69911

Does anyone know the difference in steering system for the 996TT vs 987.2?
I prefer most aspects of the 996TT vs Cayman 987.2, but both of my sons and I dramatically prefer the heavier feedback 987.2 steering feel. The 996 feels more assisted and isolated than I prefer.
I recognize the ratio is faster on the 987, but this does not seem to be the primary difference.
Alignment is quite similar on both, so front end should be reasonably similar. I tried quite a few alignment changes last weekend including max caster.
The 996 is RWD, stock front uprights, machined off stubs.

Anyone try control valve mods or flow reduction on PS system?
Any other options or suggestions?

RngTrtl

These are two wildly different cars.

69911

Front end weight and geometry is almost identical in the 996(AWD removed ) and 987. My son's 986 Boxster also didn't have great steering feel; it was very similar to the 996. All cars are running PS4S tires for street wheels. I am not looking for handling characteristics similarities, only steering feel at low frequency movements.
The difference can be felt parked, with engine running. That is why I suspect a hydraulic system change is the area to focus on.
It would be wrong for me to compare to my '69 911E. This has the best steering feel in my opinion...

Dock

Did you drive the 996 Turbo prior to it being RWD?

69911

Yes, it drove approximately the same before removing AWD. I have driven the 986, 996 and 987 back to back. The 986 steering was very similar to the 996, so I do not suspect any defect in the 996 system.
I am not saying the car steering feedback is poor in the 996, it is still better than any other manufacturer of cars I have. It simply is not as well suited to my taste as the 987. Due to the similarities in frontend, I am certain that is is not an inherent chassis difference. I am also not certain the difference in the 987.2 as the rack is listed only for '09-'12. the 997 rack is listed for all 997.1 and 997.2 and 987 '06-'08.

As we all do here, I will modify to suit my taste. I was just wondering is anyone here had done any mod or had more info on the systems.

Dock

Are you running stock wheels and tire sizes on the Turbo?

Dock

What's the static weight distribution of your 996 Turbo?

69911

Not stock, but identical tire and offset on 986, 987.2 Cayman, and 996T. I used the actual same tire/wheel for testing to eliminate as many variables as possible.
235/35/19

pfbz

I run GT2 size wheels/offsets/tires on the 996 Turbo (245/40-18 315/30-18) along with a high camber alignment and find the steering feel to be fantastic. IMHO notably better than 997 Turbo steering feel and personally prefer it over the 987.1 Cayman S I had for a while as well...

That said, rear engine 996 Turbo is going to feel quite a bit different than a lighter, smaller tire mid engine car and require a bit different driving technique. Go with a bigger front and perhaps embrace the rear engine handling and steering feel?

But to answer your question, no, I've never seen anyone try to 'bump down' the power assist on a 996 Turbo. I wonder if a slightly smaller diameter steering wheel would change the feel more to your liking? Less mechanical advantage = firmer feel.

993GT

the 987 steering shouldn't feel more engaging than a 996, 9x7 definitely was more muted/refined

my04996tt

Had a 12 Black Edition Boxster S, to me its steering felt sublime, go kart like. Turn in was sharp, as was overall handling, when compared to the turbo. Both cars were stock. Agree at slow speeds the turbo feels a bit too soft. The Boxster is the only car I miss.

69911

Thanks for your data point on stock cars.
I am looking into the difference in the rack. Porsche definitely made a new spec rack for the 987.2 but not the 997.2. I have not found info on why.
It would be very interesting to compare a 997.2 to a 987.2.

nick49

We've had a '99 986 for nearly 20 years and a 996TT Cab for nearly 12. I've always preferred the feel of the 986 to the 996TT. I also had a 996 C2 and it felt lighter steering than the TT but not as light as the 986. I converted my 996TT to RWD removing about 70 lbs up front and having the front wheels free wheel, and it feels much less trucky and a lot better but still not as light as the 986.

Capt. Obvious

All variants of the 996 and 986 (except maybe Cup cars?) use the same steering rack. Boxster/S, Carrera, Carrera 4/S, Turbo, GT2.

RennKit-Dave

After spinning my (now gone) 987.2 Cayman S on the track, I stick (no pun…) with the 996 Turbo track car. Just feels far more planted and secure. The CS felt more nimble but also lighter in the rear, if that makes sense, owing to the near perfect weight distribution.