Looking for something fast and reliable, Burkman, who spent almost 18 years working for Porsche before forming POG, knew where to start. "Raven was my brainchild, but we're a group and everyone from the owners to the shop guys contributed lists with the best of their research as we tried to bring it up a notch," he says. The menacing 996TT was POG Principal Tim Grant's entry in the Great American Run, one of four cars POG prepped for the 2007 dash across the States (the winner was closest to the target average speed of 61 mph over the 3,000-mile checkpoint-style course.) Shop technicians went through the flat six, replacing the stock rods with Carrillos, despite plans for a major horsepower bump, leaving the stock pistons in the engine. A great deal of time and effort went into the intake and exhaust systems. The intake side features a V-Flow air induction system, a Bosch large bore throttle body with CNC-machined venturi adapters, modified Y pipe and the Clubsport intercooler upgrade complete with a custom Cryogenics sprayer set. The 44.5mm primary tube stainless headers lead to a Fabspeed exhaust. A set of hybrid Garrett GT750 high-flow ball bearing turbos-quick spooling KKK impellers mated to the big push of the Garrett compressor side-complete the systems.
But the techs didn't stop there. The transmission was pulled and massaged and huge Brembo monoblock calipers and rotors (six-piston 408mm up front, four-piston 380mm in back) were installed. Eibach adjustable antiroll bars and the KW V3 coilover suspension kit were next, lowering the rear 1 1/4 inches and the front 1 1/2 inches (the spoiler really wasn't my fault). Once the mechanicals were in place, PES' Tony Ricci developed the proprietary engine management system and handled engine-tuning duties. At 1.75 bar of boost, Raven's best dyno run peaked at 837.4 hp. In the interest of a reliable run from New York to Los Angeles the boost was dialed back to 1.3 bar, leaving the poor rig with only 700-plus horsepower. Despite which, on a recent dash up to Lime Rock, Conn., from POG's Stamford, Conn., shop, Burkman averaged 27.7 mpg, albeit with a "very, very light throttle."
Despite POG's reputation as a shop with a certain amount of discretion, all go and no show, it is hardly acceptable for a shop showpiece. PES also supplied its forged aluminum, CNC-machined G5 wheels powdercoated black to match the body, now dressed a TechArt GTS body kit. The monotone color scheme is broken only by the striking yellow headlight covers, and on the inside the GT3 race seats sport subtle yellow stitching, as do the custom gauge panels.
Tunes are a necessity on a cross-country trip; Mike Belanger of POG's Custom Automotive Radar and Sound division (CARS) designed the audio system. Simple by CARS standards, the 10-inch Morel sub molded into the right-side-center console footwell and dash mounted Morel three ways (6-inch, 4-inch, and 1-inch) are driven by two amps totaling 1,000 watts hidden under the Cryogenics CO2 bottles. If the W205 Alpine head unit's (touch screen, nav, MP3, satellite) equalizer can't deliver just the right sound, no worries-each speaker can be individually adjusted.
Though personally I think the Raven more resembles a dark jungle cat complete with glowing yellow eyes, poised powerful, and ready to pounce on the unwary more than the most intelligent and ominous of birds, I certainly wouldn't mind hearing a certain rapping, tapping at my garage door.