almost done!
 

we put the IPD plenum and 75mm throttle body on late last week. i only had a chance to drive it to the post office and back, maybe 7 or 8 miles total, before going to MotoGP for the weekend. thankfully that 7-8 miles is very familiar, very smooth, very twisty two-lane backroad!

initial impression was underwhelm, honestly. the sound is better, with a more noticeable growl to the intake even at idle. (granted, the idle since install has been higher and hovering, yet to settle down.) just dipping in to the throttle a bit elicits a throaty rasp through the EVOM filter....it DEFINITELY sounds meaner and balances out the burble at the back from the headers and exhaust.

the combination of underdrive pulley, headers and exhaust produced more apparent gains than the new plenum and throttle body throughout the rev range, especially down low where it used to fall into a hole created when the EVOM went on years ago. the biggest improvement felt was in third gear, proving to be much more eager to rip toward the redline than before.

driving in this morning to have the ROW M030 installed and a 4-wheel alignment, i was happily surprised at how quickly it zipped up to an indicated 80mph getting on to the highway, spinning up the rear tires a bit through first.

i caught every stop light on the way in, and as usual, every one in the opposite lane wanted to race (older mustang GT, duramax with exhaust and gauge pillar, mitsubishi ecllipse turbo) but i didn't play along, just let them launch and then accelerated smoothly and quickly up to 70mph behind them.

the whole time, i'm thinking to myself, THIS is how this car is supposed to feel and sound!

Im Jealous. I want and plan to have the exact same mods you have. It will take me time though.

Did you notice any problems in the underdrive pulley in terms of A/C power, dying battery, dimmer lights, or weakened power steering?

You have to ...
 

... give the ECU some time to adapt to the bigger rush of air.
It can take between 35 and 100 miles.
But, to get the MOST out of your ad-ons you should get the ECU remapped.
That's what will blow you away.
Contact me directly if you need more info.
Happy Boxstering,
Pedro

picked the car up yesterday evening after ROW M030 installation and alignment and drove it home after yoga....which does not lead to an explosive driving experience.

still, it does feel like the computer is catching up a bit now and it seems to be running more smoothly, willingly and strongly.

the suspension shop did not install either the cv joint covers or the thinner spring spacer/cushion thingies for the rear that allow it to drop a few mm lower. they also did not change the rear setting because the data i faxed them only included front. oops. i should have gone over it all with them ahead of time instead of assuming they would figure it out.

any suggestions on where to find more data on the proper alignment numbers for the rear?

thanks
matt

What headers and exhaust do you have?

Do you have any pictures or videos with your new addition?

can't recall brand name of either, but they are the ubiquitous models available on ebay from various sellers.
the exhaust drones horribly with top up at highway speed but is great fun with top down. thankfully i almost never drive with top up or on the highway!

well, i hate to say i'm complete with this car, but......
i'm complete with this car!
installed the softronic tuning today (after buying it in january of 2009 and keeping it unopened in box until yesterday).
wow. what an improvement!
no more CEL, no more high idle, no more stalling or popping or burping either.
just smooth, linear power all the way from the bottom to redline.

truly feels like a completely different automobile now. it feels FAST. it hugs the road and responds RIGHT NOW to input. LOVE IT!

Enjoy that feeling cause in 6 months you'll already want more.

:cheers:

Hey, matty-matt, mind giving your (now complete) list of mods for us to see? From the pieces I've picked up so far from this thread it sounds a lot like the things I have in mind.

Congrats on getting the car where you want it to be, and enjoy! :cheers:

sure thing! sorry for delay, was away on a motorcycle trip.

car is a 2001 986S 6-speed that i bought 7 years ago at 10k miles and has 34k on it now.

suspension was replaced with new ROW M030 full kit
front strut tower brace
forged 18's with spacers & Re050 Bridgestones w/285 rears
EVOM intake
IPD plenum & big throttle body
Ebay headers
Ebay muffler
underdrive pulley & belt
Softronic ecu tuning

stereo has been upgraded (amp, head unit, rear shelf, dash & door speakers changed out)

plan to add heated seats, got all the parts just need to make it happen

Quite a nice list. What did you use for a strut tower brace? :confused:

pretty sure it's a schnell. nice unit, but added some vibration to the steering wheel at high way speed. noticeably stiffened the feel of the front on bumpy roads though. no idea if we adjusted it correctly, we just put it on and left it, not tight, not loose. definitely feel it in the steering wheel so something is not quite right.

reminds me, also have the schnell short shifter installed, big improvement!

Ah, I thought it might be that one. Not to semi-jack your thread kinda off-topic (sorta?:confused: ), but I wonder if your install of the brace has thrown off your alignment and could be causing that shake? I assume you installed it with the car on the ground, correct? Have you had an alignment done on it since that install?

I personally would want one that's a single, solid piece with no hinges or adjustment areas. But since that part of the frunk is very closed off and would likely require removal of the plastic in order to install something like that, I guess I'd just have to forgo it.

had it done immediately before install. was that a goof?
installed with car sitting on ground.
it was not tightened as to put pressure on strut towers, but if strut towers were moving individually they likely now move together, which is what it feels like is the issue.
it's an easy 15 minute install or removal

latest photo, from earlier today

IMG_0212.jpg picture by matty-matt - Photobucket

Nice mods and nice photos. Great shots of Monterey. Love the birds nest. Thanks for sharing.

AKL