9ff has announced a new tuning kit for the 911 GT2 called the 9ff BT-2. And I have to say, at least in the Gulf livery shown in the pics, this is my favorite 911 tuner package yet.

Pumping out an amazing 850 hp, the 9ff BT-2 can get from 0 to 62 in 3 seconds flat, and hit a top speed of 240 mph. There’s nothing really more to say than that. So just look at the pictures after the jump of the 9ff BT-2 in all its Gulf livery glory.

[source: 9ff via Autoblog]

Switzer, a tuner based on Oberlin, Ohio, has just announced a new twin-turbo kit for the 997 911 GT2 that is pretty nuts.

By adding an in-house developed set of headers and sport exhaust system, a new intercooler, and custom GT30R turbochargers, the SPI-tuned GT2 cranks out 800 hp. The kit is a totally bolt-on solution, retaining the factory ECU.

The kit will set you back $39,000, and you can still run on 93-octane pump gas. You can buy it now from SPI.

Check out the press release, another photo and a dyno video after the jump. Also, check out SPI’s website.

[source: Switzer via Motor Authority]

PRESS RELEASE

Switzer Announces GT2 Porsche Tuning PKGs to 800HP

Oberlin, OH - 2009 has been a busy year for Switzer Performance. In January, Switzer’s thousand-horsepower, 9-second SLEDGEHAMMER project car introduced the world to the Ohio-based tuning house, which followed up its debut act in February when a number of Switzer’s customer cars run 10 second 1/4 miles in 700 hp fully-automatic 997 turbo Porsches. March saw the introduction of Switzer’s Nissan R35 GTR performance upgrades, good for up to 800 hp on 93 octane pump gas.

This week, Tym Switzer is introducing his latest customer-ready performance packages for Porsche’s outstanding 997 GT2. The new GT2 packages range from a simple software revision to Switzer’s comprehensive flagship offering: the $39,000, 800 hp GT2 PKG shown (installed) in these pictures. “This 800 horsepower pump-gas package has evolved from those first SLEDGEHAMMER builds,” explains Tym, “but unlike the SLEDGEHAMMER, which used a stand-alone system, we’ve been able to keep the factory DME, making this a true bolt-on package. Everything else that went into the SLEDGEHAMMER builds is in this package, running on pump 93.”

Switzer’s 800 hp GT2 package makes use of custom Garret GT30R-based turbochargers with custom billet compressor wheels on ball-bearing center sections in lightweight stainless turbine housings. Switzer’s upgraded turbos compress massive amounts of air, while generating heat than the stock units – heat which is channeled to the engine through Switzer’s own MONSTER intercoolers. The engine itself is fed air and fuel through larger injectors and a custom intake plenum with an oversized throttle-body. All this hardware is managed by the stock ECU, running Switzer-specific DME software calibrations. Perhaps the most controversial part of Switzer’s package, however, is the exhaust system. Switzer’s GT2 exhales through a GT2-specific version of the company’s existing 997 TT exhaust. “As much as we would have liked to stick with the GT2′s titanium canister, there was just no way to hit our power goal on pump gas with the stock system. It was just too restrictive and not designed to handle this much airflow.”

Switzer’s stated goal for the GT2 project was 800 crank horsepower on 93 octane pump gas with an efficient, linear power curve that efficiently put power to the ground and didn’t punish the driver with sudden spikes in torque and power. One look at the final dyno results reveals those goals have been met. “We were very happy to hit our target numbers, of course, but the best part is that the car is still so manageable on the street, at this power level. It is an everyday hyper-performing exotic, and I can’t wait to get it out on the track and see how it performs in the hands of a pro driver.”

The Switzer Performance 800 hp GT2 Porsche package is available now through Switzer Performance dealers.

The next 911 Turbo, GT2, and GT3 will share the new DFI A91 engine that was just introduced in the 911 Carrera. Previously, those models used the M97 engine while the 911 Carrera (and the Boxster/Cayman) used the M96 powerplant.

The 911 Turbo and GT2 will both displace 3.6 liters, feature revised turbochargers and intercoolers, and power should increase by about 20 hp in each model, to 500 and 550 hp, respectively.

The GT3′s naturally aspirated engine will displace 3.8 liters and output should increase from 415 to 430 hp. Of course, fuel efficiency will also increase, and CO2 output will decrease.

[source: Autoblog]

CAR Magazine has posted a video that all Porschephiles will find interesting. In their June 2008 issue, they will be celebrating 60 years of Porsche. This video takes you behind the scenes at a photoshoot for that issues and includes a sweet 1973 911 Carrera RS 2.7, a 959, a Carrera GT, and a 911 GT2.

[source: CAR Magazine]

The 911 GT2 is the fastest road-going 911 ever built. But apparently it isn’t fast enough for some.

The folks over at SpeedART just unveiled their BTR-XS 650 911 GT2. Unlike most tuner Porsches, the body mods on this are are very tastefully done. But the real news is in the back. SpeedART has added headers and a new freer flowing exhaust, larger intercoolers, and a tuned Motronic ECU. This boosts power up to 650 hp with 634 lb-ft of torque, which launches the car from 0 to 60 in 3.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 216 mph.

The suspension is also tweaked with coilovers all around and custom wheels. For extra cash, you can also mod the interior to your heart’s desire.

This is one bad-ass machine.

[source: Autoblog]

Dan Neil wrote a review of the 911 GT2 for The LA Times.

He’s got quite the writing style. Like when he says the GT2 is “like cutting a line out of a kilo of cocaine and then snorting the kilo.” Or this description of the GT2′s launch control:

Toggle through the menu on the instrument panel until the boost gauge is displayed. Put the car in first gear, rev to about 5,000 rpm (or 14 pounds of boost) and drop the clutch. The system automatically feathers the throttle to maximize grip and hole-shot acceleration. For a similar sensation, put a rodeo barrel on a train track, climb in and wait.

Seriously, you should go now and read the full review here.

[source: The LA Times via PPBB.com]

Autoblog has a great article all about the 911 GT2 suspension and brake technology. Eric Bryant got to chat with GT2 Product Engineer Carsten Schebsdat and Porsche Motorsports head Hartmut Kristen about what they did to deliver handling and braking that is just as mind-boggling as the straight-line performance of the GT2.

Click here to read the full article and to check out some cool pictures of all the shiny GT2 bits.

[source: Autoblog]

A couple new 911 GT2 test drives have popped up, and instead of blogging about each one individually, I thought I would combine them into one post.

First, Autoblog got to spend some time driving the GT2 at Daytona International Speedway during its North American introduction. They even got to have Hurley Haywood, Kees Nierop, Patrick Long, and David Murray as their co-pilots. Click here to read their impressions and to see some great photos.

Next, my favorite automotive magazine, Winding Road, got to spend time with a GT2, and Walter Röhrl, in Germany. Matt Davis wrote a great article, and Mark Bramley took some awesome photos. Click here to read the article. (Note: you no longer have to register to read their articles, but I highly recommend that you do, so you get an email each month as soon as the latest issue is ready.)

[source: Autoblog and Winding Road]

It isn’t a full review, but Motor Trend has posted an article with their first impressions of the new 911 GT2. They got to ride along with Walter Rohrl. In the rain. That had to have been an incredible rush.

So did they like it?

Better than melatonin, mile-high liaisons, or other familiar folk remedies, there’s no surer cure for jet lag than redlining a Porsche on an unrestricted autobahn-as we’re about to reaffirm in the 2008 911 GT2, the best Porsche ever unleashed on an undeserving everyman.

Hmm… I’ll take that as a “yes”.

Click here to read the full article.

[source: Motor Trend]

Here are a couple more videos of Walter Röehrl driving the new GT2. Enjoy!

[source: The German Car Blog]