Performance upgrades for '88 Carrera?

[Bullet Bob]

I just bought an 88 Carrera and I was wondering what sort of engine performance upgrades can be done and what the associated costs are. Things I am considering are headers, exhaust, and a chip, and I have a few questions about each.

When going to performance headers will I lose my heater? Are performance headers much better than the factory heat exchangers?

I have heard that upgrading the exhaust will give some more power but I really don't want a car that will wake up my neighbors in the morning. A little more bark is fine but I don't want a car that is downright noisy. What are the best options out there? Will an exhaust make much of a difference without buying headers?

If I upgrade the exhaust and headers do I need to get a chip to make everything work together at max performance?

What is the cost and performance gain of all this stuff? Are there any other options that are bolt-on that I have overlooked?

Thanks,
Bob

[Por_sha911]

Welcome. For exhaust you can go with SSI, B&B Headers (>$) or just a cat bypass and sport muffler (least $). None of these options will eliminate your heat. SW Chip is the standard of excellence (not just my opinion). If you go with B&B, the chip really helps.
You have a lot of searching to do. Use the button on the upper Right part of your screen in between FAQs and home. Call when you get stuck.

[stormmaster]

yes going to headers will cost you your heater....the exchangers are headers inside...unless it is going to be a track car....i dont suggest it...you can change your muffler...might gain a little...depends on the brand....some have been tested to prove loss of power...the chip...I had one in my car...took it out and put the stock one back in....much better for the street....you dont say if you are going to be doing lots of track events....you just have to decide for yourself....I have a cat-bypass pipe and will be installing a stock muffler with dual outlets...opened the airbox lid (ala cup)...and have all the power I want and need for the street...I dont do track events...not into AutoX any more...so that is all i need....you need to decide what your car is going to be used for....the factory did a pretty good job of maximizing performance...spend your money on drivers ed ....best bang for the buck...learn how to drive it the way it was meant to be driven

[Bullet Bob]

Joe,

With the modifications you have made can you really feel the difference? Was it well worth the $$$? By "sport muff;er" do you mean the Dansk that was made in the pre'75 style?

Thanks,
Bob

[Bullet Bob]

Don,

Sounds like I am looking to do what you have done. I do not intend to take this to the track. It is my daily driver and I am looking for the low hanging fruit as far as modifications go. I want to keep this car 95% stock and just do a few basic performance modifications if they will give a noticeable improvement.

"I have a cat-bypass pipe and will be installing a stock muffler with dual outlets...opened the airbox lid (ala cup)..."

Could you explain what exactly these accomplish and how I would go about implementing them on my own car (namely the airbox lid)

Thanks,
Bob

[ZOA NOM]

Welcome aboard. You picked the best year. The car, in it's stock form is probably well beyond your driving ability. Spend your time and money becoming a better driver before modifying it.

[Bullet Bob]

Zoanas,

Great idea. I do think I will take some lessons and improve my driving ability. My daily commute is a solid hour and most of it is on country roads. A couple of lessons and then I'd have a few hours of practice every day. If I did take lessons, how hard are they on tires? Would a hard day of driving wear out a set of tires? Also, where would I go to get some lessons? There is a track near where I live (Portland, OR) but where do I find an instructor?

Thanks,
Bob

[88-diamondblue]

Best upgrade is the chip from Sreve Wong at 911chips.com, Pelican sells them here as well. Single best performance upgrade along with the euro-pre muffler that you can do. Cars becomes much more responsive through out the entire rpm range. Do a search many hours of reading on this.

[911skb]

Bob,
congrats on the purchase. check out the Oregon Region PCA website. Click on the 2006 Calendar link on the left, good info on upcoming Driver's Ed days there.

www.oregonpca.org

Also try, www.portlandraceway.com , they have a calendar of events as well. Most of the other car clubs will let you bring your 911 out to their Driver's Ed day as well.

Also, look for the Saturday morning Arrive and Drives on the PCA calendar, good time taking a 2 - 3 drive with a bunch of other Porsches.

[KCinBR]

I also have an 88 Carrera, and have just done (since the first of the year) a few mods.
1. Steve Wong Chip 911 Chips is by far the best bang for the buck you can get. It makes a huge difference in all round driveability.
2. I added a Fabspeed Euro pre-muffler (takes the place of the cat)
3. Also added 1 in 1 out Muffler from M&K this muffler is very welbuilt and about half the price of some of the others and sounds great and not real loud.

I would say do your exhaust mods first then order the chip for the mods......I did it backwards and now I am waiting for the upgraded chip from 911 Chips

.....KC

[real550A]

Bob-
Sent you PM

[bfegan]

My 88 is a street/occasional DE car. I have a Fabspeed cat bypass, Monty muffler and SW chip. Car is much more responsive to the throttle.

