997 turbo DSC module - any experience?

[stuttgart737]

I'm trying to improve the ride of a gen 1 997 turbo as it's still a bit bouncy for my liking. It now corners well and is more stable over bumps after a geo at CG and the fitment of some decent tyres but in normal road driving is a bit wallowy.

I'd be interested to hear if anyone else has addressed this issue by replacing the standard PASM control with the DSC module made by TPC racing. Does it settle the car down in sensible driving or does it only have an effect on the dampers when cornering / braking? If the DSC module isn't the answer I'd be interested in any feedback from anyone who's fitted Bilstein damptronics or a passive set-up. Also thinking about some upgraded engine mounts.

[FredBasset]

I can't speak to how it will work on a turbo but think its fantastic on my GTS.

I went from using an E60 M5 daily to the GTS and felt that the standard PASM was awful. A choice between hard and annoying to really annoying. I should qualify that I live in the fens and some of our roads are poor.

I think what TPC have done is incredible, the three settings are nice judged and the fact that the suspension is tied in to the attitude of the car via a G sensor coupled with a processor that runs 16 times faster than standard PASM makes the "active" nature of the dynamic adjustment brilliant. Braking very hard on bumpy surfaces stiffens the front but it rarely locks the front wheels because of it.

Likewise a nice compliant ride deals with bumps under acceleration but start cornering and it stiffens instantly.

Mode 3 where the rear dampers are stiffened further on turn in makes the car a delight to drive.

I had a 996.2GT3 before and yes it was better, when I got the GTS I was a bit disappointed but this module has made the car for me.

Hope that helps.

Fred

[stuttgart737]

Thanks Fred, sounds like it's worth a try. Do you mind me asking whether you ordered it from the States or got it supplied and fitted locally? As a fellow Fen-dweller, I can vouch for the poor state of some of the roads round here. I can't remember my previous 996 turbo's standard passive dampers having the same wallowy characteristic.

[FredBasset]

Ordered from the States and took 5 minutes to fit. More difficult on a Gen 1 car I think because it needs some soldering for the G sensor that is needed.

Depending on how close we are you are welcome to try it. I'm near Spalding.

Regards
Fred

[stuttgart737]

Thanks Fred. Contacted TPC and they advised that in the 997.1 turbo, it's a 'plug and play' fit - no tools. There's apparently a review of the module in this month's GT Porsche magazine so I'll check that out and get it ordered. Will report back once fitted.

[stuttgart737]

DSC module now fitted and noticed an immediate improvement. It has certainly addressed the issue of a wallowy, under damped ride - the car is much more settled and the tendency to bounce is greatly reduced. All 3 settings are usable, even the firmest is much more compliant yet better controlled than the standard PASM sports setting. As well as the ride improvement, the car is more stable under braking and under lateral loads. It makes me wonder how Porsche signed off the standard PASM settings unless they were optimised for a location with considerably smoother roads than the UK.

Overall, I would recommend the unit as a cost-effective option for anyone looking to improve the ride and handling of their gen1 PASM-equipped 997. It was less than £800 direct from TPC racing and took about 5 minutes to fit. I had been considering upgrading to Bilsteins but don't think that's going to be necessary for what I want which is a fast road car rather than a track weapon. Guys at TPC very helpful and willing to answer questions.