performance chips

I have a 1999 996 with the following modifications. B&M short shift, Evolution Headers, Fabspeed mufflers, and the stock cats. I also upgraded the stock airbox with the cold air system that has the red hose and K&N filter. The computer is stock and i was wondering is it worth investing in computer modifications or should i just run the stock computer. Thanks, Doug

yeah get a giac chip about 1k. What headers are evolution? never heard of them undoubtably they are someone elses but who's? IF they are from evo then they are fabspeed which are the same as the fvd.

Hi Doug: FWIW,....with your current setup; intake, headers and exhaust, your car is running VERY lean and I'd suggest you get the ECU remapped as soon as is feasible. Its not healthy to operate it this way. I'd suggest the GIAC software,.... Nothing better, IMHO.

Who sells the GIAC chip... is this the piggyback chip that so many people have been talking about? Also, I've heard that a properly tuned 996 (pre-2002) with air intake and chip only will ever so slightly surpass the performance of the new 3.6 litre engines... saw a dyno on speedtuningusa.com and was comparing the stock 3.6 litre motor to the chipped 3.4 and the 3.4 had slightly (ever so slight) greater hp and torque output throughout the rev range... but I question the authenticity of a company that chips ALL cars... ya know? cheers

well the headers depending on man. should give you 14/12, and intake gives maybe 2hp hehe. mufflers maybe 6. the chip on a 99 should give an additional 20/20 or thereabouts. I have also been told that the high flow cats or straight pipes are a great improvement also.

Doug, I have the same setup, and I would definitely recommend the ECU upgrade. I had the intake, headers and exhaust, but didn't notice much improvement (except in sound), but once the ECU goes in the engine learns how to utilize the increased air intake & exhaust of the aftermarket parts. I would recommend the EVO Stage 1 upgrade, which is the ECU reprogramming by GIAC, and the K&N power cone upgrade. You will notice a substantial upgrade in power.

Thanks, for all the advice. I will research the ECU upgrades and do this over the winter since the snowflakes are ready to fall here in Pennsylvania

C70pete: LOL,...We are GIAC dealers and are able to handle any ECU upgrades if you wish.

Is a 3.6L doable? Are there any real gains for a 3.6 with headers, muffler, intake and ECU?

Doug, Since you are in Penn. already. Fabspeed is located there, you should definately talk to them about their ECU upgrade, and their dyno time. I went to PSU there. I believe Fabspeed is located in the eastern part of the state. Good Luck.

C4C, The 3.6 is being finished as we speak. Look for that version to be released in apx a month

it's amazing how many different opinions people have about how much power you can get out of these 4 things: ecu, headers, mufflers, intake i've been told 20 is the most you'll ever get by more than a couple people (including tuning shops). others say you can get 40+. i just have no idea what's the truth! i'm just ranting a little out of frustration because i can't figure out what to do with my 996 since i keep getting so many different opinions. for now, i'm skipping HP and going for better handling. i just had H&R springs put in it and a strut tower brace. i'll have to keep sifting through all of the different opinions out there to see what comes next...

I think this may be due to the varying degree of expertise and amount of time spent trying to wring out extra HP. Some shops will custom tailor the ECU program to your car (you have to leave the whole car with them), while others go for a "one size fits all" philosophy where you just send in your chip for remapping.

Is a 3.6 with an X51 chipable? ....I guess the engine mods of the X51 would be better able to stand increase stress and therefore the increase in power may be greater than just chipping a stock 3.6 is this correct guys? and if so who can provide these ecu upgrades Thanks Donny J

I beleive that part of the X51 package is a remapped ECU. In a sense, Porsche has done the chipping for you.

does anyone know if garrett still customizes chips through his laptop and a dyno? My friend's C4s 993 was done this way a few years back before Garrett had a big company and we were with a BMW crew. I knew Garrett's sole distributor back in 98 when i was into m3's and he was mostly into e30's back then competing with Jim Conforti who I knew as one of the best motronic tuners at that time.

Here's something. I was talking to a guy at the track this weekend who builds/races GT3RS cars in ALMS about HP upgrades on a 3.4 996 motor. He told me about a special Motec/Bosch computer (only available to Porsche) and a very high end racing exhaust system producing massive, reliable horsepower numbers. I don't want to print the numbers because they seem almost unbelievable, in fact near forced induction levels.

Hi Doug: That's the Motorsports engine management and only for the GT-3RS cars. Its not OBD-II compliant and doesn't work with the 993 engines since they are completety different in every respect.

Yeah, Steve I thought it sounded too good to be true. BTW, what's your take on the motorsports oiling upgrade for a 3.4 996 motor. I'm getting faster at the track and probably looking at racing tires soon (Michelin Sport Cups).

Can you [ECU] chip a tip, or are they all programmed to assume a 6-spd?

Hi Doug: IMHO, if you are on slicks for track use, then the oiling update is a fine thing. Its not needed for folks using DOT-spec race tires. Speedy: Indeed, the Tiptronic is chippable and frankly adds as much to the overall performance as the engine chip does,....

So it's possible to chip both the ECU and the tip control unit? Just wanted to be sure I'm reading you right ... I've been told that there are no chips for the tip control unit in the 996. And I wasn't sure if the replacement ECU chips are mapped to a six speed manual or five speed tip. Thanks for any insight you can offer!