Do I need an ECU tune after bolt-on upgrades?

[YellowBoxster951]

2000 boxster S, manual trans with 70k.

I am doing the following over the next few weeks and already have all the parts needed:

987 airbox with hi flo intake (pedro)
997 tb and plenum
de-snorkel
fabspeed exhaust w/ sport cats
short throw (this one doesn't really matter for this question)
and POSSIBLY underdrive pulley but I'm on the fence about it.

After these upgrades will the ecu learn how to run the car or do I need a tune?

Also, while I am in there tooling around, do you have any other performance
upgrade recommendations for me? I dont race it, just weekend canyon carving.

Thanks!

[F18febe]

Originally Posted by YellowBoxster951

2000 boxster S, manual trans with 70k.

I am doing the following over the next few weeks and already have all the parts needed:

987 airbox with hi flo intake (pedro)
997 tb and plenum
de-snorkel
fabspeed exhaust w/ sport cats
short throw (this one doesn't really matter for this question)
and POSSIBLY underdrive pulley but I'm on the fence about it.

After these upgrades will the ecu learn how to run the car or do I need a tune?

Also, while I am in there tooling around, do you have any other performance
upgrade recommendations for me? I dont race it, just weekend canyon carving.

Thanks!

Change the belt while you are in there changing out the pulley; that's an easy add-on.

Not sure what condition your shifter knob is in, but it might be worth replacing that while you have the shifter apart.

While the center console it out, you might want to take the ashtray out and put the cubby in (Ashtray delete kit).

This next suggestion is highly controversial on this forum, but I did this and it greatly improves the "feel" of the acceleration. And that is the addition of a Sprint Booster. Although a bit pricey, it was worth it to me. It is very easy to install also. Just be careful to seat it correctly because if it comes loose then the car will go into limp mode. Search Sprint Boost within the Forum and you can read all about it.

Good luck with the upgrades.

[YellowBoxster951]

Originally Posted by F18febe

Change the belt while you are in there changing out the pulley; that's an easy add-on.

Not sure what condition your shifter knob is in, but it might be worth replacing that while you have the shifter apart.

While the center console it out, you might want to take the ashtray out and put the cubby in (Ashtray delete kit).

This next suggestion is highly controversial on this forum, but I did this and it greatly improves the "feel" of the acceleration. And that is the addition of a Sprint Booster. Although a bit pricey, it was worth it to me. It is very easy to install also. Just be careful to seat it correctly because if it comes loose then the car will go into limp mode. Search Sprint Boost within the Forum and you can read all about it.

Good luck with the upgrades.

Thanks for all the great advice! I don't think I have an ashtray. I have a cd holder and a little cubby. Id really like a cup holder though! Looking at the sprint booster now. Wondering if maybe the softronic tune will do the same thing.

[BYprodriver]

Originally Posted by YellowBoxster951

2000 boxster S, manual trans with 70k.

I am doing the following over the next few weeks and already have all the parts needed:

987 airbox with hi flo intake (pedro)
997 tb and plenum
de-snorkel
fabspeed exhaust w/ sport cats
short throw (this one doesn't really matter for this question)
and POSSIBLY underdrive pulley but I'm on the fence about it.

After these upgrades will the ecu learn how to run the car or do I need a tune?

Also, while I am in there tooling around, do you have any other performance
upgrade recommendations for me? I dont race it, just weekend canyon carving.

Thanks!

Only if you change the MAF tube size such as the 987 MAF tube.

[thstone]

Originally Posted by YellowBoxster951

Looking at the sprint booster now. Wondering if maybe the softronic tune will do the same thing.

The sprint booster simply remaps the throttle so it opens much further compared to the amount of throttle pedal movement. Thus, it tricks the driver into thinking that the engine has much more power at throttle tip in - wow, I just touch it and it really goes! You can achieve the exact same response by simply pushing harder on the throttle! And, of course, the actual engine power is unchanged so the greater response at low throttle openings has to come at the expense of less power at wider throttle openings (wow, I floor it and nothing much more happens).

The Softronic tune will actually produce slightly more engine power but will mostly leave the throttle sensitivity at stock.