looking for more Horsepower

[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.

[RandallNeighbour]

Just realized something. A thread just like this is started every single month... all new owners of the older base models want more HP.

We should get BruceLee to make a sticky thread that's got all the HP mods on it so we can point people to it instead of rehashing it all the time.

[Jake Raby]

Over time I have tested most every exhaust system on most every size engine. I have yet to be impressed, either on the dyno or on the street.

I have seen a 3K exhaust system cost an engine 20HP, or a set of cheap headers add 2HP to another. I have yet to see the gains that make the drone at cruise speeds or the cost worth it.

This year ALL of my updated engines were fitted with OE mufflers, I carried out the development for my engine program and apply what works.

If you like sound, go for it. If you want less weight, go for it.. If you want HP, reconsider.