What did you do with/to your Boxster today?

[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

[Qckslvr]

Originally Posted by Ciao

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

wish I could tell you the tune, it was done by S-Car-Go in San Rafael, CA

[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.

[Qckslvr]

Originally Posted by Ciao

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

Originally Posted by Cunningr

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.

I have the FVD Brombacher as well with headers, and test pipes. I was really expecting the car to be loud. But I am very happy with the FVD. Like mentioned above it has a great note, and no drone at cruising speed. But for me, when I get the car up around 5k it lets out a nice bark and really has that Porsche flat 6 growl.

[Ciao]

Originally Posted by Qckslvr

I have the FVD Brombacher as well with headers, and test pipes. I was really expecting the car to be loud. But I am very happy with the FVD. Like mentioned above it has a great note, and no drone at cruising speed. But for me, when I get the car up around 5k it lets out a nice bark and really has that Porsche flat 6 growl.

I am liking the feedback; I don't want loud, droning, but nice deep tone

[MN 986]

Originally Posted by Qckslvr

I have the FVD Brombacher as well with headers, and test pipes. I was really expecting the car to be loud. But I am very happy with the FVD. Like mentioned above it has a great note, and no drone at cruising speed. But for me, when I get the car up around 5k it lets out a nice bark and really has that Porsche flat 6 growl.

This muffler is one of my favorite modifications. I have had it for maybe 6 years and I added test pipes a few years ago. Zero drone and barely louder than OEM when cruising, but awesome flat 6 sound upon any acceleration, especially full throttle and high RPM. Highly recommended!

[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.