3.2 Performance Upgrade?

[LJ851]

Thought i'd add my experience. I've got an '85 carrera with a magnaflow muffler and i put a 93 octane SW chip in it. I have not dyno tested it , but there was a noticeable improvement in bottom end torque . I could not feel a noticeable improvement in peak power.

[zimmer266]

I've noticed a defnite improvement at low speed torque and throttle control. The car also seems to be smoother at higher revs, and the redline's electronic limiter was raised a bit. Still haven't done the premuffler and exhaust, but I may get around to it.

Sorry to pimp my own thread, but I took a couple of pictures when I installed the chip back here.

[nkotselas]

Welcome to pelican,
I've been looking for an answer to the same question. I have a SW chip, I do think it makes a difference (some would argue thats a placebo effect). 101 projects book from this site has some good things in it for you to do to your car that aren't too expensive. I've heard over and over again that people don't know how good their car really is until they go the track, and to not mod it till you have. It does take good driving to master these cars but i haven't made it myself.

I'm now into weight reduction but thats a different story, best upgrade for your car plus free at first.

[JeremyD]

euro premuffler - dual out sport exhaust - Steve Wong chip

Bets bang for your bucks.

From there the cots go up astronomically - the benefits not so much.

[kdog_us]

Originally Posted by zimmer266

I've noticed a defnite improvement at low speed torque and throttle control. The car also seems to be smoother at higher revs, and the redline's electronic limiter was raised a bit. Still haven't done the premuffler and exhaust, but I may get around to it.

Sorry to pimp my own thread, but I took a couple of pictures when I installed the chip back here.

Thank you for the input. A very nice thread indeed. I did see some mention of the ten pin? Not sure what that meant or if I would need to be concerned about it. Perhaps it is a topic for another thread.

[zimmer266]

The number 10 pin was an issue that was raised that applies to California cars only. The fat wire connector that runs to the DME under the drivers seat has a smaller wire with brown connectors running adjacent to it. These wires are disconnected in 49 state vehicles.

If you have a California car, this wire might be connected, in which case it should be disconnected on installing the chip. It is my undertanding that then the number ten pin issue is solved, by having no connection along this wire.

[Gman993]

Originally Posted by kdog_us

........My mechanic suggested joining the local PCA (central ny) and taking the drivers school. .......

Regardless of what mods you plan to do I would definitely encourage you to join the local Porsche Car Club. Get involved and attend their events and you will meet stacks of helpful enthusiasts and see plenty of great Porsches from stock to wild hot-rods. I would also suggest doing some of their autocross or motorkhana events. They are great fun, cheap day out, do not reqiuire any special mods to your car, low risk of damaging and not hard particularly on your car. I thgink you will also be surprised how quickly your driving, speed and consistancy will improve. They are also good for highlighting areas where you cars handling can be improved.

One modification I would suggest is fitting a Momo Prototipo steering wheel (or similar).... they really do look and feel good.

[Porsche 911]

Originally Posted by zimmer266

The number 10 pin was an issue that was raised that applies to California cars only. The fat wire connector that runs to the DME under the drivers seat has a smaller wire with brown connectors running adjacent to it. These wires are disconnected in 49 state vehicles.

If you have a California car, this wire might be connected, in which case it should be disconnected on installing the chip. It is my undertanding that then the number ten pin issue is solved, by having no connection along this wire.

^^This^^

An immediate improvement may cost you a total of $0. Especially if you live outside California and Japan (where they have strict emissions requirements), ensure the Pin 10 wires, which are next to the thick black DME cable beneath the driver's seat, are disconnected.

[DanielDudley]

If you can find a good alignment shop, new shocks, lowering and corner balance will get you ready for track days, along with new brakes pads.

As for the SW chip and cat bypass, I have never heard anyone who wasn't happy with that mod.

These are the easy things that make a 911 more like itself. Stripping out weight is also a popular low cost option. Many start with the AC and rear seats.

[DanielDudley]

Um, a good Porsche alignment shop, that is...

[kdog_us]

Having trouble loading pictures via Flikr. Anyone else?

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[MMiller]

Nice looking 3.2.....love the color combo

[dshepp806]

Originally Posted by Lorenfb

- Jerry Woods -

"Without opening up the 3.2 and doing internal modifications we have found: Zero horsepower in the whole intake system. There is zero horsepower to be found in the ignition. There may be up to 20 horsepower to be found in the exhaust."

- Quicksilver -

"An aftermarket chip for a stock configuration finds gains by tuning the ignition and fuel in areas where Porsche was conservative"

A major contradiction, where the emphasis was on STOCK!!!
Now who is to be believed?

I'm up for autopsy on this, as well,....Of course, I'm NO mechanic (I know the difference, however). I've certainly read about partial throttle response improvement with Wong's chip (and others) but would want to know "how" this is obtained (fuel amps or ignition maps,..other: BOTH).

For the patient instuctive types: what is changed within the maps when one simply removes the cat/converter and allows the engine to "breathe"....? And, to what degree?

I have to agree with Loren (thus far), as these "do" seem to contradict,..I mean, it IS what is,..what, in fact, is it?

Surely, there's an answer,..a clear one....

Of course, I'm the dumb-arse who never knew (rather, noticed) that my (89) baby was loaded with an Auto-Authority chip (for almost 1 1/2 years of ownership!) .....requiring nothing less than 92 octane gas (which, of course, I always run non-ethanol 93 octane from day one) .....I've not checked any of the parameters on this specific chip, thus far, but AM MOST interested to know more about it. Looking to put the Wong chip on board soon......I hope to get the part # to Steve so that he can read what's there (vs. how he does things)....I'm NEVER comfortable with changes (especially ignition advance) being unknown when the system DOES NOT have knock sensing and associated controls.

BEST!

Doyle

[Flat Six]

On the surface this seems like a contradiction but I don't think it really is.

If I read this correctly, Jerry Woods is saying -- in effect -- don't go looking for anything more than marginal overall (e.g., peak) HP gains by opening up the intake tract (MAF, K&N, ExtrudeHone, etc.) 'cause you won't find it. [Emphasis mine]

Quicksilver seems to be saying aftermarket chip = gains on otherwise stock motor w/ignition & fuel mapping. My interpretation is that re-mapped fuel & ignition can produce some marginal overall (e.g., peak) HP gains at the risk (very little / some / a lot of risk, depending on who's chip you buy) of detonation and other woes. Besides peak power, however, I'd believe the greater benefit of remapped ECU/DME on an otherwise stock motor would come in the form(s) of throttle response, mid-range power, etc.

I'm by no means an authority, but that's how I read it. Jerry Woods & Quicksilver, my apologies if I've misinterpreted/misrepresented your positions.

Dale

Originally Posted by Lorenfb

- Jerry Woods -

"Without opening up the 3.2 and doing internal modifications we have found: Zero horsepower in the whole intake system. There is zero horsepower to be found in the ignition. There may be up to 20 horsepower to be found in the exhaust."

- Quicksilver -

"An aftermarket chip for a stock configuration finds gains by tuning the ignition and fuel in areas where Porsche was conservative"

A major contradiction, where the emphasis was on STOCK!!!
Now who is to be believed?

[Canada Kev]

Also check that you're getting full throttle opening - real cheap (about $0) and quick (half hour if you take your time). It seems that many cars' linkage is out of adjustment and aren't getting full throttle. Lots of threads on this...