performance chips

[zed b.]

hey guys

neeeeed more power, i was thinking of buying a performance chip to upgrade my ecu so i can get some more kick out my boxster, anyone know of any good chips that are reliable, but not too expensive either. I also thought that i would maybe upgrade the air intake to a performance intake, anyone has any suggestions on either the chip or the air intake.

thanx

[alee@usma]

you're not likely to get any performance upgrade out of chipping - that's mostly for forced induction, not natural aspiration. What I've been told is that most people see an increase in performance after they chip only temporarily. The reason is that the onboard computer resets and has to establish the correct air/fuel mix again. I'm not sure about this, I'm not a porsche tech, but that's what I was told from the folks at TPC (turbo performance center)...and they race 996's.

don't bother with increasing intake flow or getting a better flowing pipe - porsche's intake (I've been told) has a "velocity stack" design...and is pretty good. The exhaust pipe is designed to apply the perfect amount of backpressure to the engine.

I've been seriously shopping around to see what could be done myself. You have an expensive car...designed by people who are relatively passionate about racing. The low end (pricewise) upgrades are:

1) sport cams. I'm yet to see a dyno chart on how much these REALLY increase HP/torque, but cams are the best way to upgrade NA cars. Of course, THEN you need to get the ECU reprogrammed. FVD (fvd-web.com) has both of these services.

1-2000 dollars total.

2) high flow cat converters. Again, I've never seen a dyno chart on this upgrade.

1-2000 dollars.

then you step into the middle grade (because this option is cheaper than the next step...but it's all relative)

supercharger. ~8k installed.

then the (gah) high priced options:

3.4/3.6L engine upgrade.
twin turbo upgrade.

20-30,000 dollars.

I'd advise against high flow intakes like the EVO intake - they use special oil filters to get the increased flow - it's not just the pipe. The oil on the filter generally tends to screw up the MAF. In any case, the filter shape or difference in material (oil vs. lots of paper) realistically is not going to do anything to increase HP significantly...at least to any point that you'd actually notice.

I'm wavering between keeping my engine basically stock by just adding the sport cams and sport header and high flow cat converters w/ ECU upgrade...total price probably around 5-6k.

or

roock motorsports 3.6L upgrade w/ new header, high flow cats, exhaust, ECU, brakes and suspension...close to 35k.

I honestly don't know what to do, but considering that my 03 still only has about 15k miles on it (in the service, don't drive it in the winter, etc) I can't bring myself to tinker with warrantied items like the engine/powertrain. What to do...what to do...

[757BoxsterS]

I'm not sure I completely agree with alee@usma's assement. A guy I race with was able to coax 30 more hp out of his 2.7L with intake, chip, and exhaust. Of course it's also all about power to weight. If there are things on the car you can live without, or change slightly to save some weight you can increase the performance that way.

Here are some weight saving measures I've done so far:
* Replace the stock carpeting with some lightweight carpet.
* Replace the stock roll hoops with a Safety Devices roll bar.
* Replace the stock seats with some race seats (Sparco Evo 2's in my case).
* Remove the spare tire (use AAA if there's a problem).
* Replace the rear decklid with a fiberglass alternative.

Possible other ideas:
* remove the machanics for the popup spoiler (my new decklid has a molded spoiler).
* Remove the motor and gears for the soft top (make it a manual top).

Keep in mind a lot of the removal is "free" if you can do it yourself.

[Fletcher]

There is alot of conflicting information on this topic. I have been doing research on this for months. I do not claim to know it all but I have owned several p-cars and have modified several (excluding 911's, I do like them though). ECU mods are highly subjective, on any Boxster extracting more than 6-8 h.p. is highly unlikely. I have spoken to a couple of tuners who will add there tuning into the mix probably this year. Headers, intakes, cats, all could be viable options when tuned correctly. Here is my take one by one:
1. Headers. I have read many positive things about this mod. By no coincidence Porsche has added very header like manifolds to the new Boxster to aid in power increse. Used in conjunction with ecu and cats this may be one of the best mods you can buy $1300-$2200. headers vary quite a bit in price and looks. Some offer almost no merge collector while others are longer. Scargo and speed art's headers are very short while dansk are longer.
2. Intake. Well you could fit a BMC filter, or a complete cold air intake (the evo seems the most popular). You probably will only gain a couple on top with the BMC. The cold air intakes need to work with ecu to get any real h.p. though. Although I have no personal experience with them I like the scargo unit the best. It is of course the most expensive option as well but is multi shaped carbon fiber and I hear is not as loud as the evo (fine by me). This mod should be used with ecu flash.
3.Cams. Very little out there on these so far, time will tell. I am not a big fan of cracking the motor open unless it is way out of warranty and going to be raced, or needs serious work. Could be very viable though sacrificing some torque. Dyno's will tell the story on that one. Being in Ca I am always wary of smog regs as well.
4. Cats. A worthwhile mod when used in conjunction with headers, ecu etc. I am leery of 100cell cats though. The 200 cell are a seemingly better option (we want some backpressure right)!. Also California cars would want dual o2 sensor fittings on the cats (supersprint and Roock offer these).
5. ECU. Wow like the headers many choices out there. GIAC and Powerchip are probably the best known. Unichip is a piggy back type that hooks up in line. I am still doing research on this topic. You can make power, it's not going to be huge though. More tuners to come though.
6. Tuning packages vary wildy and many european packages don't use anything wild on the intake side (just a BMC filter) hmmmm, I find that fact very interesting. See Roock, Speed-Art Etc). However most seem to use headers/cats/exhaust in conjunction with a filter and ecu. 20-25 h.p. should be available. Rob at scargo told me he could get me an honest 25h.p. with his headers, cats, intake and ecu. He feels as many do that an exhaust change just isn't worth it for minimal or no gains (many times losses).
Just my two cents. I will probably focus on my supension, interior this year and performance next year. All it takes is time and money.

p.s. One last though about superchargers for the Boxster. Has anyone every been happy with one of these that fit right didn't send cel on a regular basis and not least of which ran right?

[wrcRS]

Chips by itself will do nothing. If you did all of these mods then a custom tuned chip might gain you a little hp.