3.2 Owner, requiring advice on performance
#31
"That is 20whp over the published stock CRANK HP for a US car,"
O.K. so, based on the simple relationship between timing advance and HP
(4 HP change for every 1 degree of timing change), the timing in the chip was
advanced about 5 degrees over stock. Hardly any great achievement, since the
guys with the 911SCs knew that 30 years ago and just had to loosen the distributor
and slightly move it. Obviously like now, they had to use a higher octane to maintain
the engine's margin of safety.
So much for 'performance' tuning!
O.K. so, based on the simple relationship between timing advance and HP
(4 HP change for every 1 degree of timing change), the timing in the chip was
advanced about 5 degrees over stock. Hardly any great achievement, since the
guys with the 911SCs knew that 30 years ago and just had to loosen the distributor
and slightly move it. Obviously like now, they had to use a higher octane to maintain
the engine's margin of safety.
So much for 'performance' tuning!
#32
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,146
Likes: 2
From: Raleigh, NC & North Myrtle Beach, SC
The best thing I ever did to my 3.2's was to install a mass flow sensor. I NOTICEABLE difference response, and over all power. I'm not sure if they are still available but the installation is about an hour and very easy.
#33
I read that article a couple of years back before I ever owned mine. Definitely seem like a worthwhile mod if one planned on doing any of the usual bolts ons and wanted to maximize the gains.
#34
Car looks incredible! Fantastic shots. Nice steering wheel too, is that the Turbo S wheel? Much nicer than the horizontal framed version.
Are those 7" and 8" wheels? They look wider than mine - and I like it!
Any plans to lower the car a little? 1/2" drop would do wonders to the stance
Are those 7" and 8" wheels? They look wider than mine - and I like it!
Any plans to lower the car a little? 1/2" drop would do wonders to the stance
The car came factory ordered with the turbo steering wheel, internal door handles and a few other minor cosmetic pieces. I am the third owner of the April build 1989 model . I figured that because it was the end of the line they probably added the steering wheel etc to move the parts from the factory?
Anyway I like the wheel much better than the std version.
The previous owner (an air line pilot, really guy to) tried his best and spent squillions to get the AC to work. However to no avail. I also tried, but in the end said F it and removed most of the AC parts (just dead mass). I also removed the rear wiper and wiper motor.
The only other thing I did was replace the Cat with bypass or hollow pipe.
The original owner was a dentist who kept till 60 km, then the pilot till 108 km now me. I have had it for 8-9 years and put 9000 k's total is just under 120,000 km. I have not done much on it because I have been working OS for the past 18 years, and I also have few muscle cars as well to play with.
So to re invigorate my desire for it, I though I would pep it up a bit (so I hope the chip does for me).
It goes okay, when you take over over 4/5 odd k's but below it's ok, compared to modern day performance car if you know what I mean.
Actually the previous owner had both a 993 and 3.2, however he decided to sell the 993 first. I looked at the car 12 month before prior to buying it. However, we could not meet on a price. Then I looked at some 10 others 3.2 and 993 and almost 12 months later I want back and said, I would take it! naturally for the price I wanted : ) He'd sold it twice in that time, but they could not come up with the money. Cars are more expensive here in Aust. We get shafted big time, but thankfully that gap is reducing in some markets.
It's mainly the Europeans that that try to F us over. But thankful the gap is closing on the initial up front charge. Now they are concentrating on the service charges. Euor cars are good but value for money reliability bang for your buck the Japanese kill them, in my opinion.
#35
Sounds really good, however can you provide more detail please, Cheers.
#36
"The best thing I ever did to my 3.2's was to install a mass flow sensor. I NOTICEABLE difference response"
Actually, no independent testing of an air mass sensor by itself without the
timing tweaking has really been done. Once the other variable ('pushed' timing)
is eliminated, that mod basically provides little to no benefit. All the testing
is done with the air mass sensor and a chip, the consumer really not knowing
what the true effects of the new chip are.
What the air mass sensor only provides is a greater profit margin for the seller,
i.e. now the mod package is not just a $300 chip but a complete package over
$1000. So now by just 'pushing' the timing, to the consumer it appears that
the air mass sensor made significant improvements.
Do a search on the Rennlist 964 forum as it was evaluated there.
