One of the forum sponsors, VividRacing, has launched their new 750hp kit. There's been a lot of interest it seems among the 6Speedonline members according to their post.

Unfortunately (or perhaps not) I had already done some incremental mods to my new 997 TT. So far I've done:
* Fabspeed sport exhaust v3
* Fabspeed headers
* Fabspeed cold air intakes
* GIAC tune (for 93 octane)

I'd eventually like to get to the performance of the VividRacing 750 kit, but clearly have already embarked using other products.

I noticed that VividRacing posted the availability of their modified turbos:

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...3000-pair.html

For $3K, sounds like a good incremental addition to the mods that I already have. However, I'd have to dump my GIAC tune for the Softronic tune from VividRacing due to the characteristics of the upgraded turbos.

I understand it's ideal to also upgrade the I/C's with an upgraded turbo system, as well as adding silicon hoses and a stronger clutch. But my question to those better in-the-know, will there be undue stress on my car by doing the upgraded turbos and ECU tune, and holding off on those other mods for 3-6 months? I would not be tracking my car, nor doing a rash of drag races down the freeway. I would, however, still drive my car in a "spirited" fashion.

Comments very welcome.

 

I wouldn't do the turbo upgrade and ecu without also upgrading the IC's. The softronic ecu was tuned with the IC and the stock IC will not be able to get the intake temps low enough to let your engine operate safely. The hoses should come with what ever IC you get. Once you do this mod, you will soon learn that a new clutch will be needed.

 

I'd highly recommend the clutch and intercoolers at the same time. One, you will overtax the stock clutch and two, the ECU tune would reflect the intercooler addition.

 

I see you're running a 750 system on your TT. How best would you describe the acceleration & torque over the current mods that I have now? If you're not sure, will you undulge us on your 750 system over stock?

 

Before you splurge on Dan's system, I'd probably wait and see what his pbox runs show. I know that Dan provides quality products and stands behind the products that he sells, but it is a relatively new system, and competes against other good products offering bolt on power. A trap time and 60-130 run would be useful for comparison purposes.

 

First I did everything you have now and pretty much max out. I have the GIAC tune and they are local to me. They checked my car out and actually did some testing on my car for their revised version. But when I was there, I learned that the part that was limiting me was the intake temps due to the stock IC's. The stock IC's work great if your stock but if you have upgrades such as you do, the turbos are just passing so much more flow there that stock IC's and they just cannot keep up. So I got the AWE IC's and GIAC went back to GIAC for more testing. Because the new IC's were able to keep the intake temps low, GIAC was able to add more timing and the result was race gas power using pump gas. Keep in mind that I am in California with really crappy 91 octane gas. Due to our poor gas, we are not even reaching the levels that you guys on the east coast are able to get because you guys have 93 octane. Once I got the IC's I hit another wall because I felt the stock turbos would die out after they peaked at about 4500 rpm. Since I already had the GIAC tune and most of the AWE parts and trusting GIAC and AWE, I went for the upgrade. The upgrade gave me exactly what I was looking for. A flatter curve on my dyno chart and the contiunes pull from 4000 rpm to red line even on my 91 octane. When I added the 100 octane race gas and switched the program, it changed and took my car to another level. The pull is so scary its makes you think twice about punching it. Its like the pull you feel now but times two and at 6500 rpm. My car was modded the first day I got it so I don't remember what it was like stock.

 

I am learning myself but I recall reading that you should NOT mix software and hardware. In other words, the latter stage GIAC tune was developed for an AWE turbo, not one from Vivid Racing, so you should not use such a device.

The reason is that the engineer during their dyno tune basically installs the actual hardware, then adjusts the software maps accordingly to yield the max power, the smoothest curve, etc.
In the case of GIAC, this software development was of course done using an AWE turbo. To me this means the GIAC software is optimized for this one AWE turbo only. If you now mix it with a Vivid Racing turbo, no one could predict with certainty what result you are getting.
There is nothing to preclude GIAC to release a tune for the Vivid Racing turbo, but it has not been done.

Just my 2 cents. Any pro or expert please correct me as needed.

 

Awesome feedback...reps to you all for thoughtful comments.

So am I "cool" with where I am now in the above mods? Sounds as if with my increased airflow, my I/C's might be lagging. Then per another post, the stock turbos might start to struggle with the upgraded I/C's.

What I mean by "cool" is, with the combo of current mods & software, is my engine & other important parts engineeringly happy? What I don't want to be doing is running a modded car that has an obvious mechanical liability.

Oh, and yeah, I'm learning as I go. Great for vendors to sell me stuff...bad for pocketbook if led astray. Hopefully others like me will benefit from this thread regarding incremetal mods---do's and don'ts

 

I thought about doing this but am scared of engine going "kaboom" and eating the $34k bill from Porsche.

 

I agree with Can . You have to keep things uniform with the software and Turbos . I also strongly suggest the intercoolers . I know nothing about the system itself but I do think that if you have selected Vivid as your tuner you need to go over yoir goals with them .

 

The car we are doing right now does not have intercoolers or clutch. This is something that can be added later. See the thread that says, 700ish. As far as being a "new system", Softronic has done TONS of these flashes already and the turbo builder has probably made about 100 of these turbos. It is just new in a marketing way to 6speed.

Taylor, you and I talked, you know I am honest, so dont worry.

And side bar, I offer a warranty on all my labor and parts andddd I guarantee it.

 

Hey there. Indeed we did talk, and indeed I got good information from you. Thanks for the info--much appreciated.

I think what I'm trying to accomplish in this thread is twofold:

1) Identify a reasonably safe progression of mods
2) Get feedback from others who have made this journey stepwise

Not sure of those who mod, what percent do the whole shebang at once, or go bit by bit.

4 weeks ago, all of a sudden, there was this Guards Red twin turbo in my garage. I was like, whoa...how did that get there. Then just weeks later I have a garage corner littered with OEM TT parts, and I was like, whoa...where'd those come from. Next thing I know I'm thinking about ripping out my turbos. At that point I said, hey...what am I trying to accomplish here. I still don't have an answer for that--wish I did.

The TT was a dream car of mine since I was a kid (in its stock form). WTF am I doing ripping it apart. Further, this is not a keeper...within 3 years I'd like to sell it (thus, the dusting off of my garage corner with OEM parts in the event I need to put it back to stock for a sale).

Something just does not feel "finished" my my TT yet. I modded my C63 and it feels perfect to me. Little guidance, and a lot of patience, will likely be my best bet with the TT. But, if someone can help get me to that "finished" feeling sooner than later (while maintaining the mechanical stability of the car)...I'm all for it.

 

Oh for sure 2nd opinions are very good. As far as stages go, i think with performance and suspension it is something you can do to realize how your car reacts as you progress. With the mods we are discussing, they are still modular or progressive. What I try to promote is an all around car. Not everyone drives around at 6000 rpm. Some road race, some daily drive, some drag. I like to have cars that can handle all those scenarios, but we do taylor performance packages to the owners wants. Talk to you soon!

 

Hey Dan...I wasn't trying to make a bru ha ha with my comments...I know that you're offering a good product. I was just interested in some vbox runs to compare with what is out there...I know you're working on it.

 

no prob...