OK folks, job done!
What a pain, knees, legs, back hurt, cuts in fingers and hands, the price one pays if DIY! And a wrench day without cuts and bruises and blood does not count, right????
Still proud to have done it, though! Total time 2.5 hours, no breaks, from start to finish.
Some observations:-
-I used 2 silicone reducers from Siliconeintakes.com, bought online
-Also from them 2 larger clamps
-997 "T"
-997 TB
-Related parts as mentioned elsewhere in this thread
-Spectre hose to connect AF to TB
-The 997 T is the same width as the original but much larger in diameter. I had to trim the reducers a lot to make them fit in terms of getting the dang T in! That took 1 hour alone. Tip: Cut to the same length as the original couplers!
-RK, I still don't get how you used the original rubber couplers, I tried but no way they slip onto the 997 T....??????
-Once the T was in I connected the TB, easy 2 minutes. Connected the AOS line, no problem as was the plug into the TB.
-There is one hole to make into the right reducer for some vacuum line (forgot the name, who cares!).
-Now, the Spectre intake hose looks nice and all but I will def. change that part. It does not connect well to the MAF housing, painful to slip over....Tip: I actually tricked a bit by cutting on opposite sides to make it slip over and clamped down. That side is fine but...
-TB to Spectre hose is super fine but there is so little space between the TB and the rear upper engine "wall" that the hose is kinked a lot. I do not trust this connection at all! I will def look for an alternative, probably reverting to my original plan to do everthing in silicone as well.
-Not sure if the engine cover is touching the TB! It really is a tight fit there!
-The original TB is held in place with a bracket, did not use that part, it won't fit anyways.
What else?
Engine started right up. I only drove 3 miles since the installation so I cannot comment much on gains and all that.
One thing changed for sure, intake sound. With the original intake hose/tube it sounded "darker", more "roar" (excuse my description...), with the new hose the engine sounds "lighter" in tone, not bad at all! Actually more old school Porsche which I like. Maybe the elimination of the "Heimholtz" chamber has to do with this?
Throttle response seems a bit more pronounced, driveability is spot on.
I report later with more feedback.
Thanks everybody who has contributed, educated, investigated, written, wrenched!
Andy