Best Mod - Bang For The Buck
 

Hello,

Hope all is well. Got a 2002 Porsche Boxster S 6SPD, and looking to see what everyone thinks is the best bang for the buck mod is. Can be anything, cosmetics, performance, suspension etc... What are people's first mods?

Under drive pulley or tearing some weight out for performance.

ROW M030 is probably best value chassis upgrade.

Fixed bucket seats make a huge difference to the driving experience, too.

something fast, easy and cheapest mod of all, BMC air filter. sounds great and adds a little

What type of mod you looking for?...performance, appearance, sound, comfort?

I've done a ton to my car..and well want to do a ton more. A lot of mine were preventative maintenance on of parts that didn't need it but I wanted to. However for me in the 4 categories above I liked the following. I don't race or track.

Performance - Surprisingly it was the least likely thing I would have planned to do...replaced control arms and drop links, I honestly thought it would be a big waste of money but I simply cannot drive the car enough now, the handling is amazing. I also liked the switch to 18'' wheels from 17s.

Appearance - This is a tough one, I'd probably say putting 2006 wheels with spacers on my 2000. Though painted bumperettes, new tail lights, restoring the seats, and of course making the paint like new didn't hurt :). Oh and the P O R S C H E on trunk.

Sound - desnorkled, though I would like a cool exhaust.

Comfort - replacing the too smooth shiny steering wheel with a new one, much safer. I'm still looking for a good buy on some 997/987 sport seats, I've been in them for hours in a Cayman and the difference to mine is night and day...the question is do i want to spend the money.

List looks good so far, keep it coming. Sound is good, extra HP (who couldn't use more), handling if there is a way to improve it. This car drives so nasty, I thought this was the end all, but I guess it can get better. Cosmetics are cool too. I'm talking cheap stuff, that give the most value. That's what i'm looking for. This would be my first mod on the 986. Also something realistic, I don't want to drop a lot of $$$ into the car, and end up being into the car as a price of a 987 S. Gotta be realistic.

Adding a Porsche crest 3D badge to the steering wheel. Makes it look 100x better than the non colored embossed 2d logo!

Replacing yellow side indicators with clear/ clear corners with headlights/ black or darkened amber turn indicators.

Also taking out front spare wheel and tool set/replacing with fix a flat bottle. 30 Pound weight reduction and free if you don't put in fix a flat!

My best mod was adding my California Blonde.

Sticky tires (Kumho Ectsa XS, Hankook R-S3, or similar) + underdrive pulley.

Hmm, not sure about sticky tyres.

On track, you don't really want sticky tyres with stock suspension. On the road, I often feel like I want less grip, especially on the rear, not more - to encourage the car to move around a bit more under power, make it more interactive without having to be really brutal with the inputs.

Driving lessons

A black leather jumpsuit with some facial spritzer .

I've thought about doing this to my '03. Not feeling the yellow side indicators... any tips on DIY and/or where you bought the clear ones?

Also get yourself a Dan Gerous black vinyl sticker for the middle of your wind stop.

Mr. Gerous is that famous French driver with the Yallar monster that terrorizes the mean streets of MA during good weather. The sticker comes with a subscription to his fan club and guarantees at least a 10hp increase when installed. However you may be required to comb through your feces to find suspected trace elements and report back to "Johnny" headquarters in order to receive bulletins on workouts and newsletters. All in all a inexpensive mod that will gain you neighborhood status and all the little kids will marvel when you motor by.

AKL:rolleyes:

That's it . Between yesterday's attack and this one, I'm calling the Abuse Hot-line ! Anyone have the number ?

I'm biased but I think this is it: Robo-Top, One-Touch Convertible Top Module for 996 Cabriolets and 986 Boxsters, Convertible top module for Boxster and 911 Carrera | Wix.com

Imho
 

Really? Eighty bucks so you can put your top down without holding the button? As far as best bang for the buck, I don't think this makes the cut. Just my opinion.

That's the most expensive mod in this whole thread. :p
I bought mine from Pelican; You can buy them from ebay or suncoast aswell. They were $60 for a pair for me. Just search side indicator and buy the clear ones.

