996T, Upsolute, IDC, GT40, Stradale, GT3, Cubs... what a day!
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996 Turbo / GT2Turbo discussion on previous model 2000-2004 Porsche 911 Twin Turbo and 911 GT2. Sponsored By Vivid Racing
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996T, Upsolute, IDC, GT40, Stradale, GT3, Cubs... what a day!
UPSOLUTE:
The day started out with me driving to Illinois Dyno Center to get an Upsolute Chip upgrade. After some research, I thought this upgrade would be the most cost-effective upgrade path for me. While I don’t claim to be an expert, I’ve had my share of experiences tuning fully programmable ECU’s before (380RWHP Turbo Miata), and know how involving it can be. Everything from ign timing, fuel maps, boost control, idle, etc. Upsolute has proven very positive results from the VW and Audi crowds, and while the performance envelope of our Turbo is much greater, the basic principles apply when tuning it. In my opinion, I think they are more than capable of programming for our Turbo. I’m not claiming better or worse than any other vendor's chips… just exactly as what I’ve stated.
I went to Illinois Dyno Center (www.idc-solutions.net) because it was the closest distributor from Chicago. I was very impressed with the cleanliness of their shop (sign of attention to detail), and their service was very professional. When working on or around my car, they were very careful, and double/triple checked every step. And though my Turbo was their first, they were able to answer all my questions. They’ve done countless Upsolute chip upgrades on other cars, and appeared very meticulous. The parameters on my chip were uploaded, sent to Austria, and new program sent back and burned to my chip to be reinstalled in the ECU. I would definitely recommend them to anyone. The entire process takes about 2 hours. IDC's owner is Tom.
PERFORMANCE OBSERVATIONS:
My Turbo previously pushed primarily .6 BAR, with occasional peaks of .7 BAR. It’s got a Cargraphic exhaust and KN intake. I know my 996T is in good health, as it had kept up with a stock GT2 in 3rd and 4th gear runs. I’ve owned more than a few sports cars, including a 600+ RWHP Supra (10.9@129) and the aforementioned Turbo Miata. So, while I am not going to number-guess, my impressions are not without past experience.
The car fired up right away and settled to a rock steady idle. There were absolutely no holes in the ign or fuel maps, and boost control was dead on. And the more I drove the car, the stronger it got. 6th gear pulls had no business being so effortless, as evident in one 60 to 165 6th gear pull. I don’t quote dyno numbers that I haven’t personally verified with a dyno, but the performance increase was clearly evident.
With the new burn, the boost builds rapidly to 1.0 BAR, and holds with no fluctuations per the oem boost indicator. The torque curve is table-top flat. Speed builds blindingly fast and steady.
I have zero ties to Upsolute or IDC. And I paid full price just like everyone else. I simply believe that others can benefit from my positive experiences, just as others have with our sponsors.
NOW, ON TO THE FUN PART:
I then drove straight from IDC to Gingerman Raceway. I’ve been there many times, and love the track. I figure some hotlaps should really wring out any kinks in the new program if they exist. Thanks to Chicago traffic, I made it with just enough time to run about 6 laps.
This was my first time on a track driving a Porsche (rear-engined car), so I left the PSM on, and didn’t push 100%. (I’ve run in 1:42’s in an S2000 with street tires and intake). Still, I was able to click off a 1:38 by my 3rd lap with a passenger and full tank of gas. I know I can get the car into the mid-low 1:30s with more seat time and sans PSM. In capable hands, this car can do some serious damage.
I've owned the car for 2 weeks, and am thoroughly impressed with the 996T’s track and touring abilities. The car is stable at speeds, and the suspension compliant. Yet, on the track, it simply sticks, and powers effectively out of turns. And of course, the brakes were flawless. While this car is more GT than all-out track car, it can more than hold its own.
Car and Driver was there testing a few cars. There was a Jag 4-door, Ferrari Challenge Stradale, GT3, and FOUR GT40’s. Yes, you read that right, and I’ve got the pix to prove it. Their hotshoes ran (iirc) 1:32s in the GT40, and 1:34s in the GT3 and Stradale. The GT40s had nice machined alloys everywhere, from the engine bay to the interior. And when the throttle was cracked wide, the car sounded down right pissed off. The car appeared exotic and refined... all this is from Ford?!
The GT3 was actually faster by a hair compared to the Ferrari: 1:34.1 vs. 1:34.4. I assume all this will be published in the next Car and Driver. Also saw a few C&D personalities… I think Csaba Csere was amongst them. And I hear that they'll all still be there tomorrow. Pix will be forthcoming tonight or tomorrow.
All in a day's work!
Stephen
’01 Turbo (Lambo Titantium Metallic)
PS. Go Cubs!!!!!
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I love Gingerman also. Great practice track and very safe. 1:42 in an S2000. Damn, I was running low 1:40's in a Lamborghini Countach at maybe .8. Nice driving.
