996 Black Cabriolet Restoration: Champion RG5 Wheels, PSS10, Lightweight Flywheel...
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996 Black Cabriolet Restoration: Champion RG5 Wheels, PSS10, Lightweight Flywheel...
This black 996 Cabriolet came in to our shop completely stock. The owner had purchased the car several years ago and was looking for a complete overhaul. He even considered selling the car at a big loss to buy a newer model, but in the end decided to keep his beloved cab.
The first order of business was in the "fun" department. The Evolution Motorsports V-Flow cold-air intake system was installed to free up intake restrictions and give the car a more sporty sound from its larger tubing and cone filter:
An IPD Plenum was installed between the intake and throttle body.
The ECU was removed and updated with EVOMSit software for more aggressive throttle mapping (e-gas) and further tuning.
Next, Cargraphic's 996 Sport Exhaust was installed. The owner loved the way a demo car sounded and decided this was the right level of volume and pitch for his 6-speed cab.
The owner wanted better handling out of his 996 with a more aggressive ride height. We recommended the Bilstein PSS10s:
Out with the old:
The Bilsteins getting warmed up for installation:
In goes the new:
The owner wanted to reduce weight and make the car stand out from other Carreras, so 18-inch Champion RG5 wheels are fitted and the suspension is dialed in for proper ride height and shock rebound/dampening.
The car was also due for a new clutch, so the owner decided to ditch the OEM 28-pound flywheel (which was also needing replacement) and switch to the single-mass lightweight 14-pound variant (similar to the GT3RS flywheel, compared to the GT3 standard). This is one of our favorite upgrades on the NA 996 and 997s.
Out comes the transmission for the first time in the car's life:
The factory dual-mass flywheel has seen better days...
New clutch:
New flywheel:
The transmission is raised back into place:
The owner disliked the sloppy feel of the OEM shift mechanism, so the B&M short shifter was installed, along with EVO sport pedals.
At this point, the car was noticeably faster, more pleasurable to drive, sounded great, handled well and even looked better.
But the car had many years of wear and needed a proper makeover. With a black on black car, it's easy to forget how great it can look with a little work and the owner had all but lost faith in the car's appearance.
For this task, we brought in our detailer, Bob. He's the best there is and if anyone can make a car look new again, it's him. Here's his write-up on the task including pictures of the major restoration:
Initial condition of the finish....
Passenger side door
50/50 pic of the same door after wool pad correction
The hood
50/50 pic after compounding
Here is the start of the job, the top was very dirty so I scrubbed with a paint safe citrus cleaner
Every crevice was cleaned with a 3" boarshair brush
After the car was washed and clayed (3 hours total required) due to dealer applied sealant... (not good) I brought the car into the shop and put it on the lift as this would be a wheels off correction. Note the hazy appearance of the passenger door caused by a re-spray so there was shrinkage to contend with
Door was taped off and a game plan of correction procedures was carried out, I would end up with two compounding stages and three polishing stages
Next is pics of the hood being corrected, this pic shows what a PAPER TOWEL can do to the finish!!
The first order of business was in the "fun" department. The Evolution Motorsports V-Flow cold-air intake system was installed to free up intake restrictions and give the car a more sporty sound from its larger tubing and cone filter:
An IPD Plenum was installed between the intake and throttle body.
The ECU was removed and updated with EVOMSit software for more aggressive throttle mapping (e-gas) and further tuning.
Next, Cargraphic's 996 Sport Exhaust was installed. The owner loved the way a demo car sounded and decided this was the right level of volume and pitch for his 6-speed cab.
The owner wanted better handling out of his 996 with a more aggressive ride height. We recommended the Bilstein PSS10s:
Out with the old:
The Bilsteins getting warmed up for installation:
In goes the new:
The owner wanted to reduce weight and make the car stand out from other Carreras, so 18-inch Champion RG5 wheels are fitted and the suspension is dialed in for proper ride height and shock rebound/dampening.
The car was also due for a new clutch, so the owner decided to ditch the OEM 28-pound flywheel (which was also needing replacement) and switch to the single-mass lightweight 14-pound variant (similar to the GT3RS flywheel, compared to the GT3 standard). This is one of our favorite upgrades on the NA 996 and 997s.
Out comes the transmission for the first time in the car's life:
The factory dual-mass flywheel has seen better days...
New clutch:
New flywheel:
The transmission is raised back into place:
The owner disliked the sloppy feel of the OEM shift mechanism, so the B&M short shifter was installed, along with EVO sport pedals.
At this point, the car was noticeably faster, more pleasurable to drive, sounded great, handled well and even looked better.
But the car had many years of wear and needed a proper makeover. With a black on black car, it's easy to forget how great it can look with a little work and the owner had all but lost faith in the car's appearance.
For this task, we brought in our detailer, Bob. He's the best there is and if anyone can make a car look new again, it's him. Here's his write-up on the task including pictures of the major restoration:
Initial condition of the finish....
Passenger side door
50/50 pic of the same door after wool pad correction
The hood
50/50 pic after compounding
Here is the start of the job, the top was very dirty so I scrubbed with a paint safe citrus cleaner
Every crevice was cleaned with a 3" boarshair brush
After the car was washed and clayed (3 hours total required) due to dealer applied sealant... (not good) I brought the car into the shop and put it on the lift as this would be a wheels off correction. Note the hazy appearance of the passenger door caused by a re-spray so there was shrinkage to contend with
Door was taped off and a game plan of correction procedures was carried out, I would end up with two compounding stages and three polishing stages
Next is pics of the hood being corrected, this pic shows what a PAPER TOWEL can do to the finish!!
