After several months of reading various magazines and forums I feel I am now ready to purchase my first Porsche; a '07-up 911TT.

My 1st question for tuners is given that I WILL mod the car, which engine is the better platform '07-'09 or '10?

More specifically, is the lower compression dry sump GT1 based engine of the outgoing TT (if that's the proper way to characterize it) better or worse for "bolt-on" power increase mods?

Which ever model I end up getting, I intend to purchase the automatic transmission option. From all objective and subjective accounts it appears that the new PDK transmission is significantly improved over the outgoing Tiptronic transmission. So my second question, can the Tiptronic transmission (through ECU tuning) be made to shift as fast as the new PDK and if not does it really even matter?

FWIW, the intended use of my car would be strictly street driving pleasure and must therefore have perfect drivability.

TIA for your replies!

-RR

 

there are great packages available for the current 997 turbo tip cars. we have recorded 0 - 60 times in the mid 2's and 1/4 mile times in the low to mid 10's. that is going to be tough to beat. as far as i know, the new PDK turbo cars are not yet available in the US. we will explore the new PDK when they arrive. for now, the current 997 tip is a great platform and you can't go wrong.

 

if AUTO is your choice; PDK the only way to go: 2010 Turbo

 

he wants to mod it and you wont be able to do much to a PDK. Just call the boys at Ruf or Evo.
I am willing to wager any amount of money we see numerous PDK failures with LC engaged and guys abusing the tranny. Add power and bang.
How will PDK handle 700, 800, 900 hp motors putting out god knows how much TQ?
Gt1 has the miles to answer these questions which is why there is only one way to go if you plan on heavy modifications. Now the question I have is what is one thinking looking at an automatic?

 

Here's the dilemna. The current GT1 engine has been proven for years in both the 996 and 997 Turbo. There's not doubt in my mind that once the '10 Turbo is released and in the hands of tuners, we will most certainly see a great variety of aftermarket choices become available. The problem is that right now it's uncharted territory so I'd guess that you'll be waiting at least a year before any viable power mods are available.

If you're ready to take the leap now, and you definitely intend to mod the car, I'd say go with the current 997 Turbo. The tiptronic trans is not that bad. We recently fitted an EVT700 kit to a 997 Turbo tip/cab. Driving that car is a BLAST!! I'd say buy one, enjoy it, mod it, and keep it for 2 years. By then, the aftermarket will catch up on the 2010's and there should be some nice proven power adding mods available.

 

I could see the difficulty; you have several conditions that conflict.

1. Automatic vs. PDK. For me, it you must have an automatic type transmission, it would be a mistake not to get PDK, as already mentioned on this thread. If you are just cruising and driving in straightline, perhaps difference is not significant. In 8/10 & up aggressive driving, the response of PDK is quicker and therefore superior, based on my test drives of PDK.

2. Mod? Very questionable with PDK. I would NOT be the first one on the block to try. Warranty voided without question if you mod the engine and PDK breaks. And that could be A LOT of money.
If you must mod, automatic is by far the better choice, as already mentioned.

I notice you mentioned PERFECT drivability and strict street driving. Is there a reason why you think you MUST (will) mod the car, I assume you mean the ECU? Are you sure the 2010 PDK, WITHOUT modding, won't be enough? (3.1 0-60?)

My opinion? Hands down 2010 with PDK, torque vectoring, dynamic engine mount, & sport chrono. Some of these options could prove to be significant. Hope this helps.

 

GT1 block is extremely welcome to modifications, and the Tiptronic has been shown to handle over 700ft lbs of torque, and has been used in the Benz and Audi markets as well.

We have a customer in Russia that has put over 10K miles on his Tip with our 750hp L4 package, it has beat a wide variety of cars, even an enzo! Just do a search on youtube for SPI750.

You can not go wrong with the 997.1, it is a trusted and proven design, and with the right tuning, it is a deadly combination.

 

We really don't know how much power and tq the new power plant and PDK combination can handle. It really is uncharted territory. I hope we don't see PDK failures like we did with the GTR's. That would be embarrassing.

 

The block has more of history than that. It's design has its roots in Porsche Motorsports, where it has been raced in countless seasons.

We need to ask ourselves why Porsche Motorsport isn't racing the current M97-9A1 engine .

 

Seems to me that we're talking about 2 issues. Is the new engine going to handle more power? Will the new transmission handle more torque?

I'm willing to wager the new engine will do fine handling more power. It's not that hard to design a block to take forced induction well.

The question is whether or not PDK will handle more power, or if upgrades in the clutches will possible? Will failures require the entire unit to be replaced like the GT-R? We can't answer these questions until next year.

 

Correct, the block should be fine. It's the PDK.
Those who don't remember their past are.......
Porsche is not going to be looking for all of us to jump on PDK's to dump 700+ lb/ft of TQ into them. Something tells me they know the point of no return for the PDK and its no where near 700 lb/ft.
Lets all chip in and buy one, how many launches will it take to blow up a stock one with LC engaged? 10? 20? 30?
Read that fine print before you do buy one, I reckon there is some new language in the warranty as well.

 

the most powerfull '10 turbo publicy released is the speedart one rated @630 hp , this company has the capbility to produce 750 hp kits on the 07-09 they decided to stay more than 100hp under on the 2010 which is a good clue about the whole story concerning the new engine.

 

The reason is that I have never and could never leave a car stock.

As for being sure the 2010 PDK - STOCK - would be enough??? Practically speaking yes, but it's NEVER ever ENOUGH for me.

Thanks for all of the replies gents.

I think you have made my choice easier and harder at the same time.

What it really comes down to for me is:

A.) Be patient and buy a 2010 to enjoy until the aftermarket sorts things out and mod it then.

Or

B.) Go for the gusto and get a good low mileage '07-'09 car. I could use the savings difference to immediately add one of the forum vendor's 700hp or 800 hp performance packages and enjoy a very bad *** TT now.

-RR

 

Ok, got it. Say no more.

This would be one of the rare times in Porsche history that both old and facelift Turbo owners SHOULD be happy. Mezger engine versus PDK; very tough choice especially for the automatic crowd. I knew the answer to your questions would not be simple.

BTW, even with the 2010 Porsche, I believe that the 2010 Turbo would benefit from stiffer suspension, after-market exhaust, and, looking at the stock wheels, wheels. You would have plenty of modding to do while the after-market ECU tuners get their weapons ready.

Lastly, rumor (unconfirmed rumor, no flame pls) is that the PDK torque rating is around 790 Nm http://www.rennteam.com/forum/thread...html#p20116572. *If* true, that should give you the idea that there won't be much headroom for ECU modding with a PDK Porsche.

 

If you ask me, go for B. I can totally relate to your unquenchable "desire to mod"... , so I say go for it, get a nice low mileage '08 or '09, call me () for a great deal on an EVT700 kit with the money you saved, and then enjoy the heck out of it until the new TT is out a little while and proven.