964 can't handle a stripped out SC?!
 

Hi there

Happy Sunday evening everybody. Hope you all had a nice weekend.

Today, I was at the Ventura Autofest and enjoyed myself immensely. However, I came home early and at around dusk decided to take the 911SC out again for a nice cruise on the highway.. afterall, I was still very amped from seeing all those nice Porsches at the autofest.

Anyhow to get to the point. I'm cruising along on the highway at about 70-75mph which isn't ridiculous speeds on a California Highway. To get to the point, on my drive I notice a convertible 964 come up and pass me so I give him a thumbs up and he waves and we both smile. So we drive for awhile (me behind him, vice versa) but as soon as I step on it and weave through a little traffic I notice that everytime he tries to match my 911 he ends up swerving very badly and looks a lot like he's out of control.

Here are my suspension settings. 22front 28rear sander hollow torsion bars. 22front and rear weltmeister sways. Corner balanced and aligned by a very reputable shop. HD front and Sports rear(bilsteins) on top of a triangulated strut brace in the front. Now having been to a few DE's, I'm just a run of the pack guy. But I couldn't help but notice how wobbly his 964 was. I know that 964s have coilovers. Can the suspension wear as time goes on? or what was his deal? His car did not stick like mine, I just couldn't stop laughing at the state of his 'newer' Porsche.

Please someone, give me an explanation. Was he just a bad driver? I mean he has a 3.6 back there as well?

Is my car better balanced?

I've read that the SC/RS were specified by Porsche to have 22 front and 27.5 torsion bars. Maybe that explains it all right there.

I do not know what it is like over there in the US, so I can not really comment to much here. But, every time that I am out with my SC here in Sweden there is someone in either a nice new flashy something or a pimped up thing wanting to have a go. Whilst I am happy to entertain them a bit, I do not like to drive dangerously or to far above the speed limit.
I do my racing on a track during arranged DE and track days. At the end of the day I know what my car can and can not do, and more importantly what I feel safe to do on a public road.
I am sure that there are a number of kids with pimped cars in our part of town who believe that they have cars that are much faster than mine. But only because I will not drive as recklessly as them. Should I ever meet them on a track, I am sure the story would not be the same!!

I am not trying to say that you are a bad driver, more that it is not really that easy to compare the power and handling between two cars on a public road when you are driving against someone you do not know!!

I was with you up until this point: "and weave through a little traffic "

Old all season tires, tiptronic, inexperienced driver. Nay Nay on the "through light traffic" Take it to the track and report back how a well set up 964 does againt you.

DUI

no way....need closed track with limited variables and equal drivers (as possible) and the 964 would be the better car I would think. You didn't mention how many old ladies or school children you almost hit so that may be a factor.

Good grief just scold the dude to death...like no one else has ever weaved threw traffic !!!!!!! If we wanted a CHP I will call ya all !!!!!!!!!

964: heavy cab + tired stock suspension + old rubber + minimum maintenence = slow
SC: lighter car + fresher suspension + decent rubber + better maintenence = fast

Oh yeah.... Take it to the track

There is a difference between weaving thru traffic, and admitting you weave thru traffic on a public BBS. I NEVER weave thru traffic…;)

Yea, dont need this place policed by the Gestapo

I notice that none of the criticism comes from people who live in CA. I lived in the SF area for 5 years and the highways have to be experienced to be believed. After living there, I absolutely believe that "weaving through a little traffic" was probably appropriate and safe. People on the freeways there drive VERY aggressively compared to everywhere else I have lived. 99% of the time, you will be eaten alive (i.e. cut off, flipped off, run off the road) if you show any sign of courtesy or hesitation. I needed a different set of driving skills while living there just to cope without being as aggressive as most of the drivers. Of course, people are nicer outside of rush hour (10pm-3am). Don't critize the guy until you have walked a mile in his shoes (or driven a year in CA).

I agree - Man I bet it was a real culture shock moving to Apex - I lived in Clayton and hated it when I got stuck behind a tractor!!

Agree 100%... Lived in and loved San Diego for a few years back when and never truly adjusted to the traffic... Truly unreal! Milwaukee, Chicago, etc... Have NOTHING on southern Cali highways...

I also agree that it becomes very tiresome when the 'drive only at the track' crowd jumps someone's poop at the slightest notion of anything other than grandma driving. While I do not condone street racing of any kind, I highly doubt someone who is 'older', drives a well cared for and loved SC, done a few DEs, etc. would be driving in a manner that would endanger others... Give 'em a break!

Eric

"I also agree that it becomes very tiresome when the 'drive only at the track' crowd jumps someone's poop"

+1

Funny comments here - But I guess these apply to all that post on the internet - let me give you a "possible scenerio"

stevierayvaughn - love your music, btw - he is an accomplished driver, knows his car and what it's capable of - Drives spirited, meanwhile, dolt in the 964 cabriolet - thats actually his sister's car with original tires "tries to match my 911 he ends up swerving very badly and looks a lot like he's out of control."

Now let's say he looses in in a curve, back end steps out and he hits a bus load of nuns. Witness says it looks like the two Porsche's were "racing", which, actually they were just "spirited driving"

Guess what, steverayvaughn is now in a world of hurt.

That's why I said what I did - and I can't count how many times I've been reved at the light. It's just not worth it.

Sure, I'm not a hypocrite either - I've wrung the car out on a few occasions - but I'm the only one around to witness it.

And I have also driven in California - lived out there for 18 months. I actually think that Houston is worse.

Tsk, tsk, tsk....
I'm betting the "weaving through a little traffic" was hardly dangerous. Someone simply going from lane to lane, near or slightly above the speed limit is probably not going to kill Granny or the kids. I don't recall the man saying that he cut anyone off or made any other sudden, bothersome moves. Where there is room, there is the urge to go there...:rolleyes:
As a related "incident" I would offer the last time my son was in my Carrera with me, in our neighborhood, just down the street. We came from a stop sign, turned right, just down the road from home, and I jumped on it and of course got to 30 MPH in a heartbeat. Actually I wonder if this car has a chip......:eek:
Anyway, I didn't endanger a sole. had perfectly clear view of all the surrounding areas, including the houses, walks, drives, etc., but still some pot belly comes out and hollars at me once I pulled into my driveway.
Yeah, of course there was a good bit of racket from the engine when I popped my son's eyes wide, but no harm was imminent, I know. Guess I should have gone over to "Grumpy" and explained the removal some while back of the sound pad...... :D
Drivin' hard legally and lovin' it.........:cool:

Let’s say he drives like a Grandma, Some Dolt in a 964 drives beside him, swerves and around like an idiot, and takes out a bus full on Nuns. Now let’s suppose someone says “Looked like two Porsches were racing.”

I see the same result.

True...

If you use your blinkers and not really speeding. It's OK in California!

I got stopped for NOT USING my blinkers to signal a lane change. So now I signal when weaving through a little traffic. No problems!!!!!!!!!!

Jeremy makes an excellent point!

Thanks for thinking clearly J!