Ah yes, and here are pictures to the post I posted earlier.
I think I forgot to mention I added a decal to the spoiler; keep in mind to have an assistant handy, as mine is rather lopsided! :mad:
http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/3298/p4040434.th.jpg
http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/5889/p4040435.th.jpg
http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/6005/p4040437.th.jpg

the best mod so far - short shiftier.
56$ completely changed my driving experience.

+100

That and stay on top of differed maintenance.

Where in the world did you get a short shifter kit for $56?! The only ones I can find for the Boxster are $250+ :eek:

Ordered! :)

best bang for the buck..

ooops got it backwards. :p


this is easy.... IMS upgrade.

here are the benefits.

1-I get to see how the old IMS looks -- about to die or still good. Nice to know either way.

2-Once complete when I put the key in the ignition something pretty cool will happen: the engine fires up.

3- When I'm driving along on a beautiful day with the top down guess what I'm not thinking about: the IMS.

4- When I change the oil guess what I dont' find in the filter or oil: the old IMS.

5- When I take the car to an autox or DE guess what I'm concentrating on: the next gate and not the IMS.

6- When I do my budget for next month guess what is not factored in it: a new engine.

7-If I decide to sell my car, which I probably won't, I can add this to the ad:
LN IMS installed with new clutch and upgraded RMS. Do all the other Boxsters and Carreras you are considering offer this?

"buyer: hmm...what's an IMS?"


I wouldn't upgrade a thing until you address this very controversial issue.
No other upgrade I've done, and there are many, can provide as much enjoyment as all of the above.
#2 on my list would be PORSCHE decals for the door. Great mod for $80.
#3 would be side skirting, gives it lowered look without the expense.
#4 18" Carrera wheels and good rubber RE-11 B'stones. big ticket item granted.

porsche boxster short shifter | eBay
i got the one from topspeed.
i don't know what the 250-300$ short shift dose better, but this one works just great

Well I'll be damned! Thank you! Ordered;)

9x7 shift console, a must-get for any 9x6...

997 Shift Console Upgrade:Porsche Parts & Porsche Accessories - Wholesale Porsche Parts & Tequipment - Cayman Panamera Cayenn

Hmmm, this short shifter is something I might consider. How much do you guys think a shop will charge me for the install? Which one did you guys order from Ebay?

Bought mine at dealer $35.00 each 99663104401, 99663104301

I need to do some research on this whole IMS stuff. I see many threads, but haven't done my research on the problem.

Redesigns
 

Seat covers
 

That guy ordered from Topspeed. I have no experience with tinkering with the stick shift but I figure it shouldn't be so hard to DIY.

Eyes? WOAH! She does have those!! :eek:

I bought all the mods in my signature for less than $260 each. Installing all of them this month.

I think u should buy one of what everybody suggested. Just kidding. One of the first things I bought was the IMS guardian to give some warning of IMS failure.
Are you confused yet? What is most important to u?

I still think that Sumflow has the best mod...although the mod will end up costing more than the car.

Udp
 

Why are you using that tiny font?

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I actually think the IMS upgrade is a bargain price considering the eningeering and thought that came entirely from the aftermarket, no assistance whatsoever from Porsche for a critical engine element.
Whatever 986 or 996, actually any upgradeable m96 engined car I would consider buying, I'd add $1800 right on top of the purchase price for the IMS upgrade.
Like immediately doing doing the timing belt for a high mileage used car. Chances are you wont' have a problem if you don't upgrade, but $1800 is not that high a price and it's a functional expense in that you still get a new clutch out of it which will last you 100k miles or more.

Not at all; quite the contrary. The back of my boxster is barren and thought a decal reminiscent of the 1980s porsches suits it rather nicely. Funnily enough, it never is exposed as I rarely drive faster than 75mph. Boxster is not really a car to rub in when it comes to performance by serious car enthusiasts ... Often touted as a hairdresser's car. All look, no power :ah: but a very fun ride with one of a kind personality, especially with the top down!:)