better mods? IPD plenum or headers?

so if you need to pick one mod between headers or ipd plenum with gt3 TB, which has better gain and response?

If you research the IDP plenum on this site, you will find most were disappointed with the performance after installing it. It requires other mods first (especially the exhaust) plus it only provides benefit above 6000 RPM. It reduces torque in the 2500 to 4500 RPM range, which is where most street cars need the torque. It is not practical to try to keep your RPM's above 6000 on the street. One members describes how the IDP plenum and TBI made his car slower than his friend's stock Cayman . After the mod, his friend's stock Cayman beat him by 8 car lengths consistently. He removed the IDP plenum and he then beat his friend.

Exactly .. Headers will do wonders but you will need to install a CEL light removal otherwise the light will come on in the dash -In a perfect world install some fabspeed catless headers and do their new Tune and you should get a nice bump in power for around the 3k mark -A perfect Droneless system

I had Carnewal modify my headers with 200 cell cats and haven't had a CEL problem. I had installed an IPD plenum and throttle body and after burning out 2 MAF's removed them. Switched from an FVD to a Softronics flash without solving the problem. My car has a DFI engine, PDK transmission and I track it. After talking with several knowledgeable people, our best diagnosis is the plenum/throttle body bring in so much air and/or increases the velocity of the air that the MAF draws maximum voltage to compensate for the increase air flow. If you're tracking your car, your foot is on the floor a lot and so the MAF is at max voltage much more than a car that is only drive on the street. Again, this is just a guess. We didn't measure MAF voltage at WOT.

Headers hands down.....

Absolutely headers. Saves weight, sounds great, and really unleashes power. However, I recommend the Cobb Accessport V2 and a dyno tune with it. It's expensive, but everything on a Porsche is. FWIW, I have both IPD plenum + 82mm TB and Fabspeed sport headers.

Hmmm, interesting. I've been having lots of MAF problems since I did my upgrade. I have cleaned the MAF twice, and that changes the error codes or makes them go away for a bit. I also added an oiled K&N type air filter, and thought that might be weeping atomized oil onto the MAF. I might put my old plenum back when I do my Numeric cables and see how that feels....

I've had my IPD plenum installed for quite some time now and I haven't had any MAF issues. *knock on wood* But I also don't track my car and I don't drive it daily but I wouldn't say I baby it either so YMMV. Seeing if the K&N is the cause of your MAF issues should be pretty easy to check by putting your stock filter back in. Keep us posted. Good luck! -Moto

Do you think the plenum gave you an incremental benefit over just the headers?

All: I got a GT3 plenum (like IPD but different) with Softronic 4.0 Flash. Got a SpeedArt cat-back with stock headers. Stock intake (no de-snork) and stock air cleaner. No dash lights, no errors and passes Illinois emission tests. Very intuitive response. This car is fun to drive on the street and has improved power above 4500. I run it through car-washes. Don't want to risk de-snork allowing water in. Also have heard of issues with K&N sealing around the intake fitting. Don't want to suck dirt into my engine. I'm happy with this setup. I wanted to get good, intuitive engine response. I didn't like that flapper-valve stock plenum making the car feel like there were two different engines running in the same car. This is enough power for my needs. My other mods are for engine/power steering safety and better handling. Safety mods are under-drive pulley with shorter drive belt, power steering cooler in the center pod. It was made from a Hayden transmission cooler with lines running to/from the front steering rack. Has been on the car for several years with no issues. I put a cover over it in winter to keep salt off. I went pretty nuts on the suspension, but it really works well. Damptronics coil-overs; DSP processor; TPC front strut hats, bearings and springs; camber changes front and rear; TPC sway bars with quiet links. It corners flat and still has enough compliance without a lot of weird noises from the suspension. I had trouble with the front struts last year. Water got inside them and they had to be rebuilt. I'm not happy that TPC doesn't supply appropriate boots with their front springs and hats. I can't seem to find anything that will work. Another thing that really makes this car special is GT2 CF seats. Perfect for this car. 106K and runs way better than new. I considered going down the header path but I don't want emissions issues and I don't trust the longevity of 200 cell sport-cats. Maybe they're better than I think? Anyone put significant miles on theirs? My car gets driven weekly at least 120 miles and goes on long distance trips as well as DE weekends. :cheers:

The IPD Plenum + GT3 Throttle Body is a GREAT bolt-on mod... but only if you have an electronic engine tune to take advantage of the change. Otherwise, the engine computer doesn't register that the car is capable of pulling in more air. In chronological order of when they should be installed, these are the mods that will improve the performance of your car: 1) Headers 2) Exhaust 3) IPD Plenum & Throttle body 4) Engine tune

100% This. Headers first, lay the groundwork for everything else to come and also get the biggest result from a singular change at the same time.

