Gauging Interest: Turbo Kit

[g_arrington]

I would be interested on the following conditions:

1) Priced affordably - While there are a good number of members who have purchased new 987s, you are looking at a kit for the 986 models if I understand correctly. Although this is a generalization, the folks who own the 986 do so because they don't have the limitless resources to purchase a new 987 which has a significant hp increase. Therefore, I would be interested only if the kit was relatively cheap.

2) Easy to install - I wouldn't dare attempt to change the oil on my 986, let alone install a turbo kit...but others would. However, even for those of us who wouldn't install it ourselves, it would be cheaper and easier to find a mechanic who could install a more simple kit.

As far as destroying engines....I am not concerned....I never buy the first thing that comes out and will wait to see what happens to everyone elses cars first

Just my thoughts,

Doug

[JP-s-in st. louis]

Build it and feel free to ask about interest on this board...I DO NOT agree with JIM...keep up the work and if you build it they wll come!

[David_J]

I joined this forum to gain knowledge about my car. I was the first to respond to this thread because I was interested in the turbo kit. In no way did I see this post as a sales post. How are companies suppose to talk to their potential customers to see what they want if they can't make post such as this. Blake has said many times that if and when a product is available, that he would have no problem becoming a sponsor to promote his item.

Would I spend $10k on a kit? Probably. Could I have just purchased a car with more power from the start like a 911 Turbo? Sure I could have. But I bought the Boxster based on my preference. People ask me how could I spend $5k on a suspension upgrade on my car, I say, how could I not. I didn't by the car to be driving around a stock car. I bought it to make it my own. Suspension upgrades, turbo/SC, etc. They make the car unique and make it my own. Some people like to keep it stock. Great, that is their preference as well.

Blake, keep up the good work. I would definitely be interested in your product.

Thanks,
David

[JP-s-in st. louis]

Sorry to thread jack..But I am here in Seattle also..Dave I think I even saw your car at Max RPM on a drive a bit ago...My 2000 S is done and will ship tomorrow morning.

[Perfectlap]

I nearly turbo charged my Miata before I decided to just get 250 HP by buying a BoxsterS. Recovering the money to go with FI on a Miata would have meant probably owning the Miata forever or selling at a big ole' loss. and the other thing was that I honestly never fel that my Miata really needed more than the 150 HP. it accelerated to 60 mph in what a mere second or two slower than my BoxsterS? And as far as handling well a lowered Miata on sticky tires really lessened the urgency for FI.

Now many of the same things apply to the Boxster. It handles superbly without the extra ponies of FI. and the big BUT againgst FI:
The Boxster engine is expensive to repair in the even of engine failure due to FI. No one wants to deal with that no matter how much more power you'll get. Fixing a blown Mazda or Toyota engine is one thing but the cost of specialized labor to fix a Porsche engine is a deal breaker for most.

I know allot of guys who have owned many Porsches and (everal at one time)and they absolutely will not touch even a FACTORY Turbo'd Porsche engine. You simply can't talk them into it.

[RacebyDesign]

Lets all remember engine displacement.

The MR2 and Miata have a few good things going for them, however, engine size isnt one of them. I am a firm believer in engine displacement being a good thing, especially when you have a nicely designed set of 4 valve heads to go with it.

A 1.6/1.8 miata will dyno 98-115 horsepower at the wheels depending on year. The MR2 spyder's 1.8 puts out 125 at the wheels on a good day stock. I wont compare the other MR2's just for sake of simplicity. For these engines to put out real power (to compete with the big dogs), you have to push 7-12 psi. The Miata with a BRP air-to-air intercooler and approx 9 psi pushes about 225 whp, the MR2 needs a bit less due to higher compression but is also more fragile.

If a 2.5 boxster puts out 150 at the wheels (just pulling this figure out of the air), you would need a 50% increase to match them in power alone. This could be done with about 4 or 5 psi and a liquid-to-air intercooler and a very small turbo which would have almost no boost lag. Due to its un-boosted size, even a 2.5 Boxster would have tons more torque so the difference in weight would be insignificant. Add in the fact that most of you are running rubber that you couldnt fit in a Miata's driver seat.

So yes, in a word I wouldnt push 10 psi with a rough tune at a Boxster. It's too much liability unless your sponsored and get free motors in the mail. However, at 4 psi I believe it would actually live much longer than being strung out at redline to eek all the power out of it. Start playing with hot cams, computer tuning, and increased redlines and the wear really beings. The real factor is keeping oil clean, pressurized, and cool but you have to do this with even a NA engine.

Our Project Focus SVT with 5 psi of boost on a MP62 blower (no intercooler and 10.2:1 compression) puts out more power and torque at 5,500 rpm than at 7,200 stock. The strange thing that even at 3,000 rpm it has more spunk than it ever did, so we tend to beat on it less just driving around.

I work at a service department so I know what you mean about servicing things that are "tweaked" and most people shy away. Warranty work is always tricky so I dont believe in trying to cheat the system. However, I think that people with chopped up wiring from poor stereo/alarm installs are just as bad. The only difference is that aftermarket superchargers/turbo's burn up O2 sensors instead of your windows randomly working or frying an odometer cluster (not joking here /hug Car Toys trainee).

The main boon of a turbo system is holding back the urge to turn up the boost. There is no such thing as free horsepower.

Once again, great feedback. Your all true professionals.

[ohioboxster]

I agree with the above statements, not to beat a dead horse but my 4.5 psi makes my car feel like a totally different car. Yes, I want to change pulleys and take it to 6 6.5 psi but common sense tells me not a good idea. Just my random thoughts....