I decided after last season to do some upgrades on my car. After talking to several of the prominent tuners, I decided that Kevin at UMW had the package best suited to my needs. I ordered the parts in January, and had the install done while I was away from mid-February to mid-March. I just got the car back today, and have put about 100 miles on it.

Here's what I had installed:

Kevin's Stage 2A turbos (K16 with 997 GT2 compressor, zero clearance)
964 RS Clutch and LWFW
GT2/3 clutch actuator, swapped to opposite side of bell housing as in GT2/3
-- This also includes a new clutch fork, slave, hose and master cylinder
New PS pump
Bosch DV's
5 bar FPR
Porsche RS motor and transmission mounts
997 Short shift kit

There were several "when we got the engine and transmission down, we found" things, including a leaking rear main seal, leaking oil line, broken air pump line, ...

Some photos are attached. From left to right:

Hole where leaking clutch slave was removed. The new slave was installed in front of where it is now by drilling the bell housing. Other hole was covered.

Look up inside empty engine compartment. Notice exhaust trails on drivers' side. These came from broken air pump line, shown below.

Leaking oil line under throttle body

Broken air pump line

Continued in the next post...

 

A couple more photos, showing the 964 RS flywheel and one of the turbos. The black coupling steps down from the inlet to the stock air intake. I opted not to get the upgraded larger diameter inlet pipe.

On to the first impressions... I can only talk about the clutch and drivability, because I am following Kevin's strict "No Boost" break-in guidelines. At this point, I have the stock ECU program. Kevin will be sending some new files later.

The clutch is very stiff, but other than that, it's great. Very precise engagement point close to the floor. The 997 SSK shifts "like butta" compared to the B&M Notchmaster that it replaced. The flywheel makes some noise with the clutch out in neutral. Sounds a bit like a diesel truck, but I don't find it really intrusive. Goes away with the clutch in. There is no lumpy idle associated with this flywheel - none - and this is with the stock ECU.

That's about it - great to have the car back. I'll be getting some miles on it and building up the boost. I have a track date at Mid-Ohio in mid-April. I'm expecting to have to learn how to drive this car all over again.

If you got all the way to here, thanks for listening!

Jon

 

Ah so the secret is out! Sounds like some good updates! Can't wait to see what you think when you get to boost it!

And I wanna ride!!! I promise not to puke!

 

Very good information. Anxious to read future comment after flash and under full boost. Didn't know it was possible to install this clutch system on the opposite side. Thanks for sharing.

 

This is the way that Kevin likes to do it. You have to have the transmission out to do it, so it only makes sense if you are doing the clutch. If it's in the car, the Evoms kit is the way to go.

 

Chad - it wasn't a secret. I just thought I would wait until I actually had something to say before posting.

And you're getting a barf bag when you get in the front seat!

Jon

 

Sounds like time for the fun to begin! Great to know about the shifter, hate the notch feel of B & M

 

Cool Jon, glad it's back together, and that is a nice package of upgrades. Can you feel any difference with the new motor and trans mount? I'll be waiting to hear about the rest when the break-in period is over.

Are you still thinking of making it to Summit Point this summer?

 

It's a little hard to tell about the trans mounts. I never drive the car hard enough on the street to be able to really tell about suspension changes. Have to wait for Mid-Ohio.

I should also give a big thanks to the independent shop, Rick's Automotive in Champaign, IL, who did the work. I am fortunate to have a guy like Rick who is both knowledgeable and super careful to do the work.

I plan to be there. Registration doesn't open until May. I don't think that I will be instructing, since I haven't been there before. I'll just have to tell you how great it is.

Jon

 

I'll be there so it'll be great to compare notes. Just a word to the wise, mark the registration opening date on your calendar and register as early on that same day as possible. We have a large membership here and our events fill up very, very quickly. I can't emphasize this enough.

BTW, they are re-paving the track this week.

 

Thanks for the heads up. I have an advantage in that I'll be in Switzerland at the time, where I get a 6 hour head start.

 

Good deal. One night I was up late, I noticed that registration opened at 2am of the opening day.