Whoa!!! Just desnorkled!!!
 

It didn't even take me 10 minutes and I hopped in the car to start it up. It didn't sound any different at first and I was a little dissappointed. Pulled it out of the garage, let it warm up, but as I was just driving around warming up I could actually tell that it was more responsive already. It warmed up and I got on it. WHOA!!!! It sounds completely different when the rpms go up!! I eventually brought it back into the parking garage and could notice a significantly deeper/louder rumble as I was driving back to my parking place! I LOVE IT!! AWESOME MOD!!!! MY DAY HAS BEEN MADE!!!

yeah its a pretty good mod, now dont get any water in the intake :eek:

It hasn't seen anything but sunshine and the inside of the garage since I've owned it. Plan on keeping it that way to lol Although, those that say there is no hp increase from this mod...I gotta disagree. It felt more responsive immediately outta the garage and seemed quicker when I opened it up to. I'm so happy I have done this mod to my car!

Exactly how careful do you have to be with the hose? I only hand wash my car, but if the spray accidently shoots in the intake for a second (quite possible), is that going to be disaster? I'm 50/50 on this mod and would only be doing it for the sound (not really convinced on any real HP gain).

From what I've read, it seems more convincing that removing the snorkle is no more dangerous or susceptible to water than having it in there. There is an arguement that it is possible to get water up in the intake, but its pretty much invalid in my opinion. Sound difference is amazing especially at higher rpm. Do it...you'll love it!!!

another worry which is rare, if a lighted cigarette would go in the intake catching the engine on fire

That could(but is extremely unlikely) happen w/ the snorkel on as well.

Well I dont smoke so I dont worry about the cigarette issue...but I am careful when washing not to spray water directly up there. I do drive the car in the rain and have had no issues so far. Just swapped air filters the other day, actually, and coulndt notice any sign of water ever hitting the filter.

Patrick

I did mine last month and I HATED IT.... if below 4500rpm :D

Hi,

For those worrying about water and cigarettes, don't forget that the Intake is not a direct path to the Engine. It has the filter between it and the Throttle Body.

At the extreme, the cigarette might start the Filter on fire, assuming it was lit. But most Filters today are mildly Fire-resistant to avoid an issue if the car backfired.

Personally, having owned several mid-engined cars, I would never own one without also having an extinguisher on board. There are many more engine fires in mid-engined cars than a traditional front-engine configuration as a percentage. This is due to the lack of airflow through the bay and much higher bay temps. A Fire is much more likely from any number of other factors than a cigarette picked up through the intake.

For water to cause a problem, you'd basically have to put a hose right up to it for sufficient time to overpower the Drain, again, possible, but unlikely...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

OK, why did Porsche put the snorkel there?
Are there any negative consequences from removing it?
Are there any before/after sound files available (links)?
Is the de-snorkel reversible?
Thx.
Z.

P.S. pompous (and others) put at least some basic info about your car in the sig so that all others can place your posts in some context.

:eek: ummm.....I guess I better figure out how to get to my engine!!! I don't have a clue how to open that thing up....this angle here, this angle there....

I don't know how to either and from what I've heard, Porsche doesn't tell you.


I am assuming you open the top half way and while that little flap-thing is raised, you can remove the plastic screws and pull the carpet off.


I'll try it today.

I remember there are directions in the manual.....I just trusted that it was in there

Hi,

The Snorkel is a Noise Abatement Device designed for ROW models, principally Switzerland, but with an eye toward more governments enacting similar legislation.

There are really no negative consequences to removing it beyond losing it's silencing effect.

It can be reinstalled. Some have more difficulty doing this than others. I reinstalled mine at the time I removed it, just to see, and I didn't have any trouble at all...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Jim, is yours still removed?

I have been thinking about installing a fire extinguisher as well. Jim, in the case of an engine fire, how would you get the extinguisher to it in time to do any good?

Ed

:cheers:

Hi,

I highly recommend going with the Brey-Krause Seat Extinguisher Bracket. It's well made and easily installed. Then, I recommend getting a 2.5 lb. Halon 1211 Extinguisher available from any number of Marine or Aircraft Parts Suppliers, I got mine from WestPac Marine - http://www.westpacmarine.com/amerex/halon.asp

Halon 1211 is an effective extinguishing agent for all types of fires and evaporates leaving no messy clean-up.

If you ever did have a problem, you do not want to open the Engine compartment, rather, get on the ground and shoot the extinguisher upward through the Wheel Well. If a 2.5 lb. extinguisher doesn't do the job, then you gotta leave it to the pros, just have your insurance agents number handy.

