anyone seen this chip?

[Bavarian Motorist]

http://www.************************************************************/productpage.aspx?pid=109558&name=Powerchips%c2%ae#detail


Friend found it for me. It looks good and it has a money-back guarantee which is good, but it seems a little pricey?


Anyone have experience with this?

[RandallNeighbour]

It shows the availability for a 97-99 model 2.5 liter, not your 987 year model.

[MNBoxster]

Hi,

A Chip on a Boxster can be a good adjunct to Intake and/or Exhaust mods, including Forced Induction. But, the Chip alone rarely improves performance on par with the expense of the chip...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[Bavarian Motorist]

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

It shows the availability for a 97-99 model 2.5 liter, not your 987 year model.

Negatory. It says 05+ on there.


I think MNboxster is correct.

[racer_d]

Well

1) It would seem you need to send out YOUR ECU for them to redo, so plan on some downtime for this to be done

2) It is only legal in California on "off road" use - like a track. Likely won't allow you to pass NY emmission which come very close to Cali standards

3) It will certainly VOID any warranty

4) Since you send out your ECU, I am sure the Porsche Diagnotic equipment will know you've tampered with it when you need to have regular maintenance performed

5) What happens when you take the car for a long trip and can't find the octane you specified on the re-flash? Does it ping to death and kill the motor?

6) Without muffler/headers and intake revisions, I don't see you squeezing "10%" (or nearly 25hp) out of the car aws advertised. Sorry.

7) If you haven't already, you could join PCA and learn how to really drive your car well instead of simply "modding" it to go faster

[Topless]

Ah yes, the old chip debate.

We know what they do... Control ignition timing, air/fuel ratios, rev limits, engine temp, turbo boost, and even shift timing on advanced transmissions. Most Fords, Chevys, Hondas, Lexus etc. have chips that are "mapped" for reliability, fuel economy, and performance in that order. "Remap" one of these cars with a max performance profile and you will get stellar performance improvements at a cost of reliability and fuel economy. It is not unusual to see a lowly Honda Civic get a 30% HP increase with the addition of a cold air intake, tuned exahust, and max performance chip. It is now only good for 50k mi. instead of 250k and only gets 20mpg instead of 35 but it goes like snot. Much greater increases are routinely found on turbo diesel engines with the same type of performance mods.

Porsche is a little different. Those little engineers in Stuttgart already mapped these cars for performance 1st. Which is why they are so much fun to drive... which is why most of us own them. They already go like snot right out of the box. Sure you could probably eek out another 10hp with a more agressive timing, and higher rev limit but do you really want to?? 80-100 hp/liter is really pretty good performance.

If I really wanted to get the most out of my original Boxter motor I would use proven techniques... Get cold air to flow freely into the motor, add a performance tuned exhaust that takes advantage of my improved intake airflow, run it on aviation fuel and have my chip "performance mapped" while on a dyno where you could really dial in the timing and air/fuel ratios. This would surely result in performance gains that you could see and feel. It would also cost way north of $1000.

Another way to go is to leave the car alone and take that $1000 and put it towards a Bondurant School of Driving course. I suspect 8/10 Porsche owners would see a greater improvement in lap times and general driving satisfaction by improving our skills than by hot rodding our cars with the same money, myself included. Probably a lot fewer spins and crashes too.

Just one mans opinion. I look forward to your comments.

[Bavarian Motorist]

Thanks for the ideas, guys.


I think I am against sending my ECU anywhere. I'd prefer to just buy an OBD chip that is removable and reversible than to make any permanent changes, even though it would cost more for the single product.


As for learning how to drive better, I plan to do that with this sum of cash I have, however, no matter how well I know how to drive, the car wll always feel better and drive better if it's more powerful. That's not replacable and can not be replicated.


So what would you say then if I took driving courses? Take more? My point is, these upgrades are going to have to happen at some point. Might as well be now.


I appreciate all the input and advice.

