Newbie - Presentation and suggestion/help request

Hi guys, my name is Mike and I'm from Dominican Republic. I first owned a 2001 Boxter and later traded for a 2001 grey/grey C4 with 27,500 miles and which I still proudly own. No pics at this time as it is in the shop for maintanance as I write this. I've fallen in love with Porsche but must admit I'm no car expert, hence my writing in this forum. The thing is I'm looking to trade up and my choices are a 2003 C4S with 9,300 miles or a 2002 Turbo with 17,500 miles, pricing on each is 75k and 95k respectively. My C4 can be traded for 53k. Please don't be alarmed at the prices as taxes in this country are extremely high. Now, what I'm looking for exactly is more power, and while searching the forums and countless mod websites I'm more confused than ever. I know I don't have to do anything to the Turbo, but what are my choices in gaining extra HP on the C4S or on my C4 for that matter ? I mean, some sites claim increases of up to 420hp but I figure the original engine was probably not designed to hold that power, I'm I correct? Also, we have very bad fuel in this country, I think the highest we get is 89 octane. Once a month I fill my tank with VP fuel at either 91, 103, or 109, depending on availabilty and my budget for the month, it is quiet expensive and can't afford it more than once a month. I'm thinking mod'ing the engine is cheaper than going for the turbo ONLY IF it really works and depending on the hp gained. So my question is, should I mod the heck out of my C4, purchase and mod the engine on the C4's or go for the turbo? What dealer/supplier/parts would you suggest and please understand the engine mods would be done in my country as shipping the car to the US is out of the question. Mike PS- Another reason for wanting the Turbo is because I'm getting sick of the Ferrari boys passing me on the highway so I figured get the turbo, drive it for a while, then add the Porsche Power Kit and bring it to over 500hp. BTW, did I mention that while we do have speed limits, we can drive as fast as we want, including in the city?

Achieving the power of the Turbo with the C4 or C4S will be very expensive. Exhaust, headers, intake and chips for example do not add much power to the NA modern Porsches, but they will cost you big bucks for the gains, if any, you get. Supercharging the NA engine is an option that will give you more power but it is not an inexpensive undertaking either. With the SC you can achieve factory Turbo like performance, but from my understanding (someone correct me if I am wrong) you reaching the envelope of the NA car's performance without "getting into" the engine. While there are cars driving around with SC set up with no real issues, the reliability and durability in the long run is still basically an unknown and the number of SC cars is limited. The Turbo is a different story from the NA cars when it comse to modifications and power increases. There are many aftermarket modifications for the Turbo to increase its power. If you are a HP junkie I think in the long run you are going to be more satisfied with the Turbo (if you can swing the cost) and its potential HP output and upgrade path than you will be with a NA car.

Thanks Brian, had an idea that would be the answer. Still, how much more hp can I get out of the 2001 C4 and 2003 C4S with exhaust, intake, chip, etc? I would be willing to spend 10-15k on this.

with a 2001 I beleive you can get mid 400's to the wheels with: headers/exhaust - 1200-3000 intake - 300-600 Supercharger - 10000 I don't know what it would cost for install in you country but those are the going rates for the hardware. I believe the gain for he 2003 c4s is closer to the upper 400range.

My opinion......if you want a lot more power......and you want that power with reliability and a warranty.......get the turbo. You could bring the C4 or C4S up to 996TT power levels with a supercharger but why bother with that headache when you can just buy the TT. Good luck!!

Thanks Ray and Duffs4. Before I posted here I was able to contact the guys from TechArt, this is what they have for my 2001 C4: Power kit TA 096/1.1 2,900.00 231KW / 314hp Base 3.4l / 221KW / 300hp consisting of: - sport air-cleaner-system - ECU (in exchange for standard) Power kit TA 096/2.1 4,953.20 235KW / 320hp Base 3.4l / 221KW / 300hp consisting of: - sport exhaust system - sport air-cleaner-system - ECU (in exchange for standard) Power kit TA 096/3.1 6,757.00 241KW / 328hp Base 3.4l / 221KW / 300hp consisting of: - Exhaust manifold - sport exhaust system - sport air-cleaner-system - ECU (in exchange for standard) The prices are in euros and do not include shipping and taxes to my country. So I figure buying the turbo is not as crazy as I thought. I still owe my C4 pic's, once I get it back I will post them. Thanks again guys.

I can't imagine you riding that car out of Santo Domingo man.. I grew up in Santiago, the roads there are in such a bad shape... Great ride around 'El Malecon..' Enjoy it..!!

Hey nsang, great news if you ever come back and decide to bring your p-car. While I can't say much about Santiago, in Santo Domingo the streets are good. The Duarte highway leading to Santiago is in very good shape and the one leading to La Romana is even better up to San Pedro de Macoris (still under construction thereafter). Now imagine all that and hitting 130mph without no cops bothering you. Porsches and Ferraris are selling quite well down here and you can find about 5 or 10 Lamborghinis too. I don't know how long ago you lived here but things have changed in the past 6 years. While I must admit US highways are in tip top shape and are 100% safer than ours, that does not make for how boring they are to drive in. Either watch your speed limit, or be on the lookout for that state trooper. Here, if you remember, curbs are tighter, people drive very slow, there are always over 30 beat up cars that you have to watch out for and of course, the always dangerous cow, horse or goat in the middle of the highway. (lol, oh the good things of a 3rd world country) So I guess it all adds to the excitement. BTW, great looking car.

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