3.8L 997TT GT2RS (Tribute) Conversion

I have been holding off posting for months as we fine tune things 🙂 ...working through some final gremlins. But this weekend I wanted to post a recommendation and review for a person/tuner that has been closely involved with my build. Todd at Protomotive.

I've worked with many tuners over the last 20 years and one of the most important traits in selecting a shop is to find someone that's knowledgeable, but most importantly cares for his customers. We have been working together for almost a year now and given the positive experience, I wanted to recommend him to all of you. It helps that performance numbers are starting to show too.

If you guys are looking for the top of the TOP SHELF tune, or something much more custom (like myself), I'd highly recommend Protomotive and his family run business.

The tuner: Protomotive...
https://www.protomotive.com/wp422/pr...997TurboTuning

Also I'd highly recommend, Sam Adhoot (By Design) who has been a part of this journey from the start - solid, solid customer support.

I'll post more as a series, documenting progress of my 997 3.8TT build (2RS tribute) car. Here's some teasers...
Yes, yes, the chart below is a "virtual dyno 1.8.3" (not a real one) so WHP is estimated based on weight, tire size, gear ratio, acceleration etc. But it's great for back-to-back relative comparisons as we build up the tune and compare with previous build configurations (software and hardware). The runs in this graph are done on the same flat strip of tarmac, removing variables as much as possible (temp, etc.)

And yes, we are using VTGs (it's a limiting factor) and also pump gas with Meth/Water injection (over ethanol), another limiting factor. I'm in Canada and ethanol is pretty much unobtanium.

Also other's I've worked with and would highly recommend:

Sam Adhoot (By Design - support on parts and big help on tuning) https://www.bydesignauto.com/
John Bray (EVOSPEC - 3.8L Engine internals and blueprinting)
James Daniels (Scan Automotive Vancouver Canada - easily TOP mechanical shop for these highly custom and meticulous builds) https://scanautomotive.com/


The list of engine mods + other bits, 2007 997 Turbo:

• GT3 TB 82mm, IDP y-pipe and plenum
• OEM Spark plugs and coils
• Cobb 1300xi injectors
• 3.8L conversion (Carrilo rods, etc.)
  • We didn’t replace the cam shafts, as they were noted to be in good shape.
  • EvoSepc 3.8L Piston and Cylinder kit. CP Forged Piston at 9.0:1 Compression. Darton Ductile Iron Wet Sleeve 102.6MM
  • Bore. AP S.S. Ring set. For Stock Stroke Crank and 23MM Rod Pin.
  • Carrillo H-Beam Connecting Rod Set. Carrillo, Porsche 996TT/X50/GT2 With WMC Bolt
  • EvoSpecs, Porsche 996/997TT..10MM H-11 Head Stud Kit. 24 Piece Kit...With nuts
  • EvoSpec/Cometic Hell Fire Head Gasket. MLS. 104MM Bore Size .040 Thick
  • File fit rigs to spec. and number cylinders
• De-cat full 3” GT2RS Kline exhaust and headers
• Champion 68mm VTGs and Intercoolers, turbo blankets
• Large silicon airhoses with a EVOMS no leak TB to Y-pipe connector
• Dual nozzle ProMeth kit and snow performance controller
• LWFW + Sachs 2.5 clutch and lightweight BBI belt pulley
• Wavetrac LSD
• EVOMS GT2 clutch master and slave conversion
• Complete suspension overhaul, to Tarett and RSS components and solid ball connections, solid mounts - engine & transmission
• Shift cables also all solid
• Bilstein struts with PASM + DSC Controller
• Centerlock conversion, sunroof delete, and all GT2RS OEM body (except for rear wing), rear seat delete
• Resprayed from arctic silver to GT silver
• Custom HRE RC100 Wheels in brushed gold

 

Nice!!! Great build.... beautiful car. I did a similar build but went with Xonas. If you can get a VBOX or a Dragy and do a few timed 60-100 pulls in third gear (start out at 45 or so mph so you’re fully spooled at 60), we should be able to verify your wheel HP. 60-130 is good too but with the manual, there’s quite a lot of variability. Looking forward to hearing your driving impressions! I’m sure it’s awesome to drive!! Certainly you did a very high quality build.

Keep us posted....Thanks for sharing!

 

Wow... that is going to be one hellious beast!

Ed

 

Thanks guys. I was inspired by some other builds on here and it's been quite the fun journey
There's a good chance that somewhere in the future I'll revisit an upgrade to Xonas.

Mike.

 

You may well get great performance out of your set up running methanol with your 68mm VTG's. It's nice not having to run an external boost controller, etc. My advice would be to see how you like the car for a while and get some performance numbers. Keep the VTG's unless there's a big gap in performance that you feel like you can't live without. I can give you all of my performance numbers with my Xona set up running 91 CA pump with methanol as a comparison. I'm also forged 3.8L, same intake system as yours, AMS intercoolers, GMG headers and exhaust with high flow cats. My bet is that you are going to have pretty solid performance with your build with the VTG's since you're running methanol.

 

very cool, looking forward to the performance numbers

 

Car looks awesome Mike! Glad you sorted out the gremlins. I'm sure it's going to accelerate like a beast!

 

Limited Edition number 501/500 excellent !

 

Again gorgeous machine!

Where you able to get any 60-130 times etc?

Very interested what this set up would do with a build motor and Champion 68mm.

Thanks

Bobby Ali

 

Yes! Sometimes it’s the little things that make it all worthwhile.

 

Nothing official / using a draggy or anything like that.

I did have a few stellar runs where I took the durametric logging data and interpreted into dynojet software. But didn’t log 60-130. That said I could probably take that data and abstract the times. All are in 3rd gear only so makes things simple. I’ll see what I can pull.

 

any chance you have parts list for the sunroof delete?

 

Beautiful car mate , how much of a difference died the Tarett and RSS components and solid ball connections make when you changed over to these .
and did you use genuine body kit ?

I am thinking of doing the same to my lower arms etc but maybe using Bbi parts .