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Review of RPM Technik and their [997] 911 CSR

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"As happy going flat through Eau Rouge as it is pottering off to Café Rouge and all at a budget you can afford." So goes the sales pitch for the 997 Carrera-derived CSR from Hertfordshire-based Porsche specialist RPM Technik.

http://www.rpmtechnik.co.uk/csr/

"We understand that even in this sector it is not always within people's budget to have separate track day and road cars. And that Porsche's purpose built track cars, superb as they are, don't always come equipped with driver comforts, or even rear seats. They are often fitted with cage, race seats and harnesses too so perhaps not ideal for going out to dinner in!"

997csr_01-597x447.jpg


So says Darren Anderson, passionate Porsche man who, together with colleague Ollie Preston and the team at RPM Technik, has created a thriving business maintaining, selling and now fettling Stuttgart's finest over the last 12 years.

The company has strong sales and servicing departments but it is also known for its fleet of track-prepped machines including a 911 SC, Boxster racer, 944 Clubsport and 996 GT3. Their cars can be hired for track events and they offer full prep and customer support for customer cars and race programmes.

Balancing act

The CSR is RPM Technik's attempt to blend performance and practicality to create the perfect balance between road and track capability. A balancing act that is pretty much the Holy Grail for sports car tuners everywhere and with extensive development at the 'ring and Millbrook, the company thinks it has it bang on.

The base car is a first-gen 997 Carrera S, a car that can be picked up for around the £20K mark these days. From there, RPM has paid detailed attention to every aspect of the machine in creating the CSR.

There is something just right about the car's stance. It looks low and wide over superlight OZ alloys and the carbon fibre ducktail is an immediate head turner. The jawline differs, too, thanks to a modified Turbo front bumper - the foglights now indicators.

997csr_02-597x447.jpg


Creature comforts

Inside there are few bits of matt black trim giving a stealth feel to the interior, along with a red CSR dial taking centre stage. Overall, though, it is pretty much as Porsche intended. No cage, no harnesses, rear seats in situ, pretty normal and nicely comfy.
This car is fitted with a fairly tame exhaust system today to ensure compliance with Bruntingthorpe's strict noise limits. "It's a shame," says Darren, "because the full sports system sounds brilliant and gives the car a much harder edge to the engine note as well as more volume."

There are some terrific back roads in the vicinity so before we take our allotted slot on the proving ground, we try out the CSR's on-road credentials. It takes about 100 yards to realise that this is quite an evolution from a standard 997.

Reaction time

The engine feels instantly more responsive and the gearchange requires a bit more concentration, thanks to the lightweight clutch and flywheel. The steering has considerably more weight than the standard car, thanks to the new suspension and those tacky Yokohama tyres. Heftier, yes, but full of feel and feedback.

The ride is firm but not unacceptably so. "We tend to offer three different set-ups: road, fast road or track," explains Darren. "This is what I'd call fast road. We have done quite a bit of track work with it but I have also driven it to and from Spa so I didn't want it to be unbearable. If a customer does more track work, we can set up the suspension to suit. If they want a more compliant setting and a bit more ride height, that is not problem."

The suspension is an Ohlins system, fully adjustable, and the car gets poly bushes, uprated anti-roll bars and then gets a full geometry setup and corner weights checked to ensure optimum performance. The wheels reduce unsprung weight considerably and the brakes are standard discs and calipers but get new pads. "They are more than up to the job on road and track."

Flatters to deceive

The engine feels brawny: although there is nothing major in the rework under the ducktail, RPM has fitted a high-flow air filter to complement the new exhaust and lightened and balanced the crank. The company isn't claiming a horsepower boost but the 3.8-litre unit seems more responsive and the mid-range feels especially strong. It also revs out with gratifying ease, and you have to keep half an eye on the tacho to avoid the limiter before you get used to it. It's hard to believe there isn't an extra 20-30hp from this blueprinted unit.

The inclusion of a Wavetrac torque vectoring limited-slip differential is one of the more notable things on the CSR spec sheet too. "We have done a lot of testing and we felt this gave us the best combination of handling characteristics, optimising the car on track without sacrificing anything on the roads," says Darren.

997csr_05-597x447.jpg


On the nose

There is certainly a terrific front end on the CSR. It really handles 'on the nose' and that in turn gives great confidence. But there is no sense that the rear of the car is going to get lairy, even when braking deep into a corner.

At Bruntingthorpe we could push that handling to the limit and beyond and the CSR impressed from lap one. Grip levels on hot tarmac are phenomenal and the Wavetrac diff gives a really sweet, neutral feel to cornering. The front bites, you sense the beginning of a rotation towards the rear, sitting the car over its fat rear boots but then it really digs in and fires your out of the turn, reluctant to relinquish its grip on the asphalt.

It is pretty difficult to induce understeer in this car without quite serious provocation. Mind you, it is also fairly reluctant to oversteer. A bit of a lift will do it and really piling on the power will, too. But in general slides are small, well telegraphed through the steering and easily caught. This car is keen to record rapid lap times rather than vaporise its rear boots.

High speed stability is impressive and the brakes proved resistant to fade over several hard laps. It's easy to imagine the CSR is a bit of a giant killer on track days - especially circuits where chassis set-up is more important than big power outputs.

And what of the GT3?

It's a tricky old balancing act, combining road and track performance but the CSR manages to pull it off pretty convincingly. And the beauty of the CSR package is that you can really pick and choose what you want. RPM Technik will happily source you a 997 and produce a fully-finished CSR, including build plaque if you want that. Or, if you already have a 997, you can dip in at whatever level you fancy. So if you just want the suspension, that's fine - £2,340 plus VAT and fitting. Love the ducktail? No problem - £1,400 plus VAT.

