As vehicle electronics have advanced, the process of upgrading a vehicle's suspension and wheels has gone from a purely cosmetic exercise to a critical part of the performance package. Choose the wrong tire and you can end up in a ditch. Choosing the wrong wheel will result in excessive peer ridicule, not to mention decreased safety and performance. To ensure harmony with the drivetrain, electronics and TPMS system, Fabspeed equipped the 997 with a set of 19-inch fully-forged PES GP7s wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 2s designed specifically for Porsche applications. The wheels do more than keep the electronics happy; the GP7/PS2 combo offers a 10 percent reduction in unsprung weight, increasing steering response and improving braking and acceleration. Handling, as well as aesthetic appeal is also increased by lowering the chassis an inch with a set of H&R sport springs designed to work in conjunction with factory Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) for optimum handling.
If you look at the 911 Turbo and say it's perfect and should not be messed with, you can choose to leave it stock and that's your loss. For the other percentage that feels modern technology has taken the fun out of the driving experience, the Fabspeed 997TT demonstrates that as long as there are adrenaline junkies out there, companies like Fabspeed will answer the call.
2007 Porsche 911 Turbo
* Layout
Longitudinal rear engine,all-wheel drive
* Engine
3.6-liter flat six, dohc, 24-valve, turbocharged and intercooled. Fabspeed headers and turbo-back exhaust w/Maxflo mufflers, 200-cell catalytic converters and quad tips, dual carbon-fiber air intakes, Fabspeed/PES software, EVO MS boost recirculation valves
* Transmission
Six-speed manual
* Suspension
Porsche Active Suspension Management with H&R Sport Springs
* Brakes
Six-piston monoblock calipers, 350mm rotors (f), four-piston monoblock calipers (r)
* Wheels and Tires
PES GP7 8.5x19 (f), 11.5x19 (r) Michelin Pilot Sport 2, 235/35 (f), 305/30 (r)
* Exterior
All-fiberglass body, front splitter, rear diffuser, integrated rear wing
*Performance*
Peak Power: 514 hp @ 6000 rpm
Peak Torque: 521 lb-ft @ 3400 rpm
*Fabspeed data
We asked Fabspeed to describe its tuning methodology. What exactly makes these cars special?
"Vehicle manufacturers typically tune conservatively. Fabspeed/PES precisely adjust the ECU `maps' that affect parameters such as fuel, timing, boost pressure, and throttle response. The engine's safety checks are left intact. Part-throttle fuel and timing are optimized to deliver better highway fuel economy, as well as smoothness. The result is a car with better driveability and more performance. Our engineers tune under stringent test conditions on load-bearing all-wheel drive chassis dynos. Important engine data such as air/fuel ratios, cylinder knock activity, EGTs and so on are carefully monitored during testing.
"We think torque is a good thing. We create ECU programs for greater torque that's available at lower rpm. This gives crisp off-the-line performance that you can really feel. When you do an ECU flash, an exhaust system is recommended to keep the EGTs as low as possible. We tune cars specifically for the components installed. This is not a `one ECU flash fits all.' We encourage the customer to consider our complete performance package for balanced, reliable performance."
Fabspeed has been building performance parts and European tuner cars and in the United States Since 1992. The company's 16,000 square foot headquarters in Ambler, Pa., houses its development center, installation facility and showroom. All products are developed using a combination of dyno tuning and street and track testing. What Fabspeed doesn't build itself is sourced from some of the best suppliers in the world.