John H. in DC Area

Hey folks, I just acquired a 1997 993 Twin Turbo and wanted to introduce myself because I expect to be participating on this board.
Brief background: I've been a lurker over on the 944/951/968 board for a couple of years (since the PorscheList days). I've owned a 1990 944S2 (blk/blk) and also a highly modified 1989 944 Turbo (blk/blk). I just recently sold the 951 after a couple of years of exciting (and expensive) enjoyment. The 951's engine (after it was rebuilt w/K27/8 turbo, Tial Wastegate, Powerhaus head, electronic boost control and other items) was putting out no less than 340 hp. As soon as I had modified the 951 to exactly the state that I wanted, I inexplicably started yearning for the next car/project, so I sold the 951 (to an enthusiastic owner/instructor in the Northeast) and had been looking for the right 993 TT for about two months when I discovered the car I bought. Thanks to Rick's 993TT website and Robin's p-car website, along with numerous postings in the archives, I managed to avoid some abused cars for sale out there. As observed recently on this and the 993TT board, I found the prices for these cars to be all over the place, varying widely by geographic area, colors/options, the seller's knowledge (delusion?) about the value of these cars, and the urgency of the seller's need to unload the car.

After a thorough investigation, Carfax, PPI, and the exchange of funds (ouch!) and the title, I picked up the car in NY last Friday, March 1, and drove it for five straight hours to my home in the Washington, D.C. area. Two days before picking up the car, I ordered a Valentine 1 and had it overnight mailed to me for the trip home. Simply put, I know it helped me avoid getting multiple tickets on the way home. No, I'm not a street racer; yes, I occasionally explore the acceleration capabilities of the car when driving in relative isolation or seeking to avoid clueless drivers squeezing me in on the road; and, yes, I will enjoy the car more fully at DE events.

The car: 1997 911 Twin Turbo, 35,xxx miles, black exterior, black interior, acres of factory installed carbon fibre (which includes "Exclusive" imprinted on the CF panel over the glove box), Nokia DSP, factory aluminum gauge faces, carbon fiber/leather steering wheel, carbon/aluminum gear shift ("golf ball"), and aluminum door sills.

Projects:

1) Purchased Gemballa competition wheels (in original 18" x 8", 10" sizes), mounted Bridgestone S-02's that were on the original wheels. I really like the more aggressive look. I'll post pics if I can get it right.
2) Valentine 1 was hard-wired by my shop in No. Va. this morning. I'm very happy with the install. I'll post pics if anyone's interested, but the subject's been adequately covered elsewhere on the board.
3) Installed aluminum clutch, brake and gas pedals. Not surprisingly, my biggest adjustment has been attempting to get comfortable with the pedals (the 951's pedal arrangement and footwell space were ideal). The close quarters don't bother me, but the significant disparity in the height of the brake pedal relative to the gas pedal does. Can the pedals be adjusted to align more closely?
4) I don't really like the CF steering wheel (somewhat slippery in my hands after extended driving) and it has a couple of small cracks in the upper rim. The FVD catalog has a very nice looking sport steering wheel (similar in shape to the Gemballa and RUF steering wheels), and I plan to have one installed this week by my local shop. The only problem here is that the steering wheel in the FVD catalog lacks a Porsche emblem, crest or any kind of special visual insignia, and I haven't been able to locate a crest that's appropriate for and capable of being securely affixed to the bare expanse of leather on this wheel. Any ideas? Also, what happened to the delightful French trumpet/horn sound I recall 911's having? I'll probably try to install one of the older style/sounding horns.
5) Like virtually everyone else, I can't stand the looks of the high ride height of the car. I can't decide whether to go with the ROW 030 springs or with the PSS-9 set up. After reading all of the recent posts on this subject, I'm inclined to go with the PSS-9 set up (I like the adjustability). I'll probably pull the trigger on this mod in the next two weeks.
6) the nose has a large number of stone chips. I'm probably going to have it repainted, and may switch to the Euro bumper and clear lenses.

All in all, the experience has been an 11 out of 10 so far. This car is more competent and full of character than I ever imagined ... powerful, sure footed, sleep-depriving.

Thanks for the bandwith, and happy motoring.


--------------------

Luke

[quote]Originally posted by John H.:
<strong>The 951's engine (after it was rebuilt w/K27/8 turbo, Tial Wastegate, Powerhaus head, electronic boost control and other items) was putting out no less than 340 hp. </strong><hr></blockquote>


340 @ the wheels right?
<img src="confused.gif" border="0">

PorschePhD

John,
Welcome to the club. Looks like you got yourself a nice setup that will only improve. You will find the more you drive her the more you fall in love. Congrats again...
Stephen
97 993TT
81 931

John H. in DC Area

Luke, that's right, with race gas and the boost cranked up. A modded 951 is one hell of a car. I must say, though, that a healthy push on the accelerator pedal in the 993 TT simply teleports you a quarter of a mile down the road before you realize how far or fast you've gone. I'm still recalibrating my senses to accommodate the power delivery. <img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" />

Stephen, the love affair is indeed in its honeymoon phase (I'm trying to break it gently to my fiancee)

Luke

wow, 340 @ the wheels' is more than I'm shootin' for! was that a k27/8? or something else?

John H. in DC Area

Actually, it was a K27/DR from Powerhaus. The keys to (momentarily) high hp/tq figures are race gas, tight cylinder head sealing (o-ring/wfr), and boost. Otherwise, the everyday output with pump gas at 1 bar was not near that.