Performance

Every Porsche owner is interested in performance, from personalized styling to an aggressive sounding exhaust, preparing for track events, or simply making improvements to tired factory parts. Our shop can take care of your Porsche dreams and desires. We have divided performance into sections to further explain how we can amplify your car’s capabilities. Performance upgrades can even renew interest in an old friend you have been driving for years.

Engine & Transmission

There are numerous options with Porsche drivelines. Since the 356/911 heritage goes on for decades, the parts and pieces can be moved from year to year. Cars can be retrofitted, updated, rebuilt, and modified. The decisions can be daunting. We have broken these two subjects into their own sections, and relate some of the particular details.

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Software

Newer Porsches from the late 90s to current date can benefit from software changes to their engine computer or DME. The "drive by wire" or e-gas cars have big gains with throttle response and delays in acceleration. More horsepower and torque means more fun. Software is available for all 997, 996, Cayenne, Boxster, and Cayman cars. We are an official GIAC dealer.

GIAC ( www.giacusa.com ) is a company rich in European engine electronics. GIAC was one of the first on scene in the 1980s producing chips (EPROMS) that modified engine electronic parameters to produce more horsepower. Today these changes are made via flashing new software through the car's OBDII port. After only a few minutes, new performance is delivered. Options include software programs for stock, performance, high octane fuel, and valet mode. GIAC has developed a hand-held device called a switchloader that allows the driver to swap back and forth to the different programs.

Yes, we are a Porsche shop, but do have the ability and tools to install software in VW, Audi, and Bentley. Call to schedule an appointment.

Suspension

A big part of Porsche performance is suspension tuning and car control. A properly set-up car makes all the difference in your enjoyment of driving. With refined suspension tuning, the car's power can be controlled much better, allowing increased driver confidence.

Customers, who make our suggested changes to their suspension, come back saying they wish they would have done these upgrades first.

Original Porsche equipment suspensions are designed for a wide cross section of users, allowing for comfortable daily driving, traveling with family members, and sacrificing the enthusiast’s desire for more aggressive driving styles. The aftermarket has responded with a wide variety of suspension systems and upgrades. Since the inception of the Porsche 911, many race parts could be fitted to the street cars to increase road feel and allow the cars to work well with spirited driving styles.

Many of these upgrades can turn an average street car into a formidable competition car in autocross and weekend track events. With further upgrades, cars can be developed into full-fledged race cars. Bigger torsion bars and adjustable sway-bars can rejuvenate the pre-1989 Porsches, and, if money is no object, then the 935-style suspension is the best you can get.

In 1989, the 964 was introduced and the McPherson coilover strut was adapted to the 911 chassis. Now, there are several manufactures with modern technology building coilovers for the 964, 993, 996, and now 997s. Adjustable dampers and ride heights can be modified, and spring rates can be easily changed to adapt cars for driving styles or particular events. As your skill and understanding of chassis dynamics increases, you can upgrade your suspension to full remote reservoirs, and now 4-5 way adjustable dampers can be used. Combined with adjustable sway-bars and other chassis improvements, these cars are a lot of fun.

Exhausts

In 1975, the first emission controlled devices impacted the design of the 911 exhausts to come. The 911s had received more restrictive exhaust systems until the introduction of the 993 in 1995. Now, retrofitting the 1975-1989 911s yields big gains and a variety of options abound in mufflers and headers. The U.S. 930s offer great gains with an aftermarket exhaust. Sound is always subjective, but there are different tones for each owner. Coupled with software, the later cars (996, Boxster, 997, Cayenne) respond well to the addition of an exhaust. The turbocharged 996s and 997s have tremendous opportunities with free-flowing exhausts, software, bigger turbos, etc. Today, almost all of the systems on the market are made out of high-grade aircraft stainless. Even with caustic environments, these systems will outlast the car. If you need help choosing and planning your other upgrades, call us to create a game plan. We are dealers for most product lines, and can guide you through the choices and offer first-hand experience on what works, customer favorites, and new items on the market.

Brakes

Porsches, from the beginning, have had great brakes, but with other performance enhancements to the driveline, brake upgrades can be a necessity. Porsche street car brakes are derived from their racing programs. On many of the cars, the same calipers are used on race and street cars. The difference is in the brake pads. Brake pads come in different compounds and work in different environments, track conditions, or applications. One of the first things an owner can do is change the street brake pads for more aggressive pads that have a higher friction coefficient, stand up to heat, harsher conditions, and even on track performance. Larger brakes from later cars can be adapted to the older cars, and work well in certain instances. For many cars, there are brake kits available with bigger rotors, calipers, and pads that will work for your car either on the street or track. Brake options abound for just about every Porsche disc brake car. The Porsche disc brake lug 5x130mm bolt pattern is the same from 1965 to current day, and allows for a lot of parts-swapping. For those people planning upgrades to their car, we recommend that brakes are the first thing on the list, and make no compromise. We are an authorized Brembo dealer. Safety first.

Aerodynamics

Choosing body enhancements wisely is important due to their effect on car handling, especially at higher speeds. Wings and spoilers can also add to the overall aesthetic of your car. Starting with the 1972 Carrera RS "ducktail", wind tunnel testing proved that spoilers on the front and rear dramatically improved high speed stability. As the 911 matured, its performance increased with higher power outputs, thus higher speeds. Aerodynamics played an important part in the 911 design. Since many parts of the 911 are interchangeable (decklids and spoilers, front valances, etc.), they can be added for better looks or performance as you upgrade other elements of your car. The later 993, 996, and 997 cars had "aero" packages that got their roots in motorsport in the Porsche Supercup and GT3 series of racing. These pieces can be added to the street cars for better looks as well as performance. We can source many of the later pieces in Europe for you, and can also help choose the appropriate aftermarket pieces for lightweight track car build-ups. We work with several of the composite manufactures and can guide you through your purchase and installation.

Seating

Perhaps one of the most overlooked items is proper seating. More power, a bigger wing, and bigger brakes? How about a seat?

With more power, ability to get it to the ground, and other upgrades complete, one of the last things drivers think about is seats. This should be one of the first. Proper seating is a must, and allows you, as the driver, to concentrate on driving, not trying to keep yourself in the seat. Most drivers do not even realize that they spend time and energy on this, but can tell the difference once they have gotten the proper gear installed in their car.

Many times we have cars come into our service center with improperly installed harnesses, seats, or hardware. There are many products on the market. With offshore sources "reproducing" styles and creating knock-offs, it can be difficult to understand the differences and make the right choice. These offshore products are not always safe or well-engineered, and often times these items can be dangerous to use. We can help you make the proper choice for your car and its intended use. We are an authorized Recaro dealer.