ca993twin

Stephen at Imagine Auto found a used, 460 HP Gemballa ECU for my 1996 turbo, at a really outstanding price. I just couldn't pass it up. I installed it this morning, with LOTS of email help from Stephen (I'm a mechanical doofus). But its in. No alarm, no check-engine light, the stupid immobilizer still works (dammit). Took it for a brief test drive. Just a smooth as ever at light throttle. But now I can peg the boost meter in every gear at very modest RPM. The car is more responsive than ever.

I gotta watch the oil temps carefully, until I can spring for an aux cooler. Father's Day gift?

Many thanks to Stephen.

krish

Hi Steve,

Sweet! And you didn't have to do any mods other then a straight swap with the existing ECU? Would you know what parameters are different on the Gemballa ECU, ie boost, ifuelling, ignition etc.? What did it cost you?

Enjoy the ride

Kris,

'96 993TT
'89 964 C4
2001 Shifter kart (she's the fastest!)

ca993twin

Kris,

Did you take delivery of your new car? How about some details on that?

I'm afraid I know nothing about the Gemballa program. Stephen found this unit, and he said it was 460HP. It was a straight swap, that even a mechanical doofus like me could manage. I'd rather not discuss the price, but you can contact Stephen at Imagine Auto and discuss it with him. I had asked him to stay on the lookout for a used unit, and he found this for me. Perhaps he could find another one?

TB993tt

I think I am right in saying that Gemballa used programming by Lotec -now TTP in his ECUs - I had one as the first mod on my tt. The power curves which Lotec used to give out for the ECU showed a maximum of 440hp. The next stage they did was to change the cats and modify the mufflers for a claimed 470hp. I dynoed the second stage and had about 435hp - but the car did drive much better being more responsive.

Krish wrote:
Would you know what parameters are different on the Gemballa ECU, ie boost, ifuelling, ignition etc.?

All of the above.

John H. in DC Area

I have what is probably the equivalent of a Gemballa/Lotec/TTP ECU in my 97 993 TT. Gunther, who does the ECU tuning for many of the major German tuners, performed a drive and tune on my car and modified the ECU about 9 months ago. At the time, he said it resulted in about 430-50 HP depending upon fuel quality. I loved it, particularly the results in the mid-range of rpms. I highly recommend getting that auxilliary cooler, Steve.

ca993twin

Darn. I sure like the sound of "460 HP" better than the numbers you guys posted. Oh well.

Yes, the oil cooler is on my list... a list that is getting longer rather than shorter. I'll have to really watch my oil temps until then. I plan on blending 100 octane on most tankfuls (darn 91 octane California "premium")!

krish

Sorry Steve, yes I have taken delivery and NO I haven't come down to earth yet! She's a blast to drive! I have really sketchy details on her as she was preowned in the UK. All I can see on her are the sport seats (nice!) and that she's silver. The documentation I have on her are just the customs import stuff and the reg. card and they don't say anything other then she's a Porsche Turbo! Actually, does anyone here know if I can track down how she was optioned with just the VIN?

cheers,
Kris

'96 Artic Silver 993TT
'89 Cobalt Blue 964 C4

krish

Almost forgot, the good news is that she only had 12,500 miles on her. The bad news, I paid USD120K/-. That's what cars cost over here unfortunately.....

cheers,
Kris

ca993twin

Kris,

Your car sounds terrific, if a tad expen$ive. Love those sport seats. Congrats on your purchase. Next time I'm in Malaysia...

I know that for US cars, you can get a "Certificate of Authenticity" from Porsche Cars North America via Barbara Kurz whose website I forget. Its $95 (they just raised it from $35, darn it), and includes all the factory options and the delivery price. However, for UK cars, I dunno. Maybe one of the UK guys on this board will have an answer. Or perhaps Barbara can help. Try a google search.

krish

Thanks Steve, will do that search. Looking forward to your visit....... <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />

Kris
'96 993tt
'89 964 C4

Konrad 996tt

Steve,
I wonder if this is the same ECU I swapped with Stephen some months ago? I hope you also got the upgraded fuel pressure regulator (which you will need), and air filter and a free flow exhaust. With these your car should be scary fast! Good luck.

ca993twin

Konrad,

I don't know where Stephen got it, but he said he had just found out about it, and he couldn't ship it until it was shipped to him. I Think. No, I don't have a FPR or air filter mod, but I have a B&B Triflow (I think). How badly do I need those items? Assuming it WAS your old ECU... what can you tell me about it, and why did you sell it?

PorschePhD

Sorry gang, it isn't the old unit.

ca993twin

Stephen,

Do you have any details on the Gemballa programming? I think I remember from their website that they have just one ECU part number, and beyond the basic power levels, you get more power by adding bigger turbos, intercooler, etc. Do you think I should add the FPR or air filter kit with my stock turbos? Any gains to be had there? Any thoughts on cat bypass tubes? Will everything just "play" together with this ECU?