986 conundrum; 2.5 v 3.2

986 conundrum; 2.5 v 3.2

Author
Discussion

edc

9,230 posts

250 months

Monday 4th October 2021
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If you haven't already then go to Boxa.net . Lots of help posts and plenty of material on running reports or member rides threads documenting issues and mods.

WCZ

10,492 posts

193 months

Tuesday 5th October 2021
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i'd try both before you buy. I had a 3.2 and drove a 2.5 which felt very slow to me

ATM

18,092 posts

218 months

Tuesday 5th October 2021
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WCZ said:
i'd try both before you buy. I had a 3.2 and drove a 2.5 which felt very slow to me
How much time passed between you having the 3.2 and then the 2.5 and what other cars did you have during this time?

Z4MCSL

544 posts

82 months

Tuesday 5th October 2021
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To be honest, I know myself well enough to know that I will want a 3.2


will have a look on Boxa.net - some interesting stuff on you tube as well. especially about freeing up a little more power.

I can imagine ( tell me I am wrong) that it might be the sort of car where a small amount of extra power 15-20hp could make a nice difference (better intake, exhaust, unrestrict airflow in and out basically etc)

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 5th October 2021
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I also did the same with my megane RS

ATM

18,092 posts

218 months

Tuesday 5th October 2021
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The 996 3.4 had 295 bhp.
The original 986 3.2 S had 255 bhp.

Feels like a big difference for 200cc.

Z4MCSL

544 posts

82 months

Tuesday 5th October 2021
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I also saw that the 3.2 in the 987 is the same one right...yet it has 280hp ?

Z4MCSL

544 posts

82 months

Tuesday 5th October 2021
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Mr Spoon said:
I also did the same with my megane RS
You mean upped the power etc?


F6C

455 posts

37 months

Tuesday 5th October 2021
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ATM said:
The 996 3.4 had 295 bhp.
The original 986 3.2 S had 255 bhp.

Feels like a big difference for 200cc.
Not that it really matters, but the 996 3.4 was 300PS and the 986.1 3.2 was 252PS. So about 295BHP and 248BHP respectively.

All 986s have really weedy and restrictive looking headers. 987.1 3.2 purportedly has quite good headers - better than the 987.1 3.4 - which is perhaps where a lot of the extra power comes from. Different layout with cats in the 987 headers, so not really transferable, but indicative anyway.

987.1 3.2 certainly feels quite a bit stronger than the 986, despite the additional weight.

ATM

18,092 posts

218 months

Tuesday 5th October 2021
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F6C said:
ATM said:
The 996 3.4 had 295 bhp.
The original 986 3.2 S had 255 bhp.

Feels like a big difference for 200cc.
Not that it really matters, but the 996 3.4 was 300PS and the 986.1 3.2 was 252PS. So about 295BHP and 248BHP respectively.

All 986s have really weedy and restrictive looking headers. 987.1 3.2 purportedly has quite good headers - better than the 987.1 3.4 - which is perhaps where a lot of the extra power comes from. Different layout with cats in the 987 headers, so not really transferable, but indicative anyway.

987.1 3.2 certainly feels quite a bit stronger than the 986, despite the additional weight.
The special edition anniversary model 986 had ... not sure the exact numbers - a few more bhp - only difference mechanically was the 987 airbox. You can retro fit this to the 986 but it is a bit fiddly doing it from the top with the engine in situ.

I've read some thing on the internet about a free flow exhaust and remap on the 986 3.2 S resulting in 275 bhp / ps / whatever.

Z4MCSL

544 posts

82 months

Tuesday 5th October 2021
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Surely there must be an aftermarket intake that is even better than the 987 upgrade right?

ATM

18,092 posts

218 months

Tuesday 5th October 2021
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Z4MCSL said:
Surely there must be an aftermarket intake that is even better than the 987 upgrade right?
There are various companies selling stuff like the IPD but some people have tested them and say it makes less power on their cars. So no idea what to believe. I think the guy I mentioned about claiming 275 from a 986 S was just using better headers - maybe even the cheap ebay jobbies - and the standard exhaust. Then a remap obviously. You can find some videos from him on YouTube.

https://www.ipdplenums.com/

EDIT

If you read the Cayman R thread you'll see some recent posts about the Cayman R using larger pipes than the Cayman S exhaust. It can even produce a bit of drone. So clearly even Porsche themselves try to extract more power out of these cars by going for free flowing exhausts too. Even though this is a totally different car with a totally different engine....

Edited by ATM on Tuesday 5th October 14:09

WayOutWest

749 posts

57 months

Tuesday 5th October 2021
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Z4MCSL said:
megane rs275 which is now mapped to about 305hp and 360lbft so I'm not buying the boxster for straight performance, more for experience and driving enjoyment.
Sell the Megane now and get something slower, or use public transport, while you wait for the right car to come up.
Not being totally serious, but I did have a big gap between getting rid of my Megane 275 and buying my 987 Cayman (which has the same excellent poverty spec alcantara seats as ATM has just put in) during which time I drove slow 4x4s and a slightly tuned R56 Cooper S.

