Advice please, supercharger
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Advice please, supercharger
considering a 1996 993 Carrera, 57, 500 miles, 2 owners, full service history, obviously if I move forward a PPI will take place. But, car has a TPC supercharger installed at 38,000 miles. What are the upsides, the downsides? What questions do I need to ask? Thanks
#2
Upside, more power.
Downside, more potential problems.
Search is your friend on this one. There are hundreds of threads here about the complexity and risks associated with bolting on aftermarket parts like a supercharger that were never intended to be on a 993.
Good luck
Downside, more potential problems.
Search is your friend on this one. There are hundreds of threads here about the complexity and risks associated with bolting on aftermarket parts like a supercharger that were never intended to be on a 993.
Good luck
#3
Resale value? You certainly limit the potential buyers of your car down the road.
#5
Rennlist Member
Sorry but I wouldn’t touch it with a 10ft pole and like others said potential issues down the road and limited audience on resale or lack there of..... . . . . ......
#6
Addict
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
To me, a large part of the appeal of a 993 is its balance--power, brakes, suspension, handling, everything in harmony. Adding a huge dose of power disturbs that, and might overwhelm the other parts of this very well engineered ensemble.
Another consideration of a car that has been hot-rodded is how it might have been driven or even abused. Owners who go to the expense and effort of adding a supercharged want to try it out, see what it'll do.
Another consideration of a car that has been hot-rodded is how it might have been driven or even abused. Owners who go to the expense and effort of adding a supercharged want to try it out, see what it'll do.
#7
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
great advice, The comment "balance" really resonates, I guess I'll bail, the car is at Dick Barbour (no affiliation)…. I've purchased a car from them, very good experience, very professional.
Last edited by grgallo; 03-15-2019 at 08:24 PM. Reason: misspelling
Trending Topics
#8
I can't help wondering internal engine component wise and drive train, what is different between a normally-aspirated 993 engine and transmission and a turbo 993 engine and transmission?
Mr. Bock has had his supercharger on his car for 10 years.
Mr. Bock has had his supercharger on his car for 10 years.
#9
Burning Brakes
Super charger is a pretty simple device. Not much can go wrong with it.
If it's on the car then I consider it a bonus. Take it off and sell it later if you like.
Key questions I'd ask would be if all the stock gear that came off when the SC was installed is present and included in the sale.
Find out what configuration the SC is - i.e. stock TPC install? Installed by who?
What else was modified.
Possible areas to argue for a discount.
You won't find better bang for buck for added power to the 993.
Smile factor and daily driveability doubled straight away.
Old cars on the other hand have lots of things waiting to go wrong with or without supercharger.
I would say that the owner who went to the length of purchasing and installing the SC would have cherished his car to a degree.
Otherwise why spend that amount of money - and they would have dropped a fair few dollars to do so.
During daily driving the car was probably driven at vacuum and not boost for most of the time. That would be logical.
I think most SC owners - who have lived with the upgrade are generally happy with it.
People who have never owned or driven an SC 993 have good comments.
But sometimes the reality is different.
Either way - you need to check everything with old used cars.
I'd be more worried about engine rebuild time, bushes, bearings, suspension, brakes, steering rack, and every other things that is expired on a 23 year old car.
Good luck
If it's on the car then I consider it a bonus. Take it off and sell it later if you like.
Key questions I'd ask would be if all the stock gear that came off when the SC was installed is present and included in the sale.
Find out what configuration the SC is - i.e. stock TPC install? Installed by who?
What else was modified.
Possible areas to argue for a discount.
You won't find better bang for buck for added power to the 993.
Smile factor and daily driveability doubled straight away.
Old cars on the other hand have lots of things waiting to go wrong with or without supercharger.
I would say that the owner who went to the length of purchasing and installing the SC would have cherished his car to a degree.
Otherwise why spend that amount of money - and they would have dropped a fair few dollars to do so.
During daily driving the car was probably driven at vacuum and not boost for most of the time. That would be logical.
I think most SC owners - who have lived with the upgrade are generally happy with it.
People who have never owned or driven an SC 993 have good comments.
But sometimes the reality is different.
Either way - you need to check everything with old used cars.
I'd be more worried about engine rebuild time, bushes, bearings, suspension, brakes, steering rack, and every other things that is expired on a 23 year old car.
Good luck
#10
Rennlist Member
Having turbocharged my 993, I can say that the added power didn't upset any balance in the car. In fact it was -- obvious in retrospect-- the exact same car, just with a better Go pedal. Kind of underwhelmed that it didn't change the driving experience more.
I'd certainly consider buying a SC'd 993 as long as it's been well maintained. I'd feel much more confident if the PO installed an intercooler instead of that disgraceful non-intercooled standard kit.
I'd certainly consider buying a SC'd 993 as long as it's been well maintained. I'd feel much more confident if the PO installed an intercooler instead of that disgraceful non-intercooled standard kit.
#11
An SC would not turn me off. If you search RL, you will find that most folks that have the kit, love it. Everyone else is providing hearsay/arm chair evidence. Even the 993 Essential Guide recognizes that most TPC SC 993 owners are happy customers. Additionally, it appears unmodified kits tend to run better than those trying to "update" the kit. If I were in the market for that car, I would go see it and drive it.
#12
Rennlist Member
Love mine. No issues with it. I respect others perspectives, but by todays standards its hard to call a 993 balanced with 240 rwhp. Its certainly not unbalanced with 80 more. And for me at least the addition of the SC kept it much more interesting and fun. I have had no increase in normal maintenance issues. Seamless power and best is its mostly notable in midrange relative to a turbo.
I would at least drive and compare rather than taking opinions. I am sure it does lower resale as any mods like this do. But the disadantage as a seller later, should be cancelled by the advantage it should be to you now as a buyer.
I would at least drive and compare rather than taking opinions. I am sure it does lower resale as any mods like this do. But the disadantage as a seller later, should be cancelled by the advantage it should be to you now as a buyer.
#13
I’ve owned the original tpc supercharger prototype car since 2006. When I bought it, it had 20k miles. Now it has 75k total and probably 10k of those are track. Last year, I upgraded to a custom tune with bigger injectors. The car makes 320 hp and torque to the wheels, which is around 380 flywheel. The kit has been super reliable. I’ve improved the system over the years. However, it’s never failed me and has been as reliable as all the other Porsche’s that I have owned.
#14
I’ve owned the original tpc supercharger prototype car since 2006. When I bought it, it had 20k miles. Now it has 75k total and probably 10k of those are track. Last year, I upgraded to a custom tune with bigger injectors. The car makes 320 hp and torque to the wheels, which is around 380 flywheel. The kit has been super reliable. I’ve improved the system over the years. However, it’s never failed me and has been as reliable as all the other Porsche’s that I have owned.