$55k PDK Swap for Air-Cooled Porsche 911: Midlife Crisis?

**Revolutionizing Classic Porsche 911s with PDK Conversion**

**Introduction:**
KCPerformance is offering a groundbreaking PDK conversion for air-cooled Porsche 911s, providing classic car owners with the opportunity to experience a modern dual-clutch transmission in their beloved vehicles.

**Investment and Benefits:**
This innovative conversion comes at a cost of approximately €50,000 (~$54,000), depending on the specific configuration. Despite the investment, KCPerformance believes that these PDK swaps will inspire classic 911 owners to drive their cars more frequently.

**The Company Behind the Transformation:**
While KCPerformance may not be a household name, they are the go-to experts for enhancing air-cooled Porsche 911s with state-of-the-art PDK dual-clutch transmissions.

**Enhancing Driving Experience:**
While purists may argue that classic 911s should only have manual transmissions, the convenience and enjoyment of a PDK gearbox cannot be denied. KCPerformance has observed that some owners of upgraded classic 911s tend to drive them less due to the manual transmission. As a solution, they now offer PDK conversions for these air-cooled models.

**Technical Challenges and Solutions:**
Integrating a modern dual-clutch transmission with an older engine presents technical challenges. KCPerformance addresses this by crafting an aluminum adapter plate to connect the engine to the transmission. Additionally, they install a new flywheel with a crankshaft position sensor and an electronically controlled throttle body.

**Engine Modifications and ECU Integration:**
To ensure seamless operation, KCPerformance modifies the engine to incorporate electronic ignition and fuel injection. They also implement an aftermarket ECU to synchronize the engine and transmission. The company offers various throttle maps and customization options for the PDK shifting behavior.

**Innovative Features:**
KCPerformance has adapted a modern Porsche 911 steering wheel with paddle shifters for use in air-cooled models. The gear changes can be made using the shifter in the tunnel, similar to modern PDK-equipped Porsches.

**Future Projects:**
The first air-cooled 911 model equipped with a PDK was a 993, and KCPerformance is currently working on a 930 Turbo with a PDK transmission.

**Cost of Conversion:**
Converting a classic Porsche to a dual-clutch transmission is a significant investment, with the conversion process typically costing around €50,000 (~$54,000), depending on the desired configuration.

**Conclusion:**
With KCPerformance’s innovative PDK conversion, classic Porsche 911 owners can now enjoy the best of both worlds – the timeless design of their beloved cars combined with the cutting-edge technology of a modern dual-clutch transmission.

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