I rated the Megane highly, and had I kept it I would have remapped as it felt like it could handle another 30bhp without ruining it, but you did have to be driving a bit like a lunatic to get a proper buzz from it.
So you will gain more of an experience, mid engined handling sensations and lovely flat six sounds to replace your manic jet powered vacuum cleaner.

Having a slower car in between acts as a palate cleanser to recalibrate your performance expectations. Although if you do plump for the 3.2 with some exhaust mods it will probably feel quick enough anyway. In fact why not just stretch to the 987 3.2 with 280bhp and leave it stock?
Will feel much more modern.

Z4MCSL

544 posts

82 months

Tuesday 5th October 2021
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WayOutWest said:
Sell the Megane now and get something slower, or use public transport, while you wait for the right car to come up.
Not being totally serious, but I did have a big gap between getting rid of my Megane 275 and buying my 987 Cayman (which has the same excellent poverty spec alcantara seats as ATM has just put in) during which time I drove slow 4x4s and a slightly tuned R56 Cooper S.

I rated the Megane highly, and had I kept it I would have remapped as it felt like it could handle another 30bhp without ruining it, but you did have to be driving a bit like a lunatic to get a proper buzz from it.
So you will gain more of an experience, mid engined handling sensations and lovely flat six sounds to replace your manic jet powered vacuum cleaner.

Having a slower car in between acts as a palate cleanser to recalibrate your performance expectations. Although if you do plump for the 3.2 with some exhaust mods it will probably feel quick enough anyway. In fact why not just stretch to the 987 3.2 with 280bhp and leave it stock?
Will feel much more modern.
I literally just bought the Megane ,I've had it maybe 3 weeks and I love it, its not going anywhere anytime soon 🤣 🤣 🤣 its also relatively practical. It may become a track car at some point but I would probably feel bad about it as it is in great nick so if that time came I would probably get a track prepped 250 Cup.

I think I mentioned I also have a Clio 182 which is stripped which obviously only has around the 180hp region and I absolutely love this car too so the power thing doesn't bother me per se, but I have just come around to the idea that a few small improvements can have a nice impact.

In terms of the 987, I am not really interested - part of the desire for a 986 is that it is the original and I want a quasi-classic car. Arguably the Z4Coupe is off in that direction too but I am just a bit bored of it now.



edc

9,230 posts

250 months

Tuesday 5th October 2021
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ATM said:
The special edition anniversary model 986 had ... not sure the exact numbers - a few more bhp - only difference mechanically was the 987 airbox. You can retro fit this to the 986 but it is a bit fiddly doing it from the top with the engine in situ.

I've read some thing on the internet about a free flow exhaust and remap on the 986 3.2 S resulting in 275 bhp / ps / whatever.
550 Anni is 266 PS mainly from the 987 airbox. Mine was dynod at approx a few years ago 275bhp with eBay manifolds and second hand 100 cell cats. So basically the same as a 3.2 987. The exhaust set up isn't much different now with 200 cell cats instead and a Carnewal modified original exhaust.

WCZ

10,492 posts

193 months

Tuesday 5th October 2021
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ATM said:
How much time passed between you having the 3.2 and then the 2.5 and what other cars did you have during this time?
a long time, I was used to the 3.2 - the 2.5 was a courtesy car

other cars were a mixture of fast cars + hot hatches

a friend actually was considering the 2.5, I insisted he should try both before purchase based on my experience and despite being out of budget slightly he drove both back to back and ended up saving up for a few extra months to make the jump to the 3.2

I appreciate it wont be that black and white to others

edit - just realised this thread was about the 986! - my experience relates to the 987 (3.2 v 2.7)

Edited by WCZ on Tuesday 5th October 15:25

ATM

18,092 posts

218 months

Tuesday 5th October 2021
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WCZ said:
just realised this thread was about the 986! - my experience relates to the 987 (3.2 v 2.7)
Unforgivable

Hand in your PH credentials on your way out

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 5th October 2021
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edc said:
If you haven't already then go to Boxa.net . Lots of help posts and plenty of material on running reports or member rides threads documenting issues and mods.
its also minus that tt cheddar bob

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 5th October 2021
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Z4MCSL said:
Mr Spoon said:
I also did the same with my megane RS
You mean upped the power etc?
yes indeed. 300+ hp, similar to your megane

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 5th October 2021
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If you do pp on to box.net - look out for my thread on IMS failure. It shows the early warning signs and other things to look out for.

Also, very active for runs into the twisties.