One wonders whether you'd really opt for the CSR over a GT3 but that ability to build your CSR over time and when budget allows makes a lot of sense. And honestly, it really does offer a driving experience worthy of comparison and without some of the compromises. Whether it'll have the status, long term collectability or resale potential of a GT3, however...
But it's a thrill ride, the CSR, no doubt about it, and it takes the stock 997 to a whole new level for driving pleasure and involvement. It looks good, goes better and as summer evening drives go, the one spent at the wheel of the CSR will be remembered for a long time to come.

Source:RPMTECHNIK

997csr_07-597x447.jpg


PORSCHE 911 CARRERA 2 S 'CSR' (997)
Engine: 3,824cc flat-6, modifications as listed
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 355@6,,600rpm
Torque (lb ft): 295@4,600rpm
0-62mph: 4.8sec
Top speed: 182mph
Weight: 1,420kg (DIN)
MPG: 24.1 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 283g/km
Price: Base car c. £20,000 plus modifications

All figures for standard MY2007 Carrera 2 S manual, before modifications

997 CSR modifications:
Rebuilt 3.8-litre engine, lightened clutch and flywheel, lightened and balanced crank
Ohlins adjustable suspension
Wavetrac LSD
Powerflex bushes
Solid engine mounts
997 Turbo front bumper and running lights (modified)
Custom carbon ducktail spoiler
Custom sports exhaust
Sports steering wheel
Additional centre radiator
OZ Alleggerita alloys
Yokohama AD08 road/track tyres
H&R anti-roll bars
Castrol SRF brake fluid
BMC high-flow air filter
Full geometry and corner weight setup

For full pricing info contact RPM Technik. http://www.rpmtechnik.co.uk/

http://www.rpmtechnik.co.uk/csr/

997csr_03-597x447.jpg
 
I had a go in this on Saturday. What a great car.

Totally immersive from the second the engine fired and the custom exhaust barked into life. At idle it was a bit naughty but from 4k onwards it sounded like a racing car with pops, bangs and burbles on the overrun. I assumed it must be running a decat but apparently all the cats are still in place.

It was a complete blast and it left me with a smile on my face for a long time afterwards.

The things I liked the best were the short shifter (about half the throw distance of my car which has already got a really nice shift), the lightweight clutch and flywheel, and the exhaust.

The Wavetrac diff and Ohlins suspension were impressive but I don't think I'm enough of a hooligan to really take advantage of them (unlike Greig from RPM who was making full use on every corner).

So much fun and all at (nearly) legal speeds.

I had a long chat with them afterwards about how many of the mods could be applied to my car. The answer is: all of them.

I still need to drive a GT3 before making a decision but modding the Cayman S is very tempting and a fraction of the cost.
 
BillTheButcher said:
I had a go in this on Saturday. What a great car.

Totally immersive from the second the engine fired and the custom exhaust barked into life. At idle it was a bit naughty but from 4k onwards it sounded like a racing car with pops, bangs and burbles on the overrun. I assumed it must be running a decat but apparently all the cats are still in place.

It was a complete blast and it left me with a smile on my face for a long time afterwards.

The things I liked the best were the short shifter (about half the throw distance of my car which has already got a really nice shift), the lightweight clutch and flywheel, and the exhaust.

The Wavetrac diff and Ohlins suspension were impressive but I don't think I'm enough of a hooligan to really take advantage of them (unlike Greig from RPM who was making full use on every corner).

So much fun and all at (nearly) legal speeds.

I had a long chat with them afterwards about how many of the mods could be applied to my car. The answer is: all of them.

I still need to drive a GT3 before making a decision but modding the Cayman S is very tempting and a fraction of the cost.

+1 :thumbs:
 
Never forget that cowshed, Ollie!
 
That looks great!
Noticed it at brands last week and meant to have a proper look but didn't get time to in the end!
Does anyone know what work is done to strengthen potential weaknesses ie liners or different IMS?
Also what are the costs for a fully prepared car??
Sorry if I've missed this somewhere but couldn't see this info above !
:thumb:
 
Does anyone know which particular bushes they polybush on the CSR's?

Thanks
 
I don't like the look of it. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT,

The gold rims, mirrors and other touches, plus the gorgeous spoiler and other little gold decals look great. I wouldn't spring for the mechanical enhancements but would consider the blinging.
 
Bonners1 said:
I don't like the look of it. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT,

The gold rims, mirrors and other touches, plus the gorgeous spoiler and other little gold decals look great. I wouldn't spring for the mechanical enhancements but would consider the blinging.

Yea it's got that retro JPS thing going on , looks great.
 
Phil 997 said:
Bonners1 said:
I don't like the look of it. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT,

The gold rims, mirrors and other touches, plus the gorgeous spoiler and other little gold decals look great. I wouldn't spring for the mechanical enhancements but would consider the blinging.

Yea it's got that retro JPS thing going on , looks great.

Ahh yes so it does, lovely. Might grow a tash and take up smoking to complete the look. I'll skip the perm though.
 
My love for gold wheels continues...Brno Moto GP today.

Well done Cal, Team GB keeps on kicking ass!
 

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I know that this is an old thread, but it is interesting to look at what RPM proposed for their CSR editions, and to have a play with the configurator, if you have a 997 and want to modify it for your own project.

It seems to me that, leaving aside the rebuilt/blueprinted engine and the cosmetics, the modifications are all fairly obvious, and rather focus on the set up (wheels, tyres, suspension, bushes and mounts) instead of the max power. My only concern is how they did the full geometry, corner weighting and alignment with just a set of coilovers: there must be a lot more adjustability to the standard suspension than I thought. Which is good.
 

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