New Guy, plenty of questions to get started

[Geof3]

First, buy this book...

https://www.themotorbookstore.com/porsche-986-boxster-boxster-s-service-manual.html

Then:

1) if you have 100k on the motor there is a reasonable chance the IMS was done. At that mileage I might consider just doing the Pelican kit and call it a day. Many opinions and several options. Do the tensioners as well.

2) if you are throwing smoke, do the AOS first. Haven’t done it, but it seems the pinch clamp is a Biotch to get to... other than that, not so bad. Use a Porsche unit, not aftermarket.

3) struts are most likely shot, might be worth a Porsche specialist to take a look see at the front and rear and get a good take on the suspension components if you don’t know what to look for and replace as necessary. Struts, probably springs and mounts is where I would start.

4) refresh your trans oil with the Porsche Unicorn Blood (not on your list but worth doing)

5) when and if you need to take a look at your window regulators/micro switches remember you have side airbags...

6) if I needed to do a top, I would probably look for an 03/4 glass rear window full setup off of a donor car, I think there are some minor mods that need to be done for install, but then you get the headliner and all the goods. Or, source a hardtop, they are usually around 1k give or take. Actually reskinning one without experience looks daunting, but doable. I did several targa tops a long time ago, those could be a pain. Not sure if I would tackle the top on the Boxster...

Have fun. Sometimes with projects the $$$ spent makes absolutely NO sense, but at the end of the journey you have something you built, and that can be value enough.

[Doug427]

Originally Posted by Geof3

First, buy this book...

https://www.themotorbookstore.com/porsche-986-boxster-boxster-s-service-manual.html

Just bought the book, thanks!

Then:

1) if you have 100k on the motor there is a reasonable chance the IMS was done. At that mileage I might consider just doing the Pelican kit and call it a day. Many opinions and several options. Do the tensioners as well.

I'll have to read up on the tensioners. I wasn't aware of them, what do they tension? I'll have to read up on a Pelican kit. Don't know what that is yet.

2) if you are throwing smoke, do the AOS first. Haven’t done it, but it seems the pinch clamp is a Biotch to get to... other than that, not so bad. Use a Porsche unit, not aftermarket.

First I have heard that a Porsche AOS is better than aftermarket. Why is that?

3) struts are most likely shot, might be worth a Porsche specialist to take a look see at the front and rear and get a good take on the suspension components if you don’t know what to look for and replace as necessary. Struts, probably springs and mounts is where I would start.

Not a bad idea at all. Thanks.

4) refresh your trans oil with the Porsche Unicorn Blood (not on your list but worth doing)

I've already studied that. Damn. I've never had issues like this changing trans oil. Not only is it obscenely expensive, but I can't find it in quart/liter sizes. Am I just not looking in the right place? I have no need for a drum of this stuff. Anyone know where I can go to buy just a few quarts or liters that I'll need?

5) when and if you need to take a look at your window regulators/micro switches remember you have side airbags...

The power windows right now are my biggest fear. I can handle micro-switches, fuses, switches, etc. If it's that darned immobilizer thing, I don't know how well I can trouble shoot that. Computer type stuff and electrics in general is not my strong point. I have to try to search for a comprehensive step by step power windows troubleshooting guide/procedure. The info on this board is great but it's all scattered around. If anyone knows of a good step by step guide, a link to it would be greatly appreciated.

6) if I needed to do a top, I would probably look for an 03/4 glass rear window full setup off of a donor car, I think there are some minor mods that need to be done for install, but then you get the headliner and all the goods. Or, source a hardtop, they are usually around 1k give or take. Actually reskinning one without experience looks daunting, but doable. I did several targa tops a long time ago, those could be a pain. Not sure if I would tackle the top on the Boxster...

Not sure if I'll handle the top replacement. I might leave the top for last as that's likely the largest dollar item. I want to make sure the car is what I want it to be before sinking almost $2K into a top and labor if I have someone else do it. The top on there is 90% perfect,, just a few areas that the fabric got rubbed up on. No holes no leakage. The rear window, however is completely yellowed and totally not transparent. I guess I'll try the Maguires window product to try to improve on that, unless someone has a better idea on the window. Wish I could use some sort of power tool on it, that's going to be a TON of hand polishing just on that window.

Have fun. Sometimes with projects the $$$ spent makes absolutely NO sense, but at the end of the journey you have something you built, and that can be value enough.

I couldn't agree more. I've done MANY cars, this is the first Porsche. They each have their quirks. The only one that didn't was my Cobra - just tons of good 'ol American horsepower stuck between two frame rails with a gas tank, a transmission, a independent rear setup, a gas tank and a 15 circuit fuse box, wrapped in a beautiful fiberglass body. Stone cold simple and fast beyond belief. That was the only easy one of the bunch. Hopefully this one goes easy and is fun.

[Geof3]

Originally Posted by Doug427

I couldn't agree more. I've done MANY cars, this is the first Porsche. They each have their quirks. The only one that didn't was my Cobra - just tons of good 'ol American horsepower stuck between two frame rails with a gas tank, a transmission, a independent rear setup, a gas tank and a 15 circuit fuse box, wrapped in a beautiful fiberglass body. Stone cold simple and fast beyond belief. That was the only easy one of the bunch. Hopefully this one goes easy and is fun.

Pelican has an IMS basic kit. Pretty much the same bearing (possibly upgraded) as stock. Certainly one of the least expensive options. Worth at least a look.

The aftermarket AOS replacements are notorious for sucking... Porsche for that one.

Porsche Unicorn Blood, check Suncoast, they have it by the quart.

The regulators aren’t too bad, just fiddly.

Should you find your brain box to be an issue check out these guys:

Porsche 996 & Boxster ECU Test and Repair, Immobilizer Removal, and Performance Tuning Upgrades - Specialized ECU Repair

The rest is pretty much the labor and what not. Overall, these are not particularly hard cars to work on, but they are a little more complex. The main issue with motor work is the cramped work space, but again, it is manageable.