Dropped into the middle of the web of tubing is an '89 3.3-liter aircooled turbo flat six that Schimmel purchased in pieces. Custom intake manifolds and plumbing feed a pair of Garrett GT3071R turbochargers whose intake charge is cooled by an air-to-water intercooler. The core itself has been removed from the top of the engine, the factory location, and placed over the transmission to allow for maximum airflow through the Turbo decklid, and according to Schimmel it dramatically improves cooling performance within the forced induction system.
The aircooled engine itself relies on a front-mounted oil tank and twin 964 oil coolers, one in each fender, to stay healthy. Everything else bolted to the engine block is pretty much custom as well: headers, exhaust, fuel rails. Schimmel also wired the car himself using a harness of his own design. Engine management is overseen by a standalone DTA S80 Pro ECU interfacing with a Racepak instrument cluster and data logging system that allows Schimmel to toggle between three digital displays and log up to 32 sensor inputs. Inputs include dual wideband O2 sensors and dual EGT sensors, one for each side, air temperature sensors before and after the intercooler, intercooler water temp, oil temps, oil pressure, and so on. The DTA also allows for closed-loop system adjustments per turbo and cylinder bank for maximum efficiency. And it lets Schimmel monitor virtually every aspect of the powertrain's performance and tweak the fuel and boost maps accordingly via laptop. There's also a six-stage boost controller linked to the high-beam switch that lets the driver instantly up the pressure from the system's standard 6 psi with the flick of a switch.
Schimmel drove the car fully assembled and primered for about a year before tearing it all apart again and color matching every bit of structural metal and exterior panel in factory Midnight Blue Metallic. He says he never intended it to be a show car, but the attention to detail is impeccable.
So far the 911 has reportedly put down 600 hp at the wheels on pump gas; Schimmel estimates that's likely only between 60 and 70 percent of its potential. And he says there's more to come, but for the near future he's focused more on business rather than throwing more money at the car. "Plus those rear tires are expensive, like $400 each," he confesses. Six hundred horses can tear through some rubber.
And interestingly, he claims the tubing used to brace the chassis was intentionally kept to a smaller diameter that precludes sanctioned participation in competition drag racing. To keep himself honest. "Just so I wouldn't get caught up in all that again," he says. After all, he's got kids to look after now.
When you ask how many hours of labor have gone into the project--you've got to be at least a little curious--Schimmel is at a loss. "I spent four years building it in my spare time," he says. "One thing though... I've probably got about $50,000 invested in it, but I feel it's worth at least that. All the issues I had with my Corrado have been resolved with this car."
1985 Porsche 911 Turbo
*Layout
Longitudinal rear engine, rear-wheel drive
*Engine
3.3-liter twin-plug flat six. Custom twin-turbo system with air-to-water intercooler and methanol injection, front-mount oil tank with dual 964 oil coolers, custom intake manifolds, headers, exhaust and fuel rails, DTA S80 Pro ECU
*Transmission
OEM Porsche G50/50 five-speed manual, custom shift linkage
*Suspension
OEM 911 front, OEM 993-spec independent coilover rear
*Brakes
OEM 993 Turbo assemblies
*Wheels and Tires
OEM 993 Turbo "Twist" alloys,8x18 (f), 10x18 (r)Bridgestone S03 Pole Position, 245/40 (f), 295/35 (r)
*Exterior
Full OEM 993 sheet metal swap
*Interior
Recaro SPG bucket seats, Schroth harnesses, OEM 993 pedal cluster
*Performance* Peak Power: 600 hp (currently)*measured at the wheels
Contact
Schimmel Performance
215.674.1046
www.spturbo.com