Spec Boxster Build

[The Radium King]

Originally Posted by thstone

I've been wanting to do this for awhile and finally got around to it this morning - comparison of my heart rate during different activities.

- Driving at the race track (practice)
- Running (4 miles at 9:30/mi pace)
- Karting (practice)
- Hiking (7 mi with 800 ft elevation in 2 hrs)

*Sorry that the scales aren't consistent - Garmin auto scales the data.

In terms of heart rate, running is the most strenuous, followed by hiking, karting, and race car practice.

I'll get data during a car race next weekend when I'll be at AutoClub Speedway in Fontana, CA. It will be interesting to see how much my heart rate increases in a race as compared to practice.

you should add sex to that list. garmin's auto-scaling would make 2 minutes look like 20 ... !

[thstone]

Originally Posted by The Radium King

you should add sex to that list. garmin's auto-scaling would make 2 minutes look like 20 ... !

I'd never last 2 mins...

[thstone]

I decided not to install the Ben short shifter this week since I'll be racing at AutoClub Speedway this weekend and didn't want to install a new part without time to test it. Installing a new part and going to the track is a sure recipe for problems.

But I did print out a few more "final" version shift levers and installed the set screw boss. I think that I'll go with the yellow shifter for this weekend since it matches the yellow wheels.

With 18 Boxster's in the field, the racing should be highly competitive. I'll post up race results on Monday.

[steved0x]

I think when you do install the Ben shifter you will.like it, for me it seems to return to center more easily and felt really good on track.

[jaykay]

Nice.....Tom!

Maybe for a small fee you print me something????

I need the same thing but with a Porsche knob on top; shift boot to slide over the bottom.

I think the tang will be too small a section to survive in plastic though.

[thstone]

Originally Posted by jaykay

Nice.....Tom!

Maybe for a small fee you print me something????

I need the same thing but with a Porsche knob on top; shift boot to slide over the bottom.

I think the tang will be too small a section to survive in plastic though.

Sure, I'd be glad to help (and no fee needed). PM me a pic or hand drawing of what you're thinking.

[husker boxster]

Based on the pic in post #1105, it looks like you're running the factory bushings in your shifter. I would highly recommend the Function First Shift Right Soln that upgrades the bushings to solid aluminum, which eliminates 90% of the slop. And it's not an expensive upgrade. I've had it on my CSS for 2 yrs and I'm much more confident of my 5-4 downshifts now.

Here's their website:
FUNCTION-FIRST > Products

Here's an article on P-9 when they first came out with the Soln, along with some installation hints:
https://www.planet-9.com/987-cayman-and-boxster-chat/116466-cup-car-shifter-teardown-shift-right-solution-upgrade.html
BE SURE TO WEAR EYE PROTECTION WHEN REMOVING THE OLD BUSHING TABS. Those suckers fly off with some velocity.

[jaykay]

Originally Posted by thstone

Sure, I'd be glad to help (and no fee needed). PM me a pic or hand drawing of what you're thinking.

Here is a rough sketch. I will need t get some length dimensions for you. It will eventually have to be made in metal but would serve well for prototyping...

[bkovac]

https://youtu.be/8dCLciWcBJE

[Quadcammer]

Would be interested in a black shift knob also.

[thstone]

It was a dark and and stormy night ... sorry, wrong update.

It was actually a hot (100F), clear, sunny day to be racing!

For the record;
Race 1: Qualified 13th of 18, finished 10th
Race 2: Started 10th, was running 6th-ish (?), mechanical issue, DNF

About 85% of the way into Race 2, I go thru a quick right/left sequence (Turn 12-13) and see the ol' James Bond white smoke screen out the back and the engine burbles for a moment, so I come off the throttle and exit the track. The engine seems to be running fine and I drove it home with no additional symptoms. I am assuming AOS and will do a vacuum test later today to try and confirm.

I also had my rear bumper cover come off during qualifying. It was my best attempt to slow the qualifying lap of Branimir (who was directly behind me). Sorry dude. I'm not sure what happened, it just flew off. All of the mounting holes were ripped through so there was no way to remount it so I just raced without it. The safety crew recovered it but it was heavily damaged (torn in four places) so I'll have to get a replacement.

Despite these issues, there were a lot of things that went right:

• My driving was pretty decent and definitely improved in some areas
• Since becoming much more fit, the high heat didn't affect me at all like it used to
• Mental focus was consistently strong though both of the races without any late race fade
• Car handling has greatly improved
• New shift lever worked great and I really liked the positioning

There was a ton of great close racing and despite the mechanical issues, I had an incredibly good time.

I have a lot of photos, video, and even some heart rate data to share.

Pre-race photo...


I went with a red shifter to match the harnesses...


Does this make my butt look ... smaller?

[jaykay]

Nice work man....unfortunately it really is dark and stormy here!

The red shifter handle looks great....perhaps it will also enhance control situational awareness in the cockpit

I have a black bumper cover for you but Toronto to LA shipping would be a killer

[thstone]

Originally Posted by jaykay

I have a black bumper cover for you but Toronto to LA shipping would be a killer

Thanks and yes, shipping is outrageous for these kinds of items. I found a nice one locally on eBay and the (random) seller had even heard of my car...

[bkovac]

very lucky

[seningen]

Originally Posted by bkovac

very lucky

Fetch my brown shorts!

I bet that red car had a serious pucker wondering if you were going to stick the landing.

Nice saving it from major chaos.

M

[bkovac]

yes, right side bumper

[Geof3]

Oh dang, always fun to spin, when the last thing on your mind is a spin! Nice save!

[thstone]

** Updated heart rate data **

I recorded my heart rate data last weekend while racing at AutoClub Speedway. Looks like my racing heart rate is quite a bit higher than my practicing heart rate - 116bpm racing vs 85bpm practice or 36% increase!

You can see at one point during the race (annotated) my heart rate goes to 125 whereas it never got close to that in practice.

Overall, racing is about equal to fast hiking or jogging - in terms of physical exertion.

Mental exertion level is "extremely intense" to say the least.

[Quadcammer]

I want to say a big thank you to Tom for sending me one of his shift knobs. Initially while trying it in my garage, it felt a bit big to be able to grab it from the top (i have lady hands), but after getting it out, its bloody fantastic. Its right up by the steering wheel and feels terrific. When combined with my ebay chinesium short shifter, it really makes the car shift great.

Thanks again Tom, great job!

[thstone]

Originally Posted by Quadcammer

I want to say a big thank you to Tom for sending me one of his shift knobs. Initially while trying it in my garage, it felt a bit big to be able to grab it from the top (i have lady hands), but after getting it out, its bloody fantastic. Its right up by the steering wheel and feels terrific. When combined with my ebay chinesium short shifter, it really makes the car shift great.

Thanks again Tom, great job!

Thanks Oliver, I'm glad that it worked out for you.

If anyone else wants one, let me know. I'm not selling them but I will make them for those who want one.