Case Study | Porsche 992.1 GT3 Touring

This Porsche 992.1 GT3 Touring, equipped with a PDK transmission, received a comprehensive upgrade focused on enhancing its drivability and auditory experience. The vehicle was fitted with a full Akrapovič exhaust system and underwent a meticulous ECU recalibration aimed at optimising engine response and broadening the powerband. These adjustments ensure a more engaging driving experience, emphasizing smooth power delivery and a richer, more resonant exhaust note, perfectly aligning with the high-performance nature of the GT3 Touring.

The Brief

This vehicle was brought to us with the objective of enhancing its driving dynamics and auditory experience. To achieve this, we installed a complete Akrapovič exhaust system—comprising the Slip-On Race Line and Evolution Header Set—specifically designed for this model. Alongside the exhaust upgrade, we implemented a optimised ECU calibration. This was necessary due to the removal of the factory Otto Particulate Filters (OPFs) and the resulting improvements in airflow. These upgrades were thoughtfully selected to improve driveability and responsiveness with a focus on increasing engine torque across the RPM range rather than at just peak power. The result is a vehicle that offers a richer driving experience through improved response times and a far more engaging engine note.

Our Results

This recalibration effectively broadens the powerband, ensuring more robust performance where it's most noticeable and appreciated during spirited driving. With the expert tuning adjustments provided by NickK, this Porsche 992.1 GT3 Touring now enjoys increased drivability and enhanced driver enjoyment without pushing the engine into extreme tuning zones that could compromise its reliability. The sophisticated tuning maintains the factory's maximum rev limit at 9000 rpm while raising the stationary rev limiter from 3800 rpm to 7000 rpm, allowing for a more exhilarating sound during stationary revs.

Significant gains were recorded across the rpm range, not just at peak output levels. While the peak horsepower increased from 453hp to 481hp and torque from 333ft-lbs to 336ft-lbs with the Akrapovič system and calibration, the tuning shines in mid-range performance enhancements. At 8150 rpm, the vehicle achieves a peak power gain of approximately 35hp and an impressive torque increase of approximately 40 ft-lbs at 4250 rpm. These enhancements contribute to a more engaging and responsive driving experience, highlighting the effectiveness of the performance upgrades and calibration in harmonizing with the vehicle’s existing capabilities.

Akrapovič Exhaust Upgrades

The exhaust system underwent a significant transformation with the installation of Akrapovič's Slip-On Race Line and Evolution Header Set. Chosen for its lightweight, high-grade titanium construction and durability, this system replaces the more restrictive stock setup. The Slip-On Race Line features twin tailpipes designed to resonate with the GT3's sporty aesthetic, each tailpipe intricately reflecting the rhythmic pulse of the six-cylinder engine.

To further enhance gas flow dynamics, the Evolution Header Set was integrated, including manifold crossover pipes cast in Akrapovič’s own titanium foundry, derived from race-proven technologies. This meticulous design reduces backpressure and allows the engine to breathe more freely, sharpening the acoustic output to produce a rich, resonant tone at cruising speeds and a fierce roar under hard acceleration. This not only improves the auditory experience but also contributes to a slight performance increase due to the more efficient exhaust flow dynamics.

Establishing a New Baseline and Calibration Corrections

After installing the Akrapovič exhaust system on this Porsche 992.1 GT3 Touring, we conducted rigorous testing in our cutting-edge Dynojet 424x Linked Dyno Cell. This in-house dyno facility, renowned for its precision, allowed us to establish a new performance baseline accurately, detailing the enhancements in horsepower and torque brought about by the exhaust system upgrade.

In response to the removal of the factory Otto Particulate Filters (OPFs) and the addition of high-flow catalysts, careful recalibration was essential. Our technical team made precise adjustments to the engine's calibration to adapt to the increased exhaust flow, ensuring the vehicle maintained peak performance. This recalibration process was crucial to eliminate potential diagnostic errors such as "check engine" warnings, and to ensure that the vehicle's engine functioned optimally with the new exhaust configuration.

Performance Calibration

The tuning provided by NickK for this Porsche 992.1 GT3 Touring focuses on enhancing the driving experience by smoothing the factory engine maps and adjusting them to accommodate the removal of the Otto Particulate Filters (OPFs) and the increase in volumetric efficiency (VE) from the new Akrapovič exhaust setup. These adjustments ensure optimal performance while maintaining the vehicle's reliability on standard pump fuel, avoiding the need for high-octane race fuel.

This calibration retains the factory's maximum rev limiter at 9000rpm to prevent any over-rev faults that could affect the Porsche's usage recorder. However, to enhance the auditory experience at idle and during stationary displays, the neutral rev limiter has been raised from 3800rpm to 7000rpm, allowing for a more aggressive sound without moving. The primary goal with this particular vehicle is to improve overall drivability and the driving pleasure. This is achieved without pushing the engine into the realms of extreme tuning, which could compromise long-term reliability.

Further Scope

While this Porsche 992.1 GT3 Touring has already achieved notable refinement, there remains a scope for further enhancements to tailor the vehicle for even more specific performance requirements. One potential upgrade is a PDK transmission tune, which would involve increasing the torque limits and refining the shift strategy to better suit the enhanced engine dynamics. This would ensure smoother and more responsive gear changes, optimising the performance during high-speed driving conditions.

Additionally, the introduction of a high-performance intake air filter could further improve the engine's breathing efficiency, potentially leading to better throttle response and slight gains in power. For enthusiasts looking to extract maximum performance, a specific tune for 102RON fuel could be developed. This would allow for more aggressive ignition timing settings, safely extracting more power from the engine due to the higher quality fuel. These upgrades would build on the existing modifications, pushing the vehicle closer to its performance ceiling while maintaining its everyday usability and Porsche’s renowned driving dynamics.