What an excellent thread. Thanks so much for taking the time to post your experience with the giac and exhaust. The way you describe the gains is exactly what
I'm looking for. Not sure I need the full AWE650 package (well I should probably buy the car first before worrying about modding it!) since it's mainly for the drive to work with occasional trips to mosport or the like.

Interesting to see how many audiophiles love porsches. There are at least a few of us here...

 

^^

Thank you for the nice note and you're welcome.

Audiophile? Yes, I am one. And about as "nutty" about it as anyone out there (Linn Sondek, CJ tube pre-amp, Krell, Thiel, Magna Planar, etc., etc.). In fact my way of reviewing is greatly influenced by all these years of reading Absolute Sound and Stereophile: Screw the freq. response, describe how it drives.

Good luck with finding your Turbo. It's an incomparable daily driver (nothing like it on the market) and the freight-train like torque pull is a must-try once in a lifetime. I once test drove a Ferrari F430 back to back against the Turbo, and remember the whole time thinking, what a beautiful and amazing car, but the torque is missing in action. Even running the F430 at above 5000 rpm the whole time, something felt like it was missing, as if there is a void in the power band. (My opinion is the only engine that would match the Turbo wrt the feel of power is a V10, like a Lambo V10.)

Regarding modding, I believe doing every thing in steps -- not all at once. For me, it's more fun and educational that way. You could start with stage II and upgrade as needed; I haven't checked with AWE but I think the cost should come out about the same whether you go straight to stage IV, or just get there step by step.

BTW I love the flashloader. What happens with these power upgrades is you get used to the power and end up wanting more. And it never ends. Well, by switching back to stock for a few days, then go back to GIAC with the flashloader, I feel like I have a new car every time.

 

cannga,

You bring up a good point.

We want to retain our clients, so there is no financial penalty from doing things in stages.

Stg1 600- Software, exhaust.
Stg2 650- Software, exhaust, IC's, headers, larger throttle body.
Stg3 750- All of the above plus modified turbos.

 

I notice that there's no change to the air intake, is that because the stock one is good? Usually the first things to change are air filter and exhaust, maybe it's different for this level of car. What do you guys think of BRVs, I don't see them as part of your kit...

 

Loved the torque when I test drove one. For me the car has to be solidly reliable, consistent, and bullet-proof. That's how I chose my audio gear (Esoteric, active ATC towers) and take the same approach with the car and any mods.

Is your car Guards red? Is there any other red? The red reminds me of the character "two-face" from Seinfeld. In some cases it's very attractive and other times it's not. Yours looks great btw.

 

The quality of those pictures really make the car stand out. What type of camera were you using?

 

Hey I resemble that remark! Yes this is the one and only Guards. Not popular anymore but for me it's red or else. There is another red called ruby red -- deeper adn metallic.

And yes the torque of Turbo is something that you will never get with NA 911's like C2 and GT3. Heart and sould of the Turbo is its engine.

Mike/AWE, thanks for the clarification.

 

All of our testing has found that there is nothing wrong with the stock airbox, or even the panel filter inside. We are happy with the way it keeps out engine compartment heat. So until our Engineers can come up with something more efficient, we are keeping it stock.

Also, we have yet to have an issue with the bypass valves on this car. Our car has been beaten to death on the dyno, street, and track, Never a single failure.

However, we have had two instances where we found some aftermarket valves were machined wrong and failed prematurely.

Again, just another example of if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

Glad to hear you are still enjoying your beast Can! You seem to be doing well fighting that mod bug, it is usually a losing battle, though.

 

Thanks for the info. That's money better left in my pocket.

 

Or on more useful parts for the car...

 

lol. that goes without saying. Once i get a 997tt the next step will be AWE and then some wheels.

 

Thank you. For the "forum friends" who have asked about my camera: I use Canon 1D.
For the photography nuts: I shoot in RAW format, and use Capture One to develop into JPEG.
The lenses are: Canon 85 f/1.2, Canon 35 f/1.4, Contact Distagon 21 f/2.8. Mostly I use the 85 for the car ("portraiture," that's right! ). Very occasionally I use the wide angle lens, like the shot below:

 

I finally found a source for an OBD cable extension that allows me to connect the GIAC flashloader permanently to the right side of my steering wheel column.
More importantly the cable comes out at right angle, allowing more clearance at the OBD port so you don't kick it so much getting in and out of the car.

The place I found the connector, and the specific cable, is here: http://www.obd2cables.com/products/r...18/category/7/ . The cable has a male connector at one end, and a female on the other side. The male connector comes out at right angle. I found the length of 2 feet to be perfect and runs this cable underneath the steering column. The site has assorted other OBD connectors and cable extensions as well.

 

Love that setup!