Does your Targa feel "heavy"?

Doug&Julie · 03-26-2007, 05:01 AM

I've been driving the SC as my daily for the past two weeks (ish) and the one thing that stands out from any other Porsche I've driven is how "heavy" it feels. Most of it is the weight of the steering, which feels heavier than any other 911 I've owned (including the Turbo Look '84). But I think my stock suspension has something to do with it as well.

Anywho, I'm curious to get other's opinions on their Targa compared to other Pcars and if they feel the same way. If I end up keeping this car and put it on a diet and tighten the suspension, will that help with this heavy feeling?

FYI I have 16x6 Fuchs up front, 16x7 on the back with spacers.

Thanks all!

mede8er · mede8er's Garage

When a car feels 'heavy' to me it's usually a power issue rather than suspension. Most suspension issues I'd catagorize as 'clumsy'....

This just occured on a 350Z I recently purchased. After driving a stock Z I bought one with an aftermarket exhaust installed. The car felt 'heavy'. I knew immediately when I saw those 1 1/2 inch Y pipes dumping into a 3" catback what the problem was. Sourced a used stock catback and Viola!!! No more 'heavy' feeling...

Doug&Julie · 03-26-2007, 06:21 AM

Good point. This thing does feel underpowered. That could contribute...

kach22i · kach22i's Garage

Good time of the year to check the tire air pressure.

MuffinMan · 03-26-2007, 07:44 AM

When is the last time the car was aligned? Depending on your toe settings (in combination with everything else, honestly), the car may have heavy/numb steering or twitchy steering. Do you have your alignment settings?

Steve@Rennsport · 03-26-2007, 08:23 AM

Doug:

Removing 1 degree of caster in the front end will make a big difference in the steering feel,....

Doug&Julie · 03-26-2007, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MuffinMan
When is the last time the car was aligned? Depending on your toe settings (in combination with everything else, honestly), the car may have heavy/numb steering or twitchy steering. Do you have your alignment settings?

I don't have my settings, I'd say they're fairly "stock" (although I don't have mile high ride height like many US cars). Nor do I know the last time it was aligned. I had brand new tires put on last year after buying the car and was prepared for an alignment, but my mechanic felt it wasn't necessary as the car tracks straight and doesn't exhibit any conditions of poor alignment (..er, other than the "heaviness" I guess..).

FYI tire pressures are good.

Steve, thanks as always! How does 1 degree of caster effect tire wear? (..doesn't sound like much?) FYI this car is mostly a fun/daily driver so I don't want to pursue any real agressive settings.

Doug&Julie · 03-26-2007, 08:58 AM

Here's the ol' girl, just for visual reference.

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

My Targa feels as light as a feather after replacing the engine that had three pulled head studs and especially after I replaced the CIS with Webers! It's a stock 2.7L engine but the Webers give it really nice throttle response.

Doug&Julie · 03-26-2007, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by azasadny
My Targa feels as light as a feather after replacing the engine that had three pulled head studs and especially after I replaced the CIS with Webers! It's a stock 2.7L engine but the Webers give it really nice throttle response.

Oh man how I'd like to go to Webers! Of course, part of my whole reasoning for getting rid of the 'ol T and going with the SC is the more modern injection and better "usability" (not to mention better mileage). Still...a 3.0 with Webers and a clean exhaust...now we're talking!

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

Doug,

Yeah, I love my Webers! I got 20mpg during the 3300 mile trip to/from FL but in the city, I get about 14-15mpg. My car runs so much better with the carbs that my only regret is that I didn't do the CIS-to-Weber conversion as soon as I bought the car back in 2002, but I didn't know any better. The car runs cooler with the carbs, too! Good luck getting your car sorted out, you'll figure it out!

Doug&Julie · 03-26-2007, 09:43 AM

Thanks Art!

Gang, I don't want to give the impression I think something is really "wrong" with my car, it's more of an observation about how "heavy" my car feels. Keep in mind the last 911 I had was a lightweight early car and other than that 911 my most recent Porsches have been Boxsters with "technology" to make them feel light. Also consider I jump from Julie's Subie (which, to be honest, has a "lightness" about it that is tough for any car to match) right into this SC, so relativity plays a big part of my observation here.

Deschodt · 12:31 PM

Ironically I posted the very same question after selling the 73.5 T and getting back into an SC ! I think you know where I am going with this, given what your previous car was...

