looking for more Horsepower

[JFP in PA]

Speed cost money; how fast do you want to go?

[JettaGLi16v]

An old, but always true, adage...
(speed = $$$)

For $1k, your options are somewhat limited.
Always keep your eyes open for used items.
But, If I had $1k to improve a '99 box, I would:
Chinese headers - $120
Chip/ECU upgrade - $400
Intake kit - $300
and then go out and do a few autocrosses.

Beware, you may be disappointed with the butt-dyno improvement with these mods,
It will not be a HUGE bump, but a little one.
(P-cars are not where you want to be for cheap performance...)

The biggest improvement you can likely make to the car,
is learning how to drive it better.
AutoX, AutoX, AutoX...
Then buy some tires.

-Brad

[Topless]

Add HP or performance? There is a difference. A bunch of lap dogs got together and calculated the relative performance gains on a local 90 second race track. It looked something like this:

Add quality chip/headers/exhaust, $1800 cost, 20 hp gain, shave 3/10ths/lap.

Add 3.4L motor (100hp), $10k cost, shave 2 seconds/lap.

Remove 400 lbs, $0, shave 4 seconds/lap.

Add comp tires and weekend performance driving school, $1000 cost, shave 10 seconds per lap.

Choose wisely.

[MikenOH]

Originally Posted by Topless

Add HP or performance? There is a difference. A bunch of lap dogs got together and calculated the relative performance gains on a local 90 second race track. It looked something like this:

Add quality chip/headers/exhaust, $1800 cost, 20 hp gain, shave 3/10ths/lap.

Add 3.4L motor (100hp), $10k cost, shave 2 seconds/lap.

Remove 400 lbs, $0, shave 4 seconds/lap.

Add comp tires and weekend performance driving school, $1000 cost, shave 10 seconds per lap.

Choose wisely.

Good points, topless

In street driving, I don't know if you'd notice an extra 10-20 HP very often but a bump in torque--say 10-15/ft/lb would be noticeable in the 2.5L and appreciated.

At an Autox or DE, the extra HP might be helpful getting your speed up just a bit, but better brakes, stickier tires and more practice will get you around the course faster for a lot less money.

[tamarsha]

For me the best bang for the buck has been the crios exhaust mod and FVD software flash. The exhaust mod was easy and free! No HP gain but sounded better. The FVD software my only add a few extra HP but it will make you car drive completely different. More power in the mid range and a lot better throttle response.

[RandallNeighbour]

Have you been to the track with your local PCA for a high speed driver's education course yet?

You may not want more HP if you do this. It's a great cure for horsepoweritis, or at least it was for me.

To get enough HP to really make our model years feel fast, it's gonna cost ten grand or more. I am saving that money for a newer and much faster Cayman S instead of modding my 97. The 2010's have a new motor in them that doesn't have an IMS and may be the most bullet proof motor Porsche has made to date... that's the motor I want in my next pre-owned Porsche, and it will have gobs of HP compared to my 2.5.

[Bobiam]

Lots of good advice here. I enjoyed reading it. A Boxster can gobble up a grand PDQ. As you get used to it, especially if you take it on the track, you'll find that there is lots of stuff that you "need". Suspension parts are all expensive. A set of halfway decent performance tires are a grand or more and the rears only last 12-15,000 miles with cautious driving.

Welcome to the fold. My advice is to do a lot of reasearch and thinking before parting with your $s for a few HP.