GT Performance Package

[Zelek]

In cooler weather the brembos are soooooo squeaky. Makes it sound like an old pickup truck.

Welcome to any performance brake and pad, lol.

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[PJR202]

Welcome to any performance brake and pad, lol.

I'm used to it but with all the engineering marvels in the automotive world, it seems like a ridiculous problem to have.

 

[tom_sprecher]

In cooler weather the brembos are soooooo squeaky. Makes it sound like an old pickup truck.

Really? Is this common? Mine don't squeak at all. Did you bed them when new?

 

[CrummyArchitect]

yeah, my brakes squeak all the time too, any weather. that's another thing I don't care for.

 

[TheReaper]

yeah, my brakes squeak all the time too, any weather. that's another thing I don't care for.

They are glazed, take it up to 80 mph and hard brake it a couple of times, rinse and repeat.

 

[TheReaper]

Really? Is this common? Mine don't squeak at all. Did you bed them when new?

Mine has never squeaked , 20k miles and they were bedded properly when the car was new.

 

[RocketGuy3]

Pads and fluid will easily take care of that. The 6 pots are lovely, I agree, but you can make the 4 pots bite well and resist fade just fine. Add some brake cooling and you're set. Agreed that if you know you're going to track the car, the Brembos are worth it.

Pads and fluids can't fix everything depending on the track. If the rotors are constantly on fire, no magic fluid will save you. But as I said above and below, there are a lot of factors. For most people, you're probably right. But besides which, it's nice to not even have to worry about using anything but factory pads and fluid.

They can fade, especially if you add all those factors and it's a hot day in Dallas. I had no trouble with fade, but I'm probably not a better than average driver and it wasn't a hot day. I know at the GT350 track attack I was one of the faster guys, but those guys were probably all below average as well. ;) I hate going to the track when it's much hotter than 75 degrees anyway. I'll be in the car sweating buckets.

Have you driven the regular GT on the track to really make a comparison? Or are you just stating as if it's fact but really you don't know? I haven't driven the GT PP, but I have driven the regular GT and my GT350 at the track. I still think the regular GT brakes are good enough to take to the track. Obviously bigger is better with brakes, but the regular GT brakes are quite good.

I haven't driven the regular GT on the track, but I have met one driver and read about others with the issue. I'm probably not good enough for that problem yet, anyways, but I'm getting better... honestly the base brakes *may* have been enough for me given my intended use of this car, but brakes to me are probably the single most critical component of a track car that there is, not counting safety equipment. You can have fun without gobs of power or the most finely tuned Italian suspension, but the last thing I want to ever have to worry about is brake fade. It both spoils the fun and is dangerous. Hell I've read about people who even want to upgrade the brakes in my Cayman GT4, which is lighter, less powerful, AND has bigger brakes... though I understand wanting to replace the nonsense cross-drilled rotors.

I mean I agree that it's not going to be an issue for most people. To get even stickier tires or become good enough on an "average" track to fade most sports cars' brakes means you're pretty serious.

... And then there's the other advantages I mentioned. Like pedal feel. Bigger brakes kinda just look cooler, too. ;)

To each their own, but I think if you want to track your car and the factory offers a package like that for a price like that, it's an absolute no brainer, and yes, the brakes are a huge part of why.

 

[c-rizzle]

Pads and fluids can't fix everything depending on the track. If the rotors are constantly on fire, no magic fluid will save you. But as I said above and below, there are a lot of factors. For most people, you're probably right.



I haven't driven the regular GT on the track, but I have met one driver and read about others with the issue. I'm probably not good enough for that problem yet, anyways, but I'm getting better... honestly the base brakes *may* have been enough for me given my intended use of this car, but brakes to me are probably the single most critical component of a track car that there is, not counting safety equipment. You can have fun without gobs of power or the most finely tuned Italian suspension, but the last thing I want to ever have to worry about is brake fade. It both spoils the fun and is dangerous. Hell I've read about people who even want to upgrade the brakes in my Cayman GT4, which is lighter, less powerful, AND has bigger brakes... though I understand wanting to replace the nonsense cross-drilled rotors.

I mean I agree that it's not going to be an issue for most people. To get even stickier tires or become good enough on an "average" track to fade most sports cars' brakes means you're pretty serious.

... And then there's the other advantages I mentioned. Like pedal feel. Bigger brakes kinda just look cooler, too. ;)

To each their own, but I think if you want to track your car and the factory offers a package like that for a price like that, it's an absolute no brainer, and yes, the brakes are a huge part of why.

LUCKY!

That's my dream car. Well, if I didn't have kids & didn't need a backseat just in case.

I had a Cobolt Blue 2006 Cayman S with TPC stage 2 turbo kit (dyno'd at 368 rwhp), so I had a "GT4" before they were made.

But I've been drooling over the GT4's. What has me back on the fence though, is the crazy performance of the new 718 Cayman S's. I'm guessing its the 718 Cayman S's PDK that's giving people nearly matching track times as the GT4.

 

[RocketGuy3]

LUCKY!

That's my dream car. Well, if I didn't have kids & didn't need a backseat just in case.

