Planet 9

[QUOTE=orcubsfan;514928]Thanks guys, I'll dig through the forums some more.

For the folks who have pulled the trigger, a couple of questions:

1. Would you do it again (any regrets)?

No regrets at all.

2. How many miles did you have on the rig when installed, and how many have you put down since the install?

I bought the car already 'done' It had 12,000 hard miles on then, now has in the region of 25,000 on it.

3. Any 'weird' behavior...unexplained gremlins?

Weird behaviour...... seems to be a tad quick lol. In all seriousness, none. It occasionally bogs down when the temperature is cold and you pull away from the first 1 or 2 junctions after start up, if I let it warm up a few seconds then it doesn't do it. See, that's the 'weirdest' thing, so no gremlins at all.

4. If you have to pass emissions in your area, any issues with that?

It passed an emission test easily.

5. Was TPC a good partner...get the help you needed?

TPC are great to work with, most questions are dealt with quickly, I'm probably more of a pain to them as I don't always know 'what I have' installed as I didn't 'build' the car myself. I have had subsequent 'extras' done but the initial install was by the previous owner but by TPC

6. Did you do the install yourself or shop it out. Any installation issues that were seriously ugly?

TPC install.


Thanks very much, really appreciate the help.

To add, this car is my daily driver, it's amazing, what is most amazing is that the car behaves as though it's totally stock, no drama whatsoever, seriously, none. However, it pulls so well and is a flying machine.
Considering the exhaust is not obviously stock, there is zero drone, my friends Boxster with a Borla is just awful to drive unless you're stopped or going hard, in between it just gives you a headache, TPC exhaust, is admittedly, 'louder' than stock but not LOUD or intrusive.
I have a dedicated track car but have found myself using the Cayman most of the time, no codes, no heat issues, flawless so far and believe me I've driven it hard, if I had an issue then I could only say that for, although not 'loud' perception wise it has tripped the 92dB limit at Tremblant twice, this I think I know how to deal with so now it's not going to be an issue.

I just realised, I do 'go on'

PT

Unfortunately for those of us in California waiting for the day it is CARB certified, it is a big issue. I assume it still is not planned.

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Only in the summer....

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TPC ATP 2 Turbo Stage 2 Package, Large Turbo, Fabspeed Headers, ECU, TPC Lightweight Flywheel, 997 X51 Clutch, TPC Sway Bars, LSD, Custom Manufactured Drop Links, Front Pads/GT3 Pagid 19's, GT3 Spark Plugs, 3M Clear Bra, Tinted Side and Rear Windows, Smoke Tinted Tail Lights, Premium Package, Ipod/Aux Input.

You're a sick puppy Peter. I do have the variable tuning option but haven't tried 100 octane yet

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Daily Driven CS Supercar "Leaps GT3's In A Single Bound"

I tried race fuel once at Mosport, mixed 104 with 94 to get the 100+... I have to say I didn't notice much difference except obviously just how much it cost me per lap lol. I'll try again this year with decent tires that can take the abuse

PT

I think the problem with raising fuel octane is that the ECU can't easily detect the change. If you lower the octane, say from 93 to 89, then the knock or ping detector will signal the ECU to retard the timing to stop the pre-ignition knock. I'm sure the timing is slowly advanced to just below the knock level, but this is very done with caution to avoid knocking at low RPMs. In other words, the ECU will retard the spark quickly, but will advance the spark very slowly. So, suddenly changing from 93 to 100 octane for a race will not yield much change unless the fuel has been regularly used for an extended period. I was told that some OEM ECU chips or flashes are more aggressive in advancing the timing, and allow a greater range of timing over the stock programming. The other solution is to have an external switch which changes the entire ECU programming for any given fuel octane. It would also be nice if an option were added to the ECU program to re-sense the spark timing in order to get optimum power from a fuel change; a sort of fuel octane reset.

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Gary

2009 2.9L Guards Red Cayman: 18" S wheels + SC + PSM + PDK. Added: FVD exhaust,
GIAC DME code, Evoms V-Flow filter with partial desnork, SS brake lines, H&R rear bar
with Tarett links, matte black side vents and front grill mesh, and 3M 50% window tint.

Good points for a stock setup. Some of us TPC turbo folks have a tuner that plugs into the ECU port & changes the engine timing for 100 octane so there is no learning curve.

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Daily Driven CS Supercar "Leaps GT3's In A Single Bound"

Its' nice -- takes about 20 minutes for the ecu to pick it up -- then be prepared for a nice bumb...

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TPC ATP 2 Turbo Stage 2 Package, Large Turbo, Fabspeed Headers, ECU, TPC Lightweight Flywheel, 997 X51 Clutch, TPC Sway Bars, LSD, Custom Manufactured Drop Links, Front Pads/GT3 Pagid 19's, GT3 Spark Plugs, 3M Clear Bra, Tinted Side and Rear Windows, Smoke Tinted Tail Lights, Premium Package, Ipod/Aux Input.

Bill,

Perhaps like you, I was a bit dubious about the reliability of "mods." I felt that for the money it might be wiser to just buy a GT3/GT2. I was curious about TPC's kit, but after having known many who have modded corvettes and had constant problems, I wanted more of a factory feel.

I was especially concerned given this is a Porsche. I've owned multiple Caymans and 911's and had doubted that any aftermarket outfit was going to improve on the fit/finish of what comes out of Stuttgart.

I was also a bit skeptical of the "stage managing" of forums by TPC employees who are clearly assigned to respond quickly to any/all posts.

So, I watched carefully for a second-hand TPC modded car to become available, and when I found one with the turbo kit already installed at a reasonable price, I bought it.

This car had already been driven HARD when I got it. But the price I paid meant I wasn't taking any undue risks.

Bill, I have been more than pleasantly surprised with the street manners of this car. Prior to purchasing I had it put up on a lift so I could look very closely at the parts and engine. I'm no mechanic, but my father ran a machine shop my entire life -- and I grew up looking at fabrications and parts for aircraft; & when I got the car up in the air I was impressed with the workmanship.

On the street, the car has very tame manners. Mine came with 2 mappings, and on the LO setting the car behaves like an un-modified CS. No hesitations, no flat-spots or weird issues in the torque curve, and most importantly to me, no exaggerated turbo lag. I was skeptical that they were running forced induction on an engine with no internal mods to reduce compression. But keep in mind that this is a very low boost system, just 3.5 - 5 lbs of pressure. And yet that small boost, combined with their mapping and headers/exhaust truly transforms this engine.

I had the car checked out at TPC and I was very impressed with their service manager, Tom Chan. Tom is a pro, he used to manage their race team, and just "gets" customer service. He is generous, genuine, and wants you to enjoy p-cars as much as he does and be happy with TPC service/products.

I decided to double-down and buy TPC's stage 2 suspension kit. I was again concerned about ruining my p-car quality/feel. And at first the clicking of the drop links on the street was annoying. Tom worked with me to mute some of that sound.

However, the most important thing about my experience driving a TPC modified car is the impact it has had on track days. I've since made multiple trips to the track both with PCA and Chin Motorsports. I'm not the best driver in the world, nor the worst. I've run a few races with Skip Barber and done a few schools. I'm average.

But there is nothing like the feeling of chasing down and passing brand new Z06's and 2010 GT3's in your stock-looking Cayman S. The first time I caught a Z06 it was clear the guy didn't want to point me by...it took a few laps for him to decide "yes, this is really happening." At VIR on the back straight I was accelerating out of oak tree and just hanging with him the whole way down. The rest of the track of course I was all over his back bumper due to the superior handling and precision of the CS platform. Again, I can't put a price on putting Mr. Goodwrench in his C6 in my mirrors. And even multiple GT3's, both 996 and 997 got the treatment. I had an instructor drive it in the black group for a while and he chased down a GT3 RS which opted to go into the pits before being ignominiously passed by our humble 2006 CS2 with 45k+ miles on the clock.

I recommend TPC without reservation. Go in knowing they are racers. They are a bit more likely to bang up your interior, or get your mats muddy, than say, your local p-car dealer. They're a bit rough around the edges. But the parts in the kit are clearly engineered/fabricated well, and more importantly have been groomed to work well together. The ECU integration is nothing short of amazing. It runs like stock all day long on the street, and is an absolute beast on the track. I have other cars, but have been choosing my CS2 with turbo kit and suspension to make the 400+ mile roundtrip to my consulting job each week. It is docile and enjoyable on the street. The exhaust is louder, but not ridiculous.

The only other comment I would make involves brakes. The stock calipers are in fact Brembos -- and provide ample squeeze. I found at VIR I can boil my brake fluid if I don't use the fancy stuff -- and even cooked the clutch reservoir once. I since installed GT2 brake ducts and a set of GiroDiscs that Craig from rennstore.com sold me. I have found that those with the Pagid yellows he recommended have solved all my brake problems and provide excellent pedal feel without running foul of the stock computer or ABS.

And frankly, if you bleed regularly and use racing fluid, you should be fine with stock, even at the track -- unless you are running all day long in the red group or something.

Bill, I'd consider going with the TPC turbo kit. It has a very good price to performance ratio, and will not ruin the things you already enjoy about the car such as drivability and that "Porsche feel." Hope this helps. Would be happy to let you do a lap in the car if we ended up at the same track event.

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2006 Cayman S

^ SkinnyWhite, that's the absolute best review I've read about the kit making me wonder what the hell do I have installed in my car! I was selling my car -and there are buyers lingering- now you got me to reconsider until I get my car back from the US.

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"Remember, it only took Marty Mcfly 88mph to travel through time in the DeLorean! I would hate for you to accidentally land in a time without petrol!" ...JB

TPC Balboni... 3.7L Cayman turbo S

Well said SW. Hassaan, I'm really interested in finding out what the issue is with your car. So many of us here in the US have had great experiences with the TPC turbo on our cars. You certainly have the paitence of a saint!

