[MNBoxster]

@Markk,

First off, you took one sentence out of context from my post and used it as a basis to spout your own beliefs. That's OK, except that you continually misquoted me. What I said was - "Porsche did a fair job of maximizing the design on their own...".

Now to most people, this would read as "a pretty good, but not complete, job of maximizing the design..." Allowing that for you English is a 2nd Language, I'll give you that one, just make the correction.

If you want to speak Academically, then yes, it is possible to MOD any Internal Combustion Engine to great Performance. The necessary requirements are Time, Materials, Expertise, and Money. With these, it's possible to get 1,000 HP out of your Lawnmower Engine.

Now, while this may be possible, it is certainly not practical on any number of points.

You admit to the need for concern not to upset the Balance of the Car, but I'm not certain you understand what I mean by Balance.

It's not just Handling, although this plays a part. It is the power as well - there is such a thing as too much power on a car, maybe tough for you to comprehend, but there is. Then there's the reliability factor, which in fairness you did mention. But also, MPG, Weight, Heat Management, Accoustics, but also a financial limit, after which you are being unrealistic.

It costs roughly $200-$300 Per @ additional HP in the Boxster - hardly an insignificant point. Given the steep Depreciation Curve these cars already have, it doesn't take too many HP and you have a Car which has merely become a Folly. When all the while, for half the Money, you can buy the exact performance you're looking for right off the Showroom, right out of the Box with some other Marque or Model.

At some point, you've exceeded the design intention for the Car and should simply move into another Model. You don't take a Cambry and try to push 900HP out of it, although it is probably theoretically possible. At some point, you move on. This is more of what I meant by Maximizing the design.

The Boxster is a Good Car pretty much as it is. Any improvements are relatively slight and VERY expensive, not usually worth the effort. If you are that dissatisfied with it, you should move to another Model or Make which has more of what you're looking for rather than trying to tack-it-on to the Boxster.

Another point you missed was my statement about people taking an Ad Hoc approach to Modding their Car. They have $500 extra, so they look for a $500 Mod. It may be an Intake (which by itself does virtually nothing) or an Exhaust (again, very limited). Then they run out of Money or Desire and the Car is left incomplete, often worse than it was to begin with. My message was to look at what you want, BEFORE you begin Moddong the Car and then Budget and Proceed in a Logical sequence, not merely by what Parts you can afford today.

We can have a Hair-splitting Contest all weekend, but if you really are as knowledgeable and trained as you state, you must concede many of the things I say are true...PEACE!

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99