While most trim levels of the the 992 generation of the iconic Porsche 911 have been in production for a few years at this point, the GT3 variant has had a bit longer of a gestation period. Finally, these are starting to hit the road, and are objectively the highest-performing GT3s ever. This entirely new GT3 obviously sports some significant changes from the last 991 cars (which still remain highly desirable vehicles), and as one would expect, aftermarket and performance parts are starting to hit the market.
Most obviously, all new GT3s sport Porsche wide body styling, which was reserved for the RS models in the previous generation. Porsche claims that this provides more aerodynamic surfaces to optimize, and helps the car stick to the road better (and with a 7:04 time around the Nurburgring, it seems as though they were telling the truth). One of those aerodynamic surfaces includes the radically-redesigned rear wing, which mounts to the struts from the top of the wing surface, rather than the bottom like nearly every other wing we’ve seen in a production car. Other than that, the soul of the GT3 remains familiar to Porsche enthusiasts – a naturally aspirated flat six motor. Given the above considerations, here are a few ways that a new Porsche GT3 owner can accessories and improve their Teutonic rocket.
Exhaust
It’s a pretty safe bet that the first modification a new sports car will receive will be a new exhaust. While there are obvious acoustic benefits from a partial system (or “cat-back,” as they’re known), a full exhaust replacement can also add a few more horsepower to most engines by increasing scavenging and breathability of exhaust gases. The Sharkwerks Race Exhaust might be the best of the bunch: most importantly, it uses the factory emissions equipment so it’s legal to run in all 50 states, it’s completely reversible should you go to sell the car one day, and provides a modest increase in power and enables the turbos to spool up a bit quicker. This same exhaust was also used on a record-breaking Pikes Peak Carrera, and we’re not sure if there’s a better endorsement of an exhaust. Here’s the catch; while this Race Exhaust is available for the newest Turbos and the Carreras, the 992 GT3 variant hasn’t quite hit the market just yet; watch this space for more information on GT3 exhausts as more information comes to light.
Wing Delete Kit
For many GT3 owners, the thought of removing the big rear wing that gives shape to the iconic silhouette of the car is a little off-putting. But, perhaps you might want the performance of a real-deal sports car like the GT3, but without the gaudy wing. Or, perhaps you’re looking for something just a little bit different from the neighbor’s GT3 – more of an “if you know, you know” aesthetic. Well, Porsche unveiled their wingless GT3 Touring edition with the previous generation of the car, and it’s been a popular, sleeper trim since. While Porsche is offering a 992 Touring with no wing straight from the factory, it’s possible to get that look with a Wing Delete Kit from Fabspeed. It’s a great, DIY way to convert your existing GT3 to the Touring look, and to be able to replace the spoiler whenever you’d like.
ECU Tune
Another modification that is likely familiar to most readers, an ECU tune is a great way to unlock up to 10% more power from your Porsche GT3 without extensive mechanical modification. This model requires a “bench flash,” where the car is either dropped off at the shop, or the ECU itself is removed from the car and mailed to the tuner. Currently, there are quite a few companies that offer tunes for the 992: Vivid Racing, Hydra Motorworks, and Soul Performance Products are just a few. You can expect to gain 50-60 horsepower, and 20-30 pound-feet of torque for an aggressive ECU flash. This will run you a few thousand dollars for a tune, but the dollars-spent-to-horsepower-gained ratio is likely to be unbeatable.
Final Thoughts
With a zero-to-60 time of just 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 197 mph, the 992 GT3 is one of the greatest GT3s ever, and without a doubt one of the most exhilarating naturally-aspirated sports cars currently on the market. It’s a well-known stereotype that Porsche owners love to hot rod and personalize their own rides more than nearly any other group of sports car owners, so as more customers take delivery of their 992 GT3s we can expect the aftermarket to grow accordingly. In the meantime, the consider making plans to implement some of the parts and modifications described above. They’ll go a long way towards making your GT3 the car of your dreams – as if it wasn’t already!
