C4. vs 986 Boxster
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 17,377
Likes: 6,523
From: Melbourne, FL
Lots of word where, I didn't read most of them.
A few things to keep in mind. The difference between say, an 85 C4 and a 96 C4 is HUGE. My 92 6 speed absolutely wipes the floor with my dad's 996 in every performance way. It's faster, it handles better, it stops better, it's cheaper to operate, the parts are easier to find... And the 996 blows a base 986 out of the water in performance.
An ls1 f body and a LT1 c4 are a pretty damn close match in a drag race. I know this because my buddy had a couple of them and it was always a drivers race until he got one with a pretty gnarly cam and heads build. They're on totally different planets handling wise, the Camaro doesn't even come close to keeping up with the c4 in the Twisties.
The problem with the Boxster is it's too balanced. There's no drama, and in yours there's no thrust either. The c4 is going to give you most of that nimbleness and chassis control with a lot more power.
My C4 was the second most fun car I've had to whip around back roads in the foothills of NC. It was way more fun than the Caymans and such i flirted with. The only car that was any more fun was a supercharged mini Cooper S with a stick. And that car was fun cuz you could beat the snot out of it and it would whine with the blower and you weren't really going fast. The c4 is fun because you can beat on it, go kinda fast, slide it around controllably, take the roof off if you want, have a great analog driving experience, and not have to worry about any real catastrophic reliability stuff, just general age related things.
A few things to keep in mind. The difference between say, an 85 C4 and a 96 C4 is HUGE. My 92 6 speed absolutely wipes the floor with my dad's 996 in every performance way. It's faster, it handles better, it stops better, it's cheaper to operate, the parts are easier to find... And the 996 blows a base 986 out of the water in performance.
An ls1 f body and a LT1 c4 are a pretty damn close match in a drag race. I know this because my buddy had a couple of them and it was always a drivers race until he got one with a pretty gnarly cam and heads build. They're on totally different planets handling wise, the Camaro doesn't even come close to keeping up with the c4 in the Twisties.
The problem with the Boxster is it's too balanced. There's no drama, and in yours there's no thrust either. The c4 is going to give you most of that nimbleness and chassis control with a lot more power.
My C4 was the second most fun car I've had to whip around back roads in the foothills of NC. It was way more fun than the Caymans and such i flirted with. The only car that was any more fun was a supercharged mini Cooper S with a stick. And that car was fun cuz you could beat the snot out of it and it would whine with the blower and you weren't really going fast. The c4 is fun because you can beat on it, go kinda fast, slide it around controllably, take the roof off if you want, have a great analog driving experience, and not have to worry about any real catastrophic reliability stuff, just general age related things.
Oil Producer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 9,372
Likes: 2,736
Street schmeet.
To test a cars capabilities you have to take it to a road course and spend seat time.
My 89, TPI, non fx3 Z51 will absolutely wipe the smile off the face of an early boxster all day long. Ive driven both, and yes even the much underrated TPI (shift, u just need to shift, stay in powerband). while the boxster is certainly more polished (smooth, refined) its not quicker.
Even the base suspension will out hustle a boxster on track, albeit with mega body roll. understeer gets bad with the staggered c4 setups. Ive driven both on track. The C4 in z51 trim is a wrecker. zr1 blows on track. understeer city.
I will see if i can find a very good driver in a boxster next season and we will do a video. This subject has been discussed before. A video comparison on a racetrack would be very good.
The comments about a c4 being a noodle are with the targa to off. leave it on. i never, ever, remove mine. And probably blown out bushings.
im very excited to do a boxster c4 comparison video now.
To test a cars capabilities you have to take it to a road course and spend seat time.
My 89, TPI, non fx3 Z51 will absolutely wipe the smile off the face of an early boxster all day long. Ive driven both, and yes even the much underrated TPI (shift, u just need to shift, stay in powerband). while the boxster is certainly more polished (smooth, refined) its not quicker.
Even the base suspension will out hustle a boxster on track, albeit with mega body roll. understeer gets bad with the staggered c4 setups. Ive driven both on track. The C4 in z51 trim is a wrecker. zr1 blows on track. understeer city.