I had a Cobolt Blue 2006 Cayman S with TPC stage 2 turbo kit (dyno'd at 368 rwhp), so I had a "GT4" before they were made.

But I've been drooling over the GT4's. What has me back on the fence though, is the crazy performance of the new 718 Cayman S's. I'm guessing its the 718 Cayman S's PDK that's giving people nearly matching track times as the GT4.

Yeah, if the GT4 had that PDK, that would easily shave at least a half second off the 0-60 and 1/4 times. Not just because of the quicker shifting, but because 2nd gear is stupidly long in the GT4...

... But I don't really need that half second. Rowing my own gears is fun, and that long 2nd gear is kinda nice on the track.

Plus, the 718 has gone the turbo route instead of holding onto that beautiful, high-revving flat-6.

 

[AmericanLegend]

Brembos. No squealing here. The stock pads dust like crazy though. But I love the brakes!!

Also Torsen 3.73 diff is nice.

Pair the PP shocks/struts with BMR Performance springs for a perfectly matched suspension for the real world.

Performance Package was a must have for me.

 

[c-rizzle]

Wow! At this point in the poll it's 10:1 for the PP being worth it. You have to admit all that equipment for $2495 installed is a smoking deal.

FYI, as of about June 2016 the GT Performance Pack costs $2,995.

 

[qtrracer]

Back in the day when pushrod guys were moving to the S/DOHC motors, the saying was "don't fear the gear." These motors have incredible top end and with a little tweaking the upper range can be extended. The 3.73 is one of the best gears for a moderate, multifunction car. I had 3.55s in my Cobra, and those were just barely enough. These motors need the rpms. For example, after I totaled my new-edge Cobra, shopping ofr a '16 I tried GTs with 3.33s and 3.55s. Cars' performance was OK, espspecialecially the 3.55 (these were a CA Special and a non-premium). Nearly bought the CA Spl.

Then I found a PP premium with Recaros. Jeez - I had a hard time believing the only difference between the other '16s and the PP was a minor gear change. Moreover, the brakes were so much more - touchy at first and dust a lot, but no odd sounds and they perform unbelievably (yes I've had BBK on other cars - best so far).

The Recaros don't have power or heating/cooling - but the comfort is a magnitude better. And I got the big screen too. Don't fear the gear. I get 24mpgs regularly on my 83 mile, mixed highway/surface street commute. And now with 11K on the odo, it seems to be getting better MPGs and seems to have more power. The car is awesome. Get the PP and Recaros.

 

[Rambl3r]

Back in the day when pushrod guys were moving to the S/DOHC motors, the saying was "don't fear the gear." These motors have incredible top end and with a little tweaking the upper range can be extended. The 3.73 is one of the best gears for a moderate, multifunction car. I had 3.55s in my Cobra, and those were just barely enough. These motors need the rpms. For example, after I totaled my new-edge Cobra, shopping ofr a '16 I tried GTs with 3.33s and 3.55s. Cars' performance was OK, espspecialecially the 3.55 (these were a CA Special and a non-premium). Nearly bought the CA Spl.

Then I found a PP premium with Recaros. Jeez - I had a hard time believing the only difference between the other '16s and the PP was a minor gear change. Moreover, the brakes were so much more - touchy at first and dust a lot, but no odd sounds and they perform unbelievably (yes I've had BBK on other cars - best so far).

The Recaros don't have power or heating/cooling - but the comfort is a magnitude better. And I got the big screen too. Don't fear the gear. I get 24mpgs regularly on my 83 mile, mixed highway/surface street commute. And now with 11K on the odo, it seems to be getting better MPGs and seems to have more power. The car is awesome. Get the PP and Recaros.

Curious as to what your shifting routine is in traffic to get 24MPG. Not that I'm concerned about it but I'm getting about 16MPG. This is also my first manual.

 

[AttiS550]

I had a non PP car and long story short I ended up totaling that car and getting a new car with the PP.

Things I noticed the most between the two:

-Brembo brakes are much touchier, the 4 piston brakes on the non PP are great but there is definitely more give in the brake pedal
-The ride is a bit stiffer (still not stiff enough for me though so I am getting FRPP Track Pack) TBH I definitely didn't notice a significant difference in the handling characteristics of the car (both had Steeda Progressive Springs)
-The gears are much shorter, this makes it easier for me to drive in the city personally because I can be in third gear more often.
-The gauges do not matter IMO although they are cool and it is nice to see your oil pressure when it is cold in the morning

at the moment these are most of the differences I can really remember. Now as far as is it "worth" it I think most definitely as far as $$ goes. The Brembos obviously look cooler and are better brakes. Also the extra bracing is nice. Also think a lot about what kind of driving you will be doing and how long you want your gears to be.

Hope this is helpful! If you have any other questions feel free to PM

 

[2morrow]

If you buy your car with the X-plan it's almost free(taxes).

Brakes kick ass for a stock car, spoiler delete is clean AF and all the other goodies (esp the 3.73's) help at the track or strip of your choice. The TORSEN might even keep your car from eating a crowd and off of youtube.

If your not a track person or spirited driver (a lot of people aren't) then this might not be the thing for you.

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