__________________
Dan Kennedy
SharkWerks: www.sharkwerks.com
Northern California's Porsche Performance, & authorized Evolution Motorsports, TechArt, HRE and Tubi, Cargraphic dealer and installation center
Phone: 510-651-0300
Email: dan@sharkwerks.com
SharkWerks' Latest Updates on Twitter
Dan Kennedy
SharkWerks: www.sharkwerks.com
Northern California's Porsche Performance, & authorized Evolution Motorsports, TechArt, HRE and Tubi, Cargraphic dealer and installation center
Phone: 510-651-0300
Email: dan@sharkwerks.com
SharkWerks' Latest Updates on Twitter
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Hood taped off for 50/50 pics
The rear decklid "Carrera" badge was removed and replaced due to the marring in that area, also the badge was oldness and crusty and would have ruined the tightness of the soon to be corrected paint
Here is a before of the rear left quarter panel
After compounding
Again before...
After
A cluster of deep RIDS that required sanding with 2500 and 4000 grit paper
After levelling and correction
Lower left rear quarter before
After compounding
Drivers side door before
Making some headway
Door fully compounded
Front bumper not looking so good
Better after compounding
The passenger door was not looking as clear as I wanted, so I sanded the entire door and re-corrected and the finish finally matched the texture of the adjacent panels
Polishing tight area of the front quarter panel
Correcting the finish in the door jambs(not fun)
Broke out the steamer to remove embedded gunk in the keyhole
"A little steaming action"
Keyhole corrected, it was dried off and shot with some graphite
The rear decklid "Carrera" badge was removed and replaced due to the marring in that area, also the badge was oldness and crusty and would have ruined the tightness of the soon to be corrected paint
Here is a before of the rear left quarter panel
After compounding
Again before...
After
A cluster of deep RIDS that required sanding with 2500 and 4000 grit paper
After levelling and correction
Lower left rear quarter before
After compounding
Drivers side door before
Making some headway
Door fully compounded
Front bumper not looking so good
Better after compounding
The passenger door was not looking as clear as I wanted, so I sanded the entire door and re-corrected and the finish finally matched the texture of the adjacent panels
Polishing tight area of the front quarter panel
Correcting the finish in the door jambs(not fun)
Broke out the steamer to remove embedded gunk in the keyhole
"A little steaming action"
Keyhole corrected, it was dried off and shot with some graphite
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Next I moved to the wheel wells which were really dirty, here is the driver rear wheel well
Agitated with Premier's TTS clear film cleaner which also works great for these type of jobs
Wheel well cleaned before dressing application
Driver font wheel well before
After=supercleaness
Of course the wheels were cleaned, but they were new Champion's so not much correction but I sealed the inner barrels with Jet Seal 109
Interior before
Dirt in the perforation holes
A low tech solution
Storage compartment before
After clean up
Interior tightned up
Rear decklid corrected and ready for the new badge to be affixed
Lining up badge, this can be tricky as you get ONE shot at this
New badge affixed
Spreading on the one of four coats of Blackfire Wet Diamond
Here is the last coat of sealant left overnight to cure
Time for the finished product to be seen in direct sunlight
Prior to pickup:
As you can guess, the owner was very excited to see the car (he actually hugged us!). After a short test drive he called us screaming about how much he loved it again. Mission accomplished!
Agitated with Premier's TTS clear film cleaner which also works great for these type of jobs
Wheel well cleaned before dressing application
Driver font wheel well before
After=supercleaness
Of course the wheels were cleaned, but they were new Champion's so not much correction but I sealed the inner barrels with Jet Seal 109
Interior before
Dirt in the perforation holes
A low tech solution
Storage compartment before
After clean up
Interior tightned up
Rear decklid corrected and ready for the new badge to be affixed
Lining up badge, this can be tricky as you get ONE shot at this
New badge affixed
Spreading on the one of four coats of Blackfire Wet Diamond
Here is the last coat of sealant left overnight to cure
Time for the finished product to be seen in direct sunlight
Prior to pickup:
As you can guess, the owner was very excited to see the car (he actually hugged us!). After a short test drive he called us screaming about how much he loved it again. Mission accomplished!
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WOWWWWWWW!!!!
I'm sure the owner hugged you, I want to hug you and it's not even my car!!
Of course you realize everyone is going to have the same question...how much does it cost for something like this?
I mean show me a guy who wouldn't want to have this done to his ride!
Lets face it we all get to the point where a revitalization like this is inevitable, sort of like trying to dodge the proverbial urologist (only totally different ).
May you be blessed by automotive Gods !
Best
Sid.
I'm sure the owner hugged you, I want to hug you and it's not even my car!!
Of course you realize everyone is going to have the same question...how much does it cost for something like this?
I mean show me a guy who wouldn't want to have this done to his ride!
Lets face it we all get to the point where a revitalization like this is inevitable, sort of like trying to dodge the proverbial urologist (only totally different ).
May you be blessed by automotive Gods !
Best
Sid.
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All that and the car is still rockin orange corners?!!
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Cheers Bruce, glad you enjoyed it.
If you have specific questions about its cost please PM me and I can send you a rough idea.
Sorry, he's sold them already.
Hi NJS, thanks and that's Bob's territory not mine. I know he charges an hourly rate and I believe the total time invested to this car was over 45 hours(!!!)