New suspension, steering wheel and first track day

Hey all, just wanted to share a couple of updates. I booked in a PCGB trackday at Goodwood and with it fast approaching I wanted to get the car into tip-top condition. I took it into Brooklands(Kent) for stainless lines and new brake fluid and while there, they pointed out the suspension was in need of some TLC. I knew it needed help but this nudged me into action as the thought of heading into heavy braking zones with knackered suspension was keeping me awake at night! After a phone around of a few different places, the only ones who could fit me were RPM Technik. Not exactly on my doorstep but not as far away as others too. I'll spare you the details but after a KW V3 install grew into a full rear suspension refresh + coil overs plus front top mounts, the car now rides better, feels more secure and when I got it on track, handles amazingly. Plus it looks pretty good too!

After that, it was time to address the steering wheel. The stock one has never sat right with me, while its a nice thickness its too wide and causes my left hand to foul my leg when turning. So out with the old and in with this:

After that it was time for Goodwood and my first time on track there, my first time with PCGB and my first in a 911. Lots of cherries to pop then. The day was exceptionally well run, friendly people and brilliant support, which unfortunately I had to use. Lunch was top notch too, definitely a step up from lasagne and chips. One thing that stood out was the age of my C4S. I was one of only 2 996s there, the other being a GT3. It was also the oldest car by at least 3 years. The sight of some of the other machinery in my group (not open pit lane) was slightly scary. The GT3 was almost brand new and a yellow 992 Turbo S was running 650 bph and properly rapid with it.

How did the day go? Lots of learning, both the track and the car. Also, hitting the brakes at 130 and hearing a loud noise followed by a lot of scraping was pretty scary. It turns out the front dust brake shields are shot and started rubbing on the disks when they got to temperature. Also the windscreen trim surround decided it wanted to part company with the car and needed pushing back into place. Twice. Tyre pressures were also experimented with, dropping them significantly when cold made the car much better behaved when up to temperature. Would I do another one? Absolutely, the car was amazing on track and I was very aware I was the weakest link. Braking into St Marys and Woodcote were scary experiences but only in my head, the car performed at an amazing level. The new suspension enabled me to corner flat and hard and I had a strong sense of a lot of clever and skilled people had been there before me to shape the car's dynamics and it was going to look after me. Any downsides? The group format rather than open pitlane meant less track time (15 minutes then 1 hour off) until the groups started to shrink later in the day. It also meant no other cars around me on track, once the faster machinery whizzed by when I was warming up my tyres. Good that no-one was going to hit me but also slightly lonely with no one to chase. Fuel consumption, I used about 1/8 tank for each 15 minute session. I've not checked the oil yet but one note is that I'd topped it up before leaving and had slightly over filled it. A few puffs of smoke on startup for the first 2-3 sessions were a tell tale sign, it went away after that. Lesson learnt, keep the oil under the top line of the dipstick, not to the line.

Thanks for the write up! How did they decide the groups? Was it done by track experience?

nice, glad you enjoyed it. I've done lots of track days in the past in150hp to 500hp modified time attach cars but never in a 911. hopefully will be doing one in July with a few friends. Really looking forward it to.

Quotes source post: 2692048

They said it was to do with noise limits and spreading out the noisy cars amongst the groups. With only 6 or 7 cars out at a time there was plenty of space on track so ability/experience /performance was less of a factor. Speaking of noise, the Spyder exhaust was at 101.5db. As it's switchable I could have dropped it down to the quieter setting but it was great to let it sing.

@RobPC how do you like the Spyder exhaust? I'm looking into switchable options so would be interested to know your thoughts

excellent @RobPC the work, just the shocks or springs and ARB as well ? Agree about the Goodwood group format, it's not ideal which is why i've rarely been there

Quotes source post: 2692234

It's great. No drone, sounds stock with the valves closed but much better when open. It's a deeper growl that builds into the metallic rasp that you expect from a Porsche flat 6. The stock boxes sounded too much like a sewing machine for me.

Quotes source post: 2692255

KW V3 dampers and springs, stock ARBs. The team at RPM said it didn't need the ARBs doing with this setup and I have to say they're right. The car corners flat and hard, very happy with it. They did say that if you just lowered the car with springs then they'd definitely recommend changing the ARBs as well.

Different set ups different opinions You can run the KWv3 on a softer setting and thicker ARB for more uk road compliance whilst maintaining body control