Actually, no independent testing of an air mass sensor by itself without the
timing tweaking has really been done. Once the other variable ('pushed' timing)
is eliminated, that mod basically provides little to no benefit. All the testing
is done with the air mass sensor and a chip, the consumer really not knowing
what the true effects of the new chip are.
What the air mass sensor only provides is a greater profit margin for the seller,
i.e. now the mod package is not just a $300 chip but a complete package over
$1000. So now by just 'pushing' the timing, to the consumer it appears that
the air mass sensor made significant improvements.
Do a search on the Rennlist 964 forum as it was evaluated there.
Last edited by Lorenfb; 10-19-2012 at 12:24 AM.
#37
Guys, put a wong chip and a clean O2 sensor in it and you are good to go. Make sure your plugs are fresh and your air filter is clean and you really won't need to waste your money on modern MAF conversions and the like. Even though it's fun to see Loren's head explode now and then, I gotta back him up on this.
#38
"The best thing I ever did to my 3.2's was to install a mass flow sensor. I NOTICEABLE difference response"
Actually, no independent testing of an air mass sensor by itself without the
timing tweaking has really been done. Once the other variable ('pushed' timing)
is eliminated, that mod basically provides little to no benefit. All the testing
is done with the air mass sensor and a chip, the consumer really not knowing
what the true effects of the new chip are.
What the air mass sensor only provides is a greater profit margin for the seller,
i.e. now the mod package is not just a $300 chip but a complete package over
$1000. So now by just 'pushing' the timing, to the consumer it appears that
the air mass sensor made significant improvements.
Do a search on the Rennlist 964 forum as it was evaluated there.
Actually, no independent testing of an air mass sensor by itself without the
timing tweaking has really been done. Once the other variable ('pushed' timing)
is eliminated, that mod basically provides little to no benefit. All the testing
is done with the air mass sensor and a chip, the consumer really not knowing
what the true effects of the new chip are.
What the air mass sensor only provides is a greater profit margin for the seller,
i.e. now the mod package is not just a $300 chip but a complete package over
$1000. So now by just 'pushing' the timing, to the consumer it appears that
the air mass sensor made significant improvements.
Do a search on the Rennlist 964 forum as it was evaluated there.
If this is the case, then why are there so many positive posts on these chips? Surly they all can't be delusional?
May I please ask you specifically, what do you believe I should be doing to gain a little bit more. Realistically, one would need around 7 - 10% extra pwr / torque to feel a difference.
Also, and I'm not being rude here, but how are you so sure these chips, air sensors and or exhausts are waste of time?
I ordered the 98 RON octane chip based on what I believe will provided a 3 - 4 degree advancement to the timing. Hence, based on the timing advancement, do you believe I will feel a difference.
Also, and please correct me if I'm wrong. However you believe I could achieve the performance increase by just advancing the timing myself, without a new chip?
Your posts are making me question myself. I'm a fairly common sense type of guy and I'm qualified in both mechanical and structural engineering and have worked in the technical field for close to 30 years. So I consider myself reasonable competent technically.
I'm also a realist, and I'm working on the theory that the factory leave a level of margin to cater for the lowest denominator, who may do wrong with their equipment.
Thank you in advance.
Kind regards.
#39
"Your posts are making me question myself. I'm a fairly common sense type of guy and I'm qualified in both mechanical and structural engineering and have worked in the technical field for close to 30 years."
Again, please read this thread:https://rennlist.com/forums/911-foru...-the-myth.html
There are technical references quoted, e.g. Bosch, besides the actual dyno
tests I was personally involved with posted there. The results there with
respect to the relationship between timing and horsepower continually repeat
on other 911 3.2 engines evaluated on a dyno after that writeup.
Additionally, read here; http://www.systemsc.com/tests.htm, as this will provide
further insights into chips and the effects they have.
If you are technically capable as you indicate, you should understand what
was presented and do your own research by starting with the references provided
in the post.
"May I please ask you specifically, what do you believe I should be doing to gain a little bit more."
If I were in a quest for more HP, I would do as Ed Hughes (find his threads) did with his
911 3.2. If not, just tweak the suspension, take a DE class and enjoy car as is.
Again, please read this thread:https://rennlist.com/forums/911-foru...-the-myth.html
There are technical references quoted, e.g. Bosch, besides the actual dyno
tests I was personally involved with posted there. The results there with
respect to the relationship between timing and horsepower continually repeat
on other 911 3.2 engines evaluated on a dyno after that writeup.
Additionally, read here; http://www.systemsc.com/tests.htm, as this will provide
further insights into chips and the effects they have.
If you are technically capable as you indicate, you should understand what
was presented and do your own research by starting with the references provided
in the post.
"May I please ask you specifically, what do you believe I should be doing to gain a little bit more."
If I were in a quest for more HP, I would do as Ed Hughes (find his threads) did with his
911 3.2. If not, just tweak the suspension, take a DE class and enjoy car as is.
Last edited by Lorenfb; 10-19-2012 at 08:14 AM.
#40
Q.E.D.
#42
OK, here is my journey to HP nirvana, or at least as far as I needed, or was prepared to go.
https://rennlist.com/forums/911-foru...ild-redux.html
Be sure and click the video link at post 369....about 1:15 in, is Ruby's Song. It still brings a smile to my face.
Besides the airplane I built back in 2001-02, building this motor was my next favorite mechanical acheivement.
https://rennlist.com/forums/911-foru...ild-redux.html
Be sure and click the video link at post 369....about 1:15 in, is Ruby's Song. It still brings a smile to my face.
Besides the airplane I built back in 2001-02, building this motor was my next favorite mechanical acheivement.
#43
This in no way means he is right about chips, it just means he knows a thing or two about the breadboard it's plugged into.
#44
Well, the reality is that if a 3.2 Motronic owner wants to advance their timing, to gain power, and does it with proper octane, compression, bore, etc, then a reprogrammed chip is the only way it can be done.
#45
Congrats '89 is a great and very collectible 911. It offers a real Porsche experience with that up dated trans axle.
By investing in that new trans, Porsche said to the world the 911 was here to stay.
If you want to demist you can't use headers unless they have heater boxes, be sure to get the right ones.
I noticed a gain with SSIs but there may be more to be had as the previous member said.
Chips can lead to problems IMHO, i bought Autothority for my '86 and took it out after a few years.
With the chip, my rev limiter did not limit at times when accelerating hard which can be real bad for the big end bolts.
It also began to hunt at idle, very, very annoying, i pulled it out, problems went away and barely noticed a performance change. Advancing timing with chips can lead to issues especially with air cooled cars w/o knock sensors.
Don't waste money on K&N air filter either, stock filters better and they chirp.
If i were you i would carefully lighten the car for example with fiberglass bumper spoilers, remove the bumpers / bumper shocks, manual aero mirrors, etc.. and you will see a performance gain.
The charcoal canister can be thrown away for instance, among a lot of other stuff,
leave your spare tire, jack and compressor in the garage and get AAA.
keep the tool kit though..
I lightened my 3.2 to 2540lbs without removing a square inch of stock interior.
It weighed around 2800lbs. when i bought it.
Handles, brakes better and has spring in its step.
Just be careful parallel parking with those fiberglass bumpers.
By investing in that new trans, Porsche said to the world the 911 was here to stay.
If you want to demist you can't use headers unless they have heater boxes, be sure to get the right ones.
I noticed a gain with SSIs but there may be more to be had as the previous member said.
Chips can lead to problems IMHO, i bought Autothority for my '86 and took it out after a few years.
With the chip, my rev limiter did not limit at times when accelerating hard which can be real bad for the big end bolts.
It also began to hunt at idle, very, very annoying, i pulled it out, problems went away and barely noticed a performance change. Advancing timing with chips can lead to issues especially with air cooled cars w/o knock sensors.
Don't waste money on K&N air filter either, stock filters better and they chirp.
If i were you i would carefully lighten the car for example with fiberglass bumper spoilers, remove the bumpers / bumper shocks, manual aero mirrors, etc.. and you will see a performance gain.
The charcoal canister can be thrown away for instance, among a lot of other stuff,
leave your spare tire, jack and compressor in the garage and get AAA.
keep the tool kit though..
I lightened my 3.2 to 2540lbs without removing a square inch of stock interior.
It weighed around 2800lbs. when i bought it.
Handles, brakes better and has spring in its step.
Just be careful parallel parking with those fiberglass bumpers.