HP increase: On paper vs. in the Seat

[geno]

I often read claims about increasing HP by 5 or 10 by changing out one thing or another.

I have a '99 MY Boxster and I seriously don't know if I would even notice a 5 HP increase (for example). That's only about 2%.

Is there a point (or percentage increase) where it would be easy to say: "Geno, you're definitely gonna feel the difference!"

I appreciate your thoughts.

-gene

[Pat]

In a car this light, you should be able to feel a 10 hp difference. Maybe 7-8 if you know your car very well and have a sensitive rear end.
(!)

[trogdor]

When I was looking for a Boxster, I test drove many including 99s with the 2.5l and 2000-2001 2.7l and 3.2l S models. The S was clearly more powerful but even the slight difference with the 2.5 vs. the 2.7 (I think 16hp) was pretty noticeable.

Much below that though and I'm not sure... I guess 10hp would be noticeable but probably a pretty subtle thing.

Maybe what matters a little more than the peak hp numbers though is the area under the torque curve. I enjoy my time near redline but I'm not there as much as 3,000 rpm. But as for upgrades to an exisiting engine... I have no real experience here but seems to me that those little hp bumps would only seem different (exhaust note) but offer very little when actually measured.

[RandallNeighbour]

After I installed Deluboz's aftermarket headers and muffler, I gained over 15 lbs of torque and 18 HP (at the wheels). This was noticeable.

The muffler I put on is also approxmately 20 lbs lighter.

[insite]

also remember that the AC compressor takes about 5-7HP to run. i think it's VERY easy to notice when it's on vs. off.

[Dr. Kill]

Originally Posted by insite

also remember that the AC compressor takes about 5-7HP to run. i think it's VERY easy to notice when it's on vs. off.

Interesting - I thought it turned itself off during heavy acceleration.

[mikefocke]

How many times do you put your foot to the floor and ask it for all it has? If it is frequently, then maybe doing expensive mods could be worth it. But if you drive on public streets in a semi-legal manner, I'll wager you don't ask the car to give you its all very often. So what difference would 10HP make if you never get/try to use it?

I've owned a '99 2.5 201HP and now have a '01 3.2 245HP and I'd be just as happy with the 44 less HP!! The base 2.5 was better than the driver.

My thoughts on the mods you can make, their cost, their effect, and the order you should do them in.

[Dr. Kill]

Originally Posted by mikefocke

I've owned a '99 2.5 201HP and now have a '01 3.2 245HP and I'd be just as happy with the 44 less HP!! The base 2.5 was better than the driver.

I completely agree with you. I have always made a habit of modding the cars that I have owned – everything from a broken down Volvo 740 Turbo I drove in college to several very hopped up Mustangs that I have owned more recently. When I purchased the 987, I immediately began thinking of improvements, but to this day have not found anything that I feel worth doing for street driving. This car is the first car I have owned that, out of the box, has a performance envelope greater than my skills as a driver. Whether this means I drive a world class car, or I have just found the edges of my limited ability, I don’t know. Either way, from my perspective, I enjoy driving this thing every day the way it is, and do not see a need or point to adding 10HP.

Others though, may see it a bit differently.

[insite]

Originally Posted by Dr. Kill

Interesting - I thought it turned itself off during heavy acceleration.

nope! try it; with the ac on, floor it second. press the snowflake button. it's like mini-nitrous. ok, not that noticable, but it really does make a difference.

Originally Posted by insite

nope! try it; with the ac on, floor it second. press the snowflake button. it's like mini-nitrous. ok, not that noticable, but it really does make a difference.

So, so push the snowflake button on or off??

[insite]

Originally Posted by blkboxster

So, so push the snowflake button on or off??

when the snowflake icon is displayed on the LCD, the compressor is engaged. no snowflake means the compressor is disengaged.