I humbly am very happy with my GT3 plenum, GT3 TB and Softronics 4.1 software with cat back and STOCK headers with cats. I pass emissions easily. The removal of the 2n't cats really helps. The car isn't loud, just nice sounding and has very nice power. Much better than stock. I'm sure a full exhaust would be sportier, but I'm not willing to change exhaust every time the car needs an emissions test and don't like the idea of running a dirty car. I do a couple DEs per year and drive my car a lot on the street...mostly toll roads. It has 112K. Still a load of fun to drive after 10 years of ownership. Depends on what you want, I think. :cheers:

I have a 2007 CS that had the carnewal exhaust and sport tips when I got the car and scored a new IPD and GT3 TB for $750. I had a Porsche dealer mechanic drive the car and he was very impressed. As others have mentioned I didn't really notice anything down low but past 4500 it pulls much better and de-snorked it sounds amazing. I live in California where changing out the headers every 2 years is a PITA vs swapping the plenum is 30 min but most smog techs won't take off the engine cover for inspection. I also have fairly high mileage 102k and it runs beautifully!

I've got GT3 plenum and GT3 TB/Softronic 4.1 software/SpeedArt cat-back for 75,000 miles at least. No emissions issues in IL I get tested every 2 years also. Power down low is merely adequate. Power starts to really ramp up about 3200 and keeps going up until about 5500. I generally shift by 6600 on track. This car is a hoot. :cheers:

I've got the IPD Plenum/ GT3 Throttle Body with Softronic tune and Remus exhaust. I've been very happy with the power over the last five years. I've thought about putting headers on, but I'm thinking more safety upgrades now, roll cage and seats.

Joe: I think a GT3 plenum maybe doesn't have quite the flow of the IPD, but maybe has a little better low-end while the IPD has more ultimate top-end power. We have similar packages. You probably could run me down at the track but driving around, mine's got a little more pull below the real power band. My SpeedArt "TUV approved" exhaust is really tame...just gives a deep, expensive sound. It's not loud unless you're on it up high in the revs. My Softronic 4.1 software is set up for 93 octane. May make a difference for the better over the California cars. (91 octane) I messed around with seats quite a bit. Bought a Recaro Profi XL. It's a wider version of the Profi. You don't have to be very wide to appreciate the extra room. Would be great for a track oriented or weekend car. It's good but ingress/egress on shorter trips is a bit of a PITA. It's been sitting in my A/C garage with Porsche seat rails. I'd like to pass it on to someone who could use it. I bought some ROTech reclinable seats a while back. They're made in Vancouver and are imitation GT2 seats. They were comfy and looked great with, I think, real carbon fiber upper and lower shells but the hardware was not solid and they took a lot of work to fit to the car. Ridiculous amount of work, actually. I sold them cheap to a guy putting a kit car together. He was thrilled. Anyway, I can't recommend ROTech seats. Click my photo to get to my area and see the seats and the work process...not pretty! Then one of our listers put some real GT2 seats on the Classifieds...here in Chicago. I bought em and haven't looked back. The best for early Caymans . Airbag and seat belts plug right in. Sliders are same as stock. Real Porsche ...and perfect balance between getting in and out and support. Alcantara cushions and leather bolsters...Very comfy. I've been to Montana and back with them and was ready for more. They're hellishly expensive if you can find them. I just don't know another good alternative for this car that allows harnesses. GT2 seats do not have adjustable seat-backs. They're real carbon fiber. They fold forward, which is great for 911 's, not essential for Caymans . Super light, very solid and super comfortable. I put thick washers under the rear seat rails on the driver's seat and got some longer bolts...It's a better angle for me. To the OP, I would suggest getting a software flash for your setup. You'll like it. It shouldn't affect emissions testing. Check with Softronic and with IPD. :cheers: