Le Chef

If, as seems possible, the 997 facelift will include a power bump, and if that power bump takes the S to say 375hp, then how close could you get with a NA after market setup (excluding forced induction)? And without spending $16k you spend for the X51 kit?

Is there one after market set up that is better than others at delivering significant power gains? Or is it a mix and match, horses for courses situation?

MTIA

Chris from Cali

I was just told at my local dealership (HBL in Tyson's Corner, VA) that the Champion F77 powerkit will make close to 45hp or so and will be about $10K. That sounds about right for your targets (400hp, $10K vs. 381hp, $16K).

I am considering it because I'll keep my warranty if they install it.

ELUSIVE

Porsche options are complete ripoffs.
The X51 package is the biggest ripoff of them all and I honestly can't understand why anyone would buy it other than to just blow $16K. And for a whopping extra 11 ft. lbs of torque. Woo hoo!!!

The AWE 911S exhaust system (headers, hi flow cat sections, and mufflers) claims 28-39 crank hp and 28-31 crank torque for $4180. But this certainly isn't covered by your warranty.

Chris C.

Chris from Cali - are you sure you will have a Porsche warranty on the f77 kit? I would think it would be a warranty from Champion.

Chris from Cali

Yep - my full 7yrs/100K is warranted and I saw the paperwork where it's in writing. The only part covered by Champion is the ECU - and the dealership has an agreement in writing for them to replace any fried ECUs...

gpjli2

You might pay a hypnotist to convince you have 375 rather that 355 horsepower. it will make about as much difference in the real world. No offense intended here but why be jerked around by this kind of marketing nonsense?

Chris from Cali

20hp is definitely noticeable. In the context of the 3.8L "S" engine, another 45+ hp would be very noticeable. Plus the sound of that Tubi exhaust (in the F77 kit) is to die for...

Alan Smithee

ELUSIVE may not see the point of spending $16k for the X51, but I don't see the point of trusting aftermarket tuners' magical claims. Porsche made a lot of expensive changes to get the X51's additional power reliably throughout the rev band; had it been available with a simple ECU change, intake, and exhaust, I'm sure they'd have taken that route.

Honest tuners may get more peak power, but most likely at the expense of usable power in the lower and middle parts of the rev band. Dishonest tuners will be making a mess of your $80k car. Unless you're putting your car up on 'Pinks', I wouldn't take the risk for a 6% power increase at 7k RPM.

JFScheck

It's useable power throughout the range - not "peak"...

Porsche engineers spent a great deal of time on these X-51 kits to gain that power with some deep seated changes to the core of the engine.

Yea, I would either stay with the stock "S" or go X-51 but unless the engineer's are "Ruf" or equivalent you can stay off of my engine.

gpjli2

Take 30 lbs of unsprung/rotating mass off the car and you will make an improvement in all areas of drivability: dynamics, steering input, throttle response suspension responsiveness. Contrast this with the rather limited usefulness of a small handful of thrust within a limited rpm range. Buying a "x" kit or the latest and greatest model gives some degree of exclusivity but where do you put the sign that says:"I have 20 more hp than you" As for noisy mufflers, oh well.....

JFScheck

I leave my engine lid open everywhere I go so everyone can see the carbon air intake with the two air scoops...

ELUSIVE

Alan - I didn't mean to imply that I believe the hp gains of the tuners. I will be leaving my 997S stock. I agree that the best way to get more power is probably with the X51..i just think you have to be a tad looney (or very rich) to spend it for 26 hp and 11 ft lbs of torque.

D.D.

This is THE ONLY ticket that I would punch!!!

Chris from Cali

I did take off a bunch of unsprung weight already (3-4 pounds per corner).

As for a sign that says, "I have 20 more hp", you are confusing me with a kid that is into that. I merely responded to the initial post about what opportunities are out there and what they entail. If you want to just knock down the things I say, have fun...

Le Chef

Reminds me of one of those crazy Fiat 500 or 600 Abarth's from the 1960's where they used to prop open the rear engine cover to get decent ventillation. What amazing little cars those were!