I have read several posts and ads from companies claiming to add horsepower and torque to 3.6l 996s. And I have read several posts and talked to Porsche technicians and mechanics telling me not to waste any money on such mods as they do not work.
Does anybody (regular guy, not affiliated with a company) have verified, dynoed, HP/torque increase on a 3.6l 996 with these bolt on mods?
I am going to get a B&M short shifter for sure, but exhaust, headers, chips, cold air box?
I don't know who to beleive.

 

Check out the on-going "30+ hp exhaust?" post at this forum. Some people have reported their dyno gain figures from such changes; try a search. As I recall, the gains were typically small, but the expenditures were not; something like several hundred dollars per hp. Others avoid the hp gain game and start taking weight out instead. No matter how much hp one has, it never seems to be quite enough.

 

I heard that there is more "bang for the buck" by reducing weight than there is improving hp. Besides hp improvement generally results in higher top speed and torque improvements usually result in faster 0-60 times; speed increase off curves and exit ramps, etc.etc.

I suppose you could also change gear ratios and get improved performance as well???

(I'm not an expert, but I play one on the Forum)

 

I think the money is better spent on suspension mods before any engine mods, if at all. On the other hand, I do not consider a simple exhaust upgrade (mufflers) as a serious engine mod, the sound improvement is a major advantage, but the added auditory input to the driver (ie at the track w/ helmet) is very beneficial too,IMO.

 

Don mentioned changing gear ratios for quicker acceleration. Perhaps you could just change the ring and pinion to give quicker acceleration while giving up some top speed (which we don't reach on track anyway).

 

I think it was an article about the 2002 Coupe, but Excellence mentioned the 996 engine doesn't have much room for improvement with things like exhaust and chips. The factory changes pistons, cams and other stuff to get the 25 extra HP in the Carrera Powerkit add on. I would think if they could do it with chip and exhaust they would.......

 

well half of the reason for the lower increase in the 3.6l regardless of anything is from the switch in motronic just as with the 00-on with egas. It uses the newer 7.0 version which was much better out of the cage than the 5.5 or whatever as I have read and been told. That is another reason the torque curve is so much better with the variocam stuff on 00-. This is what I was told after a lengthy discussion with fvd.