Anyone who’s into cars has that one model they keep coming back to. For Steve Bennett, it’s his Porsche 997 GT3. It isn’t the most modern thing he owns, and it definitely isn’t the softest, but it has that mix of feedback, noise, and raw feel that’s getting rarer every year.

Steve runs 640 Taylor Performance, so he’s surrounded by performance cars all the time, yet this one has stuck with him. Instead of being a car he moves on from, it’s become a long-term project that he keeps improving as he learns more about it on both the road and track.

Returning to Porsche After Years Away

Steve’s relationship with Porsche started back in the mid-90s when he bought an unofficial left-hand-drive 964. When life got busier, and he needed rear seats, he swapped it for a Nissan Skyline R33 GTR. More cars came and went, but eventually the opportunity to buy a Porsche 997 GT3 came up – and he jumped on it.

What Makes the 997 GT3 Feel So Special

The 997 GT3 has a character that’s hard to find today. Once the flat-six passes around 4,000 rpm, it suddenly wakes up and pulls all the way to 8,400 rpm. On track, it has loads of mechanical grip, but it never feels “easy.” You always have to be connected to the car.

Steve sums it up perfectly:
“It’s not a restful car.”

That’s exactly why he enjoys it.

Engine Work, Cooling & Essential Maintenance

One of the major jobs on the car was removing the engine to replace the coolant lines – not glamorous, but necessary on a GT3 that’s used hard. If you’re rebuilding or refreshing one of these engines, Design911 stocks everything you need here:

Design911.co.uk

https://www.design911.com/porsche/997-mki–911–2005–08/engine-rebuild-parts/

While the engine was out, Steve also fitted a new clutch and flywheel. The equivalent kit for GT3 owners is here:

https://www.design911.com/p/clutch-kit-spring-clutch-plate-porsche-996-gt2–996-gt3—997-gt3-sachs-clutch-plate–pressure-plate-and-release-bearing/

He also upgraded to larger 380mm cup rotors at the front. There are several braking options for anyone doing the same sort of work, including:

• Brembo GT Big Brake Kit:
  https://www.design911.com/p/brembo-gt-big-brake-kit–front–porsche—brake-disc-size–355x32_22/

• 350x34mm front rotor and pad kit for centre-lock wheels:
  https://www.design911.com/p/front-brake-disc-rotor-brake-pads-kit-350x34mm-porsche-997-i422-center-lock-wheels/

These upgrades help massively with heat management and braking consistency during track sessions.

Fixing the Exhaust Heat Issue

One of the biggest annoyances during track days was the heat from the rear silencers warming the tyres. To solve it, Steve switched to Cargraphic equal-length race headers with 200-cell cats and reinstated the centre silencer for a better balance of sound and refinement.

With the hardware changed, he took the car to 9Meister for a Stage 2 tune. For owners heading down this path, Design911’s tuning and performance parts section is the go-to place:

https://www.design911.com/porsche/997-mki–911–2005–08/performance—tuning-parts/

Suspension: The Upgrade That Transforms Everything

Suspension work is where Steve really leans into his expertise. He replaced the toe links and upgraded to a Motion Control Suspension 3-way remote reservoir setup. Compared with the standard PAS/Bilstein suspension, the difference is night and day – more stability, more confidence, and far better control on track.

If you’re looking to improve handling on your Porsche 997 GT3, this is the section you’ll end up on:

https://www.design911.com/porsche/997-mki–911–2005–08/performance-suspension/

It’s where most serious GT3 owners eventually go once they realise how much suspension affects everything the car does.

Small Interior Changes That Make a Big Difference

Being a Club Sport model, Steve’s car came with carbon-back Carrera GT-style bucket seats. He had them retrimmed in Nappa leather with houndstooth inserts, which completely transformed the cabin feel without losing the GT3 character.

He also refinished the centre console in Basalt Black and fitted the PCCM Plus unit to add modern features like Apple CarPlay – a simple upgrade that genuinely improves daily use.

If you’re into subtle visual changes inside or out, Design911 carries plenty of exterior upgrades and spoilers here:

https://www.design911.com/porsche/997-mki–911–2005–08/exterior-styling—spoilers/

Maintenance That Keeps the Car Healthy

Because Steve drives the car hard – real track use, not just road cruising – he keeps up with frequent oil changes and lubrication checks. He often uses Design911 for parts and advice because they carry everything needed for these cars, from service items to performance upgrades.

Why He Still Keeps the Car

Modern Porsches are incredible, but they’ve also become heavier and more controlled by electronics. The Porsche 997 GT3 still feels like the perfect mix of old-school driving feel and modern reliability.

He might eventually move back to an air-cooled 911 for road use, but right now, the GT3 hits the sweet spot.

A Car Improved With Purpose

What stands out about Steve’s approach is how practical it is. Every upgrade solves a real problem he encountered – cooling, braking, suspension, interior comfort – rather than modifying for the sake of it.

For anyone looking to refine their own Porsche 997 GT3, the combination of proper maintenance, smart hardware upgrades, and good parts choices is exactly how you turn a great car into a truly special one.