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Visit to Center Gravity - Jan 20th / Updated March

New997buyer

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17 Oct 2010
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Myself and a few fellow 911UK members attended Center Gravity's annual clinic special offer. Quite a day.

Setting off early my engine warning light came on so I wasn't able to convoy up from London to Center Gravity. Sid at Porsche Torque sorted me out and identified it as a lambda sensor fault. Problem solved, I took off in chase of the others. But big :thumbs: to Sid for getting out early on a Saturday morning to help a regular customer.

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Arriving at Center Gravity just before lunch, they were already working on Spiderlane's (beautiful and pristine) GTS and a lovely 993 turbo.

Warmly welcomed by the team we settled down to wait with biscuits and tea.

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The work the team do is methodical and skilled. Beginning with a short test drive they evaluate the car, all the time explaining to you what the examination and testing is telling them. They're also gathering data on the use the car has from you. It's a great experience and approach.

Finishing they give a summary of what they know and don't know. Then the next stages of analysis begin.

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When they've finished you understand more about your car than ever, the life it's had and anything needed to make it better.

Outstanding stuff.

This experience echoes others who've been there. How lucky we are to have the likes of Center Gravity in the UK Porsche community. Skilled, expert and methodical experts working to enhance our ownership experience. From servicing and regular work, such as Sid at PT, to special area specialists like Center Gravity.

How lucky we are :salut:

Center Gravity, thank you :worship:

Then an, ahem, 'spirited', run down the M40 home following MrPub :angel:

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A good day :thumbs:

Post Script
The owner of the turbo was a really interesting chap who told us he was off to do a rally in Asia in his '69 911, called 'Chalky'.

Read more here:

http://globalrally.org/about-the-cars/chalky-number-eleven/

All set up and fettled by Center Gravity. Phenomenal :thumb:
 
Update. Exactly as promised I got an email outlining in clear and precise detail exactly the work outlined and price. Delighted with the service and will be returning north to get done the minor work required.

It's such a great experience when a business does something world class. Great stuff :thumbs:
 
Great write up Paul and confirms the excellent things I hear about Centre Gravity, I really must get my ass up there at some point as I know it would enhance driving my car :thumb: :thumb:
 
They are a great outfit if you want a very bespoke, personal service and not just an 'it's in spec' alignment. They are in my experience also meticulous in assessing your personal requirements, particularly if you are planning changes to parts, and ensure absolutely that what they recommend meets your use profile. The whole team at CG get a big thumbs up from me.
 
I can't speak highly enough of them. Transformed my car
 
I was reading some of there case studies off their website a while back. They deffo know their onions. By just reading them you can learn alot about these cars and also what sort of wear limits, etc. are acceptable or not.

All interesting stuff and a credit to them :thumb:
 
Update - March 26th

Exactly as promised a summary of the recommended work from the clinic arrived a few days after I returned home. As long as I carried this out before the end of March the clinic cost would be deducted from the bill.

However my work schedule increased so I wasn't able to make a commitment until things calmed down. Late March a window opened up and I contacted CG who were terrifically flexible, shuffling things so I could attend on the 26th and so claim my discount. They even shuffled things further when I needed to get away earlier than originally planned. Great stuff and greatly appreciated :thumb:



I made the trip up on a sunny Monday morning, and as before arrived to find a wonderful air cooled 911 rally car being readied for an upcoming competition.



As soon as I arrived I was offered a cup of tea and work then immediately began. Picking up where we left off as the cars notes had already been checked, ballast was added to simulate the full tank I arrived with last time. A very nice detail. Checks were then carried out comparing the car as it was 2 months before with now to make sure nothing much has changed.



Satisfied all was as before the work on replacing the inner rods began. Each part removed was shown to me, a comparison with the new part, why it was being changed and what that would mean to the driving experience. This was again a useful and insightful touch.



This is all carried out in a relaxed and easy environment. Plenty of tea on tap and as much or as little chat as I wanted to make. I was even able to take in an old segment on TG where they tested the 996.2 GT3 RS :grin:



It was noticed that one of the outer rod on the near side was work too. So after consultation with me this was also changed. Again why this was being done and the significance was all fully explained.



With all the new shiny bits on the clever work with the geo could begin.



This part involved putting the geometry settings tonones which more suited the usage I wanted from the car: fast dial carriage way and A road use, with occasional B roads. In January a road test and in-depth consultation led to the recommendation of settings related to the above. These are still within Porsche parameters, but subtly alter the nature of the car's handling to achieve the balance the driver wants.

I'll deliberately not explain how this was done in the same detail it was explained to me, as this is their IP. If you want to know more go and visit with your own car. It's well worth it!



Once this has been done, the whole thing is checked again, and marked so any alteration to settings is immediately apparent.



An extensive test drive confirms everything is as intended. And it was. Turn in was sharper as requested while the rear was as planted but gave more feel. Fast A and dual carriageway stability was greater while fast B road driving was far less erratic. Delighted.

Taking thoroughness to a new level I've been asked to give feedback once I've finished this year's trips to Dinslaken and Le Mans. I'm looking forward to doing so.

So completing the experience begin in January I very strongly recommend a trip to CG. They've taken the area of suspension and are building a niche expertise in this area which they continue to hone and refine constantly. A great British company doing great British things. Terrific stuff.

My thanks to Pete, Holly and Chris :thumbs:
 
Great stuff Paul. Jealous - would love a full Geo at CG. 5 minute chat with Chris at Oulton convinced me what a talented bloke he is. :thumbs:
 
alex yates said:
Great stuff Paul. Jealous - would love a full Geo at CG. 5 minute chat with Chris at Oulton convinced me what a talented bloke he is. :thumbs:

He is indeed! The most impressive thing for me though is how talented the whole team are. Highly recommended. You know you want to! :thumb:
 
Thanks so much for for the detailed review. Is your car is on std springs?
 
AHA! So you were the other turbo they said they were having in the afternoon yesterday.

I was there at the crack of dawn yesterday having some work done on my turbo. I happened to mention I never see any other turbos on the road and they said co-incidentally that they had another one coming in later in the day!

Im staggered at the difference once these guys sort your suspension out.

On mine the rear coffin arms and toe rods were worn. The geometry, whilst having been setup at Porsche within their tolerances, was far from ideal. Pete & Chris replaced the worn bits in an hour and after a chat with Pete about how I use my car & the type of roads I frequent he set it all up accordingly. I also upgraded the rear ARB to a GT2 one at the same time.

Driving the car afterwards and I could feel the difference instantly, even before id left the industrial estate. Its like a totally different car now, absolutely amazing. I just wish id gone their 2 years ago when I first got my car

The white/red rally car arrived whilst I was there and I had a long chat with the owner, really interesting guy, and a cracking looking car.
 
rabbitstew said:
AHA! So you were the other turbo they said they were having in the afternoon yesterday.

The very one! Sounds like a very interesting set up so sorry I missed you :thumb:

I like your write up and it echoes my own experiences. They use a fantastic and in depth knowledge of the entire range to tailor it to your needs. Cracking stuff.

apollokre1d said:
Thanks so much for for the detailed review. Is your car is on std springs?

It is. Though I've also had a DSC module fitted. I'd recommend that too. Though I'd recommend getting CG to include it in a package, and not just finding the lowest cost provider. The DSC module is brilliant. But coupled with their expertise it can be allowed to do its clever stuff even more :thumb:
 
New997buyer said:
apollokre1d said:
Thanks so much for for the detailed review. Is your car is on std springs?

It is. Though I've also had a DSC module fitted. I'd recommend that too. Though I'd recommend getting CG to include it in a package, and not just finding the lowest cost provider. The DSC module is brilliant. But coupled with their expertise it can be allowed to do its clever stuff even more :thumb:

Thanks a bunch :) I've been running the DSC module for the last 18 months, I agree it is awesome. For the money I think it is one of the best mod's you can do to a 997. I ordered the Bilstein damptronics last May through 9e, but after yet another delay (Bilstein are now saying August) myself and 9e just canceled the order and (at my request) are fitting lowering springs as a temporary measure. I hear Bilstein are working on a large manufacturer order so all after market order's are on hold.

Based on your GC experience I will definitely take the car to them later this year. Thanks again :thumbs:
 
apollokre1d said:
Thanks so much for the detailed review.

+1, and :thumbs: for the excellent pictures.

Can't wait to see your wheels 'in the flesh'. They look glorious. :worship:
 
I had mine setup by Chris in 2015. Superb handling ever since. In fact at the annual service I email him the tyre tread depths (from the Vehicle Health Check at OPC Chester) to ask him if the wear is consistent with the settings and if he thinks I need to bring it back in case something has moved.

Both he and Pete really know this subject very well.

If one looks at the time and price for the checks and setup in isolation, it gives a completely false picture - there are loads of cheap 4 wheel geometry places out there - and some of them are independent specialists with a Hunter jig.
But nobody I know spends this thorough systematic approach which when one goes through it, it all makes sense and the value becomes apparent.
 

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