Boxster V8 project log

[Smallblock454]

Part number of US and ROW sway bars are the same. So i suspect parts are identical.

Please take into consideration that stabilizer mountings and linkages need to be matched to the sway bar you choose.

ROW


US

[Marc_986]

Originally Posted by Gilles

My point is that you may Not have to swap the steering rack and only have to replace the o-rings to stop the leak, awesome project, none the less :-)

Ah yes, but I'll replace it because of the play I found, not because of the minor leak. I am quite positive this is giving me the strange feel when turning. Even my wife notices it, so it is an obvious behavior.

Originally Posted by Smallblock454

Part number of US and ROW sway bars are the same. So i suspect parts are identical.

Please take into consideration that stabilizer mountings and linkages need to be matched to the sway bar you choose.

Thanks, that's really helpful. I'll take the front ARB of the wreck and see which size it is. For now I can only measure in the bend and that's not very accurate at all.

[Marc_986]

Another update for today. I spend a few hours removing both wheel carrier / control arm / strut assemblies after separating the tie-rods from the wheel carriers Then I released the power steering lines and took the rack out. Finally the subframe was removed. Sooo much space now ;-). The brake line is still held by the final remaining tank strap. At the moment my transmission jack is used to hold a bucket for catching the power steering fluid. I'll let it drip for a night, then I can use the jack to support the tank while I take the brake line out.

I might hold off that job till I get my new line. Need to get that one ordered anytime soon.

With all the stuff out of the way it is also time to think about the position for the power steering pump. Basically there are two options, each with pros and cons. I would welcome some feedback and / or alternative ideas.

1. Mount it in the frunk:
+ easily accessible
+ close to wiring options
+ 3rd radiator option remains open
- takes space away from the frunk. Might not be the most visually appealing.
- might mean I can't mount the spare wheel anymore

2. Mount it at the front, behind the bumper cover
+ seems like plenty space there
+ easy hose routing to the rack
- longer electrical wiring, but still ok I guess
- not accessible to fill it up (although I can't recall the last time I had to top up power steering fluid..)
- no more option to add third radiator

On the aesthetics of option 1 I was thinking of getting myself a brake reservoir cover from a RHD vehicle. That might work out nicely.

[Marc_986]

Little update on this project. I picked up the new brakes lines and some small clips and pieces at the dealer today.

First of, get the front brake line in place together with the new clips (one was broken on removal of the old line, the other looked poor as well). Also the small lines from MC to ABS unit were mounted.



The plastic cover for the RHD brake reservoir also arrived, so I could position it and see what it brings. Actually, quite a lot of space within this cover. Unfortunately though, not fitting the volvo pump. For this to work, I probably need a Jeep / Dodge pump or something alike. I'd also need to sort out where to take the line from the inside to the outside. Most likely run it across close to the ABS unit and drill some holes to feed it down from there.



The other idea in my mind required removal of the bumper cover. Easy enough, so off it went. I placed the third radiator for fitting and surely enough, no way to fit the power steering pump as well. However, without this third radiator, there is a lot of space to fit the pump:



And the position is perfect for a short hose to the steering rack, with a nice channel available for routing the hoses:



It looks like a no-brainer to mount it there. The only thing that doesn't feel right is that minor accidents which would normally only require a new bumper + cover will now likely slamp the pump into the frunk. Not a safety concern, but damage from small accidents can be quite more significant.

So open for input while I also let it rest for a moment to consider this. As it stands I'll either need to get myself a different pump and mount it under this RHD cover, or just go for front bumper cover location.

[Gilles]

I would have retain the center cooling radiator for the V8 engine and install the electric power steering pump inside the frunk, IMHO you would need as much cooling capacity as you can get to cool a V8..