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Went skiing today. Dissected my SeaSucker bike rack and made it work for the skis.

Just drove it around the area for a hour or so. Didn't even have a reason, just wanted to stretch it legs some. Still smile every time I run thru the gears.

Winter projects
 

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1577634745.jpg

I finished a few of my winter projects already. Installed Ben's Short Shifter Kit along with a new ICT shift knob and boot. Spent three days doing some paint corrections and waxing. I finally installed a new ignition switch and now my key doesn't take all my might to turn. Next will be a new Xtrons Double Din Head unit and while I have the dash apart I will tape up the flaps that control the heat.

Like "New" @F18febe. Stunning, the whole set-up too... workbench, all!

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Took my Boxster for an "all" fluids change today. Good reminder of how much the maintenance products goes for this car; M1, Porsche pink coolant, jeez man... :/ Pre-ordered air and cabin filters, new coils & plugs, new serpentine belt (just in case) and wheel bearings so this will all have to go in next week or the following one. Looking forward driving this car in a week or two!

Used some Dr. Colorchip on a fender and a few nicks in the door jamb. Just trying a few spots to see how it works.

I'm sold. Not difficult to use and works great. I'm impressed.

Time for the green one to go... Today I flipped it and stripped it.

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Installed a 997 Shifter and Revised E-Brake Switch
 

I had to take out the center console to re-paint it. The silver paint was bubbling in a few places. While I had the console out, I installed the 997 shifter that I bought used about two years ago. I also installed the revised e-brake switch. My e-brake switch had been sticking from time-to-time which interfered with the soft-top operation.

Here are some pictures of the old and new shifters. The first two photos show the 997 shifter and the third is the original 986 shifter. The 997 shifter has a substantial metal mounting bracket that attaches the mechanism to the shift lever.

The shifts with the 997 part are much more precise and the distance I need to move the gear lever between gears is slightly shorter than with the 986 factory part. Porsche made a short shifter for the 997, but that has a different part number.

off to Alameda .. USS Hornet .. for dinner/dance to ring in New Year last nighthttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...360e5863f2.jpg

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I took the 'muffler' off and sent it to Hasbro to help him lighten his car. I kind of miss it already even though I wasn't driving that car for the last few months. I think I'll make another.

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Today was a nice 30 mile drive with the sun out. Yesterday, the same trip during a driving rainstorm. The car is a daily driver and is as reliable as a fine canine. Word!!

Resumed work on my Stereo install. Hoping to wrap the job up over the 3 day weekend.

Today... Today I hope to wrap up the stereo install. Just have to wire up the D-4.800 and then clean up the garage.

So far this weekend I installed Focal 3 way components (6", 3.25", tweeter), Sony AV-7000 (Deck powers the rear shelf), micro bypass, xm radio hide away antenna pedestal). No sub. Kind of sucks but I cant see stuffing something in the foot well or behind the seat.

Once I get the amp installed I'll need to tune the DSP. That will be interesting.

Lil'roadster made it back home yesterday! Now sporting brand new wheel bearings all around and had the whole filters, plugs, coils and belt refitted with genuine porsche parts this time (for a change lol). I was hoping to gain +425 horsepower with all that gaga but sadly the car drives just like it was before :/ Oh well...

That freaky humming wheel noise is gone now, how luv-e-ly! All mine now, time to Drive!

Re-installed the headlights after having them sanded and clear-coated locally based on a recommendation from a fellow forum member (thanks dghii). The wiring for the turn signals crumbled when I pulled the headlights out so while they were being reworked I dismantled the connectors and replaced the insulation with heat shrink. Before re-installing, I peeked inside the headlights to check all the other wiring fearing it might also be crumbling. Yeah! Everything looked good. Well, that was until I started to replace the parking signal bulbs. The wires crumbled if you looked at them much less touch them. So, for the moment I just taped up the exposed wires with electrical tape until I can find the time to disassemble everything and either replace the wiring or cover with heat shrink.

I know, I know. I should have stopped and repaired the issue properly. But sometimes I just want to drive the car instead of always working on it. Can you ever get ahead of the maintenance on this car? Just venting ......

Got pics of the lights?

Man, I am doing the exact same thing. Except my box doesn't even run so I'm going to re-solder all the wires.

