Cargraphic 544 stage 2 kit for 997 Turbo

[IMI A]

Right chaps. My cars 4 yrs old and 40k miles. Its a daily driver hence have kept OPC warranty on it but have been think about sending it to Cargraphic for a 544 kit for a while now.Anyone done this and would you recommend it for the type of driving I do?

To keep car in Porsche network its going to cost me £6.5k at next service inc clutch, service and cost of new 2 yr warranty.

Although I crave enhancing the Turbo's character a bit and getting a bit more out of it to be fair the dilemma is that to date my extended warranty has been invaluable and has paid for itself many times over but I may just have been unlucky needing new starter motor, sunroof mech + drains cleared, 3 new radiators, 5 visits to OPC to sort soft clutch out (in the end they had to strip all the hydraulic gubbins from engine to finally sort out) and I suspect this may have made clutch wear prematurely as it should easily last more than 40k miles in my view, blown bose speakers and software patch for rear spoiler deciding not to occasionally work.

Any thoughts gratefully received?

[GT3ZZZ]

Everything you need to know here,courtesy of Alex

http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/997-turbo-fo...

HTH

[ZeroH]

clutch wear at 40k miles is perfectly normal for a turbo.

mine gave up the ghost at 30k miles when stock.

544cg tune is a good kit - you wouldn't regret it but you may need to beef up the clutch !

[rog007]

IMI A said:

Right chaps. My cars 4 yrs old and 40k miles. Its a daily driver hence have kept OPC warranty on it but have been think about sending it to Cargraphic for a 544 kit for a while now.Anyone done this and would you recommend it for the type of driving I do?

To keep car in Porsche network its going to cost me £6.5k at next service inc clutch, service and cost of new 2 yr warranty.

Although I crave enhancing the Turbo's character a bit and getting a bit more out of it to be fair the dilemma is that to date my extended warranty has been invaluable and has paid for itself many times over but I may just have been unlucky needing new starter motor, sunroof mech + drains cleared, 3 new radiators, 5 visits to OPC to sort soft clutch out (in the end they had to strip all the hydraulic gubbins from engine to finally sort out) and I suspect this may have made clutch wear prematurely as it should easily last more than 40k miles in my view, blown bose speakers and software patch for rear spoiler deciding not to occasionally work.

Any thoughts gratefully received?

I'd have handed it back!

[Mr Freefall]

IMI A said:

Right chaps. My cars 4 yrs old and 40k miles. Its a daily driver hence have kept OPC warranty on it but have been think about sending it to Cargraphic for a 544 kit for a while now.Anyone done this and would you recommend it for the type of driving I do?

To keep car in Porsche network its going to cost me £6.5k at next service inc clutch, service and cost of new 2 yr warranty.

Although I crave enhancing the Turbo's character a bit and getting a bit more out of it to be fair the dilemma is that to date my extended warranty has been invaluable and has paid for itself many times over but I may just have been unlucky needing new starter motor, sunroof mech + drains cleared, 3 new radiators, 5 visits to OPC to sort soft clutch out (in the end they had to strip all the hydraulic gubbins from engine to finally sort out) and I suspect this may have made clutch wear prematurely as it should easily last more than 40k miles in my view, blown bose speakers and software patch for rear spoiler deciding not to occasionally work.

Any thoughts gratefully received?

Possible alternative to CG

http://www.911tuning.com/997-Turbo-c-50.html

Just a thought, very popular & repsected tuner in the US.

Mr F

[IMI A]

rog007 said:

IMI A said:

Right chaps. My cars 4 yrs old and 40k miles. Its a daily driver hence have kept OPC warranty on it but have been think about sending it to Cargraphic for a 544 kit for a while now.Anyone done this and would you recommend it for the type of driving I do?

To keep car in Porsche network its going to cost me £6.5k at next service inc clutch, service and cost of new 2 yr warranty.

Although I crave enhancing the Turbo's character a bit and getting a bit more out of it to be fair the dilemma is that to date my extended warranty has been invaluable and has paid for itself many times over but I may just have been unlucky needing new starter motor, sunroof mech + drains cleared, 3 new radiators, 5 visits to OPC to sort soft clutch out (in the end they had to strip all the hydraulic gubbins from engine to finally sort out) and I suspect this may have made clutch wear prematurely as it should easily last more than 40k miles in my view, blown bose speakers and software patch for rear spoiler deciding not to occasionally work.

Any thoughts gratefully received?

I'd have handed it back!

Why? Every time the car was in OPC I was given a brand new Porsche as a replacement vehicle as they were fairly embarrased about clutch. C2 , C4s, C2S all with circa 300 miles on them. Buy a turbo and Porsche treats you reasonably well in the event it goes wrong. 997 Turbo is the best every day road going car I've ever driven and its been improved upon with latest PDK (not for me) cars.

Thanks for the responses.

Read Alex TT's link and although it sounds interesting not impressed with his exhaust tips falling down due to excess exhaust heat and clutch slippage after only 16,000 miles. Have till MArch to decide whether to stay in OPC network or go banzai

[TB993tt]

IMI A said:

Any thoughts gratefully received?

Don't do it, your comments re clutch wear would lead me to advise you stay within OPC network and 100% standard.

[996ttalot]

TB993tt said:

IMI A said:

Any thoughts gratefully received?

