Boxster S vs Anniversary performance?
 

I've just realised that the anniversary is, on paper, 0.2 seconds quicker to 60mph (5.5 as opposed to 5.7) and has an increase of 8hp (266bhp as opposed to 258bhp).

I couldn't find anywhere how it had this increase. So... how?

Most likely a bump from the exhaust. IIRC, the anniversary edition had a sport exhaust system as part of the bundled options package. I don't think it came from anything unique like; DME, headers or plenum.

I heard it has the 987 air box.

I checked into this a while back. the 02+ get a bump (250 to 258) over the earlier cars from better heads and cams (improved variocam) and tune. the 04 anniversary gets the 987 airbox and an even better tune for another bump (258 to 266). Porsche claims that the pse doesn't add hp, just sound.

the 987 has the same 3.2 in it and makes 276 - how's that done? the 3.2 never got variocam plus.

*** edit - a quick look at the parts diagrams shows that the 987 3.2 is running the same heads and bottom end. only change looks to be exhaust and potentially better tune. So, use guys with early cars *should* be able to get 18 factory hp w factory airbox, factory exhaust (987 exhaust bolts right in and is smog friendly) and factory (or equivalent) tune. for comparison, 268 hp / 3.2 litres = 83.8 hp/litre. the 996 makes 86.8 hp/litre (295 hp 996.1 3.4 litre engine). so, still some room to improve (potential for 10 additional hp to 278 hp if same ratio applies). 996 has longer intake runners that will bolt onto a 986 head with just a bit of work - perhaps that is the last piece.

Possibly a different exhaust system?

Either way, is there a way to retrofit the 987 air box? Not a necessity but more of a curiosity.

Yes, I believe it's been done. Might be a few threads on it if you search.

Yes, I believe that BYprodriver is using 987 airbox on his 986

.

there's a few of us - myself included - running the 987 airbox. it's a good, inexpensive mod.

KRAM did a lot of posting on the 987 box much of it here:
http://986forum.com/forums/show-tell-gallery/56928-bang-buck-mod-2.html

I don't think he comes back here any more.

Lots of good info in this thread:
http://986forum.com/forums/performance-technical-chat/32074-987-v-986-air-box.html

The Spec Boxster folks did a dyno on a 2.5 Boxster when switching to top speed muffler and that one change, no remap, resulted in a verified 7 hp gain.

The HP curve was the same with stock(green)/top Speed(red) mufflers up to about 5800 rpm where the stock HP started decreasing and the modified kept increasing another 7 HP

I imagine the same is possible with a 3.2 along with removing 2nd cats if you have them.

http://986forum.com/forums/397380-post129.html

[IMG]http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/...ps16f5e463.jpg[/IMG]

It's all......
 

....in the air box and computer tune.

I know, I own one.