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Tuned 2.7 987.1 - Wondering about ECU remapping (Softronic?)

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11K views 4 replies 3 participants last post by  Urbie  
#1 ·
Hello everyone, I'm a new user even if I started reading this forum a long time ago!

I'm the happy owner of a 2008 Cayman 2.7 (987.1) that so far has made only 32'000 km. Few months ago I installed a full capristo exhaust that, after about 2 months and 2'000 km, was followed by an IPD Plenum.

Right now I'm very happy about how the car drives: the exhaust provided a gorgeous sound and a much improved rensponse to the gas pedal, and the plenum provided a noticeable torque improvemente starting from 3'000 rpm, exactly where I always felt the infamous "hole" in the torque curve. Overall, it seems that the two modifications provided the car the ability to reach redline much quickly, with a very negligible torque loss between 2'000 and 3'000 rpm.

Now I'm thinking about an ECU remap and I'm very undecided between Softronic and a "standard" remap that could be performed by the same guy who installed the exhaust/plenum, whom so far proved to be at least a competent person; he was recommended to me by some friends of mine, he works most of the time on Porsches and he is also the "trusted" Capristo installator in my area, so I consider him a trustworthy professional.

I tried to think about advantages and disadvantage of the Softronic remap versus a "traditional" remap:

Softronic:
+ can read/write the whole content of the ECU
+ can activate the sport chrono which is not installed on my car
+ in case of an ECU restore, the ECU itself will result exactly as it was before the tuning (so the tuning itself wont be detectable)
- in case of issues during the tuned map upload the ECU might be compromised and I will have to handle it on my own/at my cost
- it costs about twice as much as a standard tuning

Traditional:
basically it mirrors the plus and minus posted above


Thus, I have two questions for you guys:
- What do you guys think about this analysis? (do you see any other plus or minus?)
- Do you think that on my setup an ECU tuning will bring noticeable improvements? (most of the feedback I found on the forum are related to the 3.4 engine, even though the few I found on the 2.7 are positive; I've heard a lot about the ECU remap complementing very well the IPD but I think I have find only one direct feedback on this setup on the 2.7)

I apologize for my bad english, please be kind as it's not my native language :)

Cheers!!!
 
#2 · (Edited)
I have been holding out IPD plenum for my 2.7 987.1 Boxster since I understood its not worth it for 2.7 engine. Maybe I'm wrong? I also drooled about Capristo exhaust but its too expensive. Going with Carnewal GT next month. I have only 42000km so far and I'm afraid of the ECU mapping if it will strain car too much. Is it safe for longevity in mind? I have done it for my other car but its not nice Porsche ;)
 
#3 ·
Hi Urbie

I'm curius about why you've concluded that the plenum is not worth for the 2.7 engine... to me it seems a reasonable upgrade for the cost. Of course by itself it doesn't make the car a beast but I feel a good gain in torque just where I was hoping for. What was your experience with it?
 
#4 ·
In general the heads on the 2.7 engine probably don't have the flow capability of the 3.4 - I expect this is the reason for the "not worth it" comment. If the heads are more restrictive than the plenum/TB then the effect of replacing the TB will be reduced. But I have no actual data on the flow capabilities or the results of installing the plenum/TB on the 2.7 motor.

As far as ECU tuning is concerned, you should not expect significant torque or power gains. There are, however, other things that can be done as you mentioned (activate sport mode, change redline, etc.) that might be of value to you.
 
#5 ·
It would cost over 1000eur for plenum and install. IPD does not even offer bigger TB with 2.7 plenum, since I guess it wont help anything. Plenum itself will of course help with airflow a bit, but I'm just wondering will 1000eur offer me only something marginal? I have no real experience with cars with plenum, just information I have read online. Also local Porsche mechanic said something like "not worth it", even though it meant probably losing me as paying customer for plenum install. With half a price I can get Carnewal GT exhaust with probably atleast same power advantages although I'm doing it for the sound and any possible power increase is a bonus. So I'm starting with that. I would really like to do the plenum but so far I can't reason the cost versus what I'm getting. For a bigger engine it would be a no-brainer with bigger TB, I have understood, with real power increase.

Is there a hp/torque curve stock vs plenum on 2.7? I'll ask IPD.

But the thread was about ECU remapping so sorry for slight offtopic. Remapping is also a question mark for me. I don't think I'm interested in the other than power gains. Rev limiter is there to protect the engine so definately dont want to touch that especially when I really dont know any specifics at this point. I guess it would be easier to switch car to S model, but Im already emotinally attached so...