All:

I love my GT3. Perhaps that's enough of a review

I think most members were interested in the differences between the GT3 and my prior 2009 turbo. I won't bore you with a long explanation -- simply, the turbo was a tremendous touring machine and the GT3 is a rough-and-tumble race car.

I happen to desire the rawness of the GT3 over the turbo.

Yes, I do miss the incredible power of the turbo (mine modded to 670 hp with the AWE kit). Yes, there were some creature comforts of the turbo that I miss as well: muti-function steering wheel, Bose stereo, ventilated seats, even the rear seats for the kids.

My GT3 has plenty of creature comforts (e.g. Nav, enhanced sound, iPod connector, etc.) so I'm not completely bare. Plus, the incredible engine note and grab of the NA engine is much more engaging than the tremendous boost of the turbo.

Thanks again Porsche of Olmsted and Cats Exotics -- you guys were GREAT!
Here are some vids (last one being my old turbo) and pics:

Accel1:
YouTube - 2010 Porsche GT3 accel1

Accel2:
YouTube - 2010 Porsche GT3 accel2

Walkaround:
YouTube - 2010 Porsche GT3 walkaround

Turbo accel:
YouTube - 997 AWE 650 turbo pull

 

How's the clutch feel/effort compared to the turbo?

 

Ah...the GT3 is HEAVY -- and the turbo clutch is SOFT. They are really polar opposites on the clutch. I love the heavy clutch.

 

Looks great and sounds great. I love it!

 

Taylor,
Big congrats again! I cleaned up the post for you a bit. Thanks for taking the time out to share this with all of us!

 

Very nice Taylor; thanks for sharing with all of the vids. Gawd those center locks are HAWT!

 

that's why i say the EVO clutch-assist delete is the best mod for a Turbo - completely changes the dynamic of the car.


- chuck

 

Thanks for sharing...car looks great!!!

 

I repped you just for this Enjoy!

 

OK, so I cheaped out a little on the comparison, so here's a better shot at it:



* suspension

> GT3 -- superb, connected feel. Just dialed in perfectly. I feel every bump, but it's a pleasant feeling, not harsh. I can't tell much of a difference between the standard and stiffer setting. Feels like a sports car should.

> Turbo -- blah for excitement. Excellent for DD. I could tell the difference between the standard and stiffer setting. I put RSS sways on my Turbo which made a big difference in the corners, which is a must in a turbo IMHO.



* Exhaust note

> GT3 -- awesome, check vids

> Turbo -- lame stock. I put Fabspeed sport exhaust V3 on mine and the note was much improved (more baratone), but still not a screaming, wail of a sound. Some probably love the deep baratone sound -- didn't do much for me.



* Clearance

> GT3 -- crazy low. The suspension is reasonable for a DD (meaning you can carry a conversation without chattering your teeth), but the incredibly low clearance eliminates this car as a DD for most unless you live on the salt flats. Looks awesome though.

> Turbo -- excellent. Had no problems with speed bumps, my crazy driveway, etc. I dropped the car about 2" on H&R springs which got the turbo close to the clearance of the GT3, but not as much. Although the drop made the turbo look better, I probably would have put the stock springs back on since really no need for the turbo to be dropped unless you're tracking it.



* Wheels

> GT3 -- sick...see pics

> Turbo -- OK in looks, but heavy. Of course wheels can be easily (but $$) changed



* Acceleration

> GT3 -- definately fast, but probably feels faster than it is given the crazy RPM readline and NA wail.

> Turbo -- if crazy acceleration and speed is what you want, hands down, get the turbo



* Attention

> GT3 -- I've had more compliments, stares, and wows than the turbo

> Turbo -- stock, it's a beautiful car, but not a huge attention getter. I put a GT2 style wing on mine, dropped the car, put spacers on the wheels, put a Techard front LED kit on it, and that definately made it stand out more.



* Clutch

> GT3 -- very stiff, really makes you work for it

> Turbo -- comfortable, easy.



* Gears

> GT3 -- a little notchy/crunchy, very satisfying because you need to muscle it ever so gently. Nice short throws. Each gear lasts forever, even first, before next shift.

> Turbo -- very smooth, very nice. I put a short shifter on it and it was much improved. Not much time in each gear on hard acceleration---1st and 2nd are just so short.



* Interior

> GT3 -- mostly the same as turbo, save the alcantara and no rear seats.

> Turbo -- luxury look and feel. Beautiful factory white dials.



Overall, these are like night and day cars to me. The turbo is an incredible car -- super fast, tremendous mod potential, and the flagship 911. The GT3 is a pure race bred car (with the RS and Cup car in a different category) that can be driven daily. It's pure excitement, whereas the turbo got a little too cushy.



Again, to each is own. I'm a GT3 guy.