I got several replies about alignment, camber, steering wheel diameter, lowering, mostly, but to this day - after several alignments (for other reasons), the SC still feels heavy in the steering department, with measly 205s in front !

That's just the way it is, I think, especially since mine is pretty low (with the bump steer kit though, and momo wheel)... Everything in the SC feels agricultural at low speeds, steering, shifting, braking... But at 80+, you can operate each of the aforementioned controls with the lightest finger pressure ! Ok, not the brakes, use you foot for that... ;-)

PS: I don't think it's targa related, if anything the targa should feel lighter as only the front end turns, followed later by the rear end as the floor tries to straighten itself again ;-) joking.... I think it's the SC !!

cbeers · 03-26-2007, 12:22 PM

Just sell the darned thing and be done with it !!

I think this is related more to what you are comparing to than anything. Get together with another Pelican who owns an SC coupe and drive them back to back.

Are your tune up items current? Fuel filter? Plug wires etc.?

Just trying to think of things that might create a sluggish feeling.

For the record, my Targa feels just fine

-Chris

Jay Auskin · 03-26-2007, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Doug&Julie
Oh man how I'd like to go to Webers! Of course, part of my whole reasoning for getting rid of the 'ol T and going with the SC is the more modern injection and better "usability" (not to mention better mileage). Still...a 3.0 with Webers and a clean exhaust...now we're talking!

Doug, I'm not up on your car history, but why an SC if you want good drivability? Not that it's bad, but I'd think your old '88 would be better with Motronic...which BTW I have the engine from. It's getting a top-end done right now.

(ok, not RIGHT now, as I'm not in the garage)

The 3.2L in a lightened SC feels anything but "heavy".

Doug&Julie · 03-26-2007, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Deschodt
Ironically I posted the very same question after selling the 73.5 T and getting back into an SC ! I think you know where I am going with this, given what your previous car was...

...I think it's the SC !!

Thanks for your input. I'm pretty convinced it's just the relativity of what I've come from and what I'm driving other than the SC. Today I had a chance to get the car up to speed a bit, and you're right, it feels more like a "normal" Porsche. I never thought I'd say this, but it's kinda sad that my drive to work is only 7.5 miles and I only get into 4th gear once...for about a mile.

Doug&Julie · 03-26-2007, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cbeers
Just sell the darned thing and be done with it !!

I'm trying! But I'm coming to the realization that I may not be able to sell it (without giving it away), so I'm trying to get into the midset of keeping it and considering what all I "need" to do to it.

Quote:

Originally posted by cbeers
Are your tune up items current? Fuel filter? Plug wires etc.?

Just trying to think of things that might create a sluggish feeling.

Yep, did a major service when I bought it last summer and my wrench gave it an overall clean bill of health. Really, I think the power coming from the car is pretty much normal SC...nothing impressive (but nice and torquey) down low, but a smooth surge coming on above 3k. It's just that, between my short drive to work and the worn tranny, I don't really get to use it like a 911 should be used!

Doug&Julie · 03-26-2007, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jay Auskalnis
Doug, I'm not up on your car history, but why an SC if you want good drivability? Not that it's bad, but I'd think your old '88 would be better with Motronic...which BTW I have the engine from. It's getting a top-end done right now.

Hey I almost bought that car!

This SC was kind of a timely opportunity, and I figured it would be more usable than my Zenith carb'd '70T. I only paid $9250 for it, so I thought I'd be ok even if I needed to put some money into it.

I bought the Boxster in a moment of weekness last August when I got tired of driving a 911 with worn synchros.

God only knows why I ever sold that '88...

cantdrv55 · 03-26-2007, 04:44 PM

It's the other way around for me. My SC targa feels very fast and light as compared to my wife's 87 coupe. Maybe it's just my imagination but I swear the SC is way more tossable than the Carrera. I've got Kumhos on the SC and Bridgestone RE750s on the Carrera, if that makes any difference.

Bobboloo · Bobboloo's Garage

When I bought my 73' Targa it had an 87' Euro 3.2 Carrera motor in it with 78' CIS induction. The large port 78/79'CIS (39mm intake) matches up quite nicely with the 3.2L displacement and was very fun to drive. Great low end torque.

If you desire a more torquey street motor you might consider a set of 98mm P+C's. They will bump you up to 3.2L and work quite well with your 78' CIS induction.