This weekend was my first time with the Boxster at the track.

[ChrisZang]

Here are your options to go more than 1 degree negative camber:
a) camber plates
b) GT3 control arms
c) lower the car with (stiffer) lowering springs, this changes the whole geometry of the front (and rear) axle so that you can get more negative camber. I did this and got -1.75 degree
d) you can also go balls out and install adjustable front and rear sway bars and now can dial in any kind of over and understeer

but wait, there's also e): go wider on the front tires (example from 205 to 225), this increases the patch area in the front and dials out some of the understeer

[Pat]

Thanks, Chris. At this point I'd like to get as much out of the car as possible without buying parts. I just learned the camber is adjusted on the top of the shock tower. I'll check that out this week to see how much room is left to play with. I'd like to see plenty of room to spare, but am keeping my fingers crossed.
Thanks again.

[Lobo1186]

what tires and what sizes are you running by the way? and if possible what rim sizes

[mdex]

The car should not be understeering like that... your best bet is to go and have it aligned by a shop that specializes in setting these cars up for the track. Better to spend a few hundred bucks and get it done right rather then waste a few track days with a car that isn't handling correctly.

The other thing to look at, and I say this with respect, is the driver. It is possible to induce understeer in these cars very easily if your transitions off the brake are not smooth... it might also be helpful to have an experienced driver take a lap or so to make sure it is the car that is causing the problems.

[Pat]

Originally Posted by mdex

The car should not be understeering like that... your best bet is to go and have it aligned by a shop that specializes in setting these cars up for the track. Better to spend a few hundred bucks and get it done right rather then waste a few track days with a car that isn't handling correctly.

The other thing to look at, and I say this with respect, is the driver. It is possible to induce understeer in these cars very easily if your transitions off the brake are not smooth... it might also be helpful to have an experienced driver take a lap or so to make sure it is the car that is causing the problems.

Yeah, I know this is the LAST car that should understeer like that. That's what makes the whole thing so frustrating. I think your alignment advice is right on track.
While I am far from a great driver, I do have some experience and understand how hammering the gas too early can induce understeer. That is not what's going on. The car understeers even when leaving the it in gear and letting off the gas 100% with the engine around 6K RPM while entering a turn. In other words, even with the front tires loaded significantly more than they are just by the weight of the car, it understeers. Very frustrating. The ONLY way I could get the back out was to trail brake, and it wasn't like I was just tapping the brake pedal a little bit to make it happen. I had to get on it a bit before the back end would come around. And yes, I know that has a lot to do with the amount of steering input at the same time, too.

[mdex]

I drove a friends boxster a few years ago that he had just gotten from the dealer, and it huge understeer issues. Even though the dealer had just aligned it, we had it re-done by a local speciality shop and the understeer was dialled right out.

I normally have my alignment re-done at the start of every track season, and checked once or twice during the track season just to be sure nothing has moved... one of the simplest things you can do to be sure you are getting the most out of the car (until you start to slip down the modification slope that is)

[Pat]

Originally Posted by mdex

I drove a friends boxster a few years ago that he had just gotten from the dealer, and it huge understeer issues. Even though the dealer had just aligned it, we had it re-done by a local speciality shop and the understeer was dialled right out.

I normally have my alignment re-done at the start of every track season, and checked once or twice during the track season just to be sure nothing has moved... one of the simplest things you can do to be sure you are getting the most out of the car (until you start to slip down the modification slope that is)

Hey mdex, thank you VERY much for posting this. I felt like I was the only one on the planet with this issue. Your post gives me great hope.

[Mike_Yi]

It could be possible that you are turning in too fast, and quickly breaking the grip of the front tires. It sounds like your turn entry speeds are just a bit too high. Enter the corner slower so you can get back on the gas earliers, and that will get you around the track faster than reducing your braking. I've never had a problem understeering at the track.

BTW, what tire pressures were you using? I don't go with stock pressures at the track. IIRC, I use somewhere around 32-34 cold all the way around.

[Pat]

Originally Posted by Mike_Yi

It could be possible that you are turning in too fast, and quickly breaking the grip of the front tires. It sounds like your turn entry speeds are just a bit too high. Enter the corner slower so you can get back on the gas earliers, and that will get you around the track faster than reducing your braking. I've never had a problem understeering at the track.

BTW, what tire pressures were you using? I don't go with stock pressures at the track. IIRC, I use somewhere around 32-34 cold all the way around.

Thanks for the response, Mike. While it is possible I'm turning in too fast, I think it is unlikely. I tried many different driving styles, and the only thing that seemed to work was trail braking. While I have a lot to learn, I do know the basics. This year I am instructing with NASA.
I tried a wide variety of tire pressures. As little as 23 cold (!) to 36 cold. All four tires would go up 8 psi when hot. Pressure differentials from front to rear were anywhere from 2 to 9 psi.

[Pat]

Originally Posted by Lobo1186

what tires and what sizes are you running by the way? and if possible what rim sizes

The wheels are stock 18" Turbo Twists. The tires are stock sized RE050As, which I was very impressed with.