crispenigl

Hi folks,

I am in the process of gathering my thoughts on what I want to order for my 997s

I am struggling to decide if I should get the x51 option for my 997s.

Can anyone let me know if it will:
1] Produce a better sound than just PSE [since x51 includes PSE]
2] will perform noticebly better than a 997s without x51.
[My friend has a 997s and I want to have an edge on the track, I hope he isnt reading this ]

Please let me know your thoughts.

Thanks
Greg

gota911

All other things being equal (like driving skills), a P-car fitted the X51 option will make the PSE sound better... to your friend, because he will be behind you most of the time on the track! That should answer both of your questions!

GT3BB

Only you can decide if he is $17,000 behind you.

996toomey

The big question is once you are at 95K for a nicely optioned S is 112K going to make that much difference to you? To me the answer was once I am there might as go all the way so I am getting it. The other big question is how long of a wait to get it. I know through Nov. build sold out so you may be looking at early 06 build to get it on an order.

AeroSmith

I have the X51 on my October build S. I can't wait to get back to you on the sound. I'm guessing the intake whooosh may be more pronounced with the X51.

The X51 should definately give you a performance edge over the basic 997S.

Here is a link to the performance comparison on the PCNA web site.

Another link.

And I'm with 996Toomey, once you're already at 100 large why not go for the whole performance enchalada.

Bill - Chicago

I ended up decided agains it, since it put the price to close to what a new GT3 will cost. I ended buying a loaded launch car w/3,600 miles and I am going to wait for the GT3.

rss997

Smart idea Bill....Spend the money on your suspension and you will leave him behind without x51.........

Also take some driving schools etc...PDE and really learn to drive it right...you will leave him in the dust!

Speed

As someone who prepares vintage race cars for amateur race drivers once told me, "It's cheaper to learn to exit a corner faster than to buy horsepower."

AeroSmith

Yeah, yeah, yeah, but as one who's taken two PDE courses I WANT THE POWER!

rdstemler

I wanted horsepower also after 2 DEs. Then I realized I didn't really know how to drive( even though before I'd have told you I did) and as I learned( read listen to instructor)..Shazzammm.. the speed came.

Now, since I know how to drive better I can better utilize the HP. Check on the racers site and ask them. Almost to a man they will tell you drivers school and suspension/tires first.

That being said....it is always nice to have horsepower!!

AeroSmith

You got that right!

And let's keep in mind that driving isn't all about lap times for some of us here guys (though I guess it is to some extent for Greg and his pal....so Greg you can just ignore my power crazed lunacy).

Personally I just like to drive my Porsche daily for errands (I work from home), go on long road trips and have fun on remote highways. I've passed a lot of trucks on two lane highways in the 500,000+ miles I've driven in the last 21 years. Torque and power are good things, especially when loaded down with a passanger and luggage.

Now my 321 horsepower 996 has been a BLAST for the last two years! But I'd like to try something faster than my 996, a lot faster. And I want that something to be a 100% Porsche factory original. The X51 is going to give me all of that. And, God forbid, if 381 horsepower ever gets a little less thrilling I reckon there's always the turbo.

Sorry, this probably isn't much help to you Greg but I'm just trying to rationalize my $17,000 decision for myself and for you.

Greg, it's a lot of money for 26 horsepower. I'm sure you can probably get more HP for less $ in the aftermarket. But if you want a factory Porsche that'll do 0-60 in close to 4 seconds it's going to be a real fun option. If it's all about the track, get a GT3.

996toomey

Amen my brother in waiting.

AeroSmith

1984 to 1986: 1979 Subaru Brat=56 HP

1986 to 1993: 1983 SAAB 900S=110 HP.

1993 to 1997: 1993 SAAB 900turbo=160 HP.

1997 to 2003: 1997 SAAB 9000Aero=225 HP.

2003 to 2005: 2003 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe=321 HP.

2005(I hope) to 20??: 2006 Porsche 911 Carrera S Coupe=381 HP.

What can I say?

rss997

Shave some weight and supercharge a base 997....Trick out the suspension and blow most everyone away!!!!!

nkhalidi

X51 wasn't worth it to me. I figure I can go through the aftermarket and do headers, intake, exhaust, and chip and get relatively close to the 381 figure. For the track, I prefer to spend my money on sticky tires, wheels, and suspension.