Switzer P800 Delivers 800hp to Porsche 997 Turbo Owners
Switzer Performance’s P800 kit brings 800 horsepower and sub-3-second acceleration to the all-wheel-drive Porsche 997 Turbo, offering supercar pace with everyday usability.
Switzer Performance, the Ohio-based tuning specialist, launched its P800 package for the Porsche 997 Turbo in mid-2009, offering owners a route to 800 horsepower and acceleration figures that put the car firmly in supercar territory.
The P800 kit was developed after customers asked Switzer if the 997 Turbo could match the power levels of the company’s earlier GT2-based upgrade. The answer was a straightforward yes. By adapting the hardware and software from the SLEDGEHAMMER project car, originally a race-fuel, stand-alone ECU build, the P800 kit for the 997 Turbo kept the standard Porsche engine management, making the package more accessible for road use.
Technical details of the P800 package
Central to the P800 upgrade are a pair of custom GT30 turbochargers with billet compressor wheels and ball-bearing centre sections, housed in lightweight stainless housings. Switzer’s own MONSTER intercoolers handle the additional heat generated by the uprated turbos, while the company’s ECU calibration ensures the engine operates reliably at these higher outputs.
- Custom GT30 ball-bearing turbochargers with billet compressor wheels
- Switzer MONSTER intercoolers for improved charge cooling
- Competition-style exhaust and headers
- Upgraded carbon clutch package for power handling
- Electronic boost control integrated with factory DME
Unlike the GT2 version, the 997 Turbo-based P800 does not require a new intake manifold or throttle body. Switzer noted that the 997 Turbo’s stock manifold flows enough air for the upgraded turbos, simplifying installation and reducing cost for customers. The kit also retains the factory DME, which makes the car easier to live with day-to-day compared to more radical conversions.
Performance and usability
With 800hp on tap and all-wheel drive, the P800-equipped 997 Turbo is capable of sub-3-second 0-60mph runs and quarter mile times consistently below 10.5 seconds, according to Switzer. The shorter gearing of the 997 Turbo, combined with the extra traction, means the car can deploy its power more effectively than the rear-driven GT2. The P800 kit is designed to be streetable, with clutch and ECU upgrades aimed at maintaining day-to-day usability as well as outright performance.
What the P800 means for Porsche tuners
For owners looking to push their 997 Turbo beyond factory limits, the P800 package offered one of the most powerful and complete upgrade paths available at the time. By leveraging the 997’s all-wheel drive and robust drivetrain, Switzer was able to deliver consistent performance without sacrificing reliability or daily use. The approach of keeping the factory DME and intake hardware also made the conversion more practical for customers compared to earlier, more specialised builds.
The P800 package remains a reference point in high-power Porsche tuning, combining track-level performance with the comfort and usability expected of a road car.
