996 TT Initial thoughts.....and she needs more go!
Discussion
As promised I said I'd give my initial thoughts on ownership of the porker after my days with a 360! Well it's a fairly mad car it must be said.....certainly faster point to point on most UK roads than the 360, probably on account of it's very chuckable nature (I think the 360 would probably match it on most smooth tracks) however it inspires so much confidence round the corners, first it runs a little wide and understeers then as you put more power on it starts to oversteer then finally all four wheels let go but so progressively, understandably it is a little oversteery if you lift mid corner, but diguises the engine position pretty well on the whole.
So the big question, do I prefer it to the 360? in a word no, subjectively it's a better car, but it doesn't do for
me what the donkey did, it's too easy! which brings me to the next question, I want more power, it is easily able to cope with what it has! AFAIK (although I stand to be corrected on this!) the X50 and GT2 engines and turbos are the same with different ECU and exhausts. Therefore how easy is it to find a reputable aftermarket tuner to increase the boost pressures to something more inline with the GT2 - or should I sell it and buy a GT2?!
I've also noticed that the oil consumption is relatively high compared to the dancing nag, I've used about 1.5litres in the first 1,500 miles (however I did search past posts for comments and the manual says up to 1.5litres per 1000km/600miles)
So the big question, do I prefer it to the 360? in a word no, subjectively it's a better car, but it doesn't do for
me what the donkey did, it's too easy! which brings me to the next question, I want more power, it is easily able to cope with what it has! AFAIK (although I stand to be corrected on this!) the X50 and GT2 engines and turbos are the same with different ECU and exhausts. Therefore how easy is it to find a reputable aftermarket tuner to increase the boost pressures to something more inline with the GT2 - or should I sell it and buy a GT2?!
I've also noticed that the oil consumption is relatively high compared to the dancing nag, I've used about 1.5litres in the first 1,500 miles (however I did search past posts for comments and the manual says up to 1.5litres per 1000km/600miles)
Sorry wasn't clear from your post whether you have the X50 or not... But if you don't, then that's your first port of call. Porsche can fit it, along with most independents... Although I think you'll still be left wanting. Daz's car (X50) is f'ing quick, I know because I was in it filming his 192 mph run at brunters. However, it still has very smooth power delivery. I have a single turbo 911, and the torque curve is far from flat. Yes there is lag, but that's exactly what makes it fun. It creates a big 'relative' jump, which give rollercoaster ride sensation of acceleration. Why all this rambling, well, to goad you into fitting the largest turbo's you can find with something like GT2-EVO II cams. That combo should give you the lowdown speed of a Punto, coupled with intergalactic mid and top. Now see how confident you are going round corners 
Alternatively, you could look on the 996tt forum, on Rennlist, most are modding their cars to within an inch of their life.
Alternatively, you could look on the 996tt forum, on Rennlist, most are modding their cars to within an inch of their life.
Charlie, as UV said www.rennlist.com would be a good place to do a search or get some detailed responses, although mainly US posters there are a lot of people on there that seem to know their stuff.
Lee77 had an exhaust and filter change done by "G-Force", although it may be worth emailing him to check he was happy with the full effects eg noise level, emissions etc. Initial impressions thread here:
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=15082&f=48&h=0&hw=470
As far as retro fitting an X50 upgrade is concerned I do not believe this is possible. There is more to the upgrade than exhausts and ECU modding. There are different components in the clutch, gearbox etc.
Oil use varies from car to car, as long as your car is within Porsches "range" you shouldn't have a problem. Mine is currently using about a 1/2 litre every 3k miles.
Aside from the Bigname/Bigprice Ruf, Gemballa, Techart tuners you may like to consider speaking closer to home in the UK to Colin Belton AKA "Ninemeister" (regular poster to this board) or Phil Hindley at "Tech 9" (does Derestrictor's car).
regards
DAZ
If you're at Brunters on the 12th October could we swap passenger runs, I've only ever been in the X50 modded car.
