[Zelig]

Dear Porsche Geniuses,

I am nearly a year in on a 718 base cayman PDK/SC, and truly adore it (I’ve had a 987.2 S, 981 Base, and 981 S, and truly prefer this as a complete package).

I do have the bug for more power, however, and less lag (which is not a deal killer, but does catch me with my trousers down sometimes).

For those who have researched a tune like Cobb, do those very substantial gains put you in the zip code of an S/GTS, or is the anti-lag geometry of the larger engines something no tune can compete with?

Many thanks for any insight...

 

[CupraLeon]

Stage 2 on the 2.0 Will bring it to about 400Hp, the S/GTS have VTG turbo’s/bigger intake duct,which reduce lag. Maybe a turbo/intake duct upgrade is what you are looking for.

 

[DPC]

I have owned both a 718S and a 718base. One thing I noticed is that the base already runs fairly high turbo boost. The S runs on much lower boost. The base has a lower compression ratio, but usually pumping up turbo engines just basically increases turbo boost. I would be a little leary of increasing the base's turbo much. Just a thought. And the base seems to need a little higher rpm to develop bigger power, which I don't mind. I think the S has much more room for improvement. If you look at the performance figures for the base, it's rated 300hp seems to be underestimated. 170 mph top speed is a pretty healthy top speed. In one road test in Europe, I saw the base hit 170 on the Autobon and was still climbing but the traffic forced the test driver to slow down.

 

[cipher]

I have owned both a 718S and a 718base. One thing I noticed is that the base already runs fairly high turbo boost. The S runs on much lower boost. The base has a lower compression ratio, but usually pumping up turbo engines just basically increases turbo boost. I would be a little leary of increasing the base's turbo much. Just a thought. And the base seems to need a little higher rpm to develop bigger power, which I don't mind. I think the S has much more room for improvement. If you look at the performance figures for the base, it's rated 300hp seems to be underestimated. 170 mph top speed is a pretty healthy top speed. In one road test in Europe, I saw the base hit 170 on the Autobon and was still climbing but the traffic forced the test driver to slow down.

I think I read somewhere that the base dynos around 330-345hp flywheel. But yes there is a more immediate response In the S/GTS. The base only weighs 44lbs less than the S and 88lbs less than the GTS.

 

[vhs]

Dear Porsche Geniuses,

I am nearly a year in on a 718 base cayman PDK/SC, and truly adore it (I’ve had a 987.2 S, 981 Base, and 981 S, and truly prefer this as a complete package).

I do have the bug for more power, however, and less lag (which is not a deal killer, but does catch me with my trousers down sometimes).

For those who have researched a tune like Cobb, do those very substantial gains put you in the zip code of an S/GTS, or is the anti-lag geometry of the larger engines something no tune can compete with?

Many thanks for any insight...

I'm in the same boat. My base has PDK, SC, PASM and PTV. On the lag issue, there's Pedal Commander:

Pedal Commander PC09 Bluetooth

PC09 is the only performance upgrade you'll ever need! You can remove throttle lag safely with PC09 and double the fun. Try PC09 now!

pedalcommander.com

No traces in the ECU, and seems to be noticeable if you set it up correctly. When I'm going "enthusiastically" or on the track, I'm in Sport+ and in manual mode or Auto but will shift when things aren't hot enough. I keep the RPMs pretty high. That pretty much eliminates the lag, but it'd be nice to have it more on demand. I haven't gone for it yet because I haven't heard of any 718 base reviews. Still, $300 seems like a low risk and watching the install video, it seems pretty easy to add or remove.

Cobb Stage 1 for the base will add about 10% more hp. That should be noticeable. A high flow cat like the one from Soul will only add to that. Also, it seems like some Cobb tuners are capable of doing a front door flash, so no sending the ECU to Cobb. I've heard that the base has a lot more headroom in the ECU, so it seems less risky, but a 2.0 tune with basically 33% more hp kind of scares me. I've got a 2018 with CPO warranty, so I hate to dance with that, although one installer has a relationship with my dealer and will sort of step in if something arises. My "impression", is that a known shop doing this kind of mod is different than someone monkeying around with the car. Still, I haven't decided if I want to take that dance with my DD.

Please follow up with what you do.

 

[Zelig]

I’ve previously used things like the pedal commander in other cars, but personally always found the throttle itself becomes too touchy (on, off, only). That’s why I was thinking a tune this time around (or the step up to 2.5, of course).

I agree about the warranty- that does give me pause, as well as the advice above about how much boost we are already running.

Ah, decisions, yes...?

 

[vhs]

I’ve previously used things like the pedal commander in other cars, but personally always found the throttle itself becomes too touchy (on, off, only). That’s why I was thinking a tune this time around (or the step up to 2.5, of course)

Well, that's not good. My point of discontent with the lag is that it makes input less smooth. I was at a Cobb dealer today and forgot to ask if the lag is variable in a Stage 1 tuning. I'll see them again next week and will be sure to ask.

 

[CupraLeon]

Well, that's not good. My point of discontent with the lag is that it makes input less smooth. I was at a Cobb dealer today and forgot to ask if the lag is variable in a Stage 1 tuning. I'll see them again next week and will be sure to ask.

