2009 SPI 997 SLEDGEHAMMER 1000 hp Porsche Conversion Package review and pictures

SPI 997 SLEDGEHAMMER 1000 hp Porsche Conversion Package review:

Tym Switzer has been quietly running Switzer Performance Innovations (SPI) in Oberlin, Ohio for several years, building show-quality exhausts and bolt-on performance products for twin-turbo Porsche 996 and 997 models.

With his latest project, Tym and the crew at SPI wanted to test the limits of what would be possible with stock 997 internals. "When the customer first came to me with his 997, we talked a lot about about pushing the limits the new engine and what might be possible using stock internals. I had already been inside the 997 turbo engines, and felt that 700 wheel horsepower seemed well within reach on pump fuel, and that we might be able to go a bit further."

That "bit further" eventually led to what Switzer calls the SLEDGEHAMMER. Named after candid comment from an SPI tech, the SLEDGEHAMMER is a bolt-on performance package for 997 twin-turbo Porsches that delivers over 850 all-wheel horsepower on race fuel. That`s over 1000 hp at the crank!

Getting Bugatti-baiting performance figures from a bolt-on prepared 997 is no easy task, though. Switzer explains he and his crew "have always prided ourselves on attention to detail and delivering exactly what we promise to our customers. We have a saying around here: performance, not excuses. So during the original SLEDGEHAMMER build we looked at every part of the system, constantly metering and testing every component, on our in-house chassis dyno."

A finished Switzer SLEDGEHAMMER is certainly an amazing car. Switzer reports that (despite backing off the throttle early) the first SLEDGEHAMMER (pictured) went almost 195 mph at the Texas mile. Additional performance figures read like the stuff of legend: consistent 0-60 times in the mid 2`s, less than 5 seconds to go from 60-130 mph, and 9.8-second quarter mile elapsed times with trap speeds regularly in excess of 145 mph. "With performance like that, these cars really speak for themselves - I have another one on the dyno now, and expect to post the results of those runs shortly."

In addition to extensive ECU tuning, the SLEDGEHAMMER package includes SPI`s in-house developed headers and sport exhaust, as well as SPI`s MONSTER intercooler package (shown) and SPI-massaged GT30R turbos. More details on Switzer`s SLEDGEHAMMER conversion can be found on SPI`s website. The SLEDGEHAMMER package retails for 49990USD, and is available through SPI. Contact SPI for more information.