I will see if i can find a very good driver in a boxster next season and we will do a video. This subject has been discussed before. A video comparison on a racetrack would be very good.
The comments about a c4 being a noodle are with the targa to off. leave it on. i never, ever, remove mine. And probably blown out bushings.
im very excited to do a boxster c4 comparison video now.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 16,089
Likes: 819
From: Dallas Texas
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Lots of word where, I didn't read most of them.
A few things to keep in mind. The difference between say, an 85 C4 and a 96 C4 is HUGE. My 92 6 speed absolutely wipes the floor with my dad's 996 in every performance way. It's faster, it handles better, it stops better, it's cheaper to operate, the parts are easier to find... And the 996 blows a base 986 out of the water in performance.
An ls1 f body and a LT1 c4 are a pretty damn close match in a drag race. I know this because my buddy had a couple of them and it was always a drivers race until he got one with a pretty gnarly cam and heads build. They're on totally different planets handling wise, the Camaro doesn't even come close to keeping up with the c4 in the Twisties.
The problem with the Boxster is it's too balanced. There's no drama, and in yours there's no thrust either. The c4 is going to give you most of that nimbleness and chassis control with a lot more power.
My C4 was the second most fun car I've had to whip around back roads in the foothills of NC. It was way more fun than the Caymans and such i flirted with. The only car that was any more fun was a supercharged mini Cooper S with a stick. And that car was fun cuz you could beat the snot out of it and it would whine with the blower and you weren't really going fast. The c4 is fun because you can beat on it, go kinda fast, slide it around controllably, take the roof off if you want, have a great analog driving experience, and not have to worry about any real catastrophic reliability stuff, just general age related things.
A few things to keep in mind. The difference between say, an 85 C4 and a 96 C4 is HUGE. My 92 6 speed absolutely wipes the floor with my dad's 996 in every performance way. It's faster, it handles better, it stops better, it's cheaper to operate, the parts are easier to find... And the 996 blows a base 986 out of the water in performance.
An ls1 f body and a LT1 c4 are a pretty damn close match in a drag race. I know this because my buddy had a couple of them and it was always a drivers race until he got one with a pretty gnarly cam and heads build. They're on totally different planets handling wise, the Camaro doesn't even come close to keeping up with the c4 in the Twisties.
The problem with the Boxster is it's too balanced. There's no drama, and in yours there's no thrust either. The c4 is going to give you most of that nimbleness and chassis control with a lot more power.
My C4 was the second most fun car I've had to whip around back roads in the foothills of NC. It was way more fun than the Caymans and such i flirted with. The only car that was any more fun was a supercharged mini Cooper S with a stick. And that car was fun cuz you could beat the snot out of it and it would whine with the blower and you weren't really going fast. The c4 is fun because you can beat on it, go kinda fast, slide it around controllably, take the roof off if you want, have a great analog driving experience, and not have to worry about any real catastrophic reliability stuff, just general age related things.
Lol, funny you mention an R53. Bought mine back in June. Anything but stock. Basically, it's a jcw with a very mild shrick cam, bigger lower pulley and smaller upper pulley, longtube header, Hotchkis sway bars, and a qauife lsd. Yes, it is fun to drive.
As for boxster vs c4, I owned a 99 986. To me, I didn't find it as fun to drive. But, I still want another one. But then, I look at a z3 m and find it to be a better car for one to modify.
Oil Producer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 9,372
Likes: 2,736
regarding the mini rs. there is one of those at my local track. the owner is here on cf and also drives a c6z06. He is very fast! in both cars! My 89 TPI cannot come close to that car. its the jcw edition, just looked it up: 301 HP, an awe-inspiring 331 lb/ft of torque. Thats alot of car in a tiny package!
i see the 986 s version is the same hp with much less torque than a TPI which explains why the TPI is faster (use gears to keep tpi in powerband. The later cars would scorch the 986s.
i see the 986 s version is the same hp with much less torque than a TPI which explains why the TPI is faster (use gears to keep tpi in powerband. The later cars would scorch the 986s.