I know it would be hard to squeeze power out of this engine that already gets 91hp/L, but I am going to try to anyhow. Silly me.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Bavarian Motorist

I know it would be hard to squeeze power out of this engine that already gets 91hp/L, but I am going to try to anyhow. Silly me.

I know I'm splitting hairs but I think your 2.7L gets 88.8hp per liter if the engine makes 240hp at the crank. Very very good anyway you split it though. I wish my 3.2L was around that mark...right now it gets about 78hp/liter.

[racer_d]

Originally Posted by Bavarian Motorist

Thanks for the ideas, guys.


I think I am against sending my ECU anywhere. I'd prefer to just buy an OBD chip that is removable and reversible than to make any permanent changes, even though it would cost more for the single product.


As for learning how to drive better, I plan to do that with this sum of cash I have, however, no matter how well I know how to drive, the car wll always feel better and drive better if it's more powerful. That's not replacable and can not be replicated.


So what would you say then if I took driving courses? Take more? My point is, these upgrades are going to have to happen at some point. Might as well be now.


I appreciate all the input and advice.

I know it would be hard to squeeze power out of this engine that already gets 91hp/L, but I am going to try to anyhow. Silly me.

There is more to performance driving than horsepower. It is the skill sets that make you a better driver. The more skills, the better. It will also cross over to street driving. You will use your eyes more. You will learn to anticipate more. You will react better in "dangerous" situations.

For many years I drove a 100hp 914. For all of those years, I garnered compliments and questions like "hey, how much HP do you have?" or "What kind of "6" is in there?". Then I would tell them. Its a 4cyl with about 100 hp. Yet, I could keep up with 200hp 911's. It wasn't because the "car" was better. It was because the "driver" was better. There's rarely a finer compliment at the track than one that acklowedges the PERSON rather than his equipment.

A 240hp Boxster is not a dragster. If you wanted to win "stop light" races, you should have gone with a Vette or maybe an "overboosted" WRX/Evo.

BUT. If driving curved roads is where you want to have fun, then the Boxster is a champ.

I'm not sure if you are a PCA member, but if not, take advantage of the club. In the NYC area you have 3 of the largest Porsche regions in the US... NNJR (northern NJ), Metro NY and CVR (connecticut). Combined, they have about 6,000 members. They schedule Drivers Ed events, Autocross events and Club Race events (as well as concours and social events).

Join online and sign up for an event this spring. If you've never done these types of events, I say get to an Autocross first. Drive your car against the clock. Then, if you are a rookie, be prepared to be humbled by 115hp Miatas that spank you. Or the civics, or the whatevers. Ride with someone with a similar car. It is amazing what even "stock" Porsches can do.

A few years ago in NNJR, there were 2 spectaularly driven "stock" non-s boxsters that could fight for OVERALL FTD. This against modified 911's and 914s (cars with less weight, more hp AND very good drivers). THAT is learning how to drive and drive well.

HP is nice (and yes, even great drivers like more of it) but if you don't know how to get the most out of what you have, why waste the $$ on more. $1500 spent on a "chip" can cover the entrance fee's for about 5 Drivers ed events or about 40 Autocross events.

[Adam]

Racer_D, very well put. Some of the best advice I've seen on here regarding the topic.

[Bavarian Motorist]

Ok, I'll post an update on my thoughts here...


First of all, I won't be doing those upgrades for a while. Not for a few months at least.


I have a new g/f and I need to spoil her...these upgrades can wait, although I love driving so much, I kind of care about her more. It's a toss-up, though


I can join PCA, I read about it a month ago when I joined these forums, but I am not sure what they do or what they're about. Their website isn't very detailed.

I already mentioned I don't want a drag racer, just SOME more power.

I don't want just an auto-x'er or a dragster, I want something that can do both, but what about when I'm not on a track or a course? Then what? How will I get my thrills? It's not that hard to push the pedal and rev high, and without that added power, how can I replicate the feeling I get from hard acceleration and speed?


There is no way. I can learn to be a better driver all I want, but that part would still be missing.


