Pelican Technical Article: Installing Performance DME Map Software Wayne R. Dempsey
Time: 1 hr
Tab: $700
Talent:
Tools:
Windows computer
Applicable Models:
986 Boxster (1997-04) 987 Boxster (2005-08)
Parts Required:
Softronic cable and software
Hot Tip:
Required if making any significant changes to the drivetrain
Performance Gain:
10-15% more horsepower
Complementary Modification:
Install a 996 engine!
This article is one in a series that have been released in conjunction with Wayne's new book, 101 Performance Projects for Your Porsche Boxster. The book contains 312 pages of full color projects detailing everything from performance mods to changing your brake pads. With more than 950+ full-color glossy photos accompanying extensive step-by-step procedures, this book is required reading in any Boxster owner's collection. The book is currently available and in stock now. See The Official Book Website for more details.
Check out some other sample projects from the book:
The Motronic system (also called the Digital Motor Electronics or DME) is hands down the best overall fuel injection system that you can use when you consider price and performance. Ignition timing and fuel delivery are all controlled by a digital map that is recorded in a flash memory chip located within the main fuel injection (DME) computer. The computer takes input from a variety of sensors that are located on the engine: cylinder head temperature, crank angle, throttle position, exhaust gas oxygen (mixture), ambient air temperature, and mass air flow. The DME is programmed from the factory with certain performance characteristics (mostly conservative) so that the engine will react well under a host of varying conditions. Major changes to the engine (increased displacement, the addition of different camshafts, etc.) require an updated map to take full advantage of these modifications. Failure to update the Motronic system may actually result in a decrease in performance, as the original system is finely tuned to supply the correct timing and fuel injection values for a stock engine configuration. To gain the maximum benefit from engine modifications, you need to either update the flash software in your DME (easy), or install a programmable aftermarket engine management system (not so easy).
The Motronic system is generally very reliable - its main failure points being the sensors that send data back to the DME computer. Although I haven't seen it on the Boxsters just yet, another odd failure point on other older Porsches appears to be the DME relay. Corroded contacts appear to cause this mission-critical part to fail somewhat intermittently. I have had many customers claim that their car runs much better right after they have replaced the DME relay. While I don't have any empirical data to back this up, there are a lot of people who will swear by replacing their DME relay once every two years. I do recommend that you carry a spare one, as a failure can potentially leave you stranded on the side of the road. On the Boxster, the there are two DME relays are in the trunk, in slot number one (DME), and slot number two (Ignition). Also vulnerable is the fuel pump relay above the front fuse panel (see Photo 2 of Pelican Technical Article: Fuel Pump Replacement).
If you are running a stock engine with the Motronic injection, one of the best upgrades you can perform is the installation of aftermarket performance software. As stated previously, the factory programmed the original software to compensate for a wide variety of driving characteristics. These days, you can find software maps that will elevate the rev-limiter, advance your timing, and generally run the engine with less conservatism than the factory programs. The only downside to running a more aggressive map is that sometimes the timing curves are a bit too advanced and may cause detonation on low-octane pump gas (as it is here in California). The Boxsters have a knock sensor that will reduce detonation if the timing is too far advanced, and you can also get maps that are specifically tailored to your region if lower octane fuel is the only type available.
One downside to installing a performance software map is that you basically need to run premium fuel with the chip installed. Whereas the stock chip is designed and mapped to provide good performance across a wide variety of operating conditions, the performance chips are typically mapped to assume that you are running high-octane gasoline. If you run low octane fuel, the knock sensor will generally prevent detonation, but in general you will not fully utilize the performance improvements of the chip.
