Shark Werks Goes on US Tour
#18
11-02-2011, 11:15 PM
Update from the end of day 1 and 400 miles later...
First of all I can really confirm that the way the suspension has been re-done clearly it's a more compliant road car. Less movement, nervousness and feedback. A 400 mile drive in this car is certainly "easier" and more comfortable than in our Mk1. You can see why not only with better aero but revised suspension Porsche was able to get a few more seconds at the ring. Less fighting with the wheel I guess. We hit some heavy rain coming into Joplin and the reduction in nervousness certainly made it "easier" to deal with the rain too.
The 3.8 has a bit more tq than the 3.6 indeed but it doesn't rev quite as snappily as the Mk1. Our RS is heavily optioned so it's actually a very comfy, easy to use road car with all the mod cons. We all know the rear visibility is useless with that wing but hey mine is big and has orange bits on it so who cares
Overall I'm stoked thus far. The car feels very familiar and I'm at home.....
Got to Isringhausen's dealership at 9:30 and took a tour. Really nice dealership with much more of a focus on 911s than what I'm used to in California.
Sorry for the iphone (in some case) pix but someday we'll capture what the color really looks like. In the mean-time I'm super-happy with Geoff Sr. & Jr, owners of the dealership:
Dan made some name tags:
Taking a peak at their 06 Cayman race car:
And their newer 09 DFI one also running in the Cayman series:
Walking around I saw this 4.0 was sold as well:
And so was this nifty red 997 GTS with the aerokit:
Despite being a super-quick Turbo S I still am having trouble loving that rear end:
Our first stop was at a certain store you'll find in any state
Some racer's tape:
This seemed like a good place to stop and stretch our legs before officially heading out west:
And here's that wicked structure sans the car:
Not only did we pass through Cuba...
But we took a few hits by the looks of our "home-made" racer's tape wrap job through Lebanon:
Interesting factoid we noticed when going from Illinois to Missouri. The penalty "hitting" a road safety worker in a construction zone is $14000 and a possible 15 year sentence. Do the same thing in Missouri and it's only a ten year stretch! Road safety signs in Missouri:
Got to love the 93 octane vs the crap-tastic 91 we get in California:
Back on the road and on the way to Joplin. Our stop for the night. Pretty sad to see the state of the city. Some areas just have "holes" where structures stood before the Tornados hit earlier in the year:
First of all I can really confirm that the way the suspension has been re-done clearly it's a more compliant road car. Less movement, nervousness and feedback. A 400 mile drive in this car is certainly "easier" and more comfortable than in our Mk1. You can see why not only with better aero but revised suspension Porsche was able to get a few more seconds at the ring. Less fighting with the wheel I guess. We hit some heavy rain coming into Joplin and the reduction in nervousness certainly made it "easier" to deal with the rain too.
The 3.8 has a bit more tq than the 3.6 indeed but it doesn't rev quite as snappily as the Mk1. Our RS is heavily optioned so it's actually a very comfy, easy to use road car with all the mod cons. We all know the rear visibility is useless with that wing but hey mine is big and has orange bits on it so who cares
Overall I'm stoked thus far. The car feels very familiar and I'm at home.....
Got to Isringhausen's dealership at 9:30 and took a tour. Really nice dealership with much more of a focus on 911s than what I'm used to in California.
Sorry for the iphone (in some case) pix but someday we'll capture what the color really looks like. In the mean-time I'm super-happy with Geoff Sr. & Jr, owners of the dealership:
Dan made some name tags:
Taking a peak at their 06 Cayman race car:
And their newer 09 DFI one also running in the Cayman series:
Walking around I saw this 4.0 was sold as well:
And so was this nifty red 997 GTS with the aerokit:
Despite being a super-quick Turbo S I still am having trouble loving that rear end:
Our first stop was at a certain store you'll find in any state
Some racer's tape:This seemed like a good place to stop and stretch our legs before officially heading out west:
And here's that wicked structure sans the car:
Not only did we pass through Cuba...