One could also go with an engine mounted system and these too are not prohibitively expensive, like those made by SPA Technique - http://www.spatechnique.com/product_pages/productdetails.asp?product=MFE75-A|135 . You'd lose some trunk space for the Tank, and have an activation switch mounted somewhere in the cockpit, but I think a portable extinguisher is probably adequate. Hope this helps...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

I'd be interested in seeing the statistics on that. Most mid-engine cars are high performance cars also. I wonder if you look at engine placement in the sports car market segment if there is really any difference in engine fire frequency. Iv'e seen plenty of turbocharged front engine sports cars with engine bay cooling issues.

Having said that, I'm sure the Fiero really canted the numbers towards the mid-engine fire tendancy.

Hi,

I don't have any statistics at hand, although in this statistics crazed world, I bet they exist. But engine fires are somewhat common in the Esprit, the NSX, the Fiero and even the Boxster has experienced numerous engine fire reports.

Funny story, the only fire I ever had in my Esprit was on the Track at BIR. I was going for a Track Day and wanted to swap Brake Pads. I stayed up all night prepping the car and then drove up to Brainerd thinking this would be sufficient to bed-in the Pads. Anyway, I got there, took some Hot Laps and pulled back into the Pits. As I was walking away from the car, someone yelled "Hey - your car's on fire!" I turned and there was smoke coming from the right front wheel well - the Paint on the Pad Backing Plate had caught fire! Luckily, there was a bucket of water right there and I threw it on the wheel and put it out. I continued the day without incident...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

I would be interested in trying this out (desnorkling), can someone supply instructions and maybe a picture of what I'm looking for.

thanks!

There are quite a few sites out there that illustrate this procedure, but here's a good one...

http://www.ppbb.com/boards/ppbbphp/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Board=ARCHIVES&Number=820409 &page=&view=&sb=&o=

By the way...I'll be in Raleigh next weekend if you have trouble. lmk...i'd be glad to help.

Pompous, what year/model is your Boxster?

I desnorked my '99 and really enjoy the sound. I've read that the 2.5l experiences the best sound improvement.

I have a 2.5 as well. I freakin' love the sound when it gets up in the rpms. It sounds like a little monster back there haha

Actually, I was thinking about an evo intake or something of the sort simply for sound. Then, I tried this desnorkling and i'm 100% happy w/this mod. It even sounds like the evo kits is not all that good of an idea for out boxsters either. So, I guess this desnorkle was just a win-win!

FYI, the noise gets louder and cooler with the A/C turned on but you are moving slower cause the a/c lol.

WOW!! This mod just keeps getting better! I typically drive w/the a/c on while my top is down anyway lol

Oh yes! Top down is great too cause you can hear all that noise in your left ear. The more strain the engine feels, the noise gets louder. I think its cause the electronic timing advance the engine does in order to help the engine power through the RPM's.... like going up hill.

??? :confused:

FWIW--

3 full years, daily driver, 30,000 miles in chicago weather (including all winters) and have never had a problem with my car being de-snorked. Everybody should do it! :cheers:

AGREED!!! Its almost like I just bought it all over again. I'm like a kid...I can't wait to step on the gas w/it. Too bad I never get on interstate w/it. lol

Today I tried yet again to de-snorkel but I still can't get the blind off. What am I doing wrong? It's gonna break if I push any harder.

Hi,

Yep, no performance improvement at all, but the sound is much better...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

definitive
 

didn't someone dyno this and conclusively put an end to the hp gain/no gain question?


The member's handle was Bussmati or something??

Good thread. I think I might de-snorkle my Box this weekend.

Haha, close. It was bisimoto :)

Hi,

Haha, close. And, it was anything but conclusive!

Bisimoto got a bigger graph and went with it, but I strongly suspect (READ Know) that his methodology was flawed and his results well within the error of probability.

He didn't account for Alternator Load. He ran his Baseline COLD and his Test Run HOT. Didn't have a proper Cooling Fan. I suspect he used Correction Software, which is usually an average of averages - inaccurate. And I suspect his Weather Correction was Software-based and not from an actual Weather Station in his Garage. He took his numbers from a Run through all the Gears, not just the conclusive 4th Gear only where the Gearing makes the ratio of Rear Axle/Crank Rotation almost 1:1, and on and on.

All these things have their effect. Adding 1% error here and a couple % error there and pretty soon, you accumulate error equal to, or in excess of, any reported gain.

People will believe what they want to hear (Placebo Effect). Bisimoto is the only person to report a gain by de-snorkelling (in both HP and Torque), in the Known Universe. So for those who want it to be so, it is so.

But, this falls far short of a properly conducted test and I for one remain unconvinced. The only thing which is conclusive here is the old addage: Garbage IN ... Garbage OUT...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

I desnorked my '99, and it sounds great. No real evidence of any other gains than the sound, but that's OK. I let the Z06 worry about the other stuff.

:cheers:

Actually, later bismoto posted that he repeated the dyno pulls, alternately putting the snorkel in and out, and said that he got the same results.

Do 987 models also have a snorkel, or is only there for early 986 models? I think someone mentioned that 2003+ models didn't have one.
Z.