There are many manufacturers out there selling various variations of performance software for the Boxster. One company that has differentiated itself from the pack is Softronic, founded by former PCA tech guru Scott Slauson. The Softronic software upgrade kit has a few innovative features not found in other DME programming products. The software upgrade is installed using a Softronic cable attached to a typical Windows computer (others often require you to ship them your DME for programming). The DME is updated and reprogrammed using the OBD-II port (see Pelican Technical Article: Reading Fuel Injection Fault Codes / Diagnosing Problems), which allows you the freedom to update your software, and then also convert it back to stock when needed. This is particularly useful when you need to bring your car in for emissions testing, and the updated software in the computer might make it difficult to pass. The Softronic software makes an exact backup copy of the software on your DME prior to installing the updated maps.
Installation of the software is a snap. Simply install the Softronic software onto your computer and then connect it via the supplied cable to the ODB-II port on your Boxster. The software will perform a variety of pre-programming checks, create a full back up on your hard drive, and then install the performance software into your car. Just sit back, drink your coffee, and let the computer do all the work. The total programming time is about five minutes or so.
Performance software is required if you are upgrading your engine to a 3.4L as was done in Pelican Technical Article: Boxster Engine Conversion Project. I used the Softronic performance software to install a higher output Porsche 996 program into the 3.4L engine after we installation. The increase in horsepower went from 300 to 322 and torque increased from 258 to 271: quite an improvement. In addition, Softronic was able to custom design our program to fit our particular Boxster engine conversion profile (engine / intake / exhaust).
Figure 1
It really is as easy as it looks. Here is a screenshot from Softronic's software. Simply plug in the cable into the OBD-II port on the Boxster and run the software. It will create a full backup of your existing configuration and install the performance software update in less time than it takes to brew a cup of coffee.
Comments: Is there any benefit or noticeable power increase with a stock 986 with this enhancement?
May 16, 2012
Mickey
Comments: Has anyone installed the GF computer chip? It actually connects to the electronic Air Sensor.
May 16, 2011
Followup from the Pelican Staff: Hmm, I had never heard of this until you posted it here. I took a look at their site. It connects via two wires to the MAF and is supposed to give a big boost in HP? I have no experience with this product, but the claims seem dubious to me, just from what I know about how fuel injection systems work.
I'll copy this to the forums to see if anyone else has any other opinions on this. - Wayne at Pelican Parts
Ray_s
Comments: Thanks Wayne, will contact Scott directly as I think he offers exactly what I was looking for and was confused someone told me he would need my ECU for flashing. AFAIK he also offers the durametric tool which I'm interested as well... cheers from Germany, Ray
June 9, 2010
Ray_s
Comments: Maybe I am discussing with the wrong guy - he does not carry a softronic email address. Let me check if I got to the wrong person, will not post the name here but I was pretty sure I got it thru your website. Apologies if I'm incorrect - can you provide me your email address directly so we can sort it out - I was surprised it should not be able to flash my 987 ECU with a 997 3.8 Update as described...
June 9, 2010
Followup from the Pelican Staff: Softronic provides software to resellers throughout the world (just like Pelican Parts). Someone may be claiming to represent the company directly when they are not. I suggest that you contact Scott Slauson at Softronic directly: SoftronicTuning@aol.com 1-203-723-8928 - Wayne at Pelican Parts
Softronic
Comments: Interesting as I'm not aware of an issue in doing this... I'm also not familiar with your name in any discussions on the above mentioned.
The main issues with conversions are the way they are done and the software is expected to be a cure all for all issues. The software is designed to work when these conversions are done correctly.
Best Regards,
Scott Slauson
June 9, 2010
Ray_S
Comments: Softronic tells me they cannot do a flash update vie OBD for a 3.8 997 S engine put into my 2005 Boxster S 3.2.
I am supposed to send my ECU to them - anyone knows why? Anyone had the same issue before?
June 9, 2010
Followup from the Pelican Staff: I forwarded this message off to the folks at Softronic and they say that there's no problem with this installation in this configuration. There must have been some confusion with respect to the years. Scott at Softronic mentioned that someone called a short while ago asking to put a 3.8 997 into a 2000 Boxster which cannot be properly done. - Wayne at Pelican Parts
Check out some other sample projects from the book:
