NoWANG

Whats size tire did you end up going with?

gtxracer

The front is a 245/40/18 and I'll keep that size. Rear is a 305/30/18 and the sidewall is too thin. Probably go to a 305/35 or similar when I switch to NT01s.

gtxracer

Recent cruise went well! Car did great. I have some things to wrap up and have made a pretty comprehensive list that I'll add to and knock off items as I get to them.

-ABS light is on, ABS doesn't work. Need to get the module programmed or replaced
-Finish AC wiring and put in override switch
-Ceramic tint install (this should be coming very soon)
-Paint silver trim (this is cosmetic, can be done whenever)
-Install crossover exhaust section and v-band clamps
-Take it back to tuner for final tweaks
-Find temporary solution for cooler intake temps
-Install instant trigger module for electric power steering pump
-Find replacement hood in green or black
-Restore headlights
-Install rain gutter covers and flaps
-Install windshield trim gaskets
-Change oil and filter, send for analysis
-Fix brake pad sensor warning, just a loose plug
-Subwoofer output level mount on GT3 console cover
-Order and install RS door levers + covers

Long term things for this winter, if I still have the car:

-Brakes, need pads + rotors
-Re-paint calipers
-All suspension bushings need replaced
-Thorough cleaning underneath and on suspsneion especially
-Alignment + corner weights
-Nitto NT01s
-Install Accusump
-Fix any other trim and body pieces that aren't aligned or are missing

Recent picture I really like from that cruise-

gtxracer

I've had a set of Recaro Sporster CS seats on order since January and they finally showed up about a month ago. I slapped in the driver's side seat immediately because I couldn't stand the OEM 996 C2 seats any longer. I finally had some time to put in the passenger this past weekend and knocked it out along with scrubbing and shampooing the carpet. The driver's side needs to be cleaned again, so I'll do that when I remove the 3/4" spacers between the slider and the seat on the driver's side for a little more headroom.

Here's what was under the driver's side seat...passenger side was not much better. Found some mysterious fine white powder....right where you'd expect someone to drop a container from their face and hands....



Both sides had shattered glass under the seat but the passenger's side had much more. I vacuumed all that out and used this awesome new brush on my impact to scrub the carpet with foam cleaner.



Here's the after photo of passenger's side. Driver side is still needing some scrubbing since I didn't have the brush when I first swapped seats. The brush got all the stains out!



Had to trim the slider a bit to use the Recaro slider with the Planted seat brackets.


Cantrell Motorsports slim **** necessary to be able to slide the seat back far enough for me.


Finished install. Don't mind the mess behind the seats, still wrapping up the AC wiring. Good news is I should be able to finish that this week and reinstall the subs and have tunes plus cold AC for the summertime cruising here.

NoWANG

Hard to find decent tires in 18's... Most are 100TW or 200TW. If you go to a 295/35/18 a hand full more options. I'm running Conti DWS06 295/35/18 rears 560 TW but they are all seasons...

c didy

Very nice , must clean my carpet.

gtxracer

Yeah...hard to find tires that fit the way I want. The NT01s should be the best fit, we'll see. I like the Conti DWS line, I run a similar tire on my wife's GTI. I think I'd run those as my all seasons on the twists after I refresh them.

Thanks! Yeah...not the funnest part of the build but definitely don't mind the refreshing scent now.

circuit.heart

I loooove Sportsters. Will have to get some for myself to replace the 996 tombstone seats. Are you planning on keeping or messing with the interior color scheme?

gtxracer

Thanks! I love them too!! The 996 c2 seats aren’t comfortable at all IMO. The curvature of the seat doesn’t match the curvature of a human spine and they don’t hold me in the seat very well so the Sportsters were a big upgrade!

I actually really like the Savannah beige scheme and the black seems to integrate really well with it. I am digging your work on the horseshoe and might have to upgrade to it when you’re offering them. Did you have any suggestions on other changes for the interior? I’m always curious what others think.

The gt3 console delete, T96 steering wheel, and Conti stereo were huge improvements and made the interior feel more classic and sporty. It felt crowded before the gt3 delete and my knees thanked me. The seats really tie it all together.

gtxracer

Ceramic tint on all glass, new hotter plugs, and new WBO2 with the full race tune. This thing rips!

De Jeeper

Passes every thing but the gas station.

996love

Why did you choose to install hotter plugs? Are they hotter than OEM, or did you mistakenly install colder ones previously?

allcool

Yup, even passes by the engine rebuild shop for 300,000miles+... lol

gtxracer

The V8 is a little thirstier than the M96 was, I think. I average 13mpg when ripping around, lots of WOT rips and high RPM twisties. Cruising I averaged ~20mpg on a pure highway trip. The tune is still rich but the Terminator self learns and should be leaning out the tune. I'll take it back to the tuner again eventually to have him take a look.

Hotter plugs = more fuel burnt. It's science.

They're hotter than OEM by 1. They do seem to be giving more power. I could smell unburnt fuel at idle. With the somewhat aggressive cam profile, larger injectors, better heads, and ported intake and LS3 throttle body, I think the stock plugs weren't keeping up with the fuel mixture. Just a theory after seeing similar posts on LS1tech and I'm trying it out. I also fouled 2 sets of plugs before this and the tune is pretty rich still.

*crosses fingers* Yeah I hope so! LS engines are prone to oiling issues, so an oil accumulator is in my future before any serious tracking. I doubt I'll make it to a track event this year but I might get 1 day! These tires....are NOT what I'd want to run though. Hah!