New owner, age old question :-) - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

UTRacerX9 · 03-14-2008, 03:18 PM

Hi guys,

I'm brand new to the board, and I just purchased a 2000 Boxster S. I've had plenty of sportscars in my life, and well, I like to tinker with them and make them faster.

After reviewing some of the aftermarket parts available for the car, it looks like there really isn't much out there besides an engine swap, turbo or supercharging, that nets some real horsepower.

So I did some research, and my car has 250hp from it's 3.2l engine.... Question is, how is the 2005 putting out 280 with the same size engine? What are the differences between the 2000 and 2005 engine? Another 30 horsepower would be a sizable gain and it obviously doesn't involve forced induction or a larger engine.

Can anyone help?

Thanks!

Todd

edevlin · 03-14-2008, 04:18 PM

Hi, welcome to the forum, 2000 was a very good year for Boxsters (notice mine is a 2000). If you have a chance, take a test drive in a 2005 boxster S and see how it feels compared to your car. The newer car will be a little heavier, but you will still get a sense of the difference in power. You are right in that it is difficult to easily and cheaply get more power out of these engines with simple intake, exhaust and ECU mods. How do you find the drive and road handleing compared to some of the other cars you have owned?

Ed

Lil bastard · 03-14-2008, 04:49 PM

Better DME software - Motronic 7.8 vs Motronic 7.2 Larger file sizes 512k vs 16k allows more maps and more parameters. Variocam Plus ('05 or '06). These are mostly why.

UTRacerX9 · 03-14-2008, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lil bastard

Better DME software - Motronic 7.8 vs Motronic 7.2 Larger file sizes 512k vs 16k allows more maps and more parameters. Variocam Plus ('05 or '06). These are mostly why.

Is it possible to update the software in a 2000? Reflash the memory to 7.8 standard? I know some ECU's can be reprogrammed, but have no idea if that is an option on the Boxster.

If that is really the only difference, then shouldn't an ECU upgrade get me to 280hp or at least very close?

Thanks for your help!

blue2000s · 03-15-2008, 07:24 AM

I don't have any concrete evidence, but I'd guess that they've improved breathing over the years with port, head, valve and valve timing changes. Continuous variable valve lift and timing was introduced in 2003 which certainly aided in power output.

Notice that power went up by 12% but torque only went up by 4%, meaning the torque curve either moved higher up in the RPM range or it widened, meaning better breathing either higher up or across a wider RPM range. This, to me, points to the improvements in valve timing.

edevlin · 03-15-2008, 10:25 AM

"Is it possible to update the software in a 2000? Reflash the memory to 7.8 standard? I know some ECU's can be reprogrammed, but have no idea if that is an option on the Boxster. If that is really the only difference, then shouldn't an ECU upgrade get me to 280hp or at least very close?"

I put in aftermarket intake and exhaust systems and had the ECU reprogrammed for a 2000 base boxster with higher flow intake and exhaust. The dyno showed that I only got a little over 25 hp from the mods, but it now also has a nice wide, flat torque curve.

Ed

UTRacerX9 · 03-14-2008, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edevlin

Hi, welcome to the forum, 2000 was a very good year for Boxsters (notice mine is a 2000). If you have a chance, take a test drive in a 2005 boxster S and see how it feels compared to your car. The newer car will be a little heavier, but you will still get a sense of the difference in power. You are right in that it is difficult to easily and cheaply get more power out of these engines with simple intake, exhaust and ECU mods. How do you find the drive and road handleing compared to some of the other cars you have owned?

Ed

Hi Ed, and thanks. I absolutely love the handling. It is so light and nimble. My main sportscar is a Stealth twin turbo, modified to about 500hp or so. While it will go fast, it's also very heavy, probably about 3500lbs even after I've replaced nearly everything with lightweight stuff.

I've also had a BMW M3 and a 528i, both are great handling cars, but with more luxury than the S. Consequently, they don't feel as sporty. I've also had an Eclipse Spyder GST, and while it was probably nearly as fast as the S, it doesn't handle anywhere close as good.

Adam · 03-16-2008, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UTRacerX9

Hi guys,

So I did some research, and my car has 250hp from it's 3.2l engine.... Question is, how is the 2005 putting out 280 with the same size engine? What are the differences between the 2000 and 2005 engine? Another 30 horsepower would be a sizable gain and it obviously doesn't involve forced induction or a larger engine.

Can anyone help?

Thanks!

Todd

On top of the better computer software and variocam plus, I think 05+ have better exhaust manifolds with equal length runners. The manifolds on the 986 look like they could be a lot better.

UTRacerX9 · 03-16-2008, 03:20 PM

Thanks for the responses guys! I'll start with the basics, intake, headers, exhaust, and see what that gets me, if I'm not satisfied... well, I've got some spare turbos lying around...

Gary in BR · 03-16-2008, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UTRacerX9

Thanks for the responses guys! I'll start with the basics, intake, headers, exhaust, and see what that gets me, if I'm not satisfied... well, I've got some spare turbos lying around...

Spare turbos....hmmm....read some of our interesting ideas about intercoolers, meth injection, and forced induction on the board. We have had some great threads.

Welcome to the slope. Watch out its slippering.

UTRacerX9 · 03-18-2008, 01:55 PM

I've got two low mileage TD04 MHI 9B turbos from my Stealth Twin turbo. They would each be good for 11 psi to redline, and I'd really only look to run wastegate pressure of about 5-6 psi. As for intercooling... I'll have to research what is available and what will fit. I have not taken anything apart yet and haven't even seen the engine itself yet.

From what I've gathered so far though, most Porsche owners don't do modifications to their cars themselves in fear of screwing something up, which is understandable due to the cost of repairs to fix a mistake. However maybe I can help change that a bit...

Has anyone on here rebuilt their engine themselves? Or even taken out the engine/transaxle?

edevlin · 03-18-2008, 02:40 PM

"I'm brand new to the board, and I just purchased a 2000 Boxster S. I've had plenty of sportscars in my life, and well, I like to tinker with them and make them faster."

I thought I would add my 2 cents about tinkering with our cars. The favorite mod I have done to the car by far, was the last one I did and had nothing to do with the engine and HP. My stock suspension was getting a little tired at about 50K, so I lowered the car and added Bilstein coilovers.... Redoing the suspension made it a whole new car. The ride is a little stiff with the Bilsteins, but I put 1700 miles on the car last week, no problem, also no more body roll on hard cornering, and lots of control, its great.

Ed

rule1 · 03-18-2008, 04:14 PM

Where did you get them from?

edevlin · 03-18-2008, 05:15 PM

"Where did you get them from?"

A local shop in Richmond that does much of my work got the coilovers and did the install, very pleased with their work. BTW, glad to see another 2.7L 2000 boxster that is getting the mod "treatment", its great fun.

Ed

:dance:

rule1 · 03-18-2008, 06:10 PM

Glad you like the coilovers!!!!

JagdStealth · 03-20-2008, 12:34 PM

Who's this stranger with the boxster coming over here??