I don't think it is too loud.

I didn't drill holes in the air box because from what I've read it doesn't give you much (if anything) and is not "reversible" should you want to return to stock.

[stormmaster]

Easy to return to stock if you buy an extra lid off ebay for cheap....which is what I did....it may not add anything....but it sure sounds good...

[ZOA NOM]

Originally posted by Bullet Bob
Zoanas,

Great idea. I do think I will take some lessons and improve my driving ability. My daily commute is a solid hour and most of it is on country roads. A couple of lessons and then I'd have a few hours of practice every day. If I did take lessons, how hard are they on tires? Would a hard day of driving wear out a set of tires? Also, where would I go to get some lessons? There is a track near where I live (Portland, OR) but where do I find an instructor?

Thanks,
Bob

Wow, small world, Bob. I flew into McMinnville on a whim to get some lunch during a flight to Seattle. Great little town, and I was surprised to see the Spruce Goose sitting in a little museum just outside the airport!

Anyway, an hour long backroad commute is heaven, isn't it? I have the same thing here in the Bay Area, and I love it. I also work shifts, so I get the road to myself plenty.

As for lessons, the best idea was listed above; get in touch with the PCA folks in your area. Also, try to locate any Pelicans from the Portland area, they'll know plenty.

Tire wear will be dependent on the treadwear rating and your driving style. Expect the rears to go away in roughly half the time the fronts will. It sounds wrong, but the rear tires on these cars are always under stress with the motor sitting right on top of them. I tend to sacrifice some grip for a better treadwear rating just because it's my daily driver, and I want miles.

[KFC911]

Hi Bob, here's my .02 worth... If I were doing it again (and I've done a LOT on my '88), I would forget about hp gains and focus on refreshing your 18 year old suspension in order to 'improve' your car. Although I've gone the sport muffler, euro premuffler, Steve Wong chip route, those hp gains (while beneficial) are not earth shattering. On the other hand, I've totally refreshed my suspension (new Bilsteins, bigger torsion bars, poly-bronze bearings all around, monoballs, strut brace, ball joints, turbo tie-rods, etc...you get the idea), and the difference in handling is amazing! These cars are all about handling, not horse power, and if your suspension components are still original, you'll be amazed at what a refresh will do. A suspension refresh isn't as 'cheap' as the hp mods, but they WILL transform your car! Or, you can do like I did, and do them all . I did everything myself (with the help of the experts here and on Rennlist), and really enjoyed learning all about my car in the process...have fun!

edited: ps: I forgot to add...I've also put my '88 on a diet (dropping almost 200 lbs), and the benefits from that FAR outweigh the benefits of hp gains that have been suggested.

[goat]

Keith beat me to the punch.
I would second the the suspension refresh. I did the chip which I really enjoyed. But when I put in the poly bronze bushings and larger torsion bars front and rear, and the turbo tie rods it really made the car quicker in the turns. The stiffer bars even made it feel quicker in a straight line too.

[nostatic]

3rd the suspension work. AND especially to doing DEs and learning how to drive. And I'll add that your country roads are NOT the place to practice performance driving. You are near a track...use it.

These cars have plenty of hp stock...you just need to know how to use it. And the only way to get anywhere near the limits of the car (even in stock form) is at the track. Stick with putting along on the streets...

[EMJ]

My 88 3.2 coupe has an Autothority chip and mass flow sensor, with B&B exhaust with headers. Definitely more punch and growl than stock. Big difference in car's feel and drive. As others have indicated, suspension upgrades will probably yield better bang for the money. I bought the car in its current form with the mods, but the improvements weren't cheap (Especially the exhaust). Previous owner spared no expense.

[klaucke]

993 heat exchangers can be adapted (flanges rotated on one exchanger) to fit a 3.2, provide good heat and are better performance-wise than stock 3.2 exchangers. MK is working on a 3.6 muffler right now as well.

[Por_sha911]

Originally posted by Bullet Bob
Joe, With the modifications you have made can you really feel the difference? Was it well worth the $$$? By "sport muff;er" do you mean the Dansk that was made in the pre'75 style?

Yes and yes. I like the sound and performance of the B&B Headers yet I still get heat (Stormaster is thinking of std headers and not B&B) but the more open exhaust requires the chip to be tuned so you don't lose low end torque. Steve Wong's chip helps the power kick in earlier in the RPMs. Having said that, I also totally agree with Zonas that the weakest link in the 87-89 Carerra is an unskilled driver. PCA is a great place to learn (Autocross, DE's and other drivers to pick their brains).