Performance Enhancements

[Mark_T]

Originally Posted by Willbgone

Just bought a 1997 Boxster. What are the recommendations for performance upgrades that actually work? I get the feeling that the CAI isn't one of them but are there any other suggestions?

The question that comes first to my mind is, given that you just bought the car, why exactly do you feel there is a need to increase the performance? Or, more to the point, why do you feel the existing performance is inadequate?

[Pnut]

In 2000, Porsche saw fit to begin offering the Boxster S. In 2003, the year of my car, the S was equipped with 258 hp… 33 hp more than the base Boxster. If my research is correct, the S accelerates to 60 in 5.4 seconds while it takes the Base model 6.2. If 33 hp equates to .8 seconds (something that in a race environment would be considered ENORMOUS), why is there such dismissal of bolt-on performance parts? The OP’s car is 18 yrs old, maybe he just wants a few more horsepower to keep up with all the pressurized four-bangers on the roads?

[JayG]

Originally Posted by Pnut

In 2000, Porsche saw fit to begin offering the Boxster S. In 2003, the year of my car, the S was equipped with 258 hp… 33 hp more than the base Boxster. If my research is correct, the S accelerates to 60 in 5.4 seconds while it takes the Base model 6.2. If 33 hp equates to .8 seconds (something that in a race environment would be considered ENORMOUS), why is there such dismissal of bolt-on performance parts? The OP’s car is 18 yrs old, maybe he just wants a few more horsepower to keep up with all the pressurized four-bangers on the roads?

maybe because bolt on stuff does very little to increase actual HP unless you spend big$$$

[Pnut]

Well, that's rather subjective.

Shopping wisely, I figure parts at $5k and a local shop that works for $85/hr. Call it $6k. I bought a ten year old car for less than half of what it sold for new, and I'd guess the premium Porsche charged for the S over the base was $8-10K.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WN_h9juITLk

I posted this link elsewhere and never got a response. Fabspeed has a good reputation as far as I can tell, so why lie about your numbers? Is there any good reason why I shouldn't trust them? Also, they don't upgrade the plenum and throttle body in their runs.

Looking at your signature, I'm guessing what I'm looking to spend one time on upgrades is pretty close to what you spend a year insuring six cars in southern California.

[JayG]

Originally Posted by Pnut

Well, that's rather subjective.

Shopping wisely, I figure parts at $5k and a local shop that works for $85/hr. Call it $6k. I bought a ten year old car for less than half of what it sold for new, and I'd guess the premium Porsche charged for the S over the base was $8-10K.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WN_h9juITLk

I posted this link elsewhere and never got a response. Fabspeed has a good reputation as far as I can tell, so why lie about your numbers? Is there any good reason why I shouldn't trust them? Also, they don't upgrade the plenum and throttle body in their runs.

Looking at your signature, I'm guessing what I'm looking to spend one time on upgrades is pretty close to what you spend a year insuring six cars in southern California.

$6k in my book is a lot to spend for upgrades. IMHO, you would be better off selling the car and buying a 03/04 S and likely spend less than $6k over what you sell your older base for. You would have a more poweful car that is much newer with additional things like a glass rear window, glove box, better brakes, 3rd rad, etc.

My insurance is around 1/2 of that and the only reason its that much is 2 male drivers under 25. It would be just as much in other states

[The Radium King]

I spend a lot of time on the track and have seen a bigger performance increase from a 1 psi tire pressure change than I have from any of the engine work I've done. having said that, I've put a lot of time and money into bolting performance enhancers onto my engine. why? because that's what car guys do. something about tinkering with your car, then going and wringing it out, mebbe breaking it, then back to the garage to tinker again. sort of like being an artist, only I get to race my creation so I got it better.

[Pnut]

In the words of the great Yosemite Sam... "Whoa camel.... WHOOOA CAMEL!"

If this is a forum primarily for racers, someone let me know, cuz I'm in the wrong place. I own a nice pressure gauge and compressor and check my tires once a month or so, but that's to keep on top of wear. I'm not averaging asphalt temps to optimize my daily ride into work.

I've already got the EVOM intake (swing for my knees, I'm cool with it) which is sitting until I decide upon an intake plenum and throttle body. Down the road, headers, an exhaust and some software and I'm done. Except for the plenum (OEM 997, IPD, Werks1), Fabspeed seems to be my one-stop-shop. It's enough additional hp to notice but not stress anything. Keep the factory parts and enjoy life.

[OKCShooter]

Your '97 Box is slow. Throwing money at it will not change it.

[Pnut]

I own a 2003 Boxster S. I wanted a Boxster over a 911 for 1) mid-engine design, 2) two trunks, no useless rear seats, and 3) conveniently more affordable. I wanted a 986 specifically because I think the shape is more organic and true to the 550. I purchased the '03 for the exact reasons you mentioned, and of course the 'S' model for it's performance benefits.

All this doesn't explain why Porsche gets more HP out of the same size motor in subsequent models years, even after they've upped displacement - all of which, oddly enough, is to keep up with all the other cars on the road.

If no one can find fault with Fabspeeds #s, then it seems like a logical path for me at least.