On the plus side my clear came out FABULOUS. Only a spec of trash in the amber section, but other than that its flawless. Kinda bad because now you can see the imperfections on the inside of the headlights.

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1579561323.jpg


^^^ before

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1579561398.jpg


^^^ The PO's "upgrade" for HID. LMAO yeah that screams fire hazard. Even has a little kindling paper for when the wires short and get hot.


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Photos don't really do justice. This is some pretty good paint work.

The shop did an excellent job. There were some dust particles trapped in the clear coat in the main lens area but when I pointed these out they re-sanded and re-sprayed everything. Top class folks. There are still a few dust spots but nothing major and not in the main lens. Here are the results (the lighting in the garage is not that great. The actual headlights are really clear with no hue):

Attachment 22224

Attachment 22225

They look awesome! :cheers:

This morning I glanced at the battery and battery maintainer in the garage, smiled at the little green light glowing on the maintainer then checked the calendar and realized it's only 67 days until my appointment to take my 2000 S out of storage (but who's counting?).
Larry (The Bald Eagle)

Jon, I don't blame you for wanting to make another! It sounds awesome! Granted, more of a track sound but I'm out in the boonies and the Bro Dozers (trucks) and Mustangs are every bit as loud - and they don't sound like a Porsche. Saved 21 lbs. The center is currently "attached' with a bungee cord and I understand the muffler also stabilized the suspension so that needs to be dealt with.

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1579627608.jpg

Stereo Installed!
 

I finally managed to wrap up the stereo install this weekend!

Here is what I started with:
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1579635850.jpg

Alpine something 149bt:
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1579635884.jpg

Not a bad deck by any stretch. I could have lived with it.

I wanted something more modern to tie into my phone. I picked up a Sony... something something 7000. Same as the 5000 except it has 55W per channel and an anti-glare capacitive touch screen. I only regret that I can't upload a custom wall paper. Only has 5 or 6 to chose from and they are all very boring.:

Boring Background:
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1579636013.jpg


My other main goal was to ditch the stock 6 channel amp (yes, I had a 6 channel amp) and DSP. The HVAC panel was moved to the DSP slot.
With that all moved I was able to pull out the 6 disc changer and install a modern amp with built in DSP. Because the car originally had an aftermarket deck in it the install of the deck was extremely simple. Everything I needed for the speakers was located on this one handy plug:

Handy amp plug:
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1579637046.jpg

I chose to modify the existing CD changer bracket to hold the amp. I used the old amplifier bracket to hold the cross overs.

I went with an AudioControl D-4.800.:
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1579636341.jpg

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1579636372.jpg

I wired the amp directly to the battery with Stinger 4 gauge and a big ole fuse. Picked up remote out from the deck. I ran one set of Stinger RCA's to the DSP. I also wired in a bypass to avoid the whole e-brake nonsense.

I went with some 3 way Focal speakers. (https://www.focal.com/en/car-audio/car-audio-kits-solutions/performance/access/component-kits/165-as3) For whatever reason I didn't take any photos of the speaker install. I followed along with what most folks already found successful. I modified all of the existing Hayes brackets for the dash. For the 6" drivers I carved up the coveted smaller Hayes boxes to embed a 6" ABS mounting ring. I sealed up the edges around the ring and speaker and left the box ported/vented with the existing vent.

I'm sending Deck power (50-55W per channel) to the rear storage compartment speakers (4 - 3.5" speakers). I ran one set of RCA's from the deck to the amp. I send the output through channels 1-4. Front channel is through DSP to the cross overs / caps to the tweeters and mid-range on channels 1 and 2. The 6" drivers are being sent directly through the DSP using channels 3 and 4. I am choking down the drivers through the DSP. Chose to protect the mids/highs with the existing crossovers. May remove those later. Not sure. The way this is wired I can fade to front between front (D-4.800) and rear shelf to achieve a nice sound stage. May need to invest in better clock radio speakers behind my head. ;)

Result was great. Need to learn this DSP software (and educate myself on frequency ranges!) to make this sound better. I was honestly blown away with how punchy the 6" speakers are. Impressed so far.

Thanks for letting me share,
Ted

This.
This is what I did today.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...4fc80f7e3b.jpg

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Not today, but last week...

Took her out for Eiskhana with the PCA and Audi clubs. Loads of fun without getting out of first gear.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...b8037dc5e7.jpg


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Hang on! Did you spray paint the disk, wheel carrier and all the associated hardware with a metallic paint? There are no wear marks visible and all the pieces seem to have the exact same color!

Well mostly I was referring to my work on the caliper. And the headers behind it.

But yes, I painted the rotor hat and the outer edge of the rotor with caliper paint. Everything else is overspray.

And never you mind, anker. Those cheap ceramic pads that are in there now will clear off that paint on the rotor before I even leave the garage ;-)

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I'm replying again, cuz as I thought about this, it made me laugh out loud, Haha.

So in that photo, you got a shiny new- looking caliper. You got bad-ass wrapped and coated headers. You got a shiny red new adjustable toe-link. And you've got stainless braided brake lines.

And you saw the silver paint on the rotor!?!? Ha. Tough room! ;-)

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I noticed the headers too, but thought they may have been done some time ago. There really wasn't much to go on from your description.

But I, too, was wondering about what stood out to me front and center: The painted friction surface of the rotor! haha. I thought it was odd, but didn't question it because I figured you've been around long enough to know what you're doing. ;)


P.S. The caliper and the toe link look great!

Freshly re-wired headlight buckets.

I didn't de-pin the connectors on the outside of the bucket just crimped, but I did solder and de-pin the headlight connectors.


http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1580085811.jpg




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^^^ no more fire hazzard. :D

Maytag, might want to think about wrapped headers. Leaking fluids drip (oil, PS fluid possibly) right onto those guys and eventually could cause a fire. I was thinking of wrapping mine, but watched a few vids of cars going up in smoke because of this very issue. Just a thought!

I’ve done that! Total blast!

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1580110926.jpg

Just finished 3D printing a prototype trailer hitch receiver for a project for a fellow forum member.

Huh.
I'll admit that I've been wrapping headers for so many years that I didn't even pause to consider that these are actually "under" the motor, and that may change how I feel about it. Primarily because I won't SEE them as often, and I'm less likely to notice a problem before it is one.

Were the incidents you're referencing simply wrapped? Or were they wrapped and coated with silicone, as mine are, and as recommended?


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Ugh! Why did you do that? Now I'll have to go back and do mine too. BTW, very tidy job!

Added Stabil to the tank, filled it up, went for a spin and put her to bed for the rest of the winter.

My phone didn't take a very good picture, but my 03 Boxster S hit 129,000 miles today.

https://i.postimg.cc/mkj8nFJ7/129k.jpg

I replaced the front struts with some low KMs "S" struts I picked up from JayKay (forum member).

While I was in there I noticed the PO had already done all the front suspension components (controls arms etc) with meyle parts. So I'm golden for a while I think!

I did the complete rear suspension rebuild late last year (all new parts except for the Jaykay struts). The fronts are a lot easier. Very few things to take apart.

I'll get an alignment when I decide to insure it again.

These really are easy cars to work on.

Thanks for all the great tips on this forum.

Joshua Tree National Park
 

The National Park system is something we do right in this country. A Senior Lifetime pass is $80.00. Just under 300 miles before noon. Entered on the north side and stopped on top of Keys View (5,185') for the pictures. The snow is on Mt San Jacinto, (10,833'). Palm Springs is right below. The Coachella Valley continues on to the S/E. The Salton Sea is in the back ground. The run down from north to the southern entrance is just short of 60 miles of two lane twisty and worth the effort.

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1581736424.jpg

San Jacinto and Palm Springs
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1581736478.jpg

Salton Sea in the distance
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1581736522.jpg

Wrapped headers (clamps to be cut still...) for my 2001 Boxter. In a few weeks I'll install these in with sport cats :dance:http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1581790309.jpg

Nice pics. I love driving through that area. We have family in Phoenix, Las Vegas, Palm Springs, and San Diego. Most years we fly to Phoenix or Vegas and get a rental to do a triangle bound by PHX, LAS, and SAN. Never with a Boxster though. I did do Oklahoma to Phoenix and ran through the Petrified Forest NP. The Park pass is a great deal.

You drove right past my home. Sorry to have missed ya! :cheers: