Contact Porsche Minneapolis to schedule your visit with the Porsche 991 GT3 by 311RS.

We’ll have full details of the car and it’s setup posted here tomorrow. In the meantime view the car on ebay now.

Porsche was kind enough to lend us an all-new Porsche 718 Boxster S for a week. Here’s what we thought of it.

We picked up the flat-4 turbo powered 718 at Porsche of Minneapolis with roughly 55mi on the car. The thing was brand new! And what better way to break in a new car than with a road trip/track day? We headed 2hrs north the BIR to begin the fun.

Upon arriving at BIR, we took a moment to fill the car up with some 93oct from the newly-renovated VP fuel station. If the 718 Boxster S is like any other turbocharged car we’ve worked with, it will take all the octane it can get. We averaged 27mpg cruising at roughly the posted speed limit, which was a pleasant surprise and could easily be improved if the driver made it a point to conserve.

First things first at the track – tire pressure. The tires managed well on the drive up, providing nothing but a smooth ride regardless of their super low profile. The track is no doubt a different beast, so Ryan set the tire pressures a bit lower and went about putting the car to the test.

Weather was nearly ideal for a first evaluation – 75* and sunny.

Being the car had roughly 200mi on it by the time we got to BIR, not to mention the fact that it was on loan, we took it fairly easy on the car by only running 10 laps. But in just those 10 laps it was clear this car has serious potential. It’s very quick out of the box. Power delivery of the flat-4 turbo is smooth and the midrange is just fatty. It was fantastic to drive on track.

Just how quick was the car on track? 1:44.04 on BIR’s short course. For reference, Ryan ran only slightly quicker during the baseline test of our 991 GT3. Granted the weather we 40* cooler in March of 2015…

But even so the 718 Boxster S proved to be the real deal on track. Not to mention it was good fun!

The heart and soul of the 718 is it’s all-new turbocharged 2.5L 4-cylinder boxer engine. The turbo features VTG – variable turbine geometry which makes for a solid tractable powerband with 350hp/309tq on tap. It builds boost early and often making peak torque from 1950rpm-4500rpm yet will still rev out – making peak power at 7,000rpm.

Cobb Tuning has already baselined a 718 Boxster S and confirms what we all figured. The car make more power than advertised and with relative ease. We can’t help but imagine how potent a 718 Cayman S would be on track. And we haven’t even mentioned how improved the chassis is with PTV!

Thanks again to Porsche and Izea for the opportunity, we had a great time.

Images courtesy of Peter Lapinski

We’ve had a Porsche 718 Boxster S for the past week. You know, the one with the 2.5L flat-4 turbo engine? It rules.

We’ll share more in the coming days. For now, back to driving while the suns out!

We were invited to attend an event in San Francisco this past week – The Porsche 718 Circuit Playground hosted by Porsche N.A.

The event was to launch Porsche’s new horizontally opposed 4-cylinder turbocharged sports car, the 718.

This new 718 model is an evolution of Porsche’s successful Boxster and Cayman platforms. We’ve worked with the 981 Cayman platform with nothing but good things to report. So when we heard there was a change to the formula, well, consider our interest piqued.

Previously powered by a naturally aspirated 6-cylinder engine, these next generation 718 models feature a pair of all-new turbocharged flat-4 engines – a 2.0L with 300hp & 280 lb-ft of torque and a larger 2.5L with 350hp & 309 lb-ft of torque. The larger of the two engines, available in the S models, also features variable turbine geometry for sharper response and more top-end power. Our extensive experience with turbocharged 4-cylinder engines makes this evolution all the more exciting for us.

At first glance the 718 nomenclature may appear to come out of left field. But that is not the case, quite the contrary in fact. In 1958 a 4-cylinder Porsche finished first in class at LeMans. The car? The legendary 718.

There were two versions of this historic Porsche on hand – an RS60 and a the actual RSK that won LeMans, complete with it’s heat-conducting cadmium hood.

Porsche had three factory drivers on hand – Patrick Long, Fred Makowiecki, and Earl Bamber. They were busy giving rides, discussing the details of the new 718, and playing Jenga, apparently.  Fred and Earl are pictured here in the midst of a heated battle.

Speaking of heated battles, drivers had the opportunity to experience the new 718 Boxster S on an Auto-X course designed by fans.

The course was generally tight, yet had a nice flow and even one long 3rd gear straight. These 718s are fast…some of us were hitting more than 100mph.

Each of the 718s on hand was equipped with Porsche’s awesome 7sp PDK gearbox. The extremely capable gearbox was perfectly suited for fans to get their first taste of the new platform in this setting. As great as the PDK is, our preference in a car like this (not a race car) would be the standard 6sp manual gearbox. The ever-engaging manual combined with the new turbocharged flat-4 sounds like a match made in heaven.

We’ll be spending much more time with the new 718 here at the end of the month. Until then, we’ll remember the day (not to mention the 718!) well and would like to thank Porsche & Izea once again for inviting us to be a part of the 718 Circuit Playground.

Here’s a look at our latest collaboration with JRZ Suspension.

This particular 996 GT3 has been in development for the past two seasons. It’s a clean local (MN) car that’s been nothing but a pleasure to work with. Now nearing full development, it’s time for one of the final pieces of the puzzle – 311RS-spec JRZ suspension.

Being that GT Porsches (GT3, GT3 RS, GT2, etc.) are equipped with height-adjustable dampers from the factory, our strategy is to maximize an initial chassis specification, referred to as a “driver”,  before replacing the dampers. This GT3 was fitted with GT3 Cup bushings & adjustable suspension components that allow us to sort the chassis while still running the stock dampers.

JRZ RS Pros feature an external reservoir with adjustable gas pressure and the ability to control compression. This allows the user to add platform and fully dial in the car’s balance. It does not however, take away any compliance. In fact it adds to it as the user has total control, be it plush or firm. Working directly with JRZ allows us to tweak spring rates and damping curves to reach our desired driving dynamics.

The car is now in need a check of the alignment, corner balance, & external reservoir gas pressures. We plan to move forward with our previous alignment specs and focus on dialing in the dampers. The car was setup with a fair bias towards track driving so these dampers will help us bring it further into balance.

Summer is not over yet! We’ll have the car on track a few more times before the fall. In the mean time, please do reach out to us for more information about JRZ suspension for your Porsche. Any questions, comments or even setup advice feel free to call +1 (612) 547-9311 or email info@311RS.com.

We’re playing with the idea of releasing a 311RS wallpaper from the archives on Wednesdays. What better way to start than with the timeless design of the BBS E50 on our project 1987 Porsche 930? Look at that wheel!

Right click, save as for full resolution. Until next time…

The annual Nord Stern PCA All Porsche Show & Swap Meet took place this past weekend. The morning started early with a drive from 311RS HQ to Roseville in order to position Ryan’s 930 before the show began. With this out of the way the real fun was set to begin.

From Roseville, we headed north to meet a client and shuttle a few of his cars down to the show. The scene above is how we were greeted. It was going to be a good day.

The lineup consisted of four of the best cars Porsche has ever built – Carrera GT, Carrera RS, GT3 RS 4.0, and a 997 GT2. It was an honor just to be around these cars, not to mention we had to drive them down to the show!

We headed out with the owner leading the pack in his Carrera GT. Ryan followed suit in the pristine 1973 Carrera RS. This historic car paved the way for all of the special Porsche that have came since. The monumental history can be felt behind the wheel, it’s a truly special experience to drive a Carrera RS.

Upon arriving at the All Porsche Show, the ’73 Carrera RS was given a prime spot even though the show was already packed with 30mins until officially opening at 10am.

This particular Carrera RS had it’s iconic 2.7l flat six upgraded to 2.8l RSR specification. Talk about icing on the cake. In the coming months it will have it’s carbs tuned to make the most of Minnesota fuel and weather.

Parked just behind the Carrera RS was this pristine 2011 911 GT3 RS 4.0. We’ve had the pleasure of servicing this car – removing window tint & faded clear bra, complete concours detail, wheel refinish, and chassis adjustment. It is an absolute stunner in person.

Alex Bellus was on hand and took a few photos of the cars during the show. This image captures two of the most iconic 911s together. These cars combine all that is Rennsport for Porsche, and what a treat it was to experience them together.

Lurking off to the side of the RS 4.0 was something even more special from Porsche.

The Carrera GT has to be considered when discussing the best Porsches of all time. It’s reputation of being difficult to drive may be true for some, but with respect (and modern tires) it is easily one of the most sublime automotive experiences the world has ever seen. And just look at it. It still looks modern even though it has been 11 years since it left Stuttgart.

Next to the Carrera GT sat this gorgeous 997 GT2. We’ve had the pleasure of servicing this one as well – complete concours detail, fresh Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2s, brake fluid flush with Castrol SRF brought together with a corner balance and alignment. This thing is no joke. It’s a very special car and at the moment is slightly under appreciated. We have a feeling time will be kind to this one.

The owner of 311RS GT3 #01 met us at the All Porsche Show to display his car. It was not two weeks ago this car was raging around Road America. Prior to the show it received a complete concours detail, oil change, and a brake fluid flush. We were happy to discuss this car with many interested folks, it’s not often this type of car turns up at a car show.

Soon enough the show was over and it was time to drive. Ryan had the pleasure of making the 1hr drive from the show in the Carrera GT. The defining feature of the interior is this high-mounted wooden shift knob. It is oh so sweet. Shifting will never again be this good, sadly.

The overall driving experience in the Carrera GT is a dream. There is an abundance of vision inside the car, unusual for a supercar. The pedals, the gear box, and that high-revving N/A V10 come together for a drive that is unlike anything else.

Along the way, and during stop & go traffic in Stillwater, Ryan captured this Carrera GT turning 2,311mi. It must have been fate. It’s worth noting that while in traffic the car was no trouble at all. There have long been complaints about the difficulty of working the clutch in the Carrera GT, but we have to say that is unfounded. Driven properly (i.e. no throttle from rest), the clutch is much easier to use than a traditional system which requires the user to match revs while engaging the clutch.

Ryan had plenty of time to get to know the Carrera GT on the long drive home. “It is difficult to describe how truly special this car is, especially when driven to it’s limit. Every last bit of tactile feedback is miles better than what I’ve previously experienced. Short of a McLaren F1, this has to be the best driving car on earth. It’s a special, special car.”

As if the day could not get any better, Ryan found this poster for $10 at the swap meet. Pictured is the start of 1987 LeMans with the winning #17 Porsche 962 front and center. We can only hope next year’s All Porsche Show will be this great. It will surely be a tough act to follow.

Photos courtesy of Alex Bellus, Luis Fraguada, and Ryan Gates/311RS, LLC.

We’re proud to release the second product we’ve built for the 311RS Porsche program – introducing the 311RS-spec Recaro bucket seat.

311RS-spec Recaro bucket seats have been designed to seamlessly integrate with Porsche interiors by using factory leather, stitching, and alcantara.

In addition to OEM materials, we were inspired to design a seat pattern that resembled the look and feel of a factory seat. We went as far as to digitizing the seat pattern to ensure 100% repeatable results and minimal lead time – with realistic delivery in 2-3 weeks for U.S. customers.

The goal of all this is to provide a premium aftermarket solution for Porsche owners that rivals factory buckets without the exorbitant secondhand price.

Starting at $4,298/pair, 311RS-spec Recaros are available in Pole Position & Profi XL (pictured) versions and can be trimmed in most factory Porsche leather and stitching combinations. The seats are shown with the 311RS headrest logo, however think of the headrest as a blank canvas – we can embroider anything from the model designation of your Porsche (i.e. GT3, GT3 RS, GT4, etc.) to your company logo, or anything else you can come up with.

It’s worth noting that we are not limited to leather and alcantara. We can source vintage Porsche tartans, pashas, and nearly everything in between. Creativity is the name of the game, that’s the beauty of a completely custom seat. So send us an email – info@311RS.com or call us between 8a-8p EST to order your set today – (612) 547-9311.

Photos courtesy of Peter Lapinski.

A winter’s worth of preparation and the time has finally come. The first event of the year. We joined Porsche Club of America for their First Fling at Brainerd International Raceway to launch the 311RS Porsche program. With 7 different 911s in tow, all of us were eager to get the cars out on track for the first time of 2016.

A quote from Alexander Graham Bell seems fitting to begin this one –  “Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.”

And with that, here’s a look into our time at BIR to start the season.

2016 marks the first time we’ve visited BIR with an all-Porsche lineup. It’s bittersweet, however our time with the amazing Evo X platform will not be forgotten. That being said, it was time to get on with it and shift focus to establishing our Porsche program.

Luis’ 996 GT3 saw it’s fair share of updates this winter. Most obvious is the addition of a Getty Design RS wing. It’s nearly identical to the factory wing and adds a measurable amount of downforce. It is perfect for this nimble chassis.

The RS wing was a welcome addition and it was especially felt through BIR’s faster corners. Further updates to Lu’s GT3 included a revised chassis setup and improved braking system. We teamed up with Girodisc once again to run their lightweight, two-piece brake rotors. The rotors, along with Pagid pads, stainless lines & Castrol SRF, were just what the doctor ordered.

Bruce’s 991 GT3 was again on hand and as fast as ever. This car carried over it’s setup from last year with the addition of BMC RS filters. A small update, but with our first production 991 GT3 unit on hand, this car was a perfect benchmark.

Speaking of, the first 991 GT3 by 311RS was a joy to drive. It ripped laps up to 2.3sec quicker than our benchmark, and this was supposed to be a shakedown. With loads of data from last season, we had a huge advantage when it came to setting up this unit. Click the link above to read more about the car.

One of our latest projects is John’s recently completed ’89 964 C4. His goal was to build a 911 that he can drive daily while also having it prepped for time on track. It’s still in it’s early stages, however he’s gone a long way to improving it already – starting with the obvious gold BBS LMs and Michelin PS2s.

Under the skin is where most of the time has been focused. His 964 is running a custom set of 311RS-spec JRZ RS1 dampers. Not only were we able to get the ride height just where it needed to be, we spent time before the weekend getting the car corner balanced & aligned at Auto Edge. The chassis setup and adjustability built into the JRZ’s make for a very well-behaved 964.

Out on track we were hanging loose and all smiles. This weekend marked John’s first time on track and I think it’s safe to say he is hooked.

Since completing his first track day, John has set his mind on removing unnecessary weight and improving minor bits for reliability. The car was a pleasure to drive and we look forward to spending more time with it in the near future.

Next up is Drew’s recently purchased 997 GT3. It’s a huge jump in performance from his previous car (E30 M3), so this weekend was perfect for getting to know his new GT3.

The car ran at BIR bone stock and we used this as an opportunity to create a baseline for the platform.

Sunday started off with a spin coming out of turn 10, but thankfully the car was unscathed save for some flat-spotted Pirellis. It’s now running a set of fresh Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2s and as a first step to improving the car it’s now running a 997 Cup front lip, FVD side pipes and had it’s window tint removed. The driver also received a fresh pair of drawls which we hope to put to good use at Road America. Right, Drew?

Ryan had his 930 on hand and ready for action should there be a shortage of cars available for evaluation.

Thankfully we had a wide variety of other 911s on hand and Reggie didn’t have to come out of retirement yet again. The car ran great last year, but it really isn’t meant for hard charging at this age. It’s much better suited for backroads and weekend drives to the lake. But we’ll see how Road America goes next week..

Speaking of, next up is a trip to Road America on June 13-14th. We’ll be there again with PCA, and again an all Porsche line-up – two 991 GT3s, a 997 GT3, a 996 GT3, and perhaps a few other additions. See you there!

Photos courtesy of Peter Lapinski, Kris Clewell, and Ryan Gates/311RS, LLC.

Is there anything more classic than a Guards Red 911? When the car in question is a mint as this ’78 930 with 29k miles, it really is hard to imagine making a case for anything else.

This 930 came to us fresh from a mechanical restoration & respray, however it needed a little help to make it just right. We call this process our Classic Porsche Preservation program. The goal is to keep these classic Porsches preserved for a lifetime(s) of driving. We’re proud to be a small part of conserving Porsche’s history with this program.

Jen and her team from Carsmotology took the lead on correcting the fresh paint. The results speak for themselves and will provide the owner with peace of mind while driving this nearly priceless 930.

The car was delivered to us with it’s iconic Fuchs wheels in a polished finish. Clearly this look is not desirable, especially on a car of this caliber.

The wheels are in the process of being refinished to their original state thanks to the experts at Wheel Enhancement. Since this process can take upwards of 4 weeks, Ryan lent the owner his set of factory Fuchs for the time being.

One interesting tidbit about this 930 is it’s history with Andial. It was serviced by Andial back in the 80’s and eventually had it’s turbo & intercooler swapped with their awesome piece. The car still retains these pieces today.

Since the car was fresh from an engine service, our role in that department was limited to clean up and correcting a few components. The end result is a perfectly preserved engine bay that runs better than it did when new.

Interior-wise the car was in fairly nice shape. Again we leaned on Jen and her Carsmotologists to bring out the best of the factory interior. The car looks, feels, and most importantly smells just like it should for it’s age.

The finished product is a ’78 930 that is ready to be enjoyed for years to come. This one was a treat to work with. Please contact us to schedule your Classic Porsche Preservation consultation, we’d love the opportunity to preserve your Porsche.

Photos courtesy of MN-native, Peter Lapinski.