Is there a difference in the side baffles?
 

Hey y'all:
Looking at the images in this forum and elsewhere online, it seems there is a difference in the baffled inserts on the side between the 986 models?

My '03 S has body - colored baffles that are readily visible from all angles. It appears as though some cars have baffles that are "deeper" inset, and are difficult to see in the photos.

Is this my imagination? Waddya know?

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Some examples:
https://goo.gl/images/nwJHpT


https://goo.gl/images/63V2F9



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They are different side to side. The driver side is an air inlet and the passenger side is a vent. This is why they are designed differently.

Thanks, 'sled.
Using a search word I hadn't considered ("vent") it looks like you're correct, and I've confirmed there is a minor difference, side to side on my car. But this does not account for the difference I'm describing.

Searching some more, it appears that there have been a couple of different designs over the years. It appears that on the early cars (maybe up to '01?) The "vanes" were separate from the insert, and were set - back much deeper than on the later cars, where the vanes are part of the insert. I'd love it if this were confirmed by someone who knows more?

I'd also like to know if the early inserts will fit the later cars? I quite like the look of having just a hole in the side.... (of course I'd add mesh, or something)

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this is correct,

old version

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/r0AAAOSwgApW~SD0/s-l500.jpg

new version

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/RMYAAOSwl75ZtmJ4/s-l1600.jpg

There's also a few after market options around, e.g.

Side 1/4 Panel Air Vents Turbo Look for Porsche 986 Boxster - 98650456155, Porsche | Design 911

https://www.ebay.ie/itm/Porsche-Boxster-1-Gen-986-96-04-Rear-left-and-right-side-air-intake-vents-/262853943198

Yup! That's what I'm talking about! Thank you!

It appears that both will fit either years.

Is there any substantive difference in airflow? (The early one looks in the photos to neck down a little more)

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