Lee77 had an exhaust and filter change done by "G-Force", although it may be worth emailing him to check he was happy with the full effects eg noise level, emissions etc. Initial impressions thread here:
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=15082&f=48&h=0&hw=470
As far as retro fitting an X50 upgrade is concerned I do not believe this is possible. There is more to the upgrade than exhausts and ECU modding. There are different components in the clutch, gearbox etc.
Oil use varies from car to car, as long as your car is within Porsches "range" you shouldn't have a problem. Mine is currently using about a 1/2 litre every 3k miles.
Aside from the Bigname/Bigprice Ruf, Gemballa, Techart tuners you may like to consider speaking closer to home in the UK to Colin Belton AKA "Ninemeister" (regular poster to this board) or Phil Hindley at "Tech 9" (does Derestrictor's car).
regards
DAZ
If you're at Brunters on the 12th October could we swap passenger runs, I've only ever been in the X50 modded car.
More power already..you are a meglomaniac !!!
As Daz say's you can't retro-fit the X50, as the gearbox & various other components are strengthened at the factory, this does rather remind you to BE CAREFULL with big power upgrades. It's easy to extract big gains from a Turbo, but if a TT engine goes bang you are talking MEGA-BUCKS !!!
In honesty Charlie I don't think extra power is necessarily what you need.The TT is deceptively quick,one reason it is faster than it seems is the lack of "engine noise" interaction in the cabin. Hearing your 360 scream down the road with Tubi's in your ear makes the car sound fast even at 40mph !!
The lack of engine/exhaust noise is my one & only criticism of the car & I am actively looking for a system myself, but don't want one that's TOO LOUD & boy racer-ish. As the other chaps have said Rennlist is the place & if you go back a few pages you will find a post headed "long awaited muffler test" it actually contains full DYNO & DB figures for a range of exhausts....great stuff. But it doesn't include Cargraphic who my local OPC has recommended ( & I had on a previous 996)& it doesn't include Tubi who now make a system for the TT (available from Manu). You may not be aware, but if you change the exhaust you also have to change the standard cats, to 100 cell racing cats. these (apparently) spool the turbo's up even quicker & the systems are good for 25-35Hp increase at a cost of around £2000 ex-fitting.
I'd try this first before changing ECU's etc..
With regards to the oil, mine use's virtually none, but as has been discussed before, if Porkers are driven hard during running in they tend to have higher oil consumption during their life. I have had a number of other Porkers that have simply drunk oil without any ill effects at all. So unless you have puddles in the garage don't worry, I used to top it up on each fill up to be sure i didn't forget & let it get too low !!!
As Daz say's you can't retro-fit the X50, as the gearbox & various other components are strengthened at the factory, this does rather remind you to BE CAREFULL with big power upgrades. It's easy to extract big gains from a Turbo, but if a TT engine goes bang you are talking MEGA-BUCKS !!!
In honesty Charlie I don't think extra power is necessarily what you need.The TT is deceptively quick,one reason it is faster than it seems is the lack of "engine noise" interaction in the cabin. Hearing your 360 scream down the road with Tubi's in your ear makes the car sound fast even at 40mph !!
The lack of engine/exhaust noise is my one & only criticism of the car & I am actively looking for a system myself, but don't want one that's TOO LOUD & boy racer-ish. As the other chaps have said Rennlist is the place & if you go back a few pages you will find a post headed "long awaited muffler test" it actually contains full DYNO & DB figures for a range of exhausts....great stuff. But it doesn't include Cargraphic who my local OPC has recommended ( & I had on a previous 996)& it doesn't include Tubi who now make a system for the TT (available from Manu). You may not be aware, but if you change the exhaust you also have to change the standard cats, to 100 cell racing cats. these (apparently) spool the turbo's up even quicker & the systems are good for 25-35Hp increase at a cost of around £2000 ex-fitting.
I'd try this first before changing ECU's etc..
With regards to the oil, mine use's virtually none, but as has been discussed before, if Porkers are driven hard during running in they tend to have higher oil consumption during their life. I have had a number of other Porkers that have simply drunk oil without any ill effects at all. So unless you have puddles in the garage don't worry, I used to top it up on each fill up to be sure i didn't forget & let it get too low !!!
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff