I'd like some commentary about what the real gains or benefits are from the various elements in the common powerup kits.

Since I'm looking at tweaking my stock 2001 996TT I'd like to focus on what can be done while retaining the OEM K16 turbos to look for the best bang for buck.

Start with a stock 996 TT at 420 bhp

+ ECU "tune" - Vital software to get the easy gains over Porsche factory conservative maps, plus tweaks to get the benefit of any other mods.

Gain: 50 bhp - more with mods.

Cost: $2,000 USD


+ Sports muffler (say Fabspeed w/ 100 cell cats): Drop some weight and reduce backpressure, plus nicer sounds.

Gain: 40 bhp?

Cost: $3,500 USD


+ EVO MS V Flow intake: Better at getting air in to the pump.

Gain: 20 bhp?

Cost: $800 USD


+ Headers (Say EVO K16): Better at getting exhaust gasses out.

Gain: 14 bhp?

Cost: $1,200 USD


+ Silicone hose kit (Say EVO Kit): Purdy, more reliable under high boost. No performance gain(?).

Gain: 0 bhp

Cost: $1,000 USD


+ Billet DVs (Say Bailey's): More reliable. No performance gain(?).

Gain: 0 bhp

Cost: $320 USD


+ Systemic gain: 420 bhp -> 510 bhp? say 90 bhp increase

System cost: $5,720 USD + labour


Comments?

What are the alleged performance benefits of the silicone hose kit and DVs over and above reliability?

It seems like headers are a poor value for money mod - right?

Is the V Flow intake really money for jam in the horspower increase stakes? Or is the benefit marginal?

Are we kidding overselves about gains apart from the ECU tweak and a free flowing muffler (in terms of vaue for money rather than chasing every last bit of diminishing gain)?

 

Lose the headers, airbox and the silicone hoses. Find a used exhaust, fabspeed, europipe, miltek in the for sale section. Now you're looking at 3.5k - 4k.

I have a 2001 with GIAC stage II flash, and a fabspeed loud and put down 447whp and 450wtq. Im still running the stock airbox, and the stock dv's.

 

ECU, Exhaust...a must..DV's for sense of reliability. If you want to do headers just port and polish the stock ones. Si hoses only if you are going above 500hp or so. I had problems with the V-flow (it is now off) with my mods at my altitude. Also consider if this is where you are going to stop or is this just the start (so how upgradable are the components...like ECU flash).

 

Scott(divirexxtreme) is on stock headers- Todd K. the tuner wanted it this way. He ran a 10.6 1/4 mile.

I think the biggest HP gain will be in good turbos.... and dollar for dollar its the best purchase...
Port the stock headers- $0
used exhaust- $1200
Dvs @ filter- $300
HIGh HP turbos $4500 ( upgraded springs) obo
ECU- $2900 obo
--------------------
+600 HP @ $8900

If I was going to do it again- I know what I would do.

 

I think your list is on the money (no pun intended) but I would not go with the air box or headers. the boost hoses and diverters can also be done later and on a street car not that big a deal. only thing you left out is EVO waste gates and you are set. Just my 2 cents

 

Try to stay with one vendor for a complete package. You want all the parts to work together as a system. There are too many horror stories with upgrade packages purchased ala carte. Good luck. BTW I am partial to Zero Clearance and Kevin's products. For a 600 hp type setup the value cannot be beat. Kevin G

 

I spoke with a local porsche tuner, and according to them, there is a higher risk of engine damage with the waste gate kit

 

What is the potential damage they are referring to? Kevin

 

LOL, maybe if it werent dialed in properly and it was boosting way too high, but all i could see that doing on stock turbo's is burning them out much faster, that's about it!

BTW for relatively cheap you can max out your stock K16's with a nice setup making 550+ hp and tq, car will still be FAST with good throttle response and minimized lag!!

 

I agree, properly adjusted upgraded wastegates are a huge bang for the buck. If for no other reason they provide more consistent boost control over stock.Kevin

 

Yes improper set up can over spool the turbo and or boost too high...
Using upgraded wgs is as common as upgraded turbos...
they should be dialed in and put on the turbos by the tuner- just my opinion.
markski

 

I didn't get into the details of it with him, but I believe boosting too high was the issue. He said it's better to let the ECU control the boost than installing a waste gate kit. I don't know...I'm not extremely technical on the 996TT since I just recently bought it, but he advised me to stay away from the wastegate kit. Another porsche tuner recommended I stick with my stock air box since the oiled airboxes might be the reason behind blown MAFs.

-Awais

 

Dont listen to him, ask us all of the questions, these people have gone through war with these cars and setups They definitely know what they are talking about!

 

I don't wanna go through war with my car LOL

 

you guys want to see some WAR ... here you go LOL