I picked the boxster because I knew it was a lightweight, precision handling vehicle that would be fun despite the lack of power, but I still find myself wanting more power. I'm sure you've met people like that, and if you have, then you know what they're like, so try to empathize with me.


I'm not one of those sunday cruisers with wind in my hair kind of guys. I'm a hard driver, and I know saying that makes me sound like more of a vette guy, but the fact is, I am a boxster guy, I just need a little more from the car. Nothing wrong with that.


It doesn't even have to be power. How about reducing weight from the car? I'd do that in an instant, and before someone says, "well, why don't you lose some, fatty?", I will reiterate my point earlier as it applies here: No matter what I do to myself, the car ultimately will have to change, at least slightly.


I will invest in PCA, though.

[RandallNeighbour]

Originally Posted by Bavarian Motorist

I kind of care about her more

I'd hope so! Cars are replaceable. A relationship with a woman who really loves you is far harder to find... and more expensive to maintain! However, a good woman is worth a lot more than a good sports car. Invest in the woman, my friend. The car will always be there.

Originally Posted by Bavarian Motorist

...what about when I'm not on a track or a course? Then what? How will I get my thrills?

Marry the girlfriend and she'll give you thrills the rest of your life! :dance:

[Bavarian Motorist]

Thanks I've learned the hard way that I can have whatever I want, but w/out a woman, it feels so meaningless.


Can anyone tell me what PCA does before I join? It gives a vague description on PCA.org but I'd like to hear some personal experiences.



BTW: I hope I don't have to wait to marry her to get thrills! Jeeze, I'd go insane....

[MNBoxster]

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

... Cars are replaceable. A relationship with a woman who really loves you is far harder to find... and more expensive to maintain! However, a good woman is worth a lot more than a good sports car. Invest in the woman, my friend. The car will always be there... :dance:

Hi,

Good Advice. But be sure to truly invest in the woman. If you don't, she'll leave, and take the sports car with her...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[RandallNeighbour]

Jim, you ain't lyin' about that!

[RandallNeighbour]

Originally Posted by Bavarian Motorist

Can anyone tell me what PCA does before I join? It gives a vague description on PCA.org but I'd like to hear some personal experiences.

BTW: I hope I don't have to wait to marry her to get thrills! Jeeze, I'd go insane....

PCA membership gives you a free subscription to their cheesy magazine and the opportunity to get a couple of hundred bucks worth of free drinks and food out of the local PCA chapter, who probably has all sorts of social events for members. It also gains you healthy discounts at track and DE events they sponsor.

I have made a couple of really good friend through PCA and found it to be a very good use for my $35 a year.

As to the other comment, you have not experienced true thrills with a woman until you are married to her and enjoying all the other benefits of a life-long commitment that make sex (and even mundane things like folding laundry) even more thrilling. You'll just have to take my word for it until you get there and you see what I'm talking about first hand!

[racer_d]

Originally Posted by Bavarian Motorist

Can anyone tell me what PCA does before I join? It gives a vague description on PCA.org but I'd like to hear some personal experiences.

What does PCA do? Well. As a second generation PCA member, I think they are great. For $42 (the membership fee) here is just a brief bit about waht PCA offers:

They are international car club devoted to the Porsche marque. They are all volunteers and Porsche fanatics. They began in about 1955 in the US. There are regions (clubs/chapters) all over the US. The Northeast US has thousands of memebrs. What do they do?

Well. They sponsor driving events.

1) Drivers Ed events - Grouped by skill level (and paired with an experienced instructor when needed) you are taught the aspects of High performance driving in a safe environment (ie racetrack).

For the Northeast regions, they go to tracks like Lime Rock Park in Ct, Pocono Raceway in PA, Watkins Glen in NY, New Hampsire Speedway in, NH, Mt Tremblant outside Montreal. Mosport outside of Toronto. Mid-Ohio in, Ohio, Summit Point in WVa, Virginia Internation Raceway in Southern Va.