Don't do it, your comments re clutch wear would lead me to advise you stay within OPC network and 100% standard.

Agree with Toby.

Has the OPC stated that the clutch issue is resolved? - it doesn't sound like it from what you said. That would be my concern and priority to know it is absolutely resolved first. You shouldn't either feel that you have to take the warranty because the clutch issues might reoccur because that is not right - the OPC needs to tell you everything is fine.

If after that you decide to take it out, then either the CG Kit or 911tuning kit are both good.

[Skrambles]

TB993tt said:

IMI A said:

Any thoughts gratefully received?

Don't do it, your comments re clutch wear would lead me to advise you stay within OPC network and 100% standard.

I also agree. The costs and hassle could be ridiculous if you drop the warranty - it's sod's law.

[ZeroH]

I would advise anyone looking to tune their car to budget a new clutch. If your worried about that, don't tune it.

[996ttalot]

ZeroH said:

I would advise anyone looking to tune their car to budget a new clutch. If your worried about that, don't tune it.

Miras, I agree with what you say but from the OP it is not clear whether this "clutch" issue is actually fixed permanently. Maybe this is a new OPC method of retaining customers

[TB993tt]

996ttalot said:

Miras, I agree with what you say but from the OP it is not clear whether this "clutch" issue is actually fixed permanently. Maybe this is a new OPC method of retaining customers

Think you are missing Miras's point, the OP thought Alex's clutch slipping at 16000 miles with near 800NM was not something he liked - best staying away from anything non stock

Edited by TB993tt on Tuesday 25th January 18:06

[98C4S]

Whats the story with the Cargraphic 560 Kit, its cheaper and more powerful because it deletes the rear two cats.

Would that pass an MOT in the UK?

[ZeroH]

TB993tt said:

996ttalot said:

Miras, I agree with what you say but from the OP it is not clear whether this "clutch" issue is actually fixed permanently. Maybe this is a new OPC method of retaining customers

Think you are missing Miras's point, the OP thought Alex's clutch slipping at 16000 miles with near 800NM was not something he liked - best staying away from anything non stock

Edited by TB993tt on Tuesday 25th January 18:06

Exactly.

[TB993tt]

98C4S said:

Whats the story with the Cargraphic 560 Kit, its cheaper and more powerful because it deletes the rear two cats.

Would that pass an MOT in the UK?

One could get an MOT cert for sure as the cats are probably in the housings aren't they ?

These CG 997tt.1 tunes are signed off on engine dyno (at all loads and throttle positions) and have lower emmisions than stock (like for like power levels) with better overall mpg, bit different to the American stuff with big boost and fuelling and remote data log based remote mapping which all results in 13mpg !!!

[98C4S]

TB993tt said:

98C4S said:

Whats the story with the Cargraphic 560 Kit, its cheaper and more powerful because it deletes the rear two cats.

Would that pass an MOT in the UK?

One could get an MOT cert for sure as the cats are probably in the housings aren't they ?

These CG 997tt.1 tunes are signed off on engine dyno (at all loads and throttle positions) and have lower emmisions than stock (like for like power levels) with better overall mpg, bit different to the American stuff with big boost and fuelling and remote data log based remote mapping which all results in 13mpg !!!

Agreed, not sure why anyone would consider the US tuning with this in mind?

So the car can pass an MOT on 2 of the 4 cats? or am I missing something

[TB993tt]

98C4S said:

Agreed, not sure why anyone would consider the US tuning with this in mind?

Because it seems you can get epic straight line acceleration via big turbos for about third of the cost of a street legal TUV German Autobahn safe tune - its fun

98C4S said:

So the car can pass an MOT on 2 of the 4 cats? or am I missing something

Don't think it actually passes but the sniffer ends up in someone elses chuffer - was just making the point that tuned Porkers can be even lower emitters than stock

[Martian O]

TB993tt said:

98C4S said:

So the car can pass an MOT on 2 of the 4 cats? or am I missing something

Don't think it actually passes but the sniffer ends up in someone elses chuffer - was just making the point that tuned Porkers can be even lower emitters than stock

My 997 with 2 x 200 cell sport cats passed easily without having to stick the sensor up the Focus parked next to it!

Edited by Martian O on Tuesday 25th January 19:31

[IMI A]

Hydraulic system on clutch has been fault free for circa 12 months so touch wood its sorted. Separately the clutch itself did slip in sixth recently on a cold morning after car hadn't been used for 3 weeks but its not done it since - will need a new clutch soonish no doubt.

Interestingly reading April 2008 Total 911 review of this kit which i happen to have lying around.

On Cargraphic advert in same mag here are the following 0-300kmh times

507 kit 24.6 secs
544 kit 23.6 secs
598 kit 23.1 secs
624 kit 23.0 secs

645 kit 22.6 secs bored out engine to 3.8 litres
680 kit 22.0 secs bored out engine to 3.8 litres

Stock 40 secs.

544 kit claim seems a bit outlandish doesn't it?? 17 secs quicker 0-300kmh all from a new DME, exhaust and air filter?!!!

Surely worth having if this claim is correct!

[Martian O]

My BMC filter, DMS stage 1 remap and Capristo exhaust certainly has freed up things, no going back to stock for me!