schlag

This summer I plan to prepare my 87 NA for fun autocrossing .. so I was wondering what sort of performance upgrades / modifications you NA guys have done, and with what results?


Anything suspension / engine / exhaust / tires whatever.. I am aware of the different options available but I would find it interesting and useful to hear from people who've actually installed / used them.

brianh

My '89 n/a is pure stock. I have however just put in an order for an Autothority DME chip. One of the Porsche specialist shops in town hosted a PCA tech session and offered a 20% discount. I couldn't resist even though I'm told it's likely to add about 10% within a mid range power band. I let you know what happens...

purv944

Schlag,
The first thing you need to realize is that your car will not make gobbs of power, it's all about how you use the power that you have. So, put as much money as you can into the suspension. This will definately give you the advantage you need for the autocross course. I have the Weltmeister springs with Koni yellows all around and I highly recommend them. Also, upgraded sway bars make a world of a difference.
As the power part goes, there isn't really one thing that makes a lot of power for these cars, trust me I've pretty much all of it done (tons of head work, cam, full exhaust <no cat>, intake, slightly larger injectors, MSD ignition, custom chips, etc...)
My best recommendation (other than suspension) is the Autothority short-shift kit. It's really nice, and I don't know how I lived without it. But whatever you do, you'll still end up with a really sweet car.

Matt

Dave

Where (read, with what organization) do you plan to autox? It is often best to pick the class that you want to run in, and see what mods are allowed. One poorly chosen mod can put you in a new class, with cars you may not want to compete against.

schlag

Probably PCA - and you're right I'll be careful. As far as location, Eastern PA and New Jersey
areas mostly.

Anyhow thanks for the responses!

Jma_1

I installed MSD and an APE chip and the car does feel better. No, it did not become a killer in the quarter mile... However, and this is purely seat-of-pants talk, throttle response is quicker and it feels a little stronger all around. A while ago I changed to 16 in. wheels with better rubber, that was a noticeable improvement. IMO, with these cars it's best to keep them properly maintained and in good tune, spend your money and time in suspension upgrades rather than the search of an elusive and expensive 15-20 HP. That way you can take full advantage of the 150-160 HP the car already has.

Third Eye

POWER PROM Performance Chip
MSD Ignition
MSD Blaster 2 Coil
Fully open 2.5" exhaust
Jacobs Ignition Wires
NGK Copper Plugs
Weight Removal
K&N Filter

Suspension wise
New pads
Boge Turbo Shocks, front and rear.

schlag

Yah suspension (and driver) upgrades are the way to go - but I am confused about one thing, exhausts .. what is the best configuration/combination? I have read in the archives good things about the Bursch stuff.. ?

SGOGT4

So I have had a set of MSDS headers sitting in my apartment for two months. Last weekend I finally got around to having them installed, marking the completion of my first wave of modifications. Below is everything:
MSDS Headers
MSD Ignitiion
Bursch Exhaust
Autothority Chip
Throttle Cam
MSDS Air Intake
Koni Sports
Redline Rollbar
Wires, plugs, etc.
The overall outcome is GREAT! Thecar runs much smoother, idles much smoother, accelerates quicker, and revs more freely. I drove out to Detroit from Chicago yesterday and was cruising with a late-model 300ZX n/a. Keep in mind this is roughly a 190hp v6 and this guy couldn't get away from me. At low speeds the car is still no turbo, but it is A LOT more fun to drive. The last things I am thinking about doing (for now) are big-bore throttle body and an adjustable fuel regulator. Does anyone have any experience with either?

ram_one

Throttle cam - improved response
HR Stage II Mass Air Flow - Nice power boost. Really screams once your get past 3.5K rpms.
Adjustable Fuel Pressure Regulator
Nology coil and plug wires
Chip (can't remember which brand-Autothority?)

Next up is the rebuilt head, ignition, and headers.

TaboII

Ok hers what i have so far.

87 n/a

Msd6al ignition
K&N Air filter
Wel Throttle responce cam
8MM Wires can't remember brand
Crosfire Bosch Plugs
86 turbo Tranny with cooler.

About to complete
MSDS Headers
remove cat
new bosch original injectors
Adjustible fuel pressure reg
new bosch fule pump
CHip?

This will be the limit of any mods to the motor. Any further would cost intirely too much and IMHO would not be woth the money.

Suspention is the next big herdal!!!!

Car has an awesome seat of the pants feel to it now and I am pleased with its current performace.

schlag

I read previously that chips on the NA just sacrafice top end for lower torque .. is this true, or are the newer chips better in this regard?

my944

Partial list is all I have time for:


Suspension:
Koni's
Welmeister #200 front springs
New control arms
Rear wheel bearings
Drilled Zimmerman Rotors
Rebuilt calipers

Motor:
Rebuilt head
New water pump
So much...

Biggest Difference:

Supercharger
Aquamisting System


Uhhh....can you say no Turbo lag!!!

Skip

[quote]Originally posted by schlag:
<strong>I read previously that chips on the NA just sacrafice top end for lower torque .. is this true, or are the newer chips better in this regard?</strong><hr></blockquote>

Not true of the Autothority (APE) brand... I can't speak for others. You are free to contact them, as I did... the gains are better in the mid-high RPM's, but there is an overall increase throughout the RPM range. HP increase is different for different cars... depending on other mods, etc. The stock upgrade chip is designed to work with the stock engine. If you have a MAF or custom Cam, you may need a different ship. They suggest that the standard upgrade chip is good for any variety of moderate intake and exhaust modification.

As mentioned by a few folks here, the MSD (or other) ignition in addition to the chip gets real good reviews. The MSD helps out in the low range the most (below 3k), then the chip helps boost the upper stuff (above 3k).

My 89 2.7l motor makes 143HP/158TQ (at the wheels... figure ~168HP/186TQ at the crank) with the APE chip, MSD ignition, K&N panel filter, 8mm Kingsborne wires, BERU Silverstone plugs, Redline 10W30 syn oil, and Bursch header with custom free-flow exhaust.

Good Luck!

jonathan944

I've had my '83 NA for six years and have slowly put on a few mods...(it's been a daily driver for most of that).

Cone filter
Air flow meter from '87 NA (so I could use'87 DME)
DME from '87 NA (so I could chip)
Europroducts chip
MSD ignition
8mm plug wires
MSDS Header
High Flow universal cat
2.5 inch pipe from header back
Stainless Ultraflow (don't flame me) muffler
250# springs
Bilstein sports
17" 993 Cup wheels
Carbon fiber hood (my stock one flew up on me)
Corbeau A4 seats (keep me planted in the twisties)
Blue dot tailligts (just kidding)