Ray S

You will not get any gain from a new exhaust (only more noise). In fact most aftermarket exhausts will lose power on the 986 (others have tried and dyno results tell the tale).

For naturally aspirated gains the proven trio is intake, headers, and chip (probably get you around 20hp).

If you've only got $1,500, Intake and chip are your best bet.

BlazinBWF

Well I am running out of room in my garage so I am thinking I should sell my 996 turbo and boxster and buy a 996 turbo convertable. But I am not sure yet. I think the boxster is a better looking car. With my 996 turbo I am sorta afraid to park it and leave it for a long time. so I am not sure what I am going to do yet. sigh

schnell987

Use the money to participate in Driver's Education events. Boxsters are momentum cars, and the skills that can be learned in DE events (particularly if you spend enough quality time with a good instructor) will go much further than any bolt-on modification, IMHO.

qirex

if you have a turbo, then simply use the boxster to remind yourself how fast the TT is....

and use the boxster for DE. the TT is no track car.

ar38070

I would not say the TT is not a track car. It is fun in its own way.

m21sniper

"No $1500 upgrade will do that. Chips, headers, exhaust may get you 20hp. But that will cost you $3-5K. If you want a quick 5-10hp gain put in 0w-40 oil and 100 octane gas. If you really want more grunt you need to drop a 996 motor in it. $10K."

Yeah, right.

Nitrous.

$500 buck investment for a basic wet system = 100+ horsepower.

Spend that $1500 bucks on a progressive fogger setup, and your car will put out over 500 horsepower.

vegasgolf98

Michelin Pilot Sport Cups, under $1,500. The best upgrade for that price range.
Next is driver training.

autobahnNY

I understand Driver's Education events makes your FASTER, but the guy states specifically he wants a a little more oomph. I would just get a Boxster S. The Boxster S is the only model worth doing ECU upgrade, headers and intake. Remember the 986 S is just a detunded version of the 987 S. Plenty guys are running this set up making 30hp gains(dyno proven).

Doug&Julie

Brand new Boxster S. You're right, the Boxster is a better looking convertible (probably one of the best). You'll suffer some "anonymity", but you'll feel more comfortable parking it and you'll feel GREAT driving it. The only really good way to increase power in the early Boxsters is to put the 300hp 996 motor in them. The new Boxster S is already (almost) there.

If you still feel the need for a 911, buy an older one. They're full of charm! But you'll probably never feel the need to get out of your brand new Boxster S for anything.

m21sniper

"The only really good way to increase power in the early Boxsters is...."

Ahem:

Doug&Julie

Dude...that's so rice...

m21sniper

Horsepower does not have a nationality.

And BTW, the German Luftwaffe was using nitrous injection on it's fighters as far back as WWII. The Germans pioneered it's use as a power enhancer. That makes it so GERMAN.

"While nitrous oxide injection seems to be a relatively new development, it was actually pioneered by the Germans during World War II. The German Luftwaffe (air force) began injecting their fighter plane engines with nitrous oxide as a way to compensate for thin air at higher altitudes."
http://www.yearone.com/Articles/article_dp.asp?AID=11

500 buck 125 horse nitrous shot plus stock 2000 boxster engine = 340+ horsepower.
1500 buck progressive multi-stage fogger 250 shot + stock 2000 boxster engine equals over 460+ horsepower and high 11 second ETs, with a top end close to 200mph.

Don't be so snobby, nitrous is the $ for $ horsepower king, bar none. It's also a hell of a lot safer than it used to be because of the advent of 'wet' systems that autmotically inject the extra neccesary fuel when the "GO" button is pushed.

Doug&Julie

I'm razzing you...

...and for the record, "rice" could be German, too. "Rice" is a state of mind...

m21sniper

LOL, gotcha.

It's no biggie, he can add whatever he wants, it's just that because of the bad rep nitrous earned back in the 70s and 80s with 'dry' systems that people don't consider it.

The modern 'wet' systems are very simple, and are completely safe.

PS: I agree, rice is a state of mind. There are plenty of 'riced' VWs and Focus's around that prove that point.

autobahnNY

With nitrous, how long will the engine last? Especially if someone tracks their car a bit and drives it pretty hard on a daily basis. I know I wouldn't go for the nitrous. Just my opinion.