richardlw

I've seen lots of talk about supercharging on this forum - some good and some bad - and I want to get your opinions on how good an idea it is.

I've been looking at the TPC option which comes at a good price but there was much talk of petty problems with the software and cars not running cleanly. Given that I'm in the UK, I don't want to bring a whole load of problems down on myself.

So - TPC: Good/bad idea? Persistent problems? Most important - power gains on a VR motor?

Thanks

pcar964

Since you're over in the UK, I would be much more tempted to pay Ninemeister a visit. Similar power, NA, more reliable and not adding any complexity.

MPB993

Richard,

Colin did my TPC kit about 4-5 years ago. So far I have done about 45k miles. But I have had to tune the software in the splitsecond FTC1 box to get the most from the kit as I added a little boost and used w/a injection. For me, with a tip, low end torque was more important than top end power. I have posted lots of info from my experience in the UK. Performance wise the car is transformed. Puts out about 320hp to the wheels (dyno and gtech pro measure), a bit more if you go the chargecooler route, but this adds weight. Torque is much flatter. With all my mods the car is 10ish secs to 100mph, 12.6 1/4 mile. The car does prefer cooler days.

As Colin has done both he would be best to advise. If you intend to sell downstream then the heads might be a better selling point. If I were to start again I would go the head change for a manual and the TPC kit for a tip but what do I know :-) .

Cheers, Mark.

richardlw

Thanks - I have emailed Colin to see if they are still doing this kit. I do want torque rather than top end power so the supercharger seems the way to go.

95 C4 993

I looked into a supercharger a few years ago and came to the conclusion that its in my best interest that I buy a turbo (97 on the radar). I have read about the good, bad, and the ugly with superchargers. Im not a DIY person and anything that has downside potential is not in my best interest. When some one says "tends to run better in cooler days" thats enough to tell me walk away-especially when I live in a desert. On the other hand, Im only 1 of many with their own opinions.

Thaddeus

Turbos also like cooler weather, FWIW. Cooler air is denser.

DaveM993

Every car likes cooler dry weather = denser air = more oxygen to the cylinders

TheOtherEric

I think the biggest concerns most of us have are with the 7th injector solution, which seems a bit unfinished/amateur. And also the need for an intercooler, especially if you ever do track days. These issues are making Colin's heads look really attractive, plus keeping normally aspirated is nice, and weighs much less...

RallyJon

Anyone thought of bumping up the fuel pressure or using larger injectors and remapping the ecu to accomodate?

TheOtherEric

Yeah, I always wondered this myself. Seems like the obvious solution, so there must be some reason why it can't be done. Surely somebody here knows the answer.

MPB993

Charge cooling from 7th injector in lieu of an intercooler. But I've got around that with the w/a injection which avoids the inherent isues of the chargecoolers size and weight. I have a lc1 wb and get a afr variation of about .75 between left and right banks measured at 2.5k rpm through 7th injector fuel distribution and VE variations. Don't think uprating the injectors will help with the cam misalignment VE variations but I have had some larger injectors sitting on the shelf for 6 mths just in case. I run the kit at 12.2 afr to avoid detonation which I monitor. Thats the sweet spot for my setup. I believe those that have upgraded see no advantage due to no charge cooling post SC.

RallyJon

Yeah, where's the 993 aftermarket/custom turbo FAQ? Seems like there's one for every other enthusiast car in the world...

One problem that comes to mind is that most ECUs in naturally aspirated cars don't have cells for atmospheric pressure > 1 bar. I wonder if the 993 ECU is shared with the turbo? Turbo is OBD-II only, though. Maybe one from the 964 turbo?

TheOtherEric

Nah, the 964T didn't even use an engine ECU, believe it or not.

Steve Nagata

A buddy of mine along with many others have gone with larger 55lb injectors, air/air or water/air intercoolers and using the Unichip to tie everything together.

I'm aware that TPC is now using the UNICHIP for their systems.... but i'm not sure if they are still using the 7th injector.

hope this info helps

graham_mitchell

Afaik the need for the 7th injector is avoided is all existing injectors are uprated.