It’s refreshing to see enthusiasts still exploring the potential of Porsche’s oft-overlooked 996. Perhaps part of why this generation has persevered is due to the way the 996 Turbo’s Mezger motor is quite receptive to tuning. With a few tasteful modifications, a 996 Turbo can out-accelerate many of today’s paddle-shifted supercars and get its owner into serious legal trouble.
As far as Porsche tuning goes, this particular example takes a cost-effective approach. Bigger injectors, a free-flowing Fabspeed exhaust, a stronger Sachs clutch, a Bosch fuel pump, and Wagner Tuning intercoolers are the only truly new additions to the engine. Instead of using the larger K24 versions available with the X50 power kit, this car retains the smaller K16 units which came in all base 996 Turbos. However, ByDesign took these turbochargers and modernized them with newer, more efficient, billet compressor wheels measuring 68mm.
These retrofitted “hybrid” turbochargers offer the response and weight of a stock setup with the ability to make enough power to drastically change its acceleration—all for relatively little. At a modest 17 pounds of boost, these turbos push enough air through the 3.6-liter Mezger to make 600 horsepower—most of which is delivered in an awe-inspiring lump around 4,000 rpm. Provided the correct supporting parts are in place, higher boost can yield as much as 700 horsepower with the right sort of ECU tuning. Not too shabby for just a few bolt-on modifications.
Though this car’s tuning program is undeniably engine-focused, it wears KW coilovers to help improve handling and absorb surface changes at speed. Supple suspension, a wide torque curve, and immense traction make extracting speed from this 911 effortless. In fact, it goads the driver along in a way which could prove costly.
That isn’t to say that the car is vicious; it’s quite the opposite. Because of the ease with which this breathed-on 996 Turbo reaches felony-level speeds, it can get its owner into serious trouble with the authorities. Perhaps this particular car is too fast for most public roads, but it’s still nice to know that a 996 Turbo can have that sort of performance with just a little help from the aftermarket.
View Comments (3)
This is one of the best video's on how you should not enjoy your Turbo, GT3RS, GT3, GT4 or matter of fact any Porsche on public roads.
Frist, Second, Third gear and off the load peddle, you stick your neck out to get fined, lose your licence get your pride and joy confiscated or worse cause a accident and hurt someone, as the general public would have no idea how quick you would be on them as they pull out of their driveway or road.
Get some driving or better still learn how to drive a Porsche which is not yours on a race track with one of the Porsche Sports Driving Schools in your state and drive at speed in a safe environment under instruction's from Pro Drivers like we have hear in Australia Queensland by chief instructor Tomas Mezera and his instructors or you can use your own car with P.S.D.S on a race track what ever takes your fancy.
Plus there are small advance driving schools and instructors to train you how to get the best out of your Porsche and have a big smile on your face. Also track days with your own Porsche Car Club which is here in Melbourne Victoria our club, we have experience drivers to help you get the best out of your Porsche on the track.
From my personal experience driving a Porsche at it's full potential all day on a race track, the drive home on the road is a relaxing drive where you can say to yourself what a great car i have so fast but so enjoyable to in it on the way home at a relaxed pace.
Stay safe and drive safe.
Good point Tas. I have a '03 996 Turbo that is Vivid Racing Tuned with a performance plenum free flow headers and exhaust and this video was excellent in the way it gave you a real sense of what it feels like to drive these awesome machines.. At first, as Mr. Parry points out, I felt like an outlaw every time I got on it; which was way too often. Now a year in, I am able to control myself and just feel confident while taking it easy on public roads and the public at large. The power band and refinement of the 996 is far superior to the 930 I had in the 90's but still gives a lot more feedback than the newer 911s. And, the sound! It is enough by itself to give my heart a workout.
Enjoy Walter.
Cheers Tas.