Most engine modifications are a waste of time

billy · #1 08-12-2006, 10:11 AM

Check this out, the guy tried most 'upgrades' and dynoed em all. The results are disappointing, spend the money on track time.

http://www.968.net/modifications/bruces_dynos.htm

jstecher · #2 08-12-2006, 10:40 AM

One case does not prove that all performance modifications are bunk. Read the latest Grassroots and they talk about upping the Mini's power with exhaust, etc. and they get some nice gains. I can also provide you with dyno charts for a variety of cars that get power gains from K&N air filters as well as other items. There are a lot of inefficent parts designed into cars over the years to make them quieter, less powerful, make them last longer, etc. I mean you don't really think Porsche is ringing out every last little horsey in your engine do you? I mean they need a reason to be able to sell you that great S package down the road on a new car.

If I am going to do any modification to my car I look for dyno charts on the exact same car and then and only then will put it on. A lot of things are bunk but a lot of them are rock solid as well.

Just my 2 cents. I get fired up when someone says nothing works/everything works as I have a lot of experience with my old T/A finding stuff that works and doesn't on the dyno so I know what this guy is talking about and the frustration when a $500 upgrade results in 2bhp. However there are a lot of things out there that made or exceeded their claimed hp output.

cavlino · #3 08-12-2006, 10:58 AM

John, I agree with you some things work and some don't. Better to learn from others expenses then trial and error on your own.
Billy, what I find the most interesting is where you chose to find this information, 968 dot net, hmm ... could that mean you are starting to think about 968's

jstecher · #4 08-12-2006, 01:06 PM

Good point Carm I guess I never thought of the source of information.

Good catch. Anything you would like to tell us Billy?

Conan · #5 08-12-2006, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billy

Check this out, the guy tried most 'upgrades' and dynoed em all. The results are disappointing, spend the money on track time.

http://www.968.net/modifications/bruces_dynos.htm

Billy, you might want to note that while Porsche owners seem to be the majority here, there are owners of other brands, and every engine is different. What works for some may no work for others and vice versa.

JimLill · #6 08-13-2006, 08:00 AM

dyno reports aren't always right either......... particularly on Turbo cars where the dynamics of the road are not quite duplicated.

kbrew8991 · #7 08-13-2006, 09:46 PM

that is VERY VERY car specific...

billy · #8 08-14-2006, 08:17 AM

Yep
Looks like the p engines are wound pretty tight, probably more room to cheaply mod older engines.

Magnus · #9 08-14-2006, 09:17 AM

To make it simple..

Some tuners come with insane packages for Porsche.
Do not confuse yourself with a street and a race tuner. These are two completly different breeds.

Racing with those street tuned engines usually end up walking home. A few tuning companies actually know how to build race engines
and the charge big $$$ for it.