What did you do with/to your Boxster today?

[MYRX]

Changed the oil, then installed the LN adaptor that allows use of a spin-on oil filter. Next I applied the Leatherique rejuvenator oil and the prestine cleaner to my leather seats. Wow, great stuff. Finally I changed the cabin filter and changed the engine air filter.

So she is just about ready for Spring. It's going to be a beautiful day in the Athens, GA area today. I'll take her for a ride on some back roads

[Steelepuls]

Broke the 100k mile mark, looking forward to the next.

[Jgkram]

Finally dropped the second set of cats. (Thanks for the pipes NewArt.) This was actually one of the easiest modifications I've done. Shot a little PB Blaster on the old bolts and they came off no problem. The fit of the new pipes was almost a drop in replacement. Now I'm just burning off the smell of the exhaust wrap and high temp paint.

[Dave80GTSi]

Originally Posted by Jgkram

Finally dropped the second set of cats. (Thanks for the pipes NewArt.) This was actually one of the easiest modifications I've done. Shot a little PB Blaster on the old bolts and they came off no problem. The fit of the new pipes was almost a drop in replacement. Now I'm just burning off the smell of the exhaust wrap and high temp paint.

Do you know of the brand of your replacement pipes?

Any notable performance changes observed yet?

DM

[alm001]

Did some cleaning! Still need to paint the calipers. I swear I'll do it this year.

[Jgkram]

Dave, that's a great question. As an engineer I was trained to ALWAYS speak with data. Any comment I offer now needs to be taken with a grain of salt. I deleted the cats primarily for weight loss. It's the best approach to achieve performance gains. I'm a cyclist as well and strength to weight ratio is everything. These engines are well tuned from the factory so "modifying" more horsepower into them without a tune or significant engine work, well...just doesn't work well. Ergo, lose some weight.

So to finally answer your question, there are three things that I "noticed". First, the sound is definitely different. Not significant but subtle, as in deeper. Not sure why that would be??? Second, it "seems" to be a little quicker. Take this comment with caution as I could be simple mashing the pedal a little harder or my mind is probably playing tricks. Lastly, there is MUCH more room underneath the car to get the things. It was amazing how much room it opened up. Those are my thoughts for now.

[Ciao]

Originally Posted by Jgkram

Dave, that's a great question. As an engineer I was trained to ALWAYS speak with data. Any comment I offer now needs to be taken with a grain of salt. I deleted the cats primarily for weight loss. It's the best approach to achieve performance gains. I'm a cyclist as well and strength to weight ratio is everything. These engines are well tuned from the factory so "modifying" more horsepower into them without a tune or significant engine work, well...just doesn't work well. Ergo, lose some weight.

So to finally answer your question, there are three things that I "noticed". First, the sound is definitely different. Not significant but subtle, as in deeper. Not sure why that would be??? Second, it "seems" to be a little quicker. Take this comment with caution as I could be simple mashing the pedal a little harder or my mind is probably playing tricks. Lastly, there is MUCH more room underneath the car to get the things. It was amazing how much room it opened up. Those are my thoughts for now.

I agree with that these P cars are engineered almost perfect from the factory and making them fast is cheaper and more effectively done by dropping weight.
Questions: 1. Do you have issues with passing emissions from dropping the Cats? (2) what was the purpose of wrapping the exhaust and what wrapping used?

[Qckslvr]

Originally Posted by Ciao

I agree with that these P cars are engineered almost perfect from the factory and making them fast is cheaper and more effectively done by dropping weight.
Questions: 1. Do you have issues with passing emissions from dropping the Cats? (2) what was the purpose of wrapping the exhaust and what wrapping used?

I can answer the emissions part.

I dropped the entire catalytic system and installed headers with pipes. After a tune the car picked up about 30hp. I live in CA so I have to deal with emissions. I installed ARP header studs. This makes dropping the headers, and swapping the cats in for smog about a 1 hour job for me. (I installed all new O2 sensors when I put the headers on) As for the check engine light, I use FVD Brombacher O2 sensor extenders/mini cats. This tricks the secondary sensors into thinking there are cat converters.... No CELs

When installing the headers I wrapped the P/S line, and the coolant hose. The headers are really close to them.

[Ciao]

Originally Posted by Qckslvr

I can answer the emissions part.

I dropped the entire catalytic system and installed headers with pipes. After a tune the car picked up about 30hp. I live in CA so I have to deal with emissions. I installed ARP header studs. This makes dropping the headers, and swapping the cats in for smog about a 1 hour job for me. (I installed all new O2 sensors when I put the headers on) As for the check engine light, I use FVD Brombacher O2 sensor extenders/mini cats. This tricks the secondary sensors into thinking there are cat converters.... No CELs

When installing the headers I wrapped the P/S line, and the coolant hose. The headers are really close to them.

Thanks Qckslvr; these thoughts will come in handy; 30hp gain! that is impressive...which tune? We only have 91 octane at Mile High (Denver) unless you purchase race gas 100 octane @ $9.40/gallon

[morgal48]

Originally Posted by alm001

Did some cleaning! Still need to paint the calipers. I swear I'll do it this year.

I'd like to know about those screened vents you've cut in the fender liner. Can you share, please?

[Cunningr]

Picked up car from maintenance and with new FVD Brombacher sound version muffler installed. Great sound more flat six, but not too much more.

[Ciao]

Originally Posted by Cunningr

Picked up car from maintenance and with new FVD Brombacher sound version muffler installed. Great sound more flat six, but not too much more.

Congratulations! My goal is to acquire an FVD Brombacher sound version.

[Cunningr]

Originally Posted by Ciao

Congratulations! My goal is to acquire an FVD Brombacher sound version.

Thanks! I have had mine for several months, so pretty excited. My tech was borderline on likening the sound I think he thought it should have been louder. Most of his clients want louder. For me tone is perfect, just a little louder than stock but deeper, opens up over 3k but cruisin at 3100 nice sound but not over powering.

My next upgrade is plenum throttle body.

[alm001]

Originally Posted by morgal48

I'd like to know about those screened vents you've cut in the fender liner. Can you share, please?

Sure! It's just expanded metal mesh from Home Depot. I used aluminum, I think it's intended use is for gutters.

• I pulled the whole fender liner out
• Determined the shape I wanted based on the bracing behind the radiator.
• I cut the liner with a cutoff wheel. I wanted the corners rounder than they ended up. I used a 1/2" drill bit, it would have looked better with a full inch.
• I had to cut out some of the original radiator shroud so the air could pass straight through. I used a hacksaw blade. A dremel would probably be better.
• Cut my mesh to shape
• Drilled some holes, and riveted it in place.

[alm001]

Jgkram, that wrap job looks great, I'll have to take mine off and re-do it.

[Jgkram]

I think I forgot Dave's original question, sorry Dave. They are Top Speed pipes. I very much liked the quality of them (good welds, nice clamps, and fit almost perfectly). Ciao, I have not tested the emissions but no CEL thrown. I live in NC so emissions is not as big apparently out here as in CA. Not due for an inspection until next January but will do a follow up here then. I wrapped the exhaust because if you look at where the pipes are routed, they are very close to the axle boots. I wanted some protection for them as well as heat transfer to the rest of the engine. It would be nice to be able to attach a heat shield like the original pipes but that is beyond my skill level. The wrapping took a couple of attempts for sure. Part of it is skill from wrapping miles of bike handle bars and the rest is patience. I did cover with a high temp exhaust paint as well to help keep the wrap fibers in check and provide a little "environmental" (i.e. water) resistance. I purchased two, 2" wide 15 ft. long Lava wraps from Summit Racing for a total of $35. I used stainless steel hose type clamps to secure.

[BruceH]

I have the Top Speed pipes as well. There shouldn’t be any problem with passing emissions, I’ve had them for years with no problems. The weight loss plus a bit more free flow makes a little bit of difference.

[Stroked & Blown]

Getting ready for AX season:
Removed my rattling second-hand charlie chan exhaust.
Ordered a new muffler, TPs, header wrap, and a trailing arm.

[Geof3]

Originally Posted by Stroked & Blown

Getting ready for AX season:
Removed my rattling second-hand charlie chan exhaust.
Ordered a new muffler, TPs, header wrap, and a trailing arm.

Careful with header wrap on your headers. The M96 is somewhat prone to oil leaks via the spark plugs tubes, cam covers, and a variety of other spots and they can/would drip right onto the headers potentially. Another potential issue if you have the stock power steering system in the car, is the overflow dumps PS fluid right on top of the engine, which can also drip down and land right on your wrapped headers. I had a minor fire that fried an O2 sensor from the above. If you are trying to protect your PS lines from heat, you are better off wrapping your PS line and O2 sensors wires and leaving your headers alone. Not a chance would I risk wrapping my headers. YMMV

[Stroked & Blown]

Originally Posted by Geof3

Careful with header wrap on your headers.

Thanks - I wasn’t aware of that.
The original intent was to wrap the TPs to keep heat off of the axle CV boots and other lines in the area, as the stock cats have heat shields.
I *think* these are clear of the leaky bits on the engine but will certainly check now.