Thanks to CJV and Sharkster I have solved my hesitation and stuttering problem...Earlier last week I thought I was having a program problem with my UNICHIP...MY car seemed to be losing power and had a slight pause or hesitation at around 3 thousand RPM ...My Check Engine light also came on...I took my car in to be dyno tuned to the new Cargraphic exhaust ...The shop had my car for a week....They rewired the UNICHIP and added some resistors...I got the car back for the Bay area drive to Carmel...I was not a happy camper when I started to drive the car...The problem seem to be worst and more pronounced than before...I had self diagnosed the problem to be an air mass flow sensor...At the Baja Cantanina, both CJV and Sharkster both diagnosed bad spark plugs...They asked if I had an 01 and 20kmiles....Yes to both...Bingo....Change the plugs they said....They told me that the factory had used the Beru 5 plugs and the new updated plugs were the Beru 6 plugs....
I just got my car back...Oh my Gosh...The car just rips...I think the car must have picked up another 40rwhp...My mechanic was thrilled that it was just the plugs...He said that the old plugs were trashed and worn out...I can now do a 4 wheel burn out in the middle of first gear...I can't wait to get the car on the track again...The power is smooth and linear...
Thank you guys for all your replys...I hope that this might help anybody who might be comming up to 20k miles.... TTech

 

Quick question, did your mechanic remove your rear bumper to install the new plugs? Also what were the part numbers for those Beru plugs, I was considering putting Denso Iridiums in my 01 TT but I know the factory plugs are Berus. Thanks.

-Gregy

 

Gregy,
I was not present when the plugs were installed...Some members stated that it was a pain in the **** to change the plugs by yourself....The plugs are called FR6 Beru...Don't have the actual part number but my dealership wanted 10.95 each... I have read on other post that the Beru's were the most consistent with this engine...Good Luck...TTech

 

TTech,

The 6's were used to 2001. Starting in 2002, Porsche started using the next cooler 5's. Glade to hear your car is now running well again.

How long did it take to change them?

 

Gregy,

Do not use Denso Iridium's. I installed then and immediately experienced a lag whenever I feed more than three quarter throttle. It staggered, stuttered and vibrated. I replaced the plugs and all was well again.

 

cvj,

Thanks for the insight on the Denso Iridiums, lucky I have not purchased them as of yet. I will order a set of the FR6 Berus for my car for my next visit to the mechanic.

-Gregy

 

You mention a slight pause or hesitation around 3,000 RPM... this is absolutely normal and is caused by the variable cam changing characteristics. I do not think that there is much any tuner can do about the transition characteristics of the vario-cam.

Joe West

 

I believe the early 2001's (pre 8/14/01 production date) had the cooler 5 heat range. This was later changed to the hotter 6's. there is a technical service bulletin. I wonder if I could get my "faulty" 5 series plugs replaced under warranty?

 

Does the upsolute run richer and foul the 5's faster than a non chipped car?

 

Joe West,
The pause or hesitation was much more pronounced than the "normal"variocam hesitation...The hesitation also got progressively worst in the 3-5krpm range...The car will really start to struggle and throw CEL lights...The code on the CEL light was reading Misfires... TTech

 

Ah that's great news That hesitation was a real bummer on mine before Kevin fixed it!

 

They were installed at the factory recommended gap by an authorized Porsche dealership.

 

As of 8/14/01 production ( i.e., beginning of MY 2002 Turbo ) , cars came with hotter Beru 14 FR6 LDU plugs ( Porsche part number 999-170-195-90 ) to address cold start /fouling problems with the colder Beru 14 FR5 LDU plugs ( part number 999-170-210-90 ) that occurred on some MY 2001 Turbos. There is a TSB for 2001 owners to get the updated plugs .

 

I found the TSB related to the plugs,

Spark Plugs - Fouling/Wet/Starting Problems
911 (996) Turbo
7/01 2870

9/21/01

Binder - Group 2 - Fuel, Exhaust, Engine Electronics

Spark Plugs

Vehicle Type:
911 Turbo (996) / 911 GT2 (996)

Model Year:
MY 2001 (1)

Concern:

Starting problems due to fouled or wet spark plugs.

Information:

The spark plug heat range has been increased on the 911 Turbo (996) and 911 GT2 (996) models. This will eliminate complaints of starting problems due to fouled or wet spark plugs. A heat range of 6 is replacing the old spark plug that had a heat range of 5.
The new spark plugs were introduced into production on August 14, 2001 from the engine numbers as shown.

Effective immediately: if spark plug replacement becomes necessary, install the spark plug with the higher heat range.

Only replace the spark plugs as a complete set.

Note: The 911 Carrera (993) utilizes the same spark plug. The new spark plug with a heat range of 6 also applies to this vehicle.

M96.70 64 2 00618 911 Turbo (996)
M96.70S 64 2 20515 911 GT2 (996)

999 170 195 90 New/Beru 14FR6 LDU (heat range 6)
999 170 210 90 Old/Beru 14 FR 5 LDU, (heat range 5) no longer available

 

How many hours does it take the dealer to change plugs. What would the average charge be?