Left the house in Knoxville, TN at 6:00 AM for my 10:00 AM appointment at PSI MotorSports / Orton Performance in Cummings, GA 240 miles each way. Arrived on time being met by Neil Orton and his certified Porsche technician. My TT "S" went right into the service area (spotlessly clean, well lit and adequately equipped). First the ECU was pulled, and with the special PSI computer, the original mapping was copied and filed. A copy of the file was sent electronically to PSI MotorSports Belgium for the new mapping program. Unlike some other tuners, PSI remaps the entire program, not simply adding a file for the ECU. Recording of the original ECU map makes it possible to restore without issue. While the folks in Belgium were writing the mapping program, Neil and the technician removed the factory exhaust and installed the PSI Performance exhaust. The PSI TT Exhaust is of very high build quality and uses 70mm pipe, the exhaust comes with new enlarged factory tips and uses 100 cell Race cats.

"Bill in Atlanta" stopped by to see the activities. About the time the exhaust was finished the ECU mapping program was back and downloaded. The ECU was reinstalled into my TT "S" and we fired the beast. What a sound! A very docile but authoritative growl at idle, absolute authority under power or WOT. Sounds just like a GT3 race car. The PSI 520 ECU mapping allows the turbo’s to spool much quicker and the torque is astonishing. So much so that I actually spun the wheels inside the tires. I found this on my return to Knoxville because of the vibration. I stopped and checked the marks I put on all my wheels & tires at the valve stem and sure enough the rears had moved between 1/2" and 1 full inch.

"Bill in Atlanta" and I took a short ride for confirmation of performance enhancement and exhaust note. I think Bill will validate my observations. I calculated fuel mileage going down at 22.4mpg and post mod on the return at 24.4mpg.

A sincere THANK YOU to Neil Orton & his staff at PSI MotorSports USA / Orton Performance for making my visit enjoyable, enlightening and rewarding. It is a true pleasure to deal with PRO’s when there is so much mediocre surrounding us.

Prior to departing Orton I had an "enlightening experience" thanks to Porsche. Read about it in another post!

 

Are you serious about the tires moving around the rim? If so thats crazy

 

I could not be MORE serious! What got me to thinking about the tire wheel issue on the way home was the vibration since I had a very smooth trip down to Cummings, having just had the wheels balanced last week. So the vibration was NEW.

While at Orton Performance Neil shared an email with "Bill in Atlanta" and myself from a customer in Ohio who had the wheels slip in the tires on a PSI equipped GT3. Having just read that email and having the vibration, I was glad I had marked my tires at the stems (I started doing that 25 years ago because of drag racing experience). Doing so validated the vibration as an out of balance issue due to balance weights being in the wrong position because the wheel/tire position had changed.

NOW THAT's WHAT I CALL TORQUE !

 

John, congratulations on the PSI upgrade.

 

so what's the resolution on the tire slip on the rim? Your tires will always be out of balance or does the tire eventually seat in position. I could see this happening on Shanks 1400hp viper.... How come no one with more powerful kits...ie GT600, GT700 does not experience this?

 

We do. At the shootout I was moving 7 inches on the rim every launch. We just learn to live with it

 

Ray I have not spoken to John yet about his tires slipping, but the dealership in Cleveland has just installed our 420Kit on a GT3 and for a fellow board member and during the test drive the tires also slipped on the rim and had to be rebalanced.

Neil

 

Sounds like a very top notch outfit and installation. What was the total install time and what is the cost?

As far as the tires slipping on the rims about the only thing you can do is screw the tires into the rims to prevent it from happening. Probably not something alot of us want to do!

 

I am sorry that I could not make it up yesterday. I got buried at work.

 

It's not just about making big horsepower numbers but rather where the horsepower is made and how it translates into power. Cars that run quick 1/4 mile times do not necessarily run fast 1/4 trap speeds. It really boils down to a decision of having big horsepower numbers or a quick car. I will take the quick car every time, even if I don't have the bragging rights to the high horsepower numbers. My numbers will speak volumes on the street or track because PSI MotorSports develops their power curves based on race testing, not bench theory. With the PSI 520 package my TT "S" will "chirp" the tire going from first to second and second to third under WOT and it is a GAY TIPTRONIC ! That is torque, not raw horse power.

Throughout my racing career (autox, solo II, SCCA road racing and nationally competitive drag racing), I have seen many occasions where high horsepower was trumped by smaller, more efficient horsepower. Building to the desired intent is the key. Shanks Viper may have 1,200HP, but sticking it to the road (where the power counts) can and will always be a problem.

As for the tire slip on the wheel, some wheels have better tire retention characteristics due to rim flange design. The Techart wheels I run have very small bead flanges (compared to factory stock) and I may have to go with a different wheel to minimize or eliminate the slip. My guess is that many of the modded cars experience tire slip on the rim but are unaware since they don't mark the tire position at balance (old drag racing trick).

 

BuddyG - Total time for the PSI 520 ECU remap and PSI TT Exhaust was just under 3 hours. Total cost will be determined by the package you select and have Neil install.

PSI Motor Sports offers six TT packages from 520 to 800. Only limit is your pocket book!

 

With all that racing experience, I'm suprised you went with the "GAY TIPTRONIC"!!!

- KJ

 

He obviously went with the Tiptronic BECAUSE of his extensive racing experience and the superior knowledge he gained therefrom.

Craig

 

Craig, Thanks for the validation, LOL! Last May I had the privilege of attending PDE in Birmingham. During dinner I sat with Hurley Haywood and David Donohue. Conversation turned to new cars and when I indicated I was considering a new TT both Hurley and David stated that EXCEPT for a full race environment, they both would prefer a TIP for daily driving and occasional track / DE / Autox use. I took their comments to heart and so far, don't miss the 6 speed. I have not had the opportunity to "toe the line" with a 6 speed, however I am confident the GAY TIP will hold its own under most circumstances and it is really a pleasure to drive on a daily basis. With my race cars, I had plenty of 4-5 & 6 speed practice.

 

It's cool that you're comfortable enough with your manhood that you can drive a car with a gay transmission.