new to boxster

[targa871]

I am looking to get a 1st gen boxster. 986.
what are the realist tic horsepower gains I can get from making it breath better and
maybe chipping. Thanks for your help. Hope this is not too much of a newbie question
Cheers

[ronster]

If you do a search here there is a lot of information on what you seek. The short answer is there are a lot of claims but reality is there is not a lot of hp gains to be had from the 2.5L unless you turbo it. I've made several mods to mine including EVOM CAI, Fabspeed headers and Dansk sport exhaust and only because I happened to be at the right place and time to get that equipment at a screamin' deal. To really find out exactly what you're gaining you would need to have your car on a dyno pre and post and that gets expensive. What I was after was more torque to the ground for AX and overall I believe I've improved torque, by exactly how much I couldn't tell you but my '99 Tip seems to run better, have more pick up and sounds like a Porsche should. Good luck in your search, there are a lot of good low mileage early Boxsters out there at a good price. I've never stopped loving driving my '99 in the three years I've owned it and my recommendation, before you do any mods, is to learn to drive the car by participating in AX and DE events. You'll find that although the car may be slower than the 911's it has capabilities that go far beyond your skills to tap into until you learn how to drive it and once you do it's handling characteristics can make up for less hp. Have fun!

[BYprodriver]

Originally Posted by targa871

I am looking to get a 1st gen boxster. 986.
what are the realist tic horsepower gains I can get from making it breath better and
maybe chipping. Thanks for your help. Hope this is not too much of a newbie question
Cheers

Spend the extra $5,000. now & get a S

[mikefocke]

If you are looking for HP, buy some other car. The Boxster is about handling and balance, not winning at the stoplight. And even the S with more torque isn't gonna beat that WRX in the next lane. But oh through the twisties.....

Mods

[Wayne 962]

Mike's right - if you want good HP, then you need to get something other than a 2.5. At least a Boxster 'S'. The 2.5 is pretty much all it's going to be, there's not too much that you can do to it relatively cheaply that will generate a lot more HP.

-Wayne

[targa871]

Thanks for the replies. I guess hp is not really what I'm looking for. The "more torque", pushed into the seat feel is what I'm looking for. I've done a few DE's with the 911 targa and they were fun. I have heard that the boxster handles quite well. I also would like it to "sound like a Porsche should"
So it looks like the headers & muffler are the way to go.
I'll post a few pics once I find the 986 that calls to me.
Cheers

[Jeff396]

"Torque is what pushes you back in your seat.......horsepower is what keeps you there!" That being said, unless you're looking to tow something I'm not sure what the benefit of torque without horsepower is. My '97 Ford truck with the 7.3 liter diesel has gobs of torque and can practically pull a house but runs pretty low on horsepower. Not being a smart a$$.....just asking the question is added torque alone in these cars is a good thing.

What exactly is a Porsche supposed to sound like? My '02 had a Borla muffler on it and from 3k rpm up it sounded like a formula one car and I loved it. From 3k rpm and below it sounded like my '65 big block Corvette with side pipes I used to have. To me that wasn't the sound a Porsche should be making. I would almost describe the sound as jalopy like when taking off from a light. The biggest problem was that on the highway you are almost always below that 3k rpm mark and the sound was unbearable. This was especially true if the weather forced you to have the top up and the windows closed. After a short while I would just want to get out of the car!!!! Since then I've replaced the Borla, which is in the for sale sticky on this site, with a stock muffler off an S. The sounds it makes while just driving around are very subtle but enjoyable and it "sings" when I'm getting on it. I would like it to be a bit louder but it's tough to find something just right unless you know people with the different combinations or have money to burn trying different mufflers out. I have neither. Anyways, at least I don't have to wear ear plugs anymore!!!!

Jeff

[recycled sixtie]

My 2001 Boxster base 2.7l I feel does not give me a push in the back when I take off. It only has 217 hp. But when u wind it up in the gears at around 4-5k rpm the engine and exhaust noise sound interesting. With the stock exhaust actually I dont hear much exhaust noise which is fine by me. As the above posters say it is not so much the power but the way it handles. The S has more power but I would think with the bigger engine especially you always have to be aware of the speed limit. If u get one, make sure it is a good one - PPI etc. I have had no regrets buying my 2001 base. For interest sake you should try the base, the S and some other make with lots of hp and see which gives u the biggest smile

[Oldguy57]

Mike really said it well, the Boxster is about handling, balance and I'll add FUN ! Last year I did buy a very nice 1998 2.5Lstock and I really love to drive it, the sound of that flat six is awesome... and just look in the mirror the guy that's is going to try to follow you in a hairpin higway exit... it'll vanish ! and remember... nothing drives like a Porsche !

[ronster]

If you've ever AX'd you know what torque does for you and I doubt you'll ever AX a diesel truck. If you want to know what a Porsche should sound like I'll take you for a ride in mine. My long time friend, who has owned many Porsches and is quit jaded about them, broke out into a big grin when I took hime for a ride and put it to the floor.
It all depends on what you want to do that determines where you'll spend your money but I do agree that if it's hp your looking for spend the money you'd put into upgrading a 2.5L into an S and a 987 if you can afford it.