Hi everyone,
Posted this in the 991 section but thought as it's akk about modifications, I'd post it here as well (hope that's alright)?
It's been a while since my last forum post but I've not been away from the world of Porsche, far from it as I've been busy with our local region (R9 - West Midlands), lots of car meets, shows and Porsche Facebook stuff, all keeping me busy
Some of you may remember my much loved Carrera 4S 'Exclusive' and the projects I've undertaken to make her into a very unique 991 - all whilst trying to keep on the OEM+ side of the extended warranty. Well, life is short, so I've decided to step away from the warranty and its limitations, to self insure and do some of the other mods, that have been on my 'To-Do' list for the last 4 years.
For those that don't know the car, here's a potted history to have a 'skim' through...if you have some time on your hands
Previous Projects
Re-trim in Black/Grey Pepita: https://www.porscheclubgb.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=1066538
Gauges Re-Printed in 901 Spec Green: https://www.porscheclubgb.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=1066564
Bespoke 'Exclusive' Mats: https://www.porscheclubgb.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=1076799
Bespoke Grille Badge & Carrier: https://www.porscheclubgb.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=1076325
Phase One Complete
Starting Phase Two
Originally optioned from the factory with PSE, my car sounded amazing the first time I heard the 'open-valve Sports orchestra' but after 4 years together, I was starting to hanker after something extra! You could call it the 4 year itch but there was no way I was taking my affections elsewhere. Instead, I decided on upgrading the stock exhaust but continuing the idea of it being OEM+, with a boost in volume and the chance to increase gas flow, over the stock set-up. Porsche's engineers create incredible cars but there's sometimes room for improvement, where meeting standards, price-points or marketing requirements, constrain the engineers desire to do something 'more'.
None of my modifications are ever done on a whim, so a lot of thought and research goes into every one: Eventually, after a lot of thought, I settled on changing the manifolds and cats, for less restrictive items. I looked and perhaps more importantly, listened to manifolds from (in no particular order), Fabspeed, Soul, Cargraphic, Topgear and a few less well known bespoke manufacturers and spoke with the respective companies, to compare specifications, warranties and prices.
All responded well to enquiries and answered most of my technical questions but for me, Cargraphic went above & beyond. So a pair of their long tube stainless manifolds were ordered, with 200 cell HJS cats (made to Cargrpahic's own spec) and twin 'Modena' outlets. I also ordered some Silverlake Titanium studs & K nuts (to replace the factory bolts) and new gaskets & bolts all from Design911.
A week later the parts arrived.
I'm often accused of being a little obsessive, about car related stuff, so it will come as no surprise to some people that I wanted to mirror polish the tubing, stupid I know as they're hidden and discolour anyway but that's me Before my health issues started, I'd have done it myself but I have to be sensible now, so my good friend Peter stepped in to help - bless him!
After, laying down some plastic sheet, to save the mess, we (that's the royal 'we') used an angle grinder (guard removed) with a Coventry Grinders Norton blending disc (2SF) for an initial satin finish, followed by a felt flap wheel and fine metal polish, finishing off with a cotton flap wheel and Meguiars NXT.
I've changed exhausts on many different cars over the years and felt confident that this would be no different but people in the Porsche community kept telling me 911 horror stories, of snapped manifold bolts, galled into the cylinder heads and the difficulties of dealing with the aftermath. In the end my hopefully polite comments of, "This isn't my first rodeo..." and less polite,"it's just a bl**$y exhaust" gave way to the realisation that maybe this wasn't something Peter and I could/should undertake in a home garage (even a well equipped one) - especially if it all went belly up and bolts needed to be drilled out of expensive heads!
Peter, kindly spent a week under the car, wire brushing all the bolts every day and dousing them in penetrating oil. Mike at Sports and Classic Ltd very kindly agreed to remove the stock manifolds and install the new ones. I must point out, that fitting customer's supplied parts, isn't something they would normally do - as it's usually frought with problems (wrong parts, liability etc), so it was generous of Mike to bend the rules for me!!!
Now was the big moment:
Ten years old and in pretty good condition.
18 E Torx bolts - sweat beading on brow...
They certainly took a lot of convincing but with preparation, the percussive hammering of the air gun and a persevering attitude from Mike & David, the bolts finally threw in the towel and came out cleanly - time for a well deserved brew
Next, the Silverlake Titanium studs and K nuts could be installed, with antiseize paste.
New and Old
Sadly, one Lambda sensor wouldn't play ball and remained resolutely stuck - it did eventually come out on the bench but the wiring was shot, so the sensor had to be replaced.
Not a bad result though all told, as all four might have been needed.
The Cargraphic manifolds were installed and torqued to spec (spiral pattern, in two stages).
Going gold after being run up to temp.
Once the Modena tips were fitted.
R9 (Northern) Club night at Worston Mill
Thoughts
There's been quite a marked improvement in the way the engine responds.
The sound is now louder overall, with a harder edge in Normal mode and the howl in Sports mode is even more glorious, without being over the top or offensive.
I cannot wait to find a long tunnel!
I'd like to thank: Cargraphic, Design911, my saintly friend Peter, Sports and Classic Ltd and to anyone who read this far - I hope you enjoyed it
Please Note: I have no financial interest in any of these companies and just report good service where I find it.
Until next time...
