Awesome. Just awesome. I can not wait to drive it. Thanks dad for putting up with me modding your car and it being in the shop every other week to put something else that I have found on it. It looks like the light at the end of the tunnel is closer than ever. Have fun on the trip home.

 

Congratulations on the purchase. i just sold my 04 m3 and looking to get a 996 turbo also.

 

Made it home just now. Thanks for all of your pats on the back. I didn't do anything except open my wallet! Went on country roads all the way from Dallas so I was able to do a lot of stop and start stuff in the towns. The LWFW is now up to its full loudness and still not a major problem unless it idling with the door open. It then sounds like a box of rocks being shaken. The clutch/LWFW has taken NO time to get used to which is not what I expected and it really bites HARD when launching, that even I can notice.

I took it up from 70 to 130 a few times and it pulls really well. I'm now not happy with the suspension settings so it's going in Friday for an adjustment. We are going to RAISE it up 1/2" all the way around and then set it up with X73 settings from GT2. It was "slammed" as my indy mechanic says and had really aggressive settings before. It felt like a slot car and was very twitchy. I want to calm that down a little. Also, I'd like to be able to pull it into my driveway without ripping off the front PVC lip which I tried to do last night in my brother's driveway. Half an inch is still way lower than stock so I won't get the SUV look.

Did get a CEL for a little while but self corrected. When talking to Todd/Steve, the head cheesies in Houston, they said that the little accordion pipe that goes from the air box to the intake that is 3 or 4 inches long was cracking. They had to order one and it has to come from Germany in about 2 weeks. When I got back to Lubbock, we plugged it in and, sure enough, there was a MAF warning.

Overall, I'm very pleased with everything. I'll be even happier when it's completely finished (come on Recaro). After looking at that other thread on the nightmares of Carbon Fiber installation, we're backing down to just the center console area for now, definitely not that little strip separating the top and bottom of the dash.

Will keep everyone updated as we continue with the upgrades.

John

 

Took it out tonight for a little "spin". All I can say is wow. Now I know why the GT3 does better on a tight track. I was in 2nd gear at about 3K and punched it. When the boost kicked in, it seemed all four wheels became light and I had to really concentrate on keeping it straight down the road. They didn't break free, just could feel the traction giving way. I'll have to relearn how to drive this thing hard!

John

PS Blk Bur I dumped my M6 for this thing. Have never looked back, but they are different types of animals altogether.

 

Great story, enjoy the ride!

 

good stuff thanks for posting the transformation!

 

Great thread, I hope to be in one soon, I wonder if the mod bug will bite me hard too

 

If you read the very early part of my thread and see between the lines, you'll notice that I was just looking for a "light modding" like a flash and exhaust. That was in November and look where it's gone now. Just got word today from Germany that all my Carbon Fiber interior trim stuff has been shipped. Now for the Recaro's!

John

 

John does not have the mod bug... he was bitten by a dinosaur!

 

Dan, now we're looking at an 2011 BMW X5M or 3.5D for my daily driver! Will only do the wheels though as I don't want to void a warranty. My car has CRAZY power-- How do these guys drive these things with 850-900 hp?

John

 

Yea I talked to Nick. Sent you an estimate. Give me a ring to discuss. Glad you are pumped on the 996TT. Please post up some videos and PBox times

 

Ok, we've got the DB Carbon interior trim pieces installed, or should I say my son did it while I watched. The fit/finish was great. Also, the Recaro's arrived and are ready for the install. We're leaning towards doing it ourselves also so I printed out a DIY from another site. Any last minute "words of wisdom" before we embark on this adventure? This will be the last mod that I'm planning on doing! BTW, went with a loaded out X5 3.5D instead of the M. I already have a hotrod. No need for 2!

John

PS Will post pics when everything's done with the interior

 

Do you have any P-box times? I have a PBox in Houston if you need to borrow one. 530 on 91 is great; why not 93 octane since that is what we have in Texas?? Or did I miss something. Car looks great btw.

 

I have a P box but am awaiting a check up by the guys in Houston because of an intermittent CEL. We only have 91 octane fuel up here in Lubbock, possibly due to the altitude? Not sure, but that's what they're telling me. Will let you know the times after we get everything checked out. John

 

Finally got back from Houston with the CEL out for good. Tons of power and WE ARE FINISHED with the restoration/modifications!!!

We've installed the Recaros and my son put in the carbon fiber trims that we purchased from DB in Germany. There work was fantastic.

Here are some pics of the final stuff. Now, I need a new windshield since mine was destroyed on the way back.

John