Switzer Performance P800 997 Twin-Turbo: The world is never enough [w/VIDEO]
Switzer Performance P800 997 Twin-Turbo – Click above for high-res image gallery
You know what the biggest problem with Porsche's 997 Turbo is? Too slow. They're like German desert tortoises. Just kinda clumsy and always in the way. 480 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque rotating all four wheels might sound fast on paper, but it just isn't. Understanding this, Porsche came out with the more powerful GT2. However, 530 horsepower is still like standing still and rear-wheel drive is for drag racers. You need the traction of AWD, and something with more power than some dirty old Cadillac. A lot more power.
Meet the Switzer Perfomance P800 997. Here's the quick stats: 800 hp, zero-to-sixty in less than three seconds and the quarter-mile in just a smidge over ten seconds. Now that's fast. Oh yeah -- the P800's AWD, too. No one is going to mistake you for a Mustang with a blower. Where does an extra 320 hp vs. stock come from? Custom GT30 turbochargers, Switzer MONSTER intercoolers, electronic boost control, fancy headers and exhaust, plus a carbon clutch pack. We'll take it. In yellow. Full press release and video of a P800 on a Dynometer after the jump.
Gallery: Switzer P800
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oberlin, OH - 30JUL2009 - 800 hp Switzer L5 PKG for 997TT
When Tym Switzer and his crew at Ohio-based Switzer Performance introduced their 800 hp P800 package for Porsche's track-focused GT2 back in June, a number of inquiries expressed significant interest in the package, but a number of customers asked if they could get the same level of power from the AWD 997TT.
Switzer's answer was a resounding "Yes!", which brings us to the car pictured here - an 800 hp, all-wheel drive "Yes!" that takes advantage of the 997's superior traction and shorter gearing to deliver staggering acceleration figures. Think sub 3-second 0-60 runs and 1/4 mile times consistently under 10.5, and you start to get the idea: this car is a monster.
"The P800 kit for the GT2 evolved from the SLEDGEHAMMER project car that ran in the 9's last year," offers Tym, "that was a race-gas package, but as the program developed, we were able to move to a more streetable package and keep the factory DME, unlike the SLEDGEHAMMER, which used a stand-alone system. Other than that, everything that made the SLEDGEHAMMER so special is still right there in the P800 GT2, and it's still right there in this 997."
Switzer's P800 997 package apes their GT2 package's use of custom GT30 turbochargers with custom billet compressor wheels on ball-bearing center sections in lightweight stainless housings, the heat generated by the turbocharged six is still dissipated by Switzer's own MONSTER intercoolers, and Switzer's own DME calibrations still keep everything copacetic. Unlike the GT2, however, the 997TT-based P800 does not require a new intake manifold or upgraded throttle-body. Switzer explains, "Porsche developed a model-specific intake manifold for the GT2, which worked perfectly with the stock VTGs, but didn't flow enough for the GT30Rs. The 997TT just doesn't have that problem, which is great because it's easier to install, and saves the customer some money, too."
Switzer's 800 hp P800 package for the 997TT includes Switzer's competition-style exhaust and headers, an upgraded carbon clutch package, electronic boost control, and the previously mentioned GT30R turbos, MONSTER intercoolers, and ECU software. This package is available now through Switzer Performance dealers. Contact Switzer dealers for more.
Oberlin, OH - 30JUL2009 - 800 hp Switzer L5 PKG for 997TT
When Tym Switzer and his crew at Ohio-based Switzer Performance introduced their 800 hp P800 package for Porsche's track-focused GT2 back in June, a number of inquiries expressed significant interest in the package, but a number of customers asked if they could get the same level of power from the AWD 997TT.
Switzer's answer was a resounding "Yes!", which brings us to the car pictured here - an 800 hp, all-wheel drive "Yes!" that takes advantage of the 997's superior traction and shorter gearing to deliver staggering acceleration figures. Think sub 3-second 0-60 runs and 1/4 mile times consistently under 10.5, and you start to get the idea: this car is a monster.
"The P800 kit for the GT2 evolved from the SLEDGEHAMMER project car that ran in the 9's last year," offers Tym, "that was a race-gas package, but as the program developed, we were able to move to a more streetable package and keep the factory DME, unlike the SLEDGEHAMMER, which used a stand-alone system. Other than that, everything that made the SLEDGEHAMMER so special is still right there in the P800 GT2, and it's still right there in this 997."
Switzer's P800 997 package apes their GT2 package's use of custom GT30 turbochargers with custom billet compressor wheels on ball-bearing center sections in lightweight stainless housings, the heat generated by the turbocharged six is still dissipated by Switzer's own MONSTER intercoolers, and Switzer's own DME calibrations still keep everything copacetic. Unlike the GT2, however, the 997TT-based P800 does not require a new intake manifold or upgraded throttle-body. Switzer explains, "Porsche developed a model-specific intake manifold for the GT2, which worked perfectly with the stock VTGs, but didn't flow enough for the GT30Rs. The 997TT just doesn't have that problem, which is great because it's easier to install, and saves the customer some money, too."
