Bought my 996TT in July of last year and have been amassing parts and planning my build with the help of this forum since then. Finally dropped the car off today to start "Stage 1" of the conversion process.

The goals of this build are to increase the aesthetics of the car both inside and out to make it look and feel new again. I want to add OEM-reliable power to the car while retaining it's quick spool and daily drive-ability characteristics. I also want to increase it's handling and braking prowess as well to compliment the increased power.

But the entire goal is that no upgrade detract from the useability and reliability of the car. I've had too many project cars go too extreme and then I just spend every outing wondering if the standalone ECU will fire up the car, or if the intercooler hoses won't burst off during my drive, etc.

Mods Currently Installed:

• APR Tune
• APR Headers
• APR Diverter Valves
• H&R Springs
• H&R 15mm Rear Spacers
• B&M Short Shifter
• RSS Roll Bar

The key thing to improve over this setup from a performance standpoint was the shifting action. The B&M was vague, hard to engage, and even though I never rush shifts, always left me feeling like I was going to money shift the car sooner or later. Double clutching downshifts was also hard to do as it was notchy. I'm in search of a smooth shift action that allows me to easily row the gears.

Stage 1 Mods:

• RUF R-Turbo Bumper (Full kit including radiator moving, new ducting, etc). -Special thanks to 911-AL!
• RUF Badging F&R
• Painted Black Trim & Bumperettes
• Painted Rear Decklid & Wing (Was off different car and never matched).
• Fixed Wing Kit
• Rottec CF Center Console
• Rottec CF CGT Seats
• New CF Handbrake (Stock one had torn leather due to improper alignment).
• Numeric Short Shifter
• 997 Transmission Mount
• 19x8.5 19x12 ADV.1 ADV5.1 Forged Monoblocks, Brushed Gunmetal
• Custom Billet Aluminum RUF Center Caps (Courtesy of ADV.1)
• 225/40/19 305/30/19 Michelin PSS (B/C everything else in 235/315 is crap or backordered).

The car is having all done work at Porsche of Omaha. The head restoration guy that restores the owners personal classic 911 collection is doing the body work on my car and i've heard nothing but praise from PCA members so fingers crossed it will be done correctly and matched well.

After this is all done Stage 2 will take place over winter or in late fall:

Stage 2 Mods:
Stoptech 350mm 997TT Discs
Stoptech Brake Pads
RUF Logo'ed and Yellow Refinished Calipers
Agency Power Brake Caliper Adapters
Agency Power Carbon Fiber Intake Box
Motul Brake Fluid
RUF Steering Wheel
RUF Shift ****
RUF Carpets
RUF Door Sills
Fabspeed X-Pipe Exhaust w/200 Cell Cats

After that is done i'll be doing KW V3's and assorted suspension goodies but i'm just starting to research what the best bang for the buck suspension upgrades really will bring the best out of the car. Hope to have it all done by spring.

Car will be back supposedly next Monday from the Stage 1 paint & install for me to put the wheels/tires on. Hopefully it's the transformation i've been hoping for in my head the past year.

 

And now for obligatory random pictures...

Spare bedroom? No. Parts bedroom.


Hard to tell in pics but there is cracks in the paints, spider webbing, deep gashes, and warts on it... lets just say the car had a bit of a rough life.







Over-exposed but if you look closely you'll see there is no paint on edge of the decklid at all... not to mention it doesn't match the color of the car.


Improper handbrake alignment = torn leather. Brand new OEM like for like to be replaced.


Horrible condition of the center console. Rottec replaces it. Again, trying to make cabin feel new.



Boxed up and ready to go!



ADV.1!


That's all for now!

 

Gonna be a great looking a quick car. Congrats

 

your wife already got fed up and threw your stuff out on the lawn?

looks like an awesome plan. will look forward to final product!

 

Subscribed! Can't wait to see how it turns out.

 

Good luck on everything! Gonna be a sharp turbo!

 

Should be a fun build. You're going to enjoy it. I would skip the RUF hood and deck lid badge because the only cars that RUF recognizes as "RUF cars" are either true RUF VIN cars or conversions performed by an authorized RUF facility accompanied by RUF documentation. For the 996tt, a RUF conversion would be a RUF Rturbo 520, 550, or 590 performed by RUF. The Engine conversion (can only be done by RUF) is what qualifies it as a RUF car. Sticking a RUF badge on a car is akin to someone putting a GT2 bumper on a TT and sticking a GT2 logo on the back. Sort of a wanna be and some people might see it as a bit poseurish. Just something to think about since we know how critical Porsche people are. Good luck with a cool build...

 

Good luck with the build man you did the right thing by gathering your parts at one shot (7months?) at least you were able to drive it for the time being. Liked that photo of parts in the bedroom

 

Nice build! If you plan to change the suspension, might as well as take out the front diff, drive shafts, and have yourself a rwd conversion. Best mod I did to my car IMHO. I'm curious about your opinions on the numeric short shifter. I went ahead with the 997 gt3 shifter.

 

I hear you and I agree to an extent. I didn't do the R-Turbo badge on the rear for the reasons you mentioned - I thought that was too poserish and the car wasn't a true R-Turbo so i'm just doing the RUF rear badge. But the entire interior is going to have the badges in it everywhere, the brakes will, the wheels will, so i'm going to put it on the exterior as well for now. We'll see...

 

I thought I was the only one with parts filling up an entire room in my house! Lol! Looking good man!!

 

This is going to turn out amazing. Speed Yellow really sets off the RTurbo nose. I'd love to see how the custom center caps came out.

 

In for this one! Best wishes, this is going to be a great looking end result!

 

In for pics!! sounds like a great project!

 

Should get her back Monday!