi all, My '02 996 C2 came with Michellin Pilot Sport tires 225/40ZR-18 f & 285/30ZR-18 r. I upgraded to H&R springs and Bilstein HD shocks set up, that provided a much better handling than before. I'm looking to match the handling of the 997 S or keep up with C6 Corvettes at the track, at the same time to be able to have a decent street ride. What alignment setting & tire pressure do you recommend for this? Looking to get a near-neutral understeer handling. To accomplish this, do you think the ROW roll bars will help (without changing my present springs and shocks)? JM

OK, I'll be direct since others have been subtle and you don't seem to be getting them. What you read on Road and Track about suspension setup may be different from what your skill level needs. If you don't know how to handle a rear-engined, rear-wheel driven car, you might be in for a surprise if you push it too hard (i.e. you'll see the rear right in front of you before you could say "throttle lift") Learn how to drive the car first AT THE TRACK before you aspire in keeping up with the 997s and C6 Vettes.

I'd suggest putting some seat time into your Porsche, gradually increasing cornering speed etc. But do yourself a favor, and get to know your new ride before changing/altering your current suspension. Also, the suggestions about some track time with an instructer (DE) would be a great start for you.

Thanks guys, I will follow your advices.

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Ok, now that we have that settled, let's get down to the IMPORTANT things, like posting a pic of your car.

Where are those new pics????

I agree with the comments about getting track time, with instructors. I'd also comment that aero changes make little/no difference at street speeds. Their influence varies with the square of the speed (if I remember my long-ago physics) so their effect (other than aesthetic and pocketbook-lightening) is very minor on the street. A stock P-car with correct alignment handles plenty well.

Here goes the picture of my '02 996 C2, no lip spoiler yet, and my prior nice car a '05 G35 coupe.

Nice looking car, both of them. Thanks for sharing the pics!

You have great taste in cars! I recently finished my first Drivers Ed event, and I learned more about my car and my abilities than you can imagine. My Porsche was a thoroughbred asking for more than my skills could provide. And then, I simply drove home. I don't think there are many cars like these that can be both a race car and a street car in the same life - without a single modification. I say all this to convey the excitement you'll probably have as you get to know your incredible car. Enjoy. And as my friends always say, "Drive it like you stole it...on the track." Bob

Thanks both & Happy Holidays!

Nice pics, thanks. I like your black exterior and savannah beige interior...looks like mine.