After building a couple air-cooled RSR lookalikes, Frank Cassidy found he was struggling to keep up with the modern GT-series Porsches on track days. As he frequents Silverstone, a fast circuit which rewards the powerful cars, Cassidy decided to try his hand at building something turbocharged.
Cassidy, a fan of the air-cooled cars, chose a 993 Turbo for its strong foundation. Shortly thereafter, he fitted it with an RS Tuning’s 3.8-liter engine before going through the entire chassis. Heim joints throughout, solid mounts for the gearbox and engine, KW Clubsport coilovers, hefty BBS LM wheels, and broad Toyo R888 tires make this car, nicknamed “Moby,” quite sharp. As we learn, this level of focus is accompanied by a good deal of discomfort.
It’s not the most comforting car. Without a sound system, electric windows, sound deadening, or any real creature comforts, the interior would be best described as spartan. Yet, it still retains that air of class about certain GT-spec Porsches; the frill-free cabin is still covered in thin carpet and tastefully accented with blue harnesses and door pulls. Despite the level of trackday concessions made, this 993 somehow remains sleek and sophisticated.
The Renown wheel and lightweight door cards leave nobody guessing about this car’s intended purpose.
This level of focus lowers the weight, as do the carbon hood and doors. While the 2,900-pound GT2 couldn’t be considered exceptionally light by 993 standards, because it has 577 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque at a conservative 14 pounds of boost, it is savagely fast in a straight line. The kind of speed which makes any driver a little more timid than usual, and that’s obvious in the face of Jack, better known as Number27.
Number27’s trepidation is obvious from the first prod of the throttle. Perhaps it’s not at its best around these imperfect country roads, but it doesn’t fail to leave an intimidating impression. Frightening torque, an incisive front end with 4.5 degrees of negative camber, and a slightly loose rear keep any driver on their toes. That said, the 993 is stiff and sorted, so the power is put down well—it just requires respect.
It also has a decent ride, doesn’t tramline, and engages the driver with its wonderfully weighted controls. “I’m in awe of it; I can’t tell you I’m in love with it,” Number27 admits. Perhaps that honest admission says it all. Though we all salivate over the idea of a classic 911 with pavement-rippling levels of torque, there are times when a car is simply too much for the environment it’s in. On a wider track, this monster might be just shy of terrifying—perhaps inspiring, but on the road, it’s obvious this firebreather is a little too much. Though plenty of people love to think that getting a car to be a dual-purpose machine is only a matter of money, this suggests that once a certain level of performance is achieved, it can’t truly work well on the street any longer.
In its element: Frank at full-lean around Silverstone. Photo credit: @blackbettyandco