Mark Davis (AKA: 911Time)
Posted this in the 991 section but thought as it's akk about modifications, I'd post it here as well (hope that's alright)?
It's been a while since my last forum post but I've not been away from the world of Porsche, far from it as I've been busy with our local region (R9 - West Midlands), lots of car meets, shows and Porsche Facebook stuff, all keeping me busy
Some of you may remember my much loved Carrera 4S 'Exclusive' and the projects I've undertaken to make her into a very unique 991 - all whilst trying to keep on the OEM+ side of the extended warranty. Well, life is short, so I've decided to step away from the warranty and its limitations, to self insure and do some of the other mods, that have been on my 'To-Do' list for the last 4 years.
For those that don't know the car, here's a potted history to have a 'skim' through...if you have some time on your hands
Previous Projects
Re-trim in Black/Grey Pepita: https://www.porscheclubgb.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=1066538
Gauges Re-Printed in 901 Spec Green: https://www.porscheclubgb.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=1066564
Bespoke 'Exclusive' Mats: https://www.porscheclubgb.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=1076799
Bespoke Grille Badge & Carrier: https://www.porscheclubgb.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=1076325
Phase One Complete
Starting Phase Two
Originally optioned from the factory with PSE, my car sounded amazing the first time I heard the 'open-valve Sports orchestra' but after 4 years together, I was starting to hanker after something extra! You could call it the 4 year itch but there was no way I was taking my affections elsewhere. Instead, I decided on upgrading the stock exhaust but continuing the idea of it being OEM+, with a boost in volume and the chance to increase gas flow, over the stock set-up. Porsche's engineers create incredible cars but there's sometimes room for improvement, where meeting standards, price-points or marketing requirements, constrain the engineers desire to do something 'more'.
None of my modifications are ever done on a whim, so a lot of thought and research goes into every one: Eventually, after a lot of thought, I settled on changing the manifolds and cats, for less restrictive items. I looked and perhaps more importantly, listened to manifolds from (in no particular order), Fabspeed, Soul, Cargraphic, Topgear and a few less well known bespoke manufacturers and spoke with the respective companies, to compare specifications, warranties and prices.
All responded well to enquiries and answered most of my technical questions but for me, Cargraphic went above & beyond. So a pair of their long tube stainless manifolds were ordered, with 200 cell HJS cats (made to Cargrpahic's own spec) and twin 'Modena' outlets. I also ordered some Silverlake Titanium studs & K nuts (to replace the factory bolts) and new gaskets & bolts all from Design911.
A week later the parts arrived.
I'm often accused of being a little obsessive, about car related stuff, so it will come as no surprise to some people that I wanted to mirror polish the tubing, stupid I know as they're hidden and discolour anyway but that's me
Before my health issues started, I'd have done it myself but I have to be sensible now, so my good friend Peter stepped in to help - bless him! After, laying down some plastic sheet, to save the mess, we (that's the royal 'we') used an angle grinder (guard removed) with a Coventry Grinders Norton blending disc (2SF) for an initial satin finish, followed by a felt flap wheel and fine metal polish, finishing off with a cotton flap wheel and Meguiars NXT.
I've changed exhausts on many different cars over the years and felt confident that this would be no different but people in the Porsche community kept telling me 911 horror stories, of snapped manifold bolts, galled into the cylinder heads and the difficulties of dealing with the aftermath. In the end my hopefully polite comments of, "This isn't my first rodeo..." and less polite,"it's just a bl**$y exhaust" gave way to the realisation that maybe this wasn't something Peter and I could/should undertake in a home garage (even a well equipped one) - especially if it all went belly up and bolts needed to be drilled out of expensive heads!
Peter, kindly spent a week under the car, wire brushing all the bolts every day and dousing them in penetrating oil. Mike at Sports and Classic Ltd very kindly agreed to remove the stock manifolds and install the new ones. I must point out, that fitting customer's supplied parts, isn't something they would normally do - as it's usually frought with problems (wrong parts, liability etc), so it was generous of Mike to bend the rules for me!!!
Now was the big moment:
Ten years old and in pretty good condition.
18 E Torx bolts - sweat beading on brow...
They certainly took a lot of convincing but with preparation, the percussive hammering of the air gun and a persevering attitude from Mike & David, the bolts finally threw in the towel and came out cleanly - time for a well deserved brew
Next, the Silverlake Titanium studs and K nuts could be installed, with antiseize paste.
New and Old
Sadly, one Lambda sensor wouldn't play ball and remained resolutely stuck - it did eventually come out on the bench but the wiring was shot, so the sensor had to be replaced.
Not a bad result though all told, as all four might have been needed.
The Cargraphic manifolds were installed and torqued to spec (spiral pattern, in two stages).
Going gold after being run up to temp.
Once the Modena tips were fitted.
R9 (Northern) Club night at Worston Mill
Thoughts
There's been quite a marked improvement in the way the engine responds.
The sound is now louder overall, with a harder edge in Normal mode and the howl in Sports mode is even more glorious, without being over the top or offensive.
I cannot wait to find a long tunnel!
I'd like to thank: Cargraphic, Design911, my saintly friend Peter, Sports and Classic Ltd and to anyone who read this far - I hope you enjoyed it
Please Note: I have no financial interest in any of these companies and just report good service where I find it.
Until next time...
Mark Davis (AKA: 911Time)
