Best HP increase recommendation
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Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 124
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From: By the Bay, Maryland
Best HP increase recommendation
I have a stock 88 Targa and I am looking to get a bit more HP out of it. She runs good now but I know it could be better. I dont want to bastadize it just make it go faster. What recommendations do you have for me to start with.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Columbus, Ohio
Seems to me that you'll be limited to exhaust and chip changes without bastardizing it. I'd do RalelyL8 (or comparable) headers with a sport muffler, and a Steve Wong (or comparable) chip. Beyond that you get into a financial grey area, as modifications are expensive and expensive to reverse, and cars are cheap. There have been several 3.6 converted cars floating around for sub $20k and for not much more than that you could step into a 930. It's hard for me to justify spending $10k+ to modify your carrera when alternatives are redily available.
My car is a perfect example of (maybe) doing too much on the carrera platform. I wouldn't trade it for a stock 930, but thats partially because I've become jaded with turbo lag. I also have to mix race fuel to operate... that's beyond the tolerance of most street drivers. The one plus is that I don't drive on the road much in Kansas, because it's just too boring!
My car is a perfect example of (maybe) doing too much on the carrera platform. I wouldn't trade it for a stock 930, but thats partially because I've become jaded with turbo lag. I also have to mix race fuel to operate... that's beyond the tolerance of most street drivers. The one plus is that I don't drive on the road much in Kansas, because it's just too boring!
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Columbus, Ohio
In most applications this is the paramount question, but I still think the only financially responsible mods to the carrera are chips and exhaust..... Unless there is a sentimental or other intangible reason not to sell the car.
Race Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,993
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From: Blue Ridge Mountains NC.
Talane. There is really no pat answer to this question, like rusnak's question back to you indicates.
Also, I would say exhaust and chip as 3.6 pointed out.
I will add, that one of the best improvements in these car is in the chassis. A well sorted chassis tuned to spirited street driving will do wonders on the track if you decide to go there. A well planted car will feel(and is) faster when it can apply power to the ground through an efficient chassis. Also, when the time comes for more HP, your chassis can handle it. More motor on an aging stock suspension is a disaster in waiting. More chassis under a stock motor brings the best out of the entire 911 "formula"
After that, a nice stainless exhaust system and your targa will be an entirely different car.
Also, I would say exhaust and chip as 3.6 pointed out.
I will add, that one of the best improvements in these car is in the chassis. A well sorted chassis tuned to spirited street driving will do wonders on the track if you decide to go there. A well planted car will feel(and is) faster when it can apply power to the ground through an efficient chassis. Also, when the time comes for more HP, your chassis can handle it. More motor on an aging stock suspension is a disaster in waiting. More chassis under a stock motor brings the best out of the entire 911 "formula"
After that, a nice stainless exhaust system and your targa will be an entirely different car.
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Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Alta Loma Alone
make sure the basics are all done. The Valve clearance, rotor/cap, plugs and wires, O2 sensor, injectors, and manifold vacuums leaks, come to mind. I had the cat bypass and open airbox but now with everything else in order I've put back the cat and the airbox. Now with the perfect chip and some octane she is still a demonfish to drive. I'd just look really close at all the stock equipment and chip it to the highest octane you can get your hands on. just bumping up the rev limiter will be more fun than you'll know what to do with.
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Bend, OR
It's pretty much stated above.....but I'll throw in a couple of ideas. First of all, I'll assume you mean faster overall (turns, braking, acceleration).
1. DE time. Most cannot drive a stock 911 to its potential. We may feel we are, but there is always someone faster, and that requires track time.
2. You can lighten the car some without too much "bastardizing". Seats for instance: IIRC, my old stock sport seats were about 50lbs each. Recaro or similar shells are closer to 18lbs each.
Lastly, once you start down the path of improvements, even bolt-ons, you are venturing onto the famed slippery slope.
1. DE time. Most cannot drive a stock 911 to its potential. We may feel we are, but there is always someone faster, and that requires track time.
2. You can lighten the car some without too much "bastardizing". Seats for instance: IIRC, my old stock sport seats were about 50lbs each. Recaro or similar shells are closer to 18lbs each.
Lastly, once you start down the path of improvements, even bolt-ons, you are venturing onto the famed slippery slope.
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 36
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From: Bellingham, WA
By 'go faster' do you mean quicker? or top speed? Hopefully you mean quicker (to chase those Subies!). Start by loosing several hundred pounds of fluff and trim. Keep it so you can put it back on when you sell it. Get the suspention in order, small upgrades make a big difference but none more that tires and alignment/corner balance. Brakes are great, no need for improvement. Engine just needs to breath and tweeked with a chip. That should keep you busy trying to figure out how to drive it on the edge for a few years.
Race Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,929
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From: Los Angeles
The sweet spot: Euro pre-muffler, sport muffler, Steve Wong chip.
Changing to headers is expensive and -- as Jeremy's graph points out -- not really a good bang-for-the-buck the expense, relative to the other options, unless you're going into the motor itself (cams).
Changing to headers is expensive and -- as Jeremy's graph points out -- not really a good bang-for-the-buck the expense, relative to the other options, unless you're going into the motor itself (cams).
