Is this worth the $16k it costs?

"Raises power output to 381 hp. Includes modified cylinder heads, exhaust manifolds, ECU, additional radiator (only for manual transmission), carbon fiber air-cleaner housing, aluminium-intake system and sports exhaust system with pair of dual-tube tailpipes in individual design in chrome-plated stainless steel."

 

That depends upon your personal financial condition, and I am not being sarcastic.

I have the X51 and it feels fantastic. The numbers seem to belie the perceptible performance, and the engine feels very grunty.

That said, if it would be a push to pay the extra $16K, the 997S is a great car even without the X51 option.

 

I would rather buy a GT3 instead of paying $16K more for an X51.

 

That would depend upon why you are buying the car, no?

I club race, and a GT3 would be an ideal dual use street/DE/track day car for me if not for the fact that I like to take my four-year-old daughter and three-year-old twin boys with me in the car. That is just not possible in a GT3. Now, if you did not need/care about the back seats, then, yes, you are right that a GT3 might make a lot more sense if you plan to use the car on the track as well.

 

Can't argue with that.

I don't have a real need for back seats. I don't race - just lapping days and auto-x - so if I had the funds I would definitely go for a GT3.

Then again - it seems to me that driver ability and tires mean a lot more than 25hp in terms of lap times so I'd still rather spend the $16K on other stuff.

 

all very true! The fact is that even the base 997 is such an incredibly capable car that is ridiculously easy to drive that most of us drivers will be the limiting factor, not the car. So, the bottom line is that none of these additional options (e.g., X51, GT3, etc) is a necessity, but if you can and you want to, why not?

 

Because I can't.

If I had the disposable income right now I'd be sporting a white/cocoa 997 GT3.

But for 50% of the price of a loaded GT3 I've got a fantastic '05 997S which is still far more capable than I am.

Cheers!

 

You can chip, new exhaust and add an airbox for $6,000-7,500; H.P ? 20-25.

 

I am not claiming that X51 is a necessity, or even a bargain from a financial standpoint, but I want to see before and after dynos proving that a chip, new exhaust and airbox will result in a 20-25 HP gain on a 997S. Call me skeptical.

TD (aka "Thomas the Doubter") in DC

 

Save another 9K and get a RUF supercharger!

 

what i'd say is

buy the car you really want the first time, because if not, you'll end up buying it later..

 

That is not bad advice . . . but you would need to do other things to increase the performance of the rest of the car to match the supercharger (e.g., brake upgrade?).

 

True, but even more accurate for most of us is "buy the car you really want now and don't think about it too much, because you know damned well that you will mod whatever you buy, make it perfect, get the itch for something else, and then for reasons that are entirely unjustifiable from a practical or financial perspective, sell the car and buy a new one."

 

well put......unfortunately

 

I cannot swear that you'll get 20-25 hp with a chip, airbox cats mani & mufflers but the numbers are conservative when you read the claims of the aftermarket manufacturers