2) Autocross: Grouped by car type/class, you compete against the clock (and others in your class) on a course, created in large parking lots (think Giants stadium or Nassau Colluseum) using colored pylons. The quicker you are the better. Some regions hand out trophys at the end of the day for class winners and Fastest time of day winners.

1 and 2 are fantastic places to learn car control techniques in a safe environment away from the ****************************s of the LIE or NJ Turnpike. In time, you will realize that the public roads can be a HORRIBLE place to "get your jollies".

3) Concours events - think car shows - get her all shined up and show her off (the car, not your girl ).

4) Rallys. Held on public roads, you are given a list of route instructions to follow. Sounds simple. Try one. They can be "relationship" testors with your "navigator" if you are not careful.

5) Charity. Most regions conduct at least one major charity event and donate the money to their causes.

6) National parade. A get together for the WHOLE club (not just your region). They run a whole slew of events. DE/AX/Concours/Rally/ Technical quizzes and presentations. Sometimes you can even meet a Porsche family member (I met Peter Porsche at such an event as a kid in 1978)

7) Club Racing. Want to race? Have a Porsche? this is the place for you.

8) Techinical presentations to learn more about the care and feeding of your Porsche model and learning of the other Porsche models. How to prepare a car for the winter.. for the track.. for a concours.. for a DE.. how to fix your car yourself.

9) The ability to learn about the local Porsche shops (dealer and independent) that are there to make your ownership experince more enjoyable.

Above all, it is about the people. The friendships. The comraderie all brought about by the love of the car.

In the end, your Boxster is yours to do as you wish. I just prefer when people ask how to make their car faster, I think, why not make the driver better first. Learn to maximize their own skills before "blaming the equipment".

Can you chip your car? sure. Supercharge it? Sure. (assuming its "yours" and not leased). If you really wanted more HP, maybe a 987 S was in order. With those cars not only do you get more HP, but bigger/better brakes and cooling ability.

[Bavarian Motorist]

Blah, I was going to respond last night but I poured water all over my friend's laptop and fried the motherboard


I had the online form for PCA open and everything.


I am going to join MNY. It's not a lot of $$.


Anyways for the FINAL time, an "S" was not possible!!!


Thanks for the help

[z12358]

Originally Posted by Bavarian Motorist

I have a new g/f and I need to spoil her...these upgrades can wait, although I love driving so much, I kind of care about her more. It's a toss-up, though

Spoiling a new g/f with $ and showing off with your Porsche is the best way to get the worst woman -- if you end up having long term plans with her. I suggest you spend your $ the way you planned to spend them before you met her. If she leaves because you didn't spoil her enough, then you're lucky. If she stays, then that's even better. IMHO, of course.

You implied that people that haven't chipped their Boxsters are "sunday, wind in your hear cruisers" and not hard drivers. Did you read any of the dosen or so responses in this thread?

Z.

[Bavarian Motorist]

Originally Posted by z12358

Spoiling a new g/f with $ and showing off with your Porsche is the best way to get the worst woman -- if you end up having long term plans with her. I suggest you spend your $ the way you planned to spend them before you met her. If she leaves because you didn't spoil her enough, then you're lucky. If she stays, then that's even better. IMHO, of course.

You implied that people that haven't chipped their Boxsters are "sunday, wind in your hear cruisers" and not hard drivers. Did you read any of the dosen or so responses in this thread?

Z.

Don't be presumptuous my friend. I'm not old yet but I've been with many many women and this one is THE one. She doesn't give a care for cars period, let alone my car. In fact she's never even ridden in it yet.

I don't consider it "spoiling her" necessarily. As far as I'm concerned, everything I own is pretty much hers, and all I'm doing is allocating funds where they're needed.


As for my supposed implication, I was not in any way implying that. Don't take offense to such things and twist thoughts around. I was trying to better describe myself as a driver and why I may want extra power.


I not only have replied to almost all the replies on the thread, but I have even submitted an app to PCA. I guess you didn't really read everything on the thread :\


Thanks, though.