I know it sounds silly, but has anyone typed up a definitive guide on how to modify one's Turbo? I ask since I'm picking up my car Thursday. Since I plan on keeping the car until the day I die (or one of us starts falling apart at the seams), I don't see any reason not to mod the hell out of it I'd like to enjoy it as it is for awhile, maybe just a short shifter... and a GT3 seat... and some white gauge faces... and some aluminum rings... but down the road, after the financial dust has settled and the giggles have worn off, I'd like to do more things like suspension and power mods.

But whenever that time rolls around, I'll have no idea what my options are. I don't even know what various parts do. I know that diverter valves are a common mod - but I don't even know what they are. If you go to a stage1/stage2 type of package and you upgrade your diverter valves in the process, do you need to get even better ones when you go stage 3? Or will they carry over. Diverter valves might, but I know other parts won't. That's the sort of thing I'm trying to find out. I'd love to upgrade piece-by-piece, but I don't think that can really happen, can it? They're sold as 'stages' for a reason, I imagine. When do you start needing stronger clutches?

I'd also love to see various parts and packages compared. X73 appeals to me because it's OEM and I've heard good things about it, but I don't know how it compares in either price or performance to other kits. Is it more track-focused? What kind of scraping concerns will I have?

Surely this is all documented in hundreds of posts, but has anyone gone through and collected it all?

Maybe I've found a new way to kill some time

Justin

 

Far too many variables, tuners, and tuning options to accurately and easily combine into one simple source. Your best bet is to search, search, and search some more. All the information you'll need is located in our archives...waiting for you to sort through it, and then extrapolate from it.

 

For me the first thing I did was a Fabspeed exhaust because the car was just too darn quiet. Then I put in the EVO short shift linkage because the stock one will break one you. After that you can go many different ways from wheels to suspension to engine mods. Only you and your budget can determine what you want. You can do stages and tuners like EVO will give you credit towards your next upgrade or you can just bite the bullet and go to a GT700 off the bat. Either way it will be fun! Good luck! By the way the diverter valves should be changed and won't need to be changed again.

 

Since you already said you want to do it piece by piece, then just research what you are going for next and get it.

 

I'm new here too, but I think I've already figured out your answer....Just leave a credit card number with one of the fine tuners here and as your need for speed grows they will gladly help you out.

 

What dive said. I think you need to set a goal first. I know it changes and want more over time but I think setting a HP goal is the first thing. Then think about tuners and packages. That would save you some money.

 

Cant comment much on turbo tuning, but for the money, GIAC is very impressive. suspension wise, the X73 is an outstanding value, I find it perfectly balanced with a firm but livable ride. Dont have any scraping issues outside of very steep driveways. Outside of this, definitely recommend a short shifter kit and diverter valves regardless.

Happy modding.

 

John.

Once they have your credit card on file it's game over!

 

Justin, just my opinion but I think you need to do three things. First follow this forum and do some searchs on say ECU's, exhausts, Diverters, SSK's, suspension, BBK's and develop a core of backround data so you can at least become conversant with the different options and parts.
Next, find a tuner you or someone you know that you CAN TRUST and get more input.
Finally, find someone (cyberspace as last resort) that you may know or trust with the same car who is further down the mod path that you can talk too.
Only then Grasshopper contemplate the changes to your car.
For now congrats and enjoy the car the way porsche intended first, mod later when you know what and how you want to proceed. Otherwise you can make some costly mistakes. tom

 

Geetee -

What I'm worried about is say, upgrading to one level, and then deciding "oh, I want another level" (for more) and then having my initial upgrades fall by the wayside.

That especially comes into account when you're talking about doing engine mods and, say, you start needing a differently tuned suspension. In addition to just regular "Okay, so what do I do with my old Turbos now?" and "I wasted money on that ECU programming 6mos ago now that I'm upgrading".

I also think it'd be neat to have a document that could explain the various positions and arguments on what sizes of wheels are best, and documents things like designs of wheels and weights, etc

Thanks for the input, I might actually start fleshing something out soon

 

Don't even know where to start, except for as mentioned search for each individual upgrade you would like to do, then decide on which part/tuner is best for you. Congrats on the car and enoy it

 

I read old threads here for months whilst I was looking for my TT and by the time it was delivered I knew what I wanted (I think the SSK arrived before the car did!!). This is a fantastic resource that I'm sure saved me lots of $$$.

 

I would not do it in Stages... you will spend way too much money down the line. New turbos each time will set you back $4500 at least. So the trick is to get into a set of turbos that you get to keep while going to the next level.
Get some used FAbspeed exhaust, new dvs, BMC filter. Then if can drive at least one tuners car... Or if ur not sure find others to drive. This may be the bets spent time/money u ever will on a tuning kit.
Lest say u have $25k to spend on a tuning kit... buy a plane ticket and drive a tuned car liek the one ur interested in...
markski

ps. if ur sure u will not go over the deep end then 600 crank HP will do fine.

 

Most of the guy's said it all! just remember that the tuner is the Key! If you start with one & keep him then your ok, because most of them go in stages ,but if you want to change software to another tuner , DO YOUR HOMEWORK! Even an Exhaust is a big decision! there not cheap & the sounds are very different! Do it right the first time & you'll save a ton of cash! IMHO

 

It's your call - you can do it one mod at a time and get to know the effect on your car, then on to the next one. Or you can ask your chosen tuner for a roadmap with prices and decide how far to leap at once. Ask questions and read the responses carefully as there is a lot of good info here on line.