Diary of a 996TT Engine Build @ Shark Werks
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it's a turbo car - these things happen.
the car started smoking badly, i was hoping it was turbo seals, and then the car began running on 5 cylinders.
i'm not one to point fingers but there are just too many variables to sort out what did the car in - previous owner, too much boost, tuning, bad gas, who knows. (all i know now is that everything that has gone wrong w/ this used car purchase has gone wrong save for the transmission or differential. i will keep my fingers crossed.)
i went w/ Sharkwerks b/c they were local and i (mostly) wanted a platform they could support. and since the engine was out, might as well add the gt700 kit
and the customer service ain't too bad 
- chuck
the car started smoking badly, i was hoping it was turbo seals, and then the car began running on 5 cylinders.
i'm not one to point fingers but there are just too many variables to sort out what did the car in - previous owner, too much boost, tuning, bad gas, who knows. (all i know now is that everything that has gone wrong w/ this used car purchase has gone wrong save for the transmission or differential. i will keep my fingers crossed.)
i went w/ Sharkwerks b/c they were local and i (mostly) wanted a platform they could support. and since the engine was out, might as well add the gt700 kit
and the customer service ain't too bad - chuck
Last edited by carendt242; Jul 22, 2006 at 12:10 PM.
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Originally Posted by RennTechV12
Wow
Alex, what was the setup/tuning package on that car? It looks like with only 600hp, that somebody failed to tune correctly. Do you guys think that was caused by detonation?
Alex, what was the setup/tuning package on that car? It looks like with only 600hp, that somebody failed to tune correctly. Do you guys think that was caused by detonation?
I have a GT640 and does it mean I have to look into doing internals now? Or wait until something blows. 
I thought the stock internals we're good until 600 crank. It's only logical to go for 700 up if that's the case.
Originally Posted by buddyg
What a mess! I might be able to get it all apart but putting it back together would be a whole other story!
Way to go Monkeyboy!
Way to go Monkeyboy!
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Originally Posted by sharkster
I did that remotely? And I didn't even know it Boost leaks are king. Just when you don't think you have one.. you do. I must have had just about every single possible boost leak you can have on a 996TT. You find it, deal with it (better couplers, thicker hose, more Zip ties on the ends etc..) and move on to the next one...
Boost leaks are king. Just when you don't think you have one.. you do. I must have had just about every single possible boost leak you can have on a 996TT. You find it, deal with it (better couplers, thicker hose, more Zip ties on the ends etc..) and move on to the next one...boost leaks are part of owning a turbo charged car..
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Alex,
Great write-up and photos!!! Perhaps our internals are not as safe as we once thought in the 600 hp range??? On the other hand, perhaps the condition of these internals is more a function of this particular car and/or the tuning of this particular car. Speaking of which, is that Stephen’s old car that was tuned by Protomotive?
Did you replace the broken valves with OEM valves? The valves may be the next weak link that should be addressed after-market. I have much stronger Nimonic valves in my engine made by Ferrea. Although my valves are larger than stock, Ferrea can also make stock sized valves that will endure greater abuse.
Craig
Great write-up and photos!!! Perhaps our internals are not as safe as we once thought in the 600 hp range??? On the other hand, perhaps the condition of these internals is more a function of this particular car and/or the tuning of this particular car. Speaking of which, is that Stephen’s old car that was tuned by Protomotive?
Did you replace the broken valves with OEM valves? The valves may be the next weak link that should be addressed after-market. I have much stronger Nimonic valves in my engine made by Ferrea. Although my valves are larger than stock, Ferrea can also make stock sized valves that will endure greater abuse.
Craig
Originally Posted by oak
sharky, why no cleany the case? I like cleany.
Originally Posted by carendt242
it's a turbo car - these things happen.
the car started smoking badly, i was hoping it was turbo seals, and then the car began running on 5 cylinders.
i'm not one to point fingers but there are just too many variables to sort out what did the car in - previous owner, too much boost, tuning, bad gas, who knows. (all i know now is that everything that has gone wrong w/ this used car purchase has gone wrong save for the transmission or differential. i will keep my fingers crossed.)
i went w/ Sharkwerks b/c they were local and i (mostly) wanted a platform they could support. and since the engine was out, might as well add the gt700 kit and the customer service ain't too bad
- chuck
the car started smoking badly, i was hoping it was turbo seals, and then the car began running on 5 cylinders.
i'm not one to point fingers but there are just too many variables to sort out what did the car in - previous owner, too much boost, tuning, bad gas, who knows. (all i know now is that everything that has gone wrong w/ this used car purchase has gone wrong save for the transmission or differential. i will keep my fingers crossed.)
i went w/ Sharkwerks b/c they were local and i (mostly) wanted a platform they could support. and since the engine was out, might as well add the gt700 kit
and the customer service ain't too bad - chuck
Sadly for you there's more torture- breaking in the clutch for at least 300-400miles and then you know about the engine. After that, boost away!
Originally Posted by scslite
That's what I meant when I said scary. I have a GT640 and does it mean I have to look into doing internals now? Or wait until something blows. I thought the stock internals we're good until 600 crank. It's only logical to go for 700 up if that's the case.
I have a GT640 and does it mean I have to look into doing internals now? Or wait until something blows. I thought the stock internals we're good until 600 crank. It's only logical to go for 700 up if that's the case. Always be running good gas. Behave when it's extra hot, throw in some higher octane (a mix) and stay away from drag racing (that's the most important). Change your oil. No more listening to the dealer about changing your oil only being necessary every 10000-15000 miles. Are they insane!? Check your plugs once in a while. Indeed these cars are strong enough to take 600 and 700. Obviously not for 100K miles (more like 40-50 I'd say if treated well). There are other rare factors that can contribute to failures like this and certainly it's unusual at that power leve. However, I could say that my car was unusual in that my head gasket lasted longer than it should have.
Originally Posted by Cody_1
Great writeup - thanks Alex! You know, you should write professionally. ;-)
I think I'll stay in the 500HP club for now.....
- Rich
I think I'll stay in the 500HP club for now.....
- Rich
Flattery gets you everywhere! I miss my articles but still do the column. I get to spew on here from time to time...
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this car had upsolute programming for a long long while, and the owner's sig said something like "your $15000 setup getting waxed by my $500 upsolute + hybrids = priceless"
yeah right, you get what you pay for. upsolute sucks.
yeah right, you get what you pay for. upsolute sucks.