Naturally Aspirated Horsepower Mods and Gains

The after market tuning options for Caymans are still in their infancy compared to some other models of cars. I searched for a consolidated thread where folks can post their modifications and net gains, but couldn't find anything. Please let us know what you have done, and what the measured effects have been on performance/reliability. Who has the most RWHP in an NA Cayman? The basics are usually intake+ecu tuning+exhaust. What can one expect to gain and what is the range it will cost you? Yes, I know. Horsepower is not what our cars are "all about". But if I told you that for $X you could reliably increase your HP to X, would you do it? A second thread for FI cars could be started when somebody actually shows up with an FI car.

The only mod that I have is switching to clear side markers. Otherwise, I am totally happy with my stock CS.

OK. So $29.95 and zero HP gains. That is 0HP per dollar. It will cost you a million dollars to get to 295HP at this rate. Thanks. Next?

ahhh, i am not a mathematician, but at the rate of $29.95 for each zero hp, i calculate that it will take...what...an infinite amount of dollars, and unfortunately, one will never get 295 hp....unless my math is wrong. haha

Go easy on the math here. I just saved a million bucks!!

Here are my mods, pretty standard fare: EVO VFlow intake ~ $350 Milltek exhaust ~ $2K Milltek headers ~ $3K GIAC flash ~ $1K desnork ~$4 (wire mesh from Home Depot) labor ~ ? forgot (maybe $500 - 600...) dyno'd at 281 rwhp (best of 3 pulls: 279, 279, 281) So for roughly 7K it's prolly around 30 rwhp gain (There was a close-to-stock Boxster S that did 250 rwhp that day, I think). Compared to my other car, it's not spectacular gains for the $$, but the driving experience is priceless. You really need to go FI route for big numbers, but I decided to go NA this time around and learn how to actually *drive*.... so funds will be going towards more track days rather than mods.

Looks similar to K-Man-S mods but he is pulling 311 RWHP. Is the Capristo the difference, or is there something else providing the extra 30HP?

There are cheaper options. I am working on a few things, I have a catback that dyno'd well and was reasonably priced, and have desnorked the car. I will be adding a filter (drop in K$N) and hopefully an ECU flash and am also likely to get the plenum swapped out. I think I will look at some headers as well but that should be about it as far as engine stuff. Never say never though. I would be very happy if I got 25-30hp to the wheels with these items and I think that is pretty realistic. I just got done having coilovers done and that is an awesome upgrade. Pricey but the car's handling defies description now. Almost forgot that I decided to do the LSD next....

I'd do Softronic before the Giac, I think the performance is better. The EVO intake is questionable. Remember that if you replace the headers with aftermarket, and toast something in the stock catback, it won't be covered under warranty. I've heard that there isn't a lot of improvement to be had on Cayman headers. The biggest boost comes from the removal of a set of cats and/or a better catback.

Numbers are numbers. Looks at what people have gained on the same dyno from their base to what they have now.

I am a newbie.. what is a "catback" ?? I tried the new "search" function.. but didn't see a definition -- seems all the modifiers already know what it is. D&D

Thanks Chows. I am not that well versed technically though I am starting to get a better grasp on things I think the picture probably answers a lot of questions. I dont know how to PS but it would be cool to have a pic of the car from beneath and somebody PS arrows and the names of the components, headers, primary cats, O2 sensor, secondary cats etc.... and maybe post just a simple explanation of the exhaust system in an article.

Chows and Douge...great info. Thanks. I bought a new 1998 M3 and drove it for two years before I dropped it off for a week or so at Dinan. I wrote them a check and got back a car with a 50 percent increase in HP with no issues whatsoever. I drove it for the next 5 years and actaully ended up recovering half of my mod "investment". That was FI. of course. CARB certified. Got the sticker and the hat. That is what I am looking for.

Capristo ~ 5100 RWHP... 276 (which is average of 3 , max was 279, but that was likely due to spin-up after clutching. Those upper numbers are false and misleading. Snap-flash 750 added after dyno.

I think the only tuner you will find that is similar in recognition/reputation to Dinan in the Porsche world is going to be Ruf.

AFAIK PowerChip doesn't do anything for the Cayman, I think there are other/better ECU tuning options, it's a shame you didn't do that separately and dyno before and after to see the effects. How much power can you get naturally aspirated? Why just see my signature pic...

I will be upfront about my porsche knowledge... none... i just got this car 3 weeks ago and before then never gave much thought on cars in general (mainly because i never had a nice one) i guess you can say i am in the experimental stage but trying my hardest to learn..... I really like this club though... Its nice to have alot of feedback from people who DO know what they are talking about... do me a favor suggest a book...:cheers:

There is no book anywhere that has the amount of knowledge in it that this site has. I would suggest reading the articles section, searching through the forums, etc. and absorbing as much as you can. The FAQ is a good place to start too.

thank you. im babysitting right now but i have been trying to learn as much as possible.. you are right though this is a great site. what do you suggest over the power chip..?

Not possible to remove cats in Porsche sports exhaust they are welded in place to the muffler, etc.

Softronic does the exclusive tuning for Fabspeed.