But we took a few hits by the looks of our "home-made" racer's tape wrap job through Lebanon:
Interesting factoid we noticed when going from Illinois to Missouri. The penalty "hitting" a road safety worker in a construction zone is $14000 and a possible 15 year sentence. Do the same thing in Missouri and it's only a ten year stretch! Road safety signs in Missouri:
Got to love the 93 octane vs the crap-tastic 91 we get in California:
Back on the road and on the way to Joplin. Our stop for the night. Pretty sad to see the state of the city. Some areas just have "holes" where structures stood before the Tornados hit earlier in the year:
#22
11-04-2011, 02:04 AM
Well we made it to NM tonight and what a day. Lot's of updates coming. As I said before who needs Euro delivery when you have Route 66...
#23
11-04-2011, 08:00 PM
Hi Sharkwerks,
This is probably not the right place to post, but I couldnt find a better place so...
I am interested in either the vividracing turbo kit or the speedart turbo kit. Are you able to install both of those at the shop? If so, what's the pricing going to be like.
Thanks,
E
This is probably not the right place to post, but I couldnt find a better place so...
I am interested in either the vividracing turbo kit or the speedart turbo kit. Are you able to install both of those at the shop? If so, what's the pricing going to be like.
Thanks,
E
#24
11-04-2011, 11:13 PM
Day Two: 800 miles & four states later…
If there are two things that stand out for me today:
1) Who needs European Delivery when you have Route 66?
2) Covering some 800+ miles, four states, many different quality of roads this MK2 RS is one helluva road car. There can’t be many cars capable of so much yet are able to do so with such ease and comfort. It’s no caddy but she glides along…
The heavy rain shower from the night before took its toll on our stunning SharkWerks Satin Blue Paint Protection Film Wrap Technology TM. Here’s Sharky making a few take-two style adjustments and corrections.
No words necessary.
Off we go and in the middle of an Oklahoman Porsche meet!
Oklahoma this time of year had trees galore of all different colors. The North American Amazon! We stopped at a Cherokee Trading post. It had Indians. Real ones!
There was a big sign warning us that this was the last Mickey D’s in the entire State!
There are a few issues with this type of paint protection. The marquee is no longer visible. Another wardrobe malfunction. No Porsche dealership for miles so we did what we could:
There’s no way 5’9-Dan is this tall in real life. The car isn’t this short either.
You don’t see these factory-blue seat pass throughs every day. Neither do we sitting and facing forwards. They kind of sort of work. They just do.
Another rest stop and another old school Le Mans-style driver change:
Next up was Texas.
We wouldn’t have it any other way:
We decided to pull over and get ourselves kitted out properly with a hood ornament to help make some friends. It was getting dark so we tested the day-time running lights.
Just one of many rest stops in Texas:
She’s a looker:
We also hit 1000 miles on the Odometer and hence began to give her some real welly (see video). As fun as this was, I know we have some work ahead of us with the throttle settings. There’s room on the table. It was neat to hear our exhaust again on the 3.8 engine with a LWF. You also really notice the intake howl more than on cars with the 996GT3 style intake (997.1GT3, RS and 997.2GT3). The 4.0 and the conical intakes likely make even more.
All those high revs meant we needed gas. We thought we’d go off the reservation a bit and find something better than 91 octane but clearly we came by a few years too late. Skynet and the Terminators had already taken over the world and “Judgement Day” had come and gone. At least someone left a couch for us to rest on.
Finally we did find a station with premium fuel. I have no comment on the 86 octane. That’s not even fit for adding to a protein shake. Great timing also as we had a driver change and Dan was lucky enough to drive the properly broken-in RS with said 90-octane. He was forced to baby it on his stint and will complain about it for many years to come. This is the first and I guarantee will be the last time that Pische-for-gas sees the inside of this car.
Texas lasts forever and being a navigator you get to play with the Sporty Chrono and XM radio:
At least he was treated tot a Texas-style sunset.
In a desert devoid of civilization there was a sign and Texas decided to help cheer up Dan once again. This seems like a good place to visit from dusk till dawn.
Near the Texas and New Mexico border we had to stop for bathroom break. Good thing we did too. Take your boots off before entering:
Don’t forget to wash your hands either. Our thicker optioned alcantara wheel appreciates it:
New Mexico was next. We wanted to try and blend in here as well:
Not that New Mexico is boring but if we could teleport ourselves and this car anywhere it would be here:
Still on Route 66 we couldn’t find a place to settle down for the night. This one seemed ok but the parking was sketchy.
Tomorrow we’re hoping to continue through New Mexico and Arizona and catch the odd UFO or two.
If there are two things that stand out for me today:
1) Who needs European Delivery when you have Route 66?
2) Covering some 800+ miles, four states, many different quality of roads this MK2 RS is one helluva road car. There can’t be many cars capable of so much yet are able to do so with such ease and comfort. It’s no caddy but she glides along…
The heavy rain shower from the night before took its toll on our stunning SharkWerks Satin Blue Paint Protection Film Wrap Technology TM. Here’s Sharky making a few take-two style adjustments and corrections.
No words necessary.
Off we go and in the middle of an Oklahoman Porsche meet!
Oklahoma this time of year had trees galore of all different colors. The North American Amazon! We stopped at a Cherokee Trading post. It had Indians. Real ones!
There was a big sign warning us that this was the last Mickey D’s in the entire State!
There are a few issues with this type of paint protection. The marquee is no longer visible. Another wardrobe malfunction. No Porsche dealership for miles so we did what we could:
There’s no way 5’9-Dan is this tall in real life. The car isn’t this short either.
You don’t see these factory-blue seat pass throughs every day. Neither do we sitting and facing forwards. They kind of sort of work. They just do.
Another rest stop and another old school Le Mans-style driver change:
Next up was Texas.
We wouldn’t have it any other way:
We decided to pull over and get ourselves kitted out properly with a hood ornament to help make some friends. It was getting dark so we tested the day-time running lights.
Just one of many rest stops in Texas:
She’s a looker:
We also hit 1000 miles on the Odometer and hence began to give her some real welly (see video). As fun as this was, I know we have some work ahead of us with the throttle settings. There’s room on the table. It was neat to hear our exhaust again on the 3.8 engine with a LWF. You also really notice the intake howl more than on cars with the 996GT3 style intake (997.1GT3, RS and 997.2GT3). The 4.0 and the conical intakes likely make even more.
All those high revs meant we needed gas. We thought we’d go off the reservation a bit and find something better than 91 octane but clearly we came by a few years too late. Skynet and the Terminators had already taken over the world and “Judgement Day” had come and gone. At least someone left a couch for us to rest on.
Finally we did find a station with premium fuel. I have no comment on the 86 octane. That’s not even fit for adding to a protein shake. Great timing also as we had a driver change and Dan was lucky enough to drive the properly broken-in RS with said 90-octane. He was forced to baby it on his stint and will complain about it for many years to come. This is the first and I guarantee will be the last time that Pische-for-gas sees the inside of this car.
Texas lasts forever and being a navigator you get to play with the Sporty Chrono and XM radio:
At least he was treated tot a Texas-style sunset.
In a desert devoid of civilization there was a sign and Texas decided to help cheer up Dan once again. This seems like a good place to visit from dusk till dawn.
Near the Texas and New Mexico border we had to stop for bathroom break. Good thing we did too. Take your boots off before entering:
Don’t forget to wash your hands either. Our thicker optioned alcantara wheel appreciates it:
New Mexico was next. We wanted to try and blend in here as well:
Not that New Mexico is boring but if we could teleport ourselves and this car anywhere it would be here:
Still on Route 66 we couldn’t find a place to settle down for the night. This one seemed ok but the parking was sketchy.
Tomorrow we’re hoping to continue through New Mexico and Arizona and catch the odd UFO or two.
#25
11-04-2011, 11:14 PM
Day 3: New Mexico & Arizona
The next stretch took us from Albuquerque to Tempe, Arizona and EVOMS' HQ. There are some super-smooth, curvy and mountainous roads. The colors are something else...
Outside Albuquerque we saw plenty of red rocks:
Nobody at this Laguna complained about our Shark Werks exhaust in Sport mode.
A Navajo village in New Mexico:
There was no drinking and driving but we had to check it out.
On second thought, we decided to park further away to avoid door dings from all the other customers:
This train needs a little blue don't you think?
New Mexico was now behind us:
Finally we reached Arizona. The PCM 3.0 GPS did a great job getting us here. We only had one slip-up where it sent us on a 10 mile loop around Albuquerque to reach a hotel that was a block away (but it was a nice drive).
Look, a map, and only about 1200 miles too late:
A closer look at our route, which happened to be at another exceptional location for relieving oneself of urine (no pictures this time):
We were getting hit by a sand storm so we stopped for fuel and snacks. The local delicacy:
We love dinosaurs, which still live in these parts of the desert.
It's a diplodocus not a brontosaurus!
The baby t-rex is entertained by Dan's blue tape origami:
You can see for miles out here.
About 150 miles away from the Grand Canyon. It's not as grand, but it's just a baby canyon. A few million years from now, you never know.
Damn California tourists (at the Arizona border).
This trading post was out of stock of the RS 4.0 Carbon Fiber intakes.
We try to make you happy, but some wives are not thrilled with Shark Werks.
Tip of the day.
Once again the RS proved it's a great road-trip car. Sand/dust storms have nothing on dynamic cornering lights! They might weigh more than the standard xenons but in low light situations and curvy mountain roads they truly are trick.
The next stretch took us from Albuquerque to Tempe, Arizona and EVOMS' HQ. There are some super-smooth, curvy and mountainous roads. The colors are something else...
Outside Albuquerque we saw plenty of red rocks:
Nobody at this Laguna complained about our Shark Werks exhaust in Sport mode.
A Navajo village in New Mexico:
There was no drinking and driving but we had to check it out.
On second thought, we decided to park further away to avoid door dings from all the other customers:
This train needs a little blue don't you think?
New Mexico was now behind us:
Finally we reached Arizona. The PCM 3.0 GPS did a great job getting us here. We only had one slip-up where it sent us on a 10 mile loop around Albuquerque to reach a hotel that was a block away (but it was a nice drive).
Look, a map, and only about 1200 miles too late:
A closer look at our route, which happened to be at another exceptional location for relieving oneself of urine (no pictures this time):
We were getting hit by a sand storm so we stopped for fuel and snacks. The local delicacy:
We love dinosaurs, which still live in these parts of the desert.
It's a diplodocus not a brontosaurus!
The baby t-rex is entertained by Dan's blue tape origami:
You can see for miles out here.
About 150 miles away from the Grand Canyon. It's not as grand, but it's just a baby canyon. A few million years from now, you never know.
Damn California tourists (at the Arizona border).
This trading post was out of stock of the RS 4.0 Carbon Fiber intakes.
We try to make you happy, but some wives are not thrilled with Shark Werks.
Tip of the day.
Once again the RS proved it's a great road-trip car. Sand/dust storms have nothing on dynamic cornering lights! They might weigh more than the standard xenons but in low light situations and curvy mountain roads they truly are trick.
#27
11-04-2011, 11:53 PM
Enjoying the pictures and commentary! Sounds like a fun road trip. I wonder how many folks don't realize how special that car really is and think it's just being held together by tape. Maybe that's a good thing in some of the places you're having to stay. 
#29
11-06-2011, 03:58 AM
Day Four: Tuning in Arizona
Today our journey ground to a halt in Tempe, Arizona. It rained heavily during the night but there was still a lot of driving to be done. Only this time; all in the aid of tuning on the Evolution Motorsports AWD Mustang Dyno. The 3.8 GT3RS motor in this car is deceptively strong. She baselined at a very solid 424whp (when converted comes out at around Porsche's claimed 450hp) and 301tq although with some changes we were able to get a few more ponies and torx and then some.
Sport Chrono check, Valentine 1 check, Big Bull horns check. Let's get started:
Once again we've been upgraded in the horn department. Not everything is bigger in Texas. This round goes to AZ.
There was no danger of being peppered with rocks and other debris on the dyno so off came our wrap. She looks good underneath:
Strapping her on to the dyno. EVOMS John to James, "Keep doin' what you're doing. You're doing a great job..."
Measuring the Lambda's- EGTs, AFRs etc:
Reading out the factory file:
Looks like there's a line to get on this dyno. A Grand Am race car?
Indeed Andy Lee's EVOMSit tuned *****in' Camaro
Work, work, work and plenty of files got created:
It's rude to point except when you have just added an addition 20hp to a 2011 GT3RS:
How much timing do you want? The factory file already calls for 30 degrees!
There you go in stock form, with our SharkWerks exhaust (6whp) and with the Software and Tuning (16whp). Peak horsepower numbers went from 424whp to 440whp and 301tq to 314tq. Very nice gains indeed and as you can tell from the dyno below the curve around 7000-8000rpms has been smoothened. What you can't tell from the dyno is the much improved throttle mapping and responsiveness. Revs much freer. Left-foot braking has also been coded into our 91 octane performance file.
Street driving, testing and logging:
OK now there's four of us here but only two seats. Which one of you is flying home on the remaining journey?
A prickly Cactus. We're still in Arizona but the car runs flawlessly:
On the road again and some 300 miles later at the Arizona / California border. We were hungry and it seemed like a good idea at the time. We came, we saw but we left hungry.
Our t-shirts don't look half-bad from the rear...
Tomorrow we're doing the final stretch from Palm Springs to the Bay Area...
Today our journey ground to a halt in Tempe, Arizona. It rained heavily during the night but there was still a lot of driving to be done. Only this time; all in the aid of tuning on the Evolution Motorsports AWD Mustang Dyno. The 3.8 GT3RS motor in this car is deceptively strong. She baselined at a very solid 424whp (when converted comes out at around Porsche's claimed 450hp) and 301tq although with some changes we were able to get a few more ponies and torx and then some.
Sport Chrono check, Valentine 1 check, Big Bull horns check. Let's get started:
Once again we've been upgraded in the horn department. Not everything is bigger in Texas. This round goes to AZ.
There was no danger of being peppered with rocks and other debris on the dyno so off came our wrap. She looks good underneath:
Strapping her on to the dyno. EVOMS John to James, "Keep doin' what you're doing. You're doing a great job..."
Measuring the Lambda's- EGTs, AFRs etc:
Reading out the factory file:
Looks like there's a line to get on this dyno. A Grand Am race car?
Indeed Andy Lee's EVOMSit tuned *****in' Camaro
Work, work, work and plenty of files got created:
It's rude to point except when you have just added an addition 20hp to a 2011 GT3RS:
How much timing do you want? The factory file already calls for 30 degrees!
There you go in stock form, with our SharkWerks exhaust (6whp) and with the Software and Tuning (16whp). Peak horsepower numbers went from 424whp to 440whp and 301tq to 314tq. Very nice gains indeed and as you can tell from the dyno below the curve around 7000-8000rpms has been smoothened. What you can't tell from the dyno is the much improved throttle mapping and responsiveness. Revs much freer. Left-foot braking has also been coded into our 91 octane performance file.
Street driving, testing and logging:
OK now there's four of us here but only two seats. Which one of you is flying home on the remaining journey?
A prickly Cactus. We're still in Arizona but the car runs flawlessly:
On the road again and some 300 miles later at the Arizona / California border. We were hungry and it seemed like a good idea at the time. We came, we saw but we left hungry.
Our t-shirts don't look half-bad from the rear...
Tomorrow we're doing the final stretch from Palm Springs to the Bay Area...
Last edited by sharkster; 11-06-2011 at 11:46 AM.
#30
11-06-2011, 08:29 AM
In a 911 it's a joy! Don't worry I'm making sure James is back for Monday for your car:P