No software tune can eliminate lag, it is inherent to Turbo engine's. That is why I suggested upgrading to another turbo, to keep it simple, smaller turbo's spool quicker and reduce lag(lag= time to spool up) but make less power, bigger turbo's need to spool up longer thus bigger lag and more power. The lag on the 2.5 is less noticeable due to the use of a variable vane turbo (and some other trics Porsche has up their sleeve) which with closed vains mimic's a little turbo and in the higher rev zone with open vains performs as a bigger turbo.
Hope this helps.

 

[chester7]

Any reason why Cobb is the preferred ECU tune for our718's? I really liked my APR tune in my Audi A4 1.8T. I added at 500 miles and drove it flawlessly to 170,000 miles- and sold it in great condition. I don't want to push the envelope like I did in my 944 Turbo where I moved from a Weltmeister (no issues) to a Max951 chip, and then had a very smelly exhaust. I want a modest power increase not an at-the-limit engine. I emailed APR and they state they are working on a 718 tune.

 

[Zelig]

Well, that's not good. My point of discontent with the lag is that it makes input less smooth. I was at a Cobb dealer today and forgot to ask if the lag is variable in a Stage 1 tuning. I'll see them again next week and will be sure to ask.

That would be fantastic- do let us know what you find!

 

[Zelig]

No software tune can eliminate lag, it is inherent to Turbo engine's. That is why I suggested upgrading to another turbo, to keep it simple, smaller turbo's spool quicker and reduce lag(lag= time to spool up) but make less power, bigger turbo's need to spool up longer thus bigger lag and more power. The lag on the 2.5 is less noticeable due to the use of a variable vane turbo (and some other trics Porsche has up their sleeve) which with closed vains mimic's a little turbo and in the higher rev zone with open vains performs as a bigger turbo.
Hope this helps.

That is an interesting point. With the GTS’s larger turbo, would that imply the S has less lag than the GTS (with less hp as well, of course)?

 

[CupraLeon]

That is an interesting point. With the GTS’s larger turbo, would that imply the S has less lag than the GTS (with less hp as well, of course)?

S/GTS are the same setup, the 15hp difference is only due different software. They have both less lag because the vtg turbo and altered intake. A Nice trick by Porsche is keeping the throttle body open (when you are off the throttle) to keep the Turbo spinning thus taking less time to spool up.

 

[Zelig]

S/GTS are the same setup, the 15hp difference is only due different software. They have both less lag because the vtg turbo and altered intake. A Nice trick by Porsche is keeping the throttle body open (when you are off the throttle) to keep the Turbo spinning thus taking less time to spool up.

Apologies- I thought the GTS has a slightly bigger turbo. Is this not the case?

 

[CupraLeon]

Apologies- I thought the GTS has a slightly bigger turbo. Is this not the case?

Same turbo only higher boost from factory.

 

[chester7]

S/GTS are the same setup, the 15hp difference is only due different software.

Excellence magazine states the GTS intake manifold is also different.

 

[cipher]

Any reason why Cobb is the preferred ECU tune for our718's? I really liked my APR tune in my Audi A4 1.8T. I added at 500 miles and drove it flawlessly to 170,000 miles- and sold it in great condition. I don't want to push the envelope like I did in my 944 Turbo where I moved from a Weltmeister (no issues) to a Max951 chip, and then had a very smelly exhaust. I want a modest power increase not an at-the-limit engine. I emailed APR and they state they are working on a 718 tune.

I think it comes down to availability. Cobb is really the only one I know of that provides a tune. APR is supposedly working on one but I don’t think it’s out yet and I think it’s for the S.

 

[CupraLeon]

Excellence magazine states the GTS intake manifold is also different.

Correct , stated the larger intake duct in my first reply

 

[chester7]

Correct , stated the larger intake duct in my first reply

I believe the GTS has a different manifold than the S.

 

[CupraLeon]

I used the wrong wording , you are right it has another manifold, here a link to some pictures in a thread on the differences
https://www.718forum.com/threads/718-s-vs-gts-engine-differences.17374/

 

[4594]

Dear Porsche Geniuses,

I am nearly a year in on a 718 base cayman PDK/SC, and truly adore it (I’ve had a 987.2 S, 981 Base, and 981 S, and truly prefer this as a complete package).

I do have the bug for more power, however, and less lag (which is not a deal killer, but does catch me with my trousers down sometimes).

For those who have researched a tune like Cobb, do those very substantial gains put you in the zip code of an S/GTS, or is the anti-lag geometry of the larger engines something no tune can compete with?

Many thanks for any insight...

Zelig,

I just got my base 982CMT's ECU flashed and posted on this forum node.

Check out my review. It's an amazing upgrade. The firm I used does a conservative remap, that makes a huge difference with the base motor. Some European firms are really pushing things, which is something I would never do. I'm very conservative with everything car related, BUT, this has yielded a very different experience with little risk. Yes, they'res always risk, but Porsche management is very conservative and the marketing department always wins: the 982 turbo 4 / flat 6 is being held back so that the 982 performance doesn't encroach on the 911. It never will.

Unfortunately, the Cayman / Boxter will never be allowed to have the right power, it's always been held back. But, these remaps change that.

Cheers,

Greg