boxster exhaust too quiet?

[2000SoCalBoxsterS]

Originally Posted by eslai

I agree, I have a hard time following anecdotal evidence, but pretty much any experiment can be shown to have deficiencies.

For instance, your string test doesn't prove that the strut tower brace didn't instead transfer the forces along a different plane/axis than that which the string was tensioned in; that tieing the tops of the towers together didn't force them to move in other ways. It also doesn't show that the strut towers were prevented from compressing, which would slacken the string. As for the speed at which you were able to take the turn, short of actually running the car through that turn repeatedly, with and without the strut tower bar until the car actually DID lose control and spin out, you can't say that the improvement wasn't simply due to improved driver confidence--you never actually proved when the limits of handling and adhesion were reached, with or without the bar.

With your experience, and with your demonstrable ability to find flaws in an experiment, I'm sure you know how easy it is for one to trick oneself into believing one's own hypotheses. Skepticism is a good response to that.

(don't get me wrong though--I'm still interested in getting a strut tower bar, not trying to *prove* you wrong on that, just showing skepticism).

I have no plans on desnorkeling my car because I don't see how it will add any benefit, but you're right, I have no idea whether or not to believe that it would detrimentally affect performance.

With Regard to strut tower braces. At least on the S model they are a waste of money. Do you guys below to PCA? Do you ever use their Tech Q&A resources?

Strut braces do not make a difference on the Boxster S. There is enough metal going from one side to the other in very close to the strut towers. The factory built in the front strut brace concept in the car. Aftermarket ones are silly. Check out the GT3 Cup cars, they come from the factory looking just like the Boxster S with the same firewall between the front shock towers, and the same triangulated removable braces.

If you really want to improve handling you need to install a lower stress bar at the lower rear of the car on the subframe right behind the sway bar and above the triangualr shear plate. It attaches where the diagonals fasten to the shear plate.

[Porsche-Eh]

Is it just me or has no-one else done the just as quick de-CEL mod? Seriously, taking OUT the CEL involves popping 2 covers off, taking out 2 screws, lifting up the cluster (pops out of clips) and turning the CEL bulb a quarter turn to remove. This can be done in 15 minutes, it's free, and you never have to look at that annoying CEL that turned on because of O2 sensors, MAF, etc.

Oh wait, I know someone is going to flame that I'm turning off a warning light that will tell me when something is wrong with the engine. Since 1996, when most cars added this annoying "feature" that is basically for the benefit of the dealerships, my CEL has never detected something that I couldn't feel or notice by driving. Often times, the CEL won't come on but the car will run terrible. Thus, MY CEL is my brain and seat of the pants. Also, I have an Autotel for when a car really does have a problem.

Just my 2 cents.

:dance:

[particlewave]

Originally Posted by Porsche-Eh

Is it just me or has no-one else done the just as quick de-CEL mod? Seriously, taking OUT the CEL involves popping 2 covers off, taking out 2 screws, lifting up the cluster (pops out of clips) and turning the CEL bulb a quarter turn to remove. This can be done in 15 minutes, it's free, and you never have to look at that annoying CEL that turned on because of O2 sensors, MAF, etc.

Oh wait, I know someone is going to flame that I'm turning off a warning light that will tell me when something is wrong with the engine. Since 1996, when most cars added this annoying "feature" that is basically for the benefit of the dealerships, my CEL has never detected something that I couldn't feel or notice by driving. Often times, the CEL won't come on but the car will run terrible. Thus, MY CEL is my brain and seat of the pants. Also, I have an Autotel for when a car really does have a problem.

Just my 2 cents.

:dance:

Or just fix it properly.

[Boxstard]

Originally Posted by particlewave

Or just fix it properly.

Ditto, it is that annoying CEL that actually motivates me so hard to fix whatever the issue and extinguish it with my Autel as soon as possible. I hate CEL with passion but killing the light will not do it for me... why not knowing a (potential) issue right away and fix it before it becomes a bigger issue?