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Daily Driven CS Supercar "Leaps GT3's In A Single Bound"

I have to agree with everything Skinnywhite has said, it makes a great car greater! Chasing down cars that you're not 'supposed' to, is a great feeling, admittedly when you chase a C63 AMG for 3 laps and he won't move over it gets frustrating, but it's part of what is to have a Cayman that looks stock, but doesn't 'act' it. After passing the Merc he went backwards, the conversation later went something like this.....

a) "who's is the Cayman"
me) "mine"
a) "we had a good battle out there, I'm in the C63"
me) " Yes. It was fun, but why wouldn't you let me by for ages?"

The priceless and usual reply.....

a) "It's a Cayman, you 'shouldn't' be able to stay with me in my 6.2 litre V8"
me) "Ah, but I did ;o) ... "

All I say is 'do it' It's unfortunate that Hassaan has had such a bad time of it, I honestly believe he is the exception, most that do talk about having these cars absolutely adore them, primarily because they behave so well and then in seconds you can make them behave so 'badly'.

To quote an Usher song 'we want a lady in the street but a freak in the bed'

Let's be honest, isn't that what we all want? if our women can't be that, then let it be our other love!!

PT

By the way thanks for making me realise I miss my car over the winter!! ;o)

Peter,

I have switchable maps, 91, 93 and 100 octane maps programmable in a few seconds, would it still take 20 minutes to 'recognise' or should it just 'be there'? Where do you get your 100 Octane?

PT

PT when you flash the ECU with the dongle it resets the timing curve. No waiting.

I've yet to try 100 octane or "hi" (5.5lb) boost on the track. Do you run the higher boost setting on track?

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Daily Driven CS Supercar "Leaps GT3's In A Single Bound"

I tried it for one session at the track, that's all. Otherwise I don't run anything but the 93 Octane map on the track and just leave it on the LO boost setting. I have noticed a definite difference when I turn up the boost and just run the same octane map, lo to hi on the controller, this is just for an occasional 'blast', but I tend to leave it on the LO setting and 93 Map on the track. Maybe I'll run the HI boost more this year.

PT

Orcubsfan,

Where are you located?

PT,

I do not have switchable maps... maybe not quite 20 minutes to read either... after that, good to go all summer...

There is a station very close to the Porsche dealership in Rochester, NY that has a 100 octane racing fuel pump-- 15 minutes from my home...
$ 7.00/gallon

Peter

Peter

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TPC ATP 2 Turbo Stage 2 Package, Large Turbo, Fabspeed Headers, ECU, TPC Lightweight Flywheel, 997 X51 Clutch, TPC Sway Bars, LSD, Custom Manufactured Drop Links, Front Pads/GT3 Pagid 19's, GT3 Spark Plugs, 3M Clear Bra, Tinted Side and Rear Windows, Smoke Tinted Tail Lights, Premium Package, Ipod/Aux Input.

In my best English voice, 'Peter you lucky bugger'
I wish I could find a gas station close that sells it for that, I think we pay in the region of $3.50- $4 a litre for it at Mosport, I don't fully remember as I tried to erase the price from my brain lol

PT

1. Would you do it again (any regrets)?

Absolutely I will do it again, but then Im not the average P-driver worried about warranty in case that radio knob might need replacement after usage or asking warranty for the trim plastic noises in the back of the cabin when the weather is cold (I like to do all of that myself)

2. How many miles did you have on the rig when installed, and how many have you put down since the install?

7k miles

3. Any 'weird' behavior...unexplained gremlins?

Yes, tons of them, even to this day (after more than a year), but that is part of the fun (Im not worried about the destination, its the journey that interests me)

4. If you have to pass emissions in your area, any issues with that?

All ok

5. Was TPC a good partner...get the help you needed?

Yes and no, hahaha, Im an international customer, and that makes remote diagnostics on the car a little more complicated, and for the very few emails that I have sent to TCP the response was usually just a couple of lines that didn't help too much or at least being useful answers

Im sure that being in the US is a different case (send your car to them overnight and get it after a few days, and all solved)

6. Did you do the install yourself or shop it out. Any installation issues that were seriously ugly?

Installed myself, that is part of the fun, I won't let any other person to make the installation on my car even if they pay me (of course if they are TCP then yes)

In fact I will ask TCP if they have any person there that might want to take a paid vacation (all included, air tickets, hotel, even city attractions and a track at their disposal) to take a look at my car

PT

How's MY car running? Sounds like you've been having fun in it! I am not sure I agree that it had 12,000 hard miles on it before you got it. Seriously, I was only just beginning to drive on track and decided I should give up the turbo for a N/A Cayman. No regrets but I really do miss that car!!!

I am very happy to hear that you're running it hard and enjoying it!

Check, you might have the GT3 scoops on there already. X2 on the bleed check (sorry to combine threads!)

Btw, my 2 cents on TPC...... I am a loyal customer because they offer the experience and skill of a professional race team with the patience to deal with ethusiasts, like us. In addition, I feel very comfortable asking them for advice! They've talked me out of spending money, on numerous occasions, and have really earned my trust.

B