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    Mar 8, 2006 9:31:09 AM

    tinbomber
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    tinbomber
    Loc: Chicago, USA
    Posts: 11, Gallery
    Registered on: Mar 8, 2006

    To X51 or not (aftermarket power realistic??)

    I'm looking for a lightly used porsche. I initially was looking for a 996 turbo, but i guess the 997S is in the same price range. I've seen the 0-60 of 3.9sec for a NA car not bad! I wont be buying new (never do) and seriously doubt that i can find a used X51 car.

    A good porschephile friend swears that X51 is all marketing BS. He rec'd aftermarket airflow or a 9ff powerkit

    Anybody here driven an X51 car AND a reg 997S??
    how do they compare?

    How about a 997S with a similar aftermarket powerkit?

    Is +40Hp realistic w/ only airflow mods, cams and a chip??

    Mar 8, 2006 3:51:34 PM

    Paul S in TX
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    Paul S in TX
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    Registered on: Jun 20, 2002
    Reply to: tinbomber

    Re: To X51 or not (aftermarket power realistic??)

    Well, I've driven both and own a Club Coupe. X51 IS NOT marketing hype, which to me implies all they added was a fancy carbon fiber intake and exhaust that doesn't improve the engine.

    The X51 is a noticeably different in that it launches quicker, and the engine is much more responsive than the standard 3.8. When Exellence did their cover story on the Club Coupe in the February 2006 issue (linked below), they gave a really objective viewpoint. IT IS expensive, but factory power always has been with Porsche.

    I wouldn't trade mine for a 997S with any tuner's package.

    Also, I always marvel at the paradox that Porsche went to all the trouble of adding (in X51) a larger throttle body, optimized intake, cylinder heads and exhaust manifold modifications, in addition to the airbox, ECU mod, and exhaust. Silly Porsche--the tuners know better and can deliver it with an airflow kit and an ECU tweak.

    With an aftermarket tuner, I am sure you could buy similar or better results advertised on paper for less money--but will it be as driveable, will it actually do what the tuner says (e.g., are you getting an engine dyno as proof), is it warrantied, and will it give you an engine that doesn't lose power and torque somewhere along the engine's rev band? You know what you get, for certain with X51.

    Also, X51 purportedly delivers more than the advertised power--FWIW, folks who are supposed to know have written here and elsewhere of X51 engines dynoing at 395 HP which I'd believe from a seat of the pants perspective.

    BTW, there are a few Club Coupes advertised for sale, but I don't think they're going for a discount

    a 996 GT3 would be a tempting alternative, or a 997 GT3 which would give you 415 HP and the true dry sump 3.6 GT 1 based engine. Or just stick with a base 997 S (as long as you don't drive an X51 and find out what you're missing). But me personally, I'm leery of tuners on normally aspirated Porsches.

    X HITS THE SPOT

    Mar 9, 2006 12:29:56 AM

    996toomey
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    996toomey
    Loc: CA, USA
    Posts: 194, Gallery
    Registered on: Jul 10, 2005
    Reply to: Paul S in TX

    Re: To X51 or not (aftermarket power realistic??)

    Nice post Paul S in Texas. I agree.

    Mar 9, 2006 2:27:24 AM

    SVNSVN
    Rennteam Pro
    SVNSVN
    Loc: CA, USA
    Posts: 2994, Gallery
    Registered on: May 22, 2005
    Reply to: 996toomey

    Re: To X51 or not (aftermarket power realistic??)

    Yes, thanks Paul!

    Mar 9, 2006 9:55:21 AM

    intouch1
    Rennteam Master
    intouch1
    Loc: Red Sea , Egypt
    Posts: 5722, Gallery
    Registered on: May 22, 2004
    Reply to: SVNSVN

    Re: To X51 or not (aftermarket power realistic??)

    fully agree. if you want it get it from the factory.
    personally i would never alter the state of a factory car.
    porsches are not rice racers and should not be tampered with. they also are not easy to shift on the used market once they were played with.
     
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