Switzer's 800 hp P800 package for the 997TT includes Switzer's competition-style exhaust and headers, an upgraded carbon clutch package, electronic boost control, and the previously mentioned GT30R turbos, MONSTER intercoolers, and ECU software. This package is available now through Switzer Performance dealers. Contact Switzer dealers for more.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
AK 8:12PM (7/31/2009)
:-O
Reply
Protzenegger 9:50PM (7/31/2009)
That was exactly my reaction. This is positively HOT.
audi_arena 9:14AM (8/01/2009)
Why aren't the front wheels spinning?
8complex 9:29AM (8/01/2009)
audi_arena - It probably has a lock-bias fuse like a Subaru that switches where it locks it's power output in the center differential. The center diffs in automatic Subarus can be locked to full front bias (all to my knowledge, but I've seen it done plenty on older ones).
Jared 10:59AM (8/01/2009)
In most newer Porches', you can lift the hand brake 1 click and disengage the front drive wheels. Neat little trick I learned somewhere...
Paul 3:14PM (8/01/2009)
Yep.
Note to Johnny: Sarcasm (see first graph) doesn't translate in print.
Suraj 8:17PM (7/31/2009)
ahhhh... makes me love porsches even more, lol another reason for me to dislike the GTR. and before anyone says anything, i kno the GTR is an amazing car, and i kno it offers supercar preformance for the price of a Z06. but i dont like the way it looks and i would much rather have a porsche if i had the money
Reply
Spytap 8:39PM (7/31/2009)
This, uh, isn't "for the money" of a GT-R. This is probably a minimum of 3 GT-Rs.
Suraj 10:22PM (7/31/2009)
Yea i kno it isnt for the money, but i would still rather have this than 3 GTRs, just because when people think of nissan they think of the versa and altima, in otherwords econocars, when people think of porsche they think of amazingly good, efficient, and fast preformance cars.
I would rather have a purebreed sports car than a sports car from an eco-minded company...
Dont get me wrong the GTR is an amazing car, but just not one i would want to have, let alone 3.
waiownsyou 1:18AM (8/01/2009)
Guess what? You're the exact reason why companies like Honda branched out Acura here in the US. For some reason, will pay for an expensive car made from the same company they want to avoid being categorized with.
It's like me trying to sell you a crappy watch for $300 dressed as a hobo and you think I'm a retard. I come back the next day with clean shavin' and a suit driving a Bentley with the same watch and you'll push out that money ASAP.
Pete 11:39AM (8/01/2009)
uhhh, you know switzer makes a P800 package for the GTR that unleashes 800hp from godzirra???
Suraj 1:37AM (8/02/2009)
wow i knew someone, you, would get offended by this post. i all ready stated that i like the GTR but i would much rather have the porsche, just because it has the pedigree, and a preformance oriented company.
Nissan has had expirence with the Skylines and Sylvias of the past, which i love btw, and i feel that they did a superb job with the new GTR. its just the exterior and interior design just isnt me, and im not saying that if it were an infiniti GTR i would get, quite simply it would then be over priced because of the brand name infiniti... just like porsche.
However i realize that the P800 997 isnt in competition with the GTR so all of this stated above is irrelivant, I didnt kno that there was a P800 GTR but i looked it up and i only makes 700hp, lol only, however my choice still stands.... the P800 997 looks better than the P800 GTR, even though the GTR maybe able to out drive, when am i going to need a care that gives lateral Gs that could probably make a fighter pilot shiver, in the real world, the porsche is plenty good for me.
Kaveh 8:18PM (7/31/2009)
Wow, I Wonder what the limit is for this engine, I have seen a couple of 800 hp 997TT's so far.
Reply
Suraj 8:21PM (7/31/2009)
I think that honor would go to the 987hp Porsche 9ff GT2... however it is slower than this on to 6o by about 1.5 seconds... idk how though
Kaveh 8:25PM (7/31/2009)
Oh, I totally forgot about 9ff and I got the European car with that insane 1000hp boxster they built.
Suraj 8:30PM (7/31/2009)
:O i never knew about the 1000hp boxster, seems a little over the top though, i mean how fast can you go in a boxster, that too with top down, could you give me the name of that car i want to see it on google...
the only reason i remeber the 9ff is because of top gear and because i always dreamed of getting the best porsche the was/is
Kaveh 8:38PM (7/31/2009)
I found the car, 9ff - GT9
just a insane car
http://autoanything.wordpress.com/2008/07/31/veyron-killer-meet-the-porsche-9ff-gt9/
the4thheat 9:16PM (7/31/2009)
The 9ff car is slower in 0-60 because it's not AWD, and it probably has even larger and slower spooling turbos.
Kaveh 9:19PM (7/31/2009)
So, what would be a faster new 997, I don't think RUF has made a car over 800hp
Suraj 10:33PM (7/31/2009)
ahhh... the 9ff GT9 is pure sex on wheels, and yea your right it is slower to 60 because it isnt AWD, im pretty sure that they did that to keep weight down.
however if they did make it AWD it would beat the Veyron easily.
im not sure if this is the fastest 977 but see this: http://www.europeancarweb.com/tuned/epcp_0711_porsche_911_sportec_spr1_t80/index.html
looks good and understated if you ask me and is blistering fast.