Amongst Porsche fans, there’s no question that the GT2 lineup of cars acts as head of the household for the 911 family (excluding the famed GT1, of course). The GT2 and GT2 RS make for a real man’s Porsche: the most expensive, powerful, and frightening 911 money can buy, meant only for those that embrace punishment behind the wheel of what is widely considered the toughest Porsche to drive. Unlike its all wheel drive counterpart, the turbocharged GT2 powers only the rear wheels, and with its engine perched atop them, its driving characteristics put it in a field of its own. There are those that are meant for the GT2, and those that are not. And then there are those that go beyond; not even the GT2 can satisfy. That’s where SharkWerks enters.
The GT2 was described to me by my father as the “big boy’s Porsche,” and it has held that impression ever since. With the RS variant born with the 997 generation, the GT2 has only grown in prowess. For the boys at SharkWerks, however, Porsche’s best just wasn’t enough. With a decade of experience specializing in Porsches, the team has taken to the GT2 – a car they feel has been under appreciated since it’s launch in 2008 – to showcase their work, talent, and expertise.
Having tasked themselves with making the GT2 “even more ridiculous,” SharkWerks began with Evolution Motorsports and their EVT775 kit. While there’s a slew of upgrades, the kit consists of a few essentials. Software, upgraded turbos, headers, intercoolers, recirculation valves, coil packs, a new plenum, and a new throttle body make up the groundwork. From there SharkWerks routes the exhaust gasses out through their own GT2 exhaust and high-flow cats, keeping the newfound bump in power within the law. The final result: 775 horsepower, up almost 50% over the stock figure. This is, of course, routed to the rear wheels, inducing copious wheel spin in a car notorious for attempting to bring its tail end around on the pilot.
To balance out the rowdy disposition of the GT2, SharkWerks turned to the suspension. Factory Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes keep the rocket in check, mounted behind Champion RS184 forged wheels. Measuring in at 19×9 and 19×12, the wheels both increase the overall footprint and reduce unsprung weight, and rather significantly too: Five pounds from each front corner and eight from each rear. Michelin Sport Cups provide grip. Under the car, RSS and SharkWerks components improve geometry and handling: adjustable rear links, bump steer adjustment, lock out plates, monorails and thrust arm bushings, and lastly, semi-solid engine mounts.
Performance was the primary focus of the SharkWerkz build, but little advantage is found in a performance car that doesn’t look the part when it comes to promoting their work. With the help of Magnus Walker, famous for his own hand with Porsches, the 997 received an interior and exterior makeover. With a sense of familiarity, the front and rear bumpers were painted orange, with gray stripes trailing from the window down front. A matching gray deck lid and intakes bring the color to the rear of the car. Bronze branding down the sides of the GT2 is mimicked in the choice of wheel color, and lastly, subtle hints like the Union Jack are found on the Techart wing’s endplates. GT3 flares hug the front wheel arches, and a GT2RS lip traces the lower edge of the front bumper, rounding out the aesthetics. Inside the car, touches like the tartan cloth fill the seat centers; touches that bring forth Magnus’s vintage aircooled Porsche styling to a 21st-centruy display of performance.
Underneath its opulent skin, the SharkWerks GT2 serves to balance the outrageous with refinement. While GT2s are respected for both their rarity and wild temperament, SharkWerks found that neither were reason enough to leave such a car alone. Described as falling only marginally short of “death trap,” the factory GT2 lent its platform to the hands of those with wild thoughts and heavy ambition. With just shy of 800 horsepower, the SharkWerk’s 997 GT2 is perhaps the most too-hot-to-handle “daily driver” we’ve come across.
