"Belle" The Boxster S Project

[neil_b]

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[neil_b]

After 15 years and 50,000 miles how much horsepower has a 986 Boxster S Tiptronic got? We take her to the dyno and find out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3nVzVX79JY

[BRAN]

always enjoying your little videos...keep up the good work

[neil_b]

Thanks Bran, glad you like them!

[neil_b]

So, am considering what mods to do next to Belle. I've put together a list of options such as the 987 Cayman airbox, 996 throttle body etc and compared the bhp gains and cost. Check out the video here:

https://youtu.be/2SPva2p2my0

[itsnotanova]

Great videos! I wouldn't feel too sad about your HP numbers, automatics are always less efficient than manuals.

[itskenallen]

Awesome thread Neil b. Weldone.

Ken 🚘

[cbadbox]

Subscribed!

[paulofto]

Very informative series of videos. Well produced, concise and to the point.

Good work Neil!

[Smallblock454]

Hello Neil,

maybe this is helpful to get some hp back: https://youtu.be/efIJHf7h5kI

Regards, Markus

[neil_b]

After the disappointing results on the rolling road I was advised by a fellow forum member to check the ignition coils for any cracks or damage as this had been a cause of reduced power for him.

An ignition coil is an induction coil that transform the low voltage from the battery to the high voltage needed for the spark plugs. On the Boxster these are exposed to the elements so it’s prudent to check them for hairline cracks. As it’s very little additional effort and because spark plugs are cheap I’ll replace all six whilst I’m there.

My video of it all is here:
https://youtu.be/H25qLssQNxg

[neil_b]

A common fault on Boxsters is that although the stainless steel exhaust lasts for many years (mine is still good after 15 years) Porsche used cheap nuts to hold the manifold to the cat and they rust. This allows a gap to form and causes a horrible noise. The studs you need to remove are stuck fast. Here's a video of how I finally got them out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mITEttfNwAw

[neil_b]

Air con wasn't working so I fixed it. The video shows you how I did it:

https://youtu.be/gokhNvCFuCg

[neil_b]

Eagle eyed viewers may have noticed the oil leak when I replaced my spark plugs and ignition coils a few episodes ago. This is because the rubber o-rings that seal the coil tubes fail over time and allow oil to pass through.

Here's my step by step video guide to removing the tubes and replacing the seals:
https://youtu.be/B0y3htZBGxc




7” bolt – part no. 333 from B&Q (UK)
Coil tubes - (996 105 325 52)
Coil sleeve O-ring (rear) - (999.707.343.40)
Coil sleeve O-rings (front) - (999.707.215)

[neil_b]

Swapped out the ant-roll bar bushes front and rear for polyurethane Powerflex ones.

Here's how I did it:

https://youtu.be/IEVIZmUDgug

[neil_b]

My thoughts on whether paying three times the cost for polyurethane bushes are worth it by testing them with day to day driving on normal roads and high performance driving at the track.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9H7GnTswHA&hd=1&html5=1

[neil_b]

Here's my video on how I hand washed the engine bay. Came up better than I expected!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DblJ4JqsGY&hd=1&html5=1

[neil_b]

I’ve had my Boxster for about 2 years now and these are my thoughts on whats good and what’s bad about the car.

I also compare the car to others in it's price range such as the BMW Z4, Nissan 350Z and Honda S2000.

Is the Boxster the best second hand sports car you can buy in the price range?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSlO0GTMYAU

[neil_b]

I cleaned the throttle body and MAF

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slPzoplzWT0&hd=1&html5=1

[neil_b]

How much slower is my 15 year old Boxster S then when it was new? I test to find out.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mK0G-3_UVg&hd=1&html5=1


I thought I’d be fun to test the 0-60 time of the car to get an idea of real world performance and compare that to the time stated when it was new.

From the factory, Porsche claimed the 986 Boxster S with the Tiptronic gearbox could do 0-60 in 6.5 seconds – let’s see how close to that we can get today.

I’ll be using the Vbox Sport from Racelogic. It can be used as a standalone data logger or connected to an IOS or Android app and be used to accurately measure track laps times or, as we’ll be doing today, measuring performance.