986 2.7L Performance Upgrades

[Carrera787]

Hello again Wayne, gents!

I have an '02 986 Boxster 2.7L & an '87 911 Carrera. I've spent considerable time (and money) on tuning my 911, and now I turn to my Boxster.

I've done the brakes, suspension etc, and now I'm looking for more HP without a major rebuild (yet). I'm using a K&N panel filter, Fabspeed cat-bypass & performance muffler, and I'm debating upgrading my engine EMC / ECU ('chip') and the fuel/air mapping.

Can you gents give your performance 'chip' recommendations at a fair price?

Does anyone have experience with GIAC, Revo, GMC, Volo to share?

(I hear horror stories of reduced performance with the Volo V12 from a Bimmer forum)


Thanks for your thoughts gents!
-Adrian
adrian.p.hughes@boeing.com

[Wayne 962]

The Softronic guys are the way to go, you can see an article I have on the installation here: Pelican Technical Article: Installing Performance DME Map Software - 986 Boxster (1997-04) - 987 Boxster (2005-08)

When writing the book, I basically searched out who had the best and most complete solutions - Softronic leads the pack. The software is installable via a laptop, and completely reversible as well. The tech support is stellar too, as you will find out. The laptop-delivery method is so good that other software/chip providers have licensed it to deliver their own software too. Might as well go to the source though. Scott Slauson, the owner of Softronic is a PCA Tech Advisor and knows his stuff.

That said, there is no replacement for displacement, and going from a 2.7 to a 3.4 is really the way to transform the car completely. If you ever get down to Los Angeles here, I will show you in person!

-Wayne

[Crispy]

What about the cost? Does each user have to pay the $800+/- or can more than one car be done with a license? Thanks, C.

[Carrera787]

Thanks Wayne for your complete reply!

My 2.7L has only a mere 65k miles, so the suggested 3.4L upgrade is a few miles off. With this in mind your suggestion of the Softronic DME mapping is a must for me, and I'll be a definite customer when your site offers the product (10-15% is a superb return to me!)

Please email me Wayne when you can supply the Softronic upgrade?

Thanks!
-Adrian
adrian.p.hughes@boeing.com

[mikefocke]

What do you expect the new software to do for you that is worth the risk and expense?

Flashing is always somewhat of a risk ...low perhaps but still there. And as for storing a backup, well those get lost sometimes.

I've always heard that the software flash is the thing you do last after you have done all your expensive mods to the intake and exhaust and maybe even to the heads so that the new s/w can be tuned to your mods.

And I've heard that the one size fits all flashes can be helpful or not. I know of someone who has a dyno who went through dozens of flashes searching for the right combination and he had a method of validating the effect of every change. He'd flash, dyno, then take it out in the real world and do driveability tests. And of course with every change to the air flow into or out of his engine the parameters changed.

[Grantsfo]

In my opinion weight reduction is best performance enhancer you can do for 2.7. Lightweight flywheel and clutch disc, lighter 17" wheels, lighter brake rotors, Carbon fiber lids, lighter exhaust system. One thing I can recommend is to have injectors balanced and calibrated at RC Engineering. http://www.rceng.com/Fuel-Injector-ProCal-Service-P44C0.aspx?UserID=5763782&SessionID=lHNgfyOR8YuO0rQp6oGZ

My little 2.5 will make mince meat out of a heavy street going 3.4 car at speeds under 75 MPH. It would make a believer of anyone who underestimates value of weight reduction

[dad911]

Underdrive pulley is worth 4-5 HP.

I agree with Grant, the lighter the better. Carpet, seats, and padding weigh alot in these cars.

[BYprodriver]

+1 on underdrive pulley, adding lightness & RC engineering.

[messex]

Any recommendations on the Underdrive pulley? What are the risks of swapping one of these out.

Thanks,
Mark

[dad911]

Originally Posted by messex

Any recommendations on the Underdrive pulley? What are the risks of swapping one of these out.

Thanks,
Mark

No risks, hardest part is cutting down the 'post' that marks TDC. I used one of these: http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/551021-undercoating-removal-fastest-method-yet.html with a toothed blade, cut nice and straight quickly.