Got my Salvage '01 on the road
 

I finally have my salvage Box on the road and running nicely. It took some work, but it's a good running car now and I learned a lot in the process.

Originally purchased for about $2,000 at auction as "flood damaged" salvage.
The "flood" didn't reach as high as the fuse panel and I thought I might get away with just doing the immobilizer and DME to get it running. Big chunks of metal in the oil filter killed that dream, but hey: I got the car for the cost of the wheels.

Not easily discouraged, and curious about what is inside these things, I drove on and got a front-end-wrecked '01 for a heart donor. I pulled apart both cars, did maintenance on the donor engine while it was out, then got everything installed back in the project car. I learned a lot in the process and managed to convince the wife that I needed a to buy a few tools to fix 'her' new car, so despite the cost, I count it as a win.

I am not running a balance sheet, but I am sure that I could have found a decent 01 base for about what I have into this one, especially considering the "flood branded" title it now carries. The pluses that tip the balance for me are that I have now done an engine swap, IMSB, AOS, fluids, hoses, belt, etc and know a lot more about these cars than I would with a "turn-key" purchase. I also have a three-wheeled parts car with a nice interior to spruce up my '99 with, sell parts from, and use as a test platform for a possible future non-Porsche engine swap.

I still have some minor cosmetic issues to clean up, but she's ready to drive and a ton of fun. I really thought that with the 275s on the rear it would stick to the road like it was on rails, but it actually broke them free and drifted pleasantly around a few corners when I took it to the park :D
Too bad it's not top-down weather any more.

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http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1417461197.jpg

Cool project! One less Boxster in a salvage yard, one more grinning Porsche driver in the world.

Well done. It's pretty rewarding tearing into one of these cars and you've taken care of the laundry list that haunts (or should haunt) every other 986 owner.

Congrat's! The journey IS the point of it all.

Jon - good job!

Time to start another one! :D

Rick

That's pretty cool! Nice work. Yes, cost might be a wash, but the knowledge you have gained more than makes up for it.

Good luck and have fun!

Wow, that thing looks amazing! You have some cajones to take on a project like that! Congrats on a personal triumph, and a great car!

For all the things you learned I would say the cost was worth it! Goodluck moving forward and nice job saving a porsche from the salvage yard! You know they say 70 percent of these things are still on the road today!

Saved a Boxster. Congrats on getting it up and running.

And I guess I get a part of the "donor car" ! :)

What size rims are on your car? they look great.

Thanks for the comments. I never would have done it without the community here for help and support.

I am probably going to work on some minor touches to the exterior of this and my '99 through the winter, then find a new one to build in the spring. An S model might be nice to balance out the fleet.

They are probably all going to need Fred's headlights, Wind Deflector with Edge Lighting©, and a few more parts from Woody.

The wheels are 20” Rohana RC26. It was a pretty bold choice by a previous owner. I really like how it balances out the bright white, and it rides well. No space for anything bigger, especially up front.

Nice save! It's the right color, too ;)

I'd love to see some before pics.

Beautiful car!