Performance Enhancements

[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?

[flaps10]

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

[Porsche9]

Originally Posted by flaps10

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.

[san rensho]

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.

[JayG]

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

[Luv2Box]

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

[mikefocke]

On man's opinions here.

[kk2002s]

+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

[KRAM36]

Originally Posted by mikefocke

On man's opinions here.

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.

Originally Posted by kk2002s

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

[Luv2Box]

Originally Posted by mikefocke

On man's opinions here.

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."

[mikefocke]

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.

[Luv2Box]

Originally Posted by mikefocke

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.

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.

[Willbgone]

Thanks everyone!

[KRAM36]

Originally Posted by Luv2Box

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."

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

[Van914]

KRAM36 is the Stig!

[KRAM36]

Originally Posted by Van914

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.

[JayG]

Originally Posted by KRAM36

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.

well lets see, just bought a early model 986, 1st post....
It's highly likely that he has not had driver training in that car

Like others have said, no matter how good you may be and how much training you may have, you can ALWAYS benefit from more training.
There are people in our local PCA club that have had lots of track and AX time, that are instructors that have taken our PDS more than once.

[Pnut]

..or... maybe like me, he has no intention of tracking his car and just wants to make it quicker.

The 986 is one of the least expensive Porsches available to a sports car enthusiast. Thus, it's a budget purchase. If you've got the roll for a dedicated track car - congratulations - I genuinely applaud your success. My '03 S is a daily driver... I break it... I walk.

Personally, I'd love to take a GOOD performance driving class. But, the expense doesn't factor high enough in my budget to justify it. I liken it to getting certified for scuba diving and then never diving. The fact is... those are TRACK SKILLS, and while it can be argued they can be used defensively, their real purpose is flat-out driving on track.

There's an expression... "Keep it in the helmet." I don't wear a helmet on public roads.

[JayG]

Originally Posted by Pnut

..or... maybe like me, he has no intention of tracking his car and just wants to make it quicker.

The 986 is one of the least expensive Porsches available to a sports car enthusiast. Thus, it's a budget purchase. If you've got the roll for a dedicated track car - congratulations - I genuinely applaud your success. My '03 S is a daily driver... I break it... I walk.

Personally, I'd love to take a GOOD performance driving class. But, the expense doesn't factor high enough in my budget to justify it. I liken it to getting certified for scuba diving and then never diving. The fact is... those are TRACK SKILLS, and while it can be argued they can be used defensively, their real purpose is flat-out driving on track.

There's an expression... "Keep it in the helmet." I don't wear a helmet on public roads.

You could not be more wrong! A performance driving class is NOT just about the track. In fact, it is about learning how to properly drive your car and SAFTEY. Check out your local PCA club or even BMW club. Go on motorsportreg.com and search your local area.

Typical scenario in a PDS: you are driving on the freeway and a refrigerator falls off the truck right in front of you. What do you do? Lock up the brakes? Avoid the object?
Answer: avoid!. A PDS or DE class will improve your driving skills and teach you just how your car will react, just how great the brakes are, etc.

Its not necessarily about the track. A track school is very different

You can spend lots and lots of $$$ trying to gain a few HP and a driving school will teach you how you utilize the high performance from the factory all ready there that you don't know how to use. It could also help you avoid an accident or death

How much $ is too much to become a better driver, and you drive every day.

Maybe just keep a few gallons of gas in the tank. They are some that think that will improve performance and MPG significantly

[Topless]

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?

Tighten the loose spacer behind the steering wheel and weight reduction first, tires and suspension second, 3.4L transplant third. Few bolt-on mods will result in any measurable performance increase but sometimes the lighter wallet will make us feel faster. The placebo effect is real.