ADSMAN

Just came across this http://vf-engineering.com/carrera-996/ and I have to say it looks pretty sexy. Anyone know anything about these? I talked to my porsche mechanic and he said you can get another 30-40 hp into a stock 911 for about $800 in mods, but then I saw this and well, I'm curious.

First of all you obviously never want to damage the car's life or great driving, and you also don't want to drop a fortune, at that point, you just buy a something faster.

$8000 isn't cheap but it's not crazy either for a lot of fun horsepower added to a beautiful low mile car.....if it works.

KrazyK

Look at the blown engine thread below this one.

white out

LS1 swap is cheaper.

trendy996

Not quit cheaper and they don't even include the headers......
http://www.renegadehybrids.com/911/LS-1-996.html

MiamiC70

Buy a 996 Turbo

jumper5836

+2

+1

3.6l to 3.8l Flat-6 conversion, with headers, 200 cell cats, exhaust and plenum

nick49

30-40 HP for $800?

how?

I don't believe it.

DB's997

$7900, NOT $800
SuperCharger

jumper5836

SC will cost you an engine replacement.

Capt. Obvious

Honestly, Porsche did a pretty decent job wringing power out of this engine from the factory, and there isn't a whole lot more you can do to it without spending boatloads of cash. If you're lucky, you can probably get your car up to ~350hp with custom exhaust, some bolt ons and some dyno tuning from someone who knows what they're doing. To get much more power than that, you're truly better off [financially] just selling the car and buying a Turbo.

If you search around, you'll find there aren't a lot of people doing high power builds with the naturally aspirated cars. And it's not because people are scared of modifying their precious car, it's because the costs involved in doing it add up incredibly quick and put you in "should have just bought a Turbo" territory.

If you're looking for more power, the easiest way to go about it would be to put your car on diet. The power will be the same, but there will be a lot less car for that power to move around.

The GT3 forum is insane about weight loss, there are some really good threads in there about ways to drop weight. Best of all, most of the weight loss stuff is nearly free.

KrazyK

Please accept my order for the 40HP for $800. In fact, make mine 80HP for $1600. If nitrous, nevermind.

tdurden032

good info Capt Obvious - I always forget about how much of an impact the excess weight shedding makes

fpena944

Yes I know they're different engines but the GT3 is also a 3.6 yet puts out 380 horsepower. So I wouldn't say it's impossible to get more power out of these engines. It just might be a lot more cost effective to go with the whole vehicle upgrade instead of modding our engines.

alpine003

Best and most effective would be lighter wheels IMO. Faster acceleration, better throttle response, better suspension control, better braking, slightly better mpg in some cases. A win on many levels. And you're not sacrificing creature comforts like other weight diets.

peterbigblock

I believe the 996 GT3 makes its additional power by way of different heads, higher RPMs, and different tuning. To make 20-30 more HP in a standard 996 is a fairly simple matter of higher flowing intake, exhaust, and an ECU tune. Beyond that, as has been said, you're talking about major reworking that won't be simple or cheap and, unless done by someone who really knows what's what, can result in disaster. (Here, I'm thinking of Jake Raby as the "what's what" guru.) Forced induction on a 996 with stock internals is, in my opinion, asking for trouble.

Lighter weight can be had from removing sound deadening, rear seats, subwoofer, rear stereo speakers, spare tire and related tools -- all of which are pretty much free (dollar wise) though they introduce some compromises to everyday enjoyment for some.

Light-weight wheels are a good option but can get very expensive very quickly if you venture into the forged-wheel universe. OZ cast aluminum Alleggeritas (sp?) are very light and strong, and a set will run around $1700-$1800 new from Tire Rack. Forged wheels are stronger and equally light, but will easily cost twice that or (much) more.

Light-weight racing seats can also save a fair amount of weight, but either will give you a definite "hey, check out my race car" look (a la Sparco Evo, etc.) or else will cost for GT2 or other stock Porsche racing seats.

Lighter, especially if you're planning on tracking the car at all, is always the first route I explore. It's cheaper and it not only improves acceleration, but braking and cornering as well. Once the car is as light as you can live with/afford, then explore horsepower. I know, horsepower is what wins bar-stool races...