cobra06

I was thinking about having the ECU reprogrammed on my 01 996TT. This is my 10th Porsche, first turbo. I have had some of my other P-cars "chipped" and reprogrammed with marginal results that really never met claimed increases. Most of the prices for programming the 996 TT seem to range from $3000-$5500. The most I have ever paid for electronic tuning was $500. Is there something special about the 996TT. Is the cost really for R&D ?. All but unichip actually do not tune to the individual car, so claims for 60 to 90, (yes 90 H.P). from ECU programming go unproven unless you Dyno yourself. I guess my questions are
1. If anyone has results other then seat-of-the-pants, H.P. improvement, that lives up to the tuners claims.
2. Are tuners "sharing" software to program, under different names.
3. What makes Programming the ECU cost more then most other vehicles.