2011 997 Shark Werks GT3RS Project BLUFIN, Exhaust, EVOMSit & HRE P43S CL

Shortly after we began scouting for the “right” car, our friends at Isringhausen brought a unique GT3RS out of the blue (pardon the pun), saying they had just the car for us. Without further ado please let us introduce the newest addition to the Shark Werks family:


Apparently as 1 of 4 gulf-themed blue/orange motif 2011 GT3RS, it has a plenty of options which include orange graphics/paint, PCCBs, Noselift, Dynamic Cornering Lights, Full Leather, Lithium Lightweight battery, BlueSharkTeeth, alcantara Sun Visors (what?!), alcantara storage lid w/ logo, Head crests, painted belt passthrus, Extended carbon package, yellow seatbelts and door pulls, thick alcantara wheel, aluminum foot rest, carbon console, painted head-light nipples and navigation... so we don't get lost.



With just 21 miles on the odometer, it seemed like a shame to ship her out to California. So instead we decided on a Shark-cation and flew out to Springfield, Illinois with the goal to drive the 2229 mile journey (break-in…) all the way back to Northern California.

Before we could make that drive, you know there’s no way on Earth we would be doing so without a stereo upgrade in the form of the Shark Werks exhaust which the guys at Isringhausen installed for us about 30 seconds before we accepted delivery. Sorry, but the stock sound, whilst nice, needs an upgrade for a trip such as this and the folks out there have done this installation a few times before.

The rear bumper cover comes off...


One side muffler removed temporarily:


Shark Werks exhaust installed:


The factory Titanium tips work with our exhaust, too. Although no titanium was harmed in the process our part is still about 8 pounds lighter than what came off anyways:


The road-trip we had planned meant we would be driving through several states including, Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and finally California. On the agenda was a routine pit-stop at our EVOMS chums in Arizona.

By the time we arrived in Arizona, we had logged 1500+ miles on the motor and were ready to take the stage with our EVOMSit tuning dance.

After a short time driving, we could confirm that the suspension revisions clearly make it a more compliant road car. Less movement, nervousness and feedback. A 400 mile drive in this car is certainly "easier" and more comfortable than in our Mk1. You can see why not only with better aero but revised suspension Porsche was able to get a few more seconds at the ring. Less fighting with the wheel I guess.

The 3.8 has a bit more tq than the 3.6 indeed but it doesn't rev quite as snappily as the Mk1. Our RS is heavily optioned so it's actually a very comfy, easy to use road car with all the mod cons.

Our next official Shark Werks modification:


This seemed like a good place to stop and stretch our legs before officially heading out west:


And here's how she sounds on Route 66 in Texas:


The 3.8 GT3RS motor in this car is deceptively strong. She baselined at a very solid 424whp (when converted comes out at around Porsche's claimed 450hp) and 301tq although with some changes we were able to get a few more ponies and torx and then some.


Measuring the Lambda's- EGTs, AFRs etc:


Adjusting the timing, one degree at a time and a dyno run to follow. Check the readout and datalog, repeat.


The three graphs show: 1) stock, 2) with SharkWerks exhaust (6 WHP) and 3) with the Software and Tuning as well (16 WHP). Peak horsepower numbers went from 424 WHP to 440 WHP and 301 TQ to 313 TQ. You can tell from the dyno below that the curve around 7000-8000 RPM has been smoothened. What you can't tell from the dyno is the much improved throttle mapping and responsiveness. Revs much freer. Left-foot braking has also been coded into our 91 octane performance file.


Some 800-miles later and after extensive local road testing, this software package is now available for 2010+ GT3RS models.

More videos of our car:




Back at the Shark Werks shop, the modifications continue.

Weight savings on the MK2 RS is pretty tough, ours came with the lightweight battery, PCCB's, the Titanium center exhaust and tips. Installing our exhaust and tips gave us better sound and about 7 pounds off the rear. The stock wheels are extremely hard to knock weight off compared to the heavier MK1 stock wheels but we're going to give it a shot (and look good doing it) with some HRE P43S Monoblok Center Lock wheels.

On the scale, here's our stock rear wheel coming in at 30.2 pounds:


Now our 19 inch rear replacement P43S Monoblok Center Lock rear tipping the scales at 25.78 pounds (4.42 pounds per side):


The back-side has holes machined out for weight savings and so do the spokes on these orange-slice version of their wheels:


Back to the stock one at 23.96 pounds:


The front HRE replacement comes in at 22.22 pounds (1.7 pounds per side lighter)


And now mounted on the car with a slightly more aggressive offset:


What we have here is a set of HRE's forged wheels that give our car a neat but subtle change vs the stock wheels and saves a few pounds (12.24 pounds total) in the process:

Next up was to tackle a few of the cushier suspension joints/links and bushings. We did this not only for a more direct feel with less movement but to get more adjustment to dial in the alignment.

The factory upper and lower arms:



Off come the stock rear upper links (notice the neoprene/softer bushings):


On go the RSS rear adjustable links, the neoprene bushings have been replaced with steel monoballs, resulting in more direct handling feel and less movement among suspension components.:


Next up is the toe-steer upgrade. The inner, neoprene bushing is also replaced with a steel monoball, which reduces dynamic changes in rear toe and further tightens up the car's handling.


And finally the entire lower control arm is replaced with the RSS Tarmac series. The arms come with adjustable thrust arm bushings and spherical monoball ends:



The aftermath of stock parts collected:


And now being aligned:



We also removed the stock titanium tips:


And replaced with our own black stainless steel 88mm larger diameter RS tips for a more aggressive appearance (the weight is within 1/2 pound of the stock tips):


Stage 1 is now complete and indeed this is how we set up 9/10 MK2 997GT3's or GT3RS' that drive in. Time to enjoy her: