"Chipping" the 996, article in Excellence Mag.

On page 36 of the November issue in the Tech Notes section is a small article that claims that the GIAC Flash performs better in the 3.4 than in the 3.6's with most power gains in the 4k-6500 range. 12hp-15hp is gained in the 3.4's. The 3.6's have a better engine software mapping so the 3.6's struggled to gain 6-8hp from the GIAC Flash. The article claims that it's not worth getting the GIAC on a 3.6. They also mention that the Evo Intake/Flash combo doesn't quite make the 15-18hp gains from "his" experience.. "His" is Steve Weiner at Rennsport Systems in Oregon.

I read that as well. Sounds promising for those of us in the 99-01 996. But......he is stating roughly 12hp (realistic) and better throttle response when you have done the GIAC flash and the airbox from Evo. Not sure about the costs, but I would imagine you would be in the $1500-2K range for those 2 mods? Is that worth it?

Dell - On the other hand, a 12 hp gain for (let's use your higher number) $2,000 versus a 26 hp gain at a cost of $16,900 if you order the X51 package on a new 997. GIAC @ $166 per "pony" versus X51 @ $650 per "pony." Of course, X51 gets you a few other goodies, including PSE. GIAC is not a bad cost per "pony" but then everything is always relative, isn't it?

The chip is around $1,100 and the evo v-flo is around $550, so you're right in the ballpark Dell ( no pun intended). Steve used to post here. He's a good guy and very knowledgeable. I'm not sure if he's around anymore.

I did those mods in my Z years ago and never really felt the difference, except in my wallet. 12 hp in a 3200 lb car. I don't know? Just my opinion.

Tim, you math is correct but your logic is way off The X51 gets you a better engine that can withstand the stresses of the increased HP. If you read the GIAC website carefully they state that this flash canl put undue stress on your car that can lead to premature failure. I would rather pay for the X51. But all things considered I am VERY happy with my 300hp 996 and have a blast on the track and street. If you have 300 and want 12 you will want 25 when you have 325 and on and on and on. WHERE DOES THE INSANITY END!!!!!!

Get a turbo...the GIAC flash will get you 70-80 hp.

Now we're talking!!!

But.....you do have to do a full exhaust system upgrade as well. from the GIAC website: GIAC performance software for the 2001- Current 996� Twin Turbo smoothly delivers a 65-75 hp and 75-85 ft-lbs gain. For optimum power gains the software must be coupled with a complete exhaust upgrade. All Factory exhausts exhausts are too restrictive for GIAC K24 programming.

I have the GIAC flash on my 99 c2 and what a difference it made... for the 99 cars (they run motronic 5.2 vs Motronic 7.x for MY 2000-2001) it takes about 300 km for it to learn... but boy does it learn good ... by the 800 km mark the car was pulling really strong above 4000 rpm and the "lethargy" of the 3.4 motor at 3000 rpm was gone... I also have a PSE and K&N.... some observations.... I was racing my friend in his 997 (NON-s).. he even had lightweight rims (champion RG5) and we raced all afternoon... strait line... highway... low-speed to high speed... all in-gear acceleration... no stoplight racing.... he couldn't get by me all day long... at the end he came up to me and said he was VERY impressed with my mods and that my 996 was the first one he couldn't get by.... (his 997 had over 20,000 miles on it so I think it was broken in quite well) I think the Motronic 5.2 and GIAC flash are a great combo that extract more HP than the 2000 and 2001 MY cars (because of motronic 5.2 that is...) I think it's money well spent... and if I were near portland oregon... I'd let Steve do me an X51 European spec style... he really knows his stuff and he's very straitforward and honest. -Peter

what is the x51 euro spec?

let me clear things up... it's the european power kit for the 99 cars.... it was never officially released as "x51" but it's very similar and generates lots of hp. I'm in contact with somebody who has dyno numbers for it and will share my findings... -Peter

I want to learn more. any specifics on differences and the output etc.?

Sean, let me get some more info and I'll send you a PM.

Not only is the X-51 a much better package, you also don't void the warrantee which may not matter if you are off anyway but think about it. If Porsche could have reliably attained 10 HP with just a program, it would be there already. So unless you are willing to accept the possbility of expensive failures, the "chip" is not for you.

yup X51 is factory stuff... can't go wrong with that

cool thanks.

True, but Porsche has emissions and varing fuel grades to contend with.

Thank you. As if 10hp is so unreasonable if it's tuned for 91 octane.

Anybody know what the Porsche part number is for the Euro Power Kit? Can Sunset get the kit?

Yeah, that was funny... Upon reviewing the dyno graph for the 2000 996 on the Evoms web site the Flash and Intake seem to average 12hp and 14tq . The 20hp+ plus doesn't occur until 6.5k-7.2k rpms. 2000 Cab 996 graph http://www.evoms.com/porsche%20ec%20art%20test.htm The 3.6 graph lines are pretty tight together. http://www.evoms.com/porsche%20ec%20art%20test.htm

If you're talking about the 3.4 X51 upgrade, that's cams, heads, intake , pistons, oiling kit and 3rd radiator. Let me know if you find a good source for it.

It's interesting the cost of flashing various cars. I am not up for $1100/12 hp in my 996, but I Superchipped my Excursion diesel for massive gains at $299. Big burnouts, much more towing power. Ub

Its not about the HP it's about the extra torque you get from 3500 rpm and beyond; that's what you feel... .. it's not gonna slam you back in your seat but you *will* notice a difference.

Hiya Rob: Oh yes, I'm still here,...... (and I do have a new X-51 engine kit for the 3.4's on the shelf)

We've obviously done a looooooot of Flashing The 3.4Ls do have more headroom and produce more power (in terms of the gains) then the 3.6L but so far everyone that's done it has been very happy. The tip in, throttle response and even gas mileage is improved

It's both in my opinion, the TQ to get me off the line faster and the HP at HWY speeds. Both helped me fend off a flawless looking, lightly modded, candy red Supra TT last night.

^ nice kill

For what it's worth, I'm a big fan of the X51 kit. Mine is on a 3.6L but I assume the impact on a 3.4 is similar. With it my 996 was a couple of car lengths faster than a real euro 993 RSCS on the staight at Road America. My car runs dead even on the straight with a GT3 MKIIs. Granted my car is light at 2910 lbs and I'm running straight pipes right out of the headers but the X51 is a very strong package. Jim

What does something like the x51 package for the 3.4L run? What about time for install (labor)?

That X51 kit is the way to go if you can get the parts.

I believe the parts alone are close to $7K. Figure another grand for the install. At this point it may make more sense to just go with a supercharger....

I think $1k for install is pretty optimistic. That's only about 10 hrs. It's a big job. Remember, new heads, cams, intake, oiling kit, etc.

Good point. Probably more, which would really make me want to opt for a supercharger.....

Anyone know what's involved in installing cams? Is this a drop the motor thing or not? I've heard it must be done carefully to make sure things are not screwed up and you slam the valves into the pistons. I keep thinking about Scrhick which has a few cam sets. The cams are really supposed to wake up these motors--or so I keep hearing. The X51 kit I think is only intake or exhaust cams (can't remember which). Somewhere I have a post to the Schrick catalog. They also have a solid lifter version with more lift as well. .

Solid lifter cams require periodic adjustment though which costs bucks. I had to do this on my m5 every 15k @ 1k+ and that was relatively easy because it was right there whereas the P car you would have to drop the motor I would assume

After just checking my factory pricing, the X-51 Power Kit runs around $ 9K; as of 9/30/05. Its a substantial engine modification suite consisting of: 1) New pistons 2) Head assemblies 3) Cams (4) 4) Valves (all) & valve springs 5) Intake manifold 6) Exhaust manifolds 7) Oil pump 8) All hardware & gaskets Porsche's HP rating is IMHO, very conservative. Its a substantial increase in torque & HP. The big plus is that its all factory stuff and will not impact long-term durability/longevity. One cannot say the same for a forced induction kit.

"The" Steve Weiner, from the article???..... Can you expound on the GIAC and Intake article?

Steve, Is that for the 3.6 or 3.4? I believe the 3.4 "Power Kit" or whatever it's called only changes 2 of the cams (at least from looking at RoW PET). There may be other differences. Thanks for the continued good info!

wonder what the WHP is after upgrading with the powerkit.... do you think it is close to 300 WHP?

Yessir, thats me,... May kindly suggest that you call me? I'd be pleased to help. That will make it easier to handle any Q & A about this subject.

The one I have is for the 3.4,. but they do make one for the drive-by-wire 3.6's.

According to my service manuals the X51 changes both intake and exhaust cams (4).