I'm just trying to prove or disprove Antonis' previous remark:

The only person who has an exhaust + ECU run is eclou, but he was using a 50/50 race/pump mix.

 

I believe that ECU tuning is pretty much the same for all tuners. I mean the difference of power between two cars with ECU-filter (American-European) might be the same difference between two stock cars.

When other parts get involved (Exhaust,headers,turbos,I/Cs) things are totally different, and in this case most US tuners 700kits are faster than RUF (RT12)

Nothing personal with RUF, just what i have read in this forum and others

 

Ruf is very expensive, no argument there. But you need to compare apples with apples. The Ruf 650 conversion is an a complete 3.8L engine change not an ecu/exhaust package. Most other tuners don't even crack the engine case on their high HP tunes, instead relying on the stock bottom end to handle the added stress. Something to consider.

 

I think it's simple. Comparing Ruf to any other cheaper but effective tuners is just like comparing Porsche turbo to GTRs. It will get you there or perhaps faster but you won't get the badge and pedigree.

 

Ruf is one of the few tuners that are actually worth the coin. Esp resale, a Ruf conversion will hold it's value, a typical tuner's won't.

 

Maybe to a certain extent, but if one pays 120K for a new motor on top of the 150K for the car, how much of that do you think you would get on resale?

 

lol @ people that buy car's and care about resale...These are the people that garage their cars and don't enjoy them. What a waste..not really a automotive enthusiast..more of a money enthusiast

 

Before I dip my finger in this modification muck I'd like to say that if saving money was a concern I would get bus pass or walk.

That said whatever a car owner does to make his car special is up to him . All of these tuners have placed their best foot forward to make products which improve a stock Turbo . One can split hairs over engine size or he can enjoy his car .

No matter how fast .. there will always be faster or newer or more thrilling .

I enjoy what's in my plate and that's what matters for me . If Bobby or anyone else is happy with his car and content with whatever it cost .. I would wish him well .

 

Ruf are expensive, but provide OEM quality.

My 590 conversion on my GT2 did 10,000 miles and never once had any issues, not one dash-light ever. That included dozens of trackdays, many at the 'ring and it won the VMax event in the UK on a 2 mile runway many times, during the course of which it ran 0-195mph+ about 200 times over the many days. On one day I did 5 back-to-back runs without stopping, all at 200mph (GPS) or better. This involves full-throttle for 1.5 miles, reaching 200mph then standing on the brakes, as there is about 0.5 miles to stop, driving back to the start around a twisty 2 mile track-course, then doing it again and again.

Ruf's higher power conversions are engineered for this kind of reliability, hence the spec and the price.

If you're not gonna use the car that hard or demand that level of reliability, then I'd guess a cheaper alternative makes more sense, particularly in the US, where the cars just don't generally get to pull the same sustained high-load speeds as in Germany (like running a 100 mile journey at an average of 150mph!).

 

I agree, ruf seems too expensive for what you get back. I'd rather spend $25K at SharkWerks to get 700HP, than $120K to get 650HP from ruf. The $95K in savings could be applied to other pretty nice cars.

 

I think the sweet spot at Ruf is the 550 conversion, at $16950 it's pricey but not out of line. Plus you get the Ruf pedigree and reliability. Resale value too, but I don't plan on selling mine, compared to minus value from some other tuners.

 

I actually like Ruf. I think they make some wonderful cars. I simply think they're severely overpriced at the high HP levels.

 

the 650 does not use vtg's (see turbos exchange)
i guess it worth it to some people...btw haven't seen a "650" engine with less than 710+ to come out of Ruf lately

 

I was referring to the 600 package with my statement about VTGs, ECU, exhaust, and clutch.

I agree with you...the 650 build has significantly greater than 650 hp...but if you are going to purchase the engine swap for $119 + the cost of a 997TT (say $140-150), I think most would be better off just buying the RT12, having the complete car with a Ruf VIN number.

 

I respect RUF and what they put out...... But imo, I think that if I dropped off a 997TT at Sharkwerks PLUS $120k, I really could not imagine what would come out of there..........and if any issues ever did pop up with the car after the build, I am sure they would take care of them accordingly.