Performance Enhancements
 

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?

Driver Education, aka DE day with your local porsche club.

Agreed, driver upgrade is by far the best and most cost effective enhancement. Plus it stays with you when you sell the car.

Common wisdom that about the only real bang for your buck upgrade is an undrrdrive pulley. Close to 10 hp for about $200. 10 hp just barely rdgisters on the butt dyno. Its about the hp diff between ac on and off.

As Flaps and P9 said, Driver Education

Join your local PCA chapter and take advantage of their events
If they offer a Performance Driving School (PDS) it will be money well spent
Also look for Autocross (AX) and track days

For most people, the car has far greater performance than the drivers skills

As many will agree, upgrade the driver then the car

ROW M030 suspension and big red brake upgrade. Better handling and faster stopping.

On man's opinions here.

+1 Drivers ed ( I need to follow that advice)
HP gains are so expensive for these cars.
Good exhaust $$$$ some gains, better throttle response Weight savings

Spend the money on maintenance replacement parts, AOS , Water pump, Thermostat, coolant tank, suspension components.

You'll have more fun with your Boxster if runs without issues

I've done 6 and 7 on his list. Waiting on headers to get here to finish 8 on his list. I've been very satisfied with the performance increase of the intake work.

I like his recommendation of putting money towards things that may need attention first.

Would you please explain how you would do this in more detail please.
"Increase the air flow into the engine by decreasing the resistance provided by the air cleaner."

luv2box has a differing opinion on the advisability of decreasing the filtration effectiveness of the air cleaner while also decreasing the resistance.

My list offers the possibilities.

If each is a wise move, I'll leave to the reader.

I went with a 987 air box to increase the filter surface area and a K&N air filter.

Actually Mike we do not disagree on your opinion of how to increase air flow we just have differing opinions of the long term effects of oiled air filters on a motor. When I first bought my Boxster I read your entire web site for information about it and have always been grateful for your insight. Let's not let a disagreement over one thing ruin the fellowship of owning such a great car.:cheers:

Thanks everyone!

I'm not bashing on taking classes, but don't you love how they assume you don't know how to drive a car lol.

Wayne Gretzky, Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods.....all the best athletes had coaches and practiced and took lessons. No matter how good you are at something, you can always learn and get better.
It's less about what you know/don't know - it's more about practicing and enhancing your knowledge. IMO

How do you know this guy hasn't already gone through the paces?

Even if he has, do it again. The more you do it, the better you will get. Practice practice and more practice will only increase ones ability (up to a certain point - but I'd be willing to bet we aren't there yet).

KRAM36 is the Stig!

Not even close, don't put words in my mouth, even though I "think" I'm a good driver of this car, plenty on here could smoke me with a slower car. It's just funny people first assume you don't have any training.