hey loren, what's your opinion re: X51 option?

[ben, lj]

tia

[Loren]

Ben,

3.4 liter or 3.6 liter?

Option on a new car? or add on to existing car? :huh:

[ben, lj]

X51 can only be added to an 3.6L (new or retrofitted). I'm wondering whether one should get it on a new 3.6 car - "especially" if the car is going to be supercharged anyway.

[Loren]

IMHO Yes. Here is why I think so...

The X51 beefs up the engine, oil system and cooling. Here is a short list:

- new intake manifold with modified cross-section (material: sand cast aluminium );

- new intake pipe supports adapted to the form of the intake manifold;

- new exhaust manifolds with larger cross-section and optimized flow behavior;

- new cylinder heads with optimized, CNC-milled inlet ducts;

- new camshafts with larger valve stroke on the inlet side and modified inlet and outlet timing;

- inlet valve springs adapted to the enlarged valve stroke;

- modified partition box in the oil pan;

- modified maps for the DME control module.

- new underside panel in the transmission area;

- additional radiator in connection with modified front spoiler, except on the 911 Carrera 4S (996).

or you could always go with the new GT3 where you get the base for the R and RS racer cars... or better yet a cup car ;) wait I guess that is not streetable... darn :rolleyes:

[Guest Colm Campbell]

I can't comment on the super charging issue (don't know anything about it) but with regards to the X51 package a few thoughts...

Some say it is only 25 extra HP, and for the additional $13K you could do a lot better in the after market, or alternately it is not worth the extra $$, i.e. it's too expensive for what you get.

I bought the X 51 package and I think it is worth every penny, the cars is faster and more responsive. And, it feels like a whole more than 25HP. With Porsche you can't always look at the paper statistics to judge the impact of the changes/upgrades. I discount greatly those opinions that are formed purely from an "armchair" perspective.

I have owned many Porsches, and engine performance-wise on this one is superb, better than my previous 996 and significantly different from the 03 I compared, on a back to back basis.

Try comparing both for yourself. I'm confident that you will notice a significant difference.

The major reason not to buy this package, for anyone, would be because the additional $$ fall outside the allowable (and not insignificant) budget. That doesn't mean that it's not worth it!

Having said all that, I will probably trade my X51 for a GT3, because more is more!

[ben, lj]

Thanks Colm and Loren. The GT3 is not an option because I'm a cab guy. I'm thinking the same thing you are Loren with respect to using the X51 to make the car more receptive to the increased power from the SC from a durability standpoint. Does the X51 sound better given the exhaust manifolds are diff?

[Tool Pants]

After we put a B&M shift in Colm's car he let us Boxster people take it for a spin. If sounds great. Jeff

[Guest Colm Campbell]

I have the Porsche Sport Exhaust on my car, and I really like it. Not an option I would normally have considered; but when I went to the PDE in Alabama all the cars there were equipped with them, and on the track they sounded great!