Re: 996T, Upsolute, IDC, GT40, Stradale, GT3, Cubs... what a day!
Quote:
Originally posted by StephenTi So, while I am not going to number-guess, my impressions are not without past experience.
The car fired up right away and settled to a rock steady idle. There were absolutely no holes in the ign or fuel maps, and boost control was dead on. And the more I drove the car, the stronger it got. 6th gear pulls had no business being so effortless, as evident in one 60 to 165 6th gear pull. I don’t quote dyno numbers that I haven’t personally verified with a dyno, but the performance increase was clearly evident.
With the new burn, the boost builds rapidly to 1.0 BAR, and holds with no fluctuations per the oem boost indicator. The torque curve is table-top flat. Speed builds blindingly fast and steady.
Im enjoying my upsolute as well. In terms of power, im sure you're up there. I had good dyno results with my ecu and exhaust (see sig below)...the new DVs build up boost a tad faster.
I didn't bring my digital camera yesterday, so the pix were taken by two of my friends. Either I'll post as soon as I receive them, or they'll post the pix themselves.
Additionally, as I had mentioned, I've not dyno'd my car yet, hence the lack of number spitting. I wanted to make it to Gingerman in time to do a few laps, so didn't have the time to strap the car down. When I do get around to it, I will post dyno scans.
Shank, that's a great idea to run against the GT2. It'll be a good test for the Upsolute chip... unless, of course, you've already done something crazy to your beast!
I have the stock DV's. Thus far, the stock valves seem to perform well. No audiable seating issues, fluctuations, or boost surges. From what I've read, EVO DV's are the way to go. I do plan on going that route in the event that I feel my stock DV's are going south. Relatively to the stockers, the aftermarket DV's will boost a tad faster, huh?! I guess it may be time to call EVO!
You can get an idea of dimentions of the GT from this picture. I'm surprised the car is so heavy for its size (supposedly 3,400 lbs). The most recent C&D has an article about it, there will be a more detailed write up sometime soon that's from the session that we witnessed.
Great day. Most impressive: GT3 and Stradale. GT3, I just didn't think much of it, from seeing it in pics. But up close and personal, damn. What a car like the Maybach, for example, is to stock luxury, I think the GT3 is to stock racing, in terms of intended application. Definitely up there with the likes of the F40 and F50 in terms of hardcore-ness. Purpose-built, no-nonsense. Ok enough about the GT3. Next - the Stradale. This is basically the "poor man's" Enzo. If you look at the interior pics, you will notice the distinct resemblance to all things Enzo. Notice the brakes, those are 19"s there. Yeah. The color was beautiful. The differences of the front bumper to a standard-spec 360 did a LOT for the look, imo. It made the front end look very F1-esque (not a bad thing, in fact, a great thing!) -
Also took StephenTi's 996TT out for a little spin (nothing crazy). It was the first time I've ever driven a Porsche. Very impressed. Now, I think I have a new goal. Boost came on very smoothly, and just from giving it about 3/4 throttle up til about 4000 rpm in 1st and 2nd, I can easily tell that this car is POWERFUL and WANTS TO MOVE. Just an incredible-well put together car. Oh yeah this was after he had the tuning done at Upsolute. Yes I was very thrilled to take it for a spin, thanks Stephen.
The Ford GT. First time seeing it, I have to say its definitely a looker. Very exotic, thanks to how damn low and wide it is. Lowness and wideness = maybe the most hallmark features of an exotic, IMO. Saw a couple at WOT in 1st gear, I have to say, it didn't sound particularly good. Didn't sound like it "should". It sounded, like, kind of, a dump truck kind of noise. You expect it to make some exotic sound, but it doesn't. Now, the Stradale at WOT??? Yeah...... sounds a lot better than a stock 360 (which IMO is nothing spectacular, in terms of sound, I mean, the car is not KNOWN for its sound, like the 355 is). 355 still sounds the best, this side of an F50. But I digress.
Back to the Ford GT. Nice - very nice. But, I just know personally I could NEVER get myself to spend over $150k on a Ford. Much rather would get a Ferrari or Porsche for that. Or an Aston Martin AMV8. Yeah. That's the only "Ford" I would spend that much on. Beautiful. Ok I'm starting to do some serious rambling here so I shall end here.
ps. all the pic links should be fine, but any red x's, pls let me know.
Next - the Stradale. This is basically the "poor man's" Enzo. If you look at the interior pics, you will notice the distinct resemblance to all things Enzo. Notice the brakes, those are 19"s there. Yeah. The color was beautiful. The differences of the front bumper to a standard-spec 360 did a LOT for the look, imo. It made the front end look very F1-esque (not a bad thing, in fact, a great thing!) - 
Boost came on very smoothly, and just from giving it about 3/4 throttle up til about 4000 rpm in 1st and 2nd, I can easily tell that this car is POWERFUL and WANTS TO MOVE. Just an incredible-well put together car. Oh yeah this was after he had the tuning done at Upsolute. 
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