Recommended 'Cheap' Boxster Performance Mods?

[messex]

I have an '03 Boxster S that I'm looking to do a few modifications to. I'm not looking to spend a ton of money at this time, so Turbo, Supercharger, or Engine swap are out, but would like to get a little more power out of it for my DE events. I've looked at a few things including:

- Cold Air Intake
- ECU Upgrade
- Underdrive Pulley

There are so many options to choose from, when looking at these upgrades. Just wondering if anybody has had any experience with any of these upgrades, and maybe if they were worth it. For example, I can find a ton of 'chip tuners' out there, but don't know which one to go with. Several of them combine the ECU Flash with their Cold Air Intake, so probably will do the 'package' when I choose who to go with.

Just wondering if anybody has had any experience doing any of these things, and if so, the good or bad of it.

Thanks in advance...

Mark

[s_wilwerding]

You'd spend a lot of money for those improvements, but probably not notice much "seat of the pants" improvement.

Not sure if you've ever been to a track event/DE, but if not, spend the money on a track weekend - you'll have a lot more fun in your car and be a better driver to boot.

[Wayne 962]

The Boxster 'S' is a pretty quick car out of the box (unlike a 2.5 or so). I'd say your best bet for improving performance out of your 3.2 would be to lighten the car up. But then you start removing things you might want (like AC). The Sprint Booster is a fun placebo type "upgrade" for about $300...

-Wayne

[Porsche_Daddy]

Wayne and Steve hit it right on. Those mods you listed won't add much power and will cost you around a couple grand. I'd take that money and do more track days or get an extra set of wheels and dedicated R-Comp track tires like some Hoosier R6's if you haven't already. Tires are the best mod you can do to improve lap times outside of "improving the driver."

[messex]

Thanks guys. I have been looking at tires recently, but want to hold off a bit on those. At the DE Events I have attended (4 days), it was recommended a few events on Street tires before looking at something 'stickier'. I did tell my wife I was purchasing a trailer, and she couldn't understand why I would want to do that!

After the unfortunate event at CMP this past weekend, I'm thinking maybe I'll keep things just where they are and continue to work on MY Performance.

Thanks for the input. I just wanted to see if there was anything that could give me a little more 'oomph' so those super fast 911's have to work a little harder!

Thanks again.

Mark

[messex]

Actually, since you mentioned Wheels and Tires, do you have any recommendations on that front? When I look at those things, there are a million options to choose from. I don't want something overly expensive, but would like something that would be good for DE Events. I'm happy with my daily driver wheels, but would like something for these DE Events.

Thanks for the input.
Mark

[JMatta]

Street tires were not meant to do track events...too much tread depth resulting in squirm and chunking. Why not look for stock 18's that just haven't been cared for? As long as they're true, who cares if there's curb rash. Depending on the color of your car, you can paint them a contrasting color and look cool! Hoosiers will give you good stick, but they are not inexpensive. Toyo and Yoko offer some less expensive options, giving up a bit of grip in the process, but still R compound with far better results than street compound.

[racer]

If money is tight, 17's are cheaper than 18's (both rims and tires). Get a second set to have "track tires" and street tires. How oftern you bother to switch back is up to you, but lets get you going on the slippery slope.

The best way to make those pesky 911s work hard is to "smoke em" in the corners so they have to use all their hp to catch back up.. instead of pull away. Worked wonders for me with my 100hp 914 being able to intimidate 200hp 911s

seat time, seat time, seat time... the best $$ you can spend on your car is learning to drive it better.

[Sboxin]

Mark,

I agree with JMatta and racer -- seat time, instruction, then R compound tires and track wheels.
Try to do a year on the street tires so you get the cornering and track line correct.

My son and I have been through this process using an 02 Boxster S. The second year we added lowering springs (replaced M030) and 18" monster R compound tires - 245 front and 285 rear). The 986 3.2 S can catch the 996s and 997s usually during braking at the end of a straight and it will be faster during the twisty sections (if you are on R compounds and they are on MPS Cups like most like to use). We also had to add a power steering cooler because of the high heat caused by the oversize R compound tires used on the track.

You might try Nitto R01s for sticky and durability -- my son has these for practice tires on a 78 911 3.2 track only car (he runs Hoosier R6 for race and time trial).
We successfully used Toyo R888s and KUMHO 710s on the 18" BBS wheels on the Boxster.

You can see a few videos and photos of the Boxster here:
Boxster S pictures by Arizona-ed - Photobucket

We have taken the Boxster back to a street touring car and it is still a wonderful roadster for the spirited Sunday drive.

Try to hold off on the upgrades until you get more seat time with instruction -- it will be very hard to do -- but will be worth it in the long term

Take care and enjoy your Boxster,

Roy

[rennwerkes]

What about the snorkel removal?
They're supposed to be in the rear fender air ducts.
I heard they may add a few hp.
Or does this only apply to pre-2002 models?
But if it works, best of all it's FREE!!!

[Sboxin]

Originally Posted by rennwerkes

What about the snorkel removal?
They're supposed to be in the rear fender air ducts.
I heard they may add a few hp.
Or does this only apply to pre-2002 models?
But if it works, best of all it's FREE!!!

We didn't find any increase in power from the snorkel removal, or increase in sound as some have found - but then again, we have a BB muffler that came on the 02 Boxster S that makes enough sound to mask the intake sound.

The Boxster already makes plenty of power -- the driver's ability to get that power and performance onto the road and track seems to be the one results oriented item that can be improved more than the car. We hear this a lot from the experienced quick/fast racers. Our experience (limited to 5 years of personal Ax/track time) has shown the local "hot shoe" is the guy/girl with the a lot of seat time and instruction - along with some natural ability to feel the car balance. If you are quick in one type of car you will become quick in all types (power and balance).

My 36 yo son (in a 78 911 3.2 track only car)has improved his track times by 6 seconds over 2 years through seat time and instruction - not bragging, just reinforcing others' comments on seat time. He also has 2 class track records in time trial and is the 2009 class champion in TTA.
So...IMHO practice with instruction will pay off in the long term - R compound tires will help also - but once you make the jump from street tires you need to have the ability to control the improved traction along with the quick break away when you loose traction.

Ok...got off topic a bit...

Good luck and take care,
Roy

[messex]

Thanks guys for all the input. I'm scheduled for a DE in April at the new NCCAR track in North Carolina, and probably do one in May at CMP for sure. There is a July one at VIR that I would like to attend as well, so may get 3 in by mid-summer.

I agree- I have plenty to learn on my own, and I will probably continue on the Street tires, maybe at least until I get through the July DE.

My car is currently running 18's, has been lowered a little, and has a different exhaust, all done before I got the car. I will probably just leave it the way it is for a while, and then look at Tires/Wheels next. BTW, when you added the 245's up front and the 285's at the rear, did you have any 'rubbing' issues? Not sure I could run those. I'm currently running 225s up front and 265s in the back.

Here is a picture of the car at an Autocross event I did. Definitely fun to drive, and loads of fun at the track!

[Miguel Antonett]

Free flow exhaust and track time are key of enjoyment, AND if you can afford bigger wheels and tires - even better............. all those go hand on hand.

[Sboxin]

messex,

Yes, we had some rubbing -- 245/285 are a very close fit on 18" BBS 8" & 10" wheels.
We had to cut a 18MM spacer to 16.5 in the left rear and roll the fenders. Because the BBS were not the right offset for the Boxster we used spacers on all the wheels. The fit between rear wheel and damper was about 5MM -- then we found a slight bulge in one wheel and ground that down so it didn't rub the damper

The end result was a very quick DE track car - take a look at the video (at Photobucket above post) of me chasing down the GT3 - then he braked suddenly in a corner and I almost punted him - my fault for getting too close in DE3 so I backed off and gave a lot more space - sometimes we get too intense (Red Mist thing) and need to realize DE is NOT racing.

One last thing - try to get different instructors to ride along and give you feedback after the session (some just want to grab the steering wheel and show you the line) You can choose to pass on those types, if you want. Remember, the Instructors are paid (usually by free or low cost track time) to help you and its important that good customer service is provided so you will return to future DEs.
Most times the novice is paying the track time bill.


Take care and have fun with the Boxster,
Roy

[Joel Lester]

If your looking to do a few fun and cheap "Hacks" I would check out Pedrosagarge.com

I have done four or five of his projects and have had great success. They are a new intake, a new intake "Tee" that get the air flowing smoother into the engine, a stiffer motor mount (the original is likely torn anyway), a sport exhuast (uses orginial muffler) and a rear suspension brace. All these projects are inexpensive and easy to do. Each one (except the brace) add a couple of HP... a little here and a little there... and iit all adds up.

Good luck!

Joel

[cvazquez]

De-snorkel, by removing the restrictor plate at the driver side air vent fin. Be careful with cigarette butts. You'll feel a big difference on HP, Torque, and sound.

[riggzee2]

I own a Boxster S, looking to install a performance chip. (seems to have a weaker torque band than my 2002 did)
Any input to give on a Volo VP12 Flash drive?

[Cajundaddy]

Originally Posted by riggzee2

I own a Boxster S, looking to install a performance chip. (seems to have a weaker torque band than my 2002 did)
Any input to give on a Volo VP12 Flash drive?

Wow, brought this one back from the dead.

In terms of measurable performance increase and improved lap times? Approaching zero. Software tuning can have benefits on these cars but usually only after extensive changes to the intake, throttle body, plenum, head work, cam profile, and complete exhaust retrofit. The software re-tunes A/F ratios to make the most of your changes.

Save your money for tires.

[Super 90]

There's one upgrade I'd like to see, but I'm afraid it wouldn't increase performance! My Boxster S is a tiptronic, due to the wife's inability to comprehend a clutch and manual shift.

The standard "D" (Drive) position on the transmission drives me literally insane, and I ALWAYS use the "Sport" setting unless I'm manually shifting with the buttons on the steering wheel. That happens a lot though, as even the "Sport" setting is not perfect.

I would love to see a mod that allows the default setting to be the "Sport" setting rather than the standard "Drive" setting. For those that are not familiar with the tiptronics, even when in the Sport setting, the engine has to remain above 3,000 RPM for a number of seconds for it to stay in the Sport mode. Every time you shut the car off, it defaults out of the Sport mode. When you just stop for gas or a quick stop it can be maddening, having to re-select the Sport mode and then manually shifting until the RPMs allow the trans to remain in the Sport mode.

I want to be able to select "Sport" and have it stay there until I turn it off!!