Spec Boxster Build

[thstone]

Lexan windshield arrived today!

This is the 1/4" model from Five Star. I also plan to use two layers of protective film.

Lexan weight is 15lbs. I'll weigh the glass windshield when its replaced.

It was shipped folded to save shipping costs. Be careful when you cut the tape holding it in the folded position - there is quite a bit of energy stored!

[thstone]

So I ordered a replacement power steering hose online from Byer Porsche in Ohio as they had a pretty good price.

They sent me an email order confirmation.
Then they sent me a ready to ship confirmation.
Then they emailed saying that they actually don't have that part.

Huh?
Then why is it on your website?
Why did your system confirm the order?
Why did your system say that it was ready to ship?

Amazing how they offered a great price for a part they never had!

[JayG]

Have you tried Gaudin Porsche in Las Vegas?
They have some great pricing

[seningen]

Originally Posted by JayG

Have you tried Gaudin Porsche in Las Vegas?
They have some great pricing

Sonnen, SunCoast,Sunset are my goto's if I'm going oem.

You might consider local hydraulic hose shop.

Mike

[steved0x]

When I need a Porsche part quickly, Pelican often has it in stock where others have a multi-day wait before the part ships.

[thstone]

Thanks for the suggestions - I went with a nice looking used hose from eBay for $50.

[thstone]

Temptation comes in many forms.

In one of my earlier posts, I mentioned that IF I was to think about where to go next in racing, I posted that I might consider moving to an air cooled 911 race car. To me, the air cooled cars are the epitome of Porsche amateur racing and they require a certain skill to race competently - something that I would love to learn to do well.

Then last week, I was contacted by someone who wanted to know if I want to buy the car pictured below. This is like someone asking if you want to marry Alessandra Ambrosio. Click though and see what I mean, but I'm sure that you get the point.

I went and inspected the car on Sunday and took it for a test drive. It was everything that it was supposed to be and maybe a little more. The price was within my budget. I'll admit, I was more than a little bit smitten with the car.

But this would mean having to sell the Spec Boxster.

To make a long story short - after a lot of back and forth in my mind along with consulting my good friend and last year's Spec Boxster Champion Alex Bermudez, I decided to take my own advice - don't upgrade the car until you can out drive it.

The cold, hard truth is that I am still not a better race driver than the Spec Boxster is a race car. I am still 1-1.5 seconds behind the best drivers in the class and I do not consistently place in the Top 3. To me, that says that I still have things to learn in Spec Boxster and they would only be harder to learn by moving to a car with more power and a completely different driving characteristic.

But if I was to buy the 911 anyway, I would look really, really, really good while learning those lessons!

So, the bottom line is that I'm staying with the Boxster.

But oh, oh, oh, the temptation.

[seningen]

Originally Posted by thstone

Temptation comes in many forms.

In one of my earlier posts, I mentioned that IF I was to think about where to go next in racing, I posted that I might consider moving to an air cooled 911 race car. To me, the air cooled cars are the epitome of Porsche amateur racing and they require a certain skill to race competently - something that I would love to learn to do well.

Then last week, I was contacted by someone who wanted to know if I want to buy the car pictured below. This is like someone asking if you want to marry Alessandra Ambrosio. Click though and see what I mean, but I'm sure that you get the point.

I went and inspected the car on Sunday and took it for a test drive. It was everything that it was supposed to be and maybe a little more. The price was within my budget. I'll admit, I was more than a little bit smitten with the car.

But this would mean having to sell the Spec Boxster.

To make a long story short - after a lot of back and forth in my mind along with consulting my good friend and last year's Spec Boxster Champion Alex Bermudez, I decided to take my own advice - don't upgrade the car until you can out drive it.

The cold, hard truth is that I am still not a better race driver than the Spec Boxster is a race car. I am still 1-1.5 seconds behind the best drivers in the class and I do not consistently place in the Top 3. To me, that says that I still have things to learn in Spec Boxster and they would only be harder to learn by moving to a car with more power and a completely different driving characteristic.

But if I was to buy the 911 anyway, I would look really, really, really good while learning those lessons!

So, the bottom line is that I'm staying with the Boxster.

But oh, oh, oh, the temptation.

Take it from some one that tracks a Spec944, Boxster S, and a 911 RSR -- and I suck at all of them :-) Front engine, mid-engine, rear -- doesn't matter - I enjoy them all for different reasons -- and I'm never as fast as I'd like to be -- but you do develop car control skills :-)

You really did make the right choice. But the 911 sure is pretty -- and like mine, when I get it right -- it's sex on 4 wheels.

However, I do enjoy the Boxster S the most -- reliable, forgiving, quick and generally easy to drive.

But don't listen to me -- I'm a moving chicane -- what do I know :-)

Mike

[alm001]

I know what I would choose. But I have a street box with far less invested, I'm sure.

[thstone]

Yesterday, I installed the replacement power steering high pressure hose (#9 from power steering pump to disconnect under car) and found that the front hose (#1 from steering rack to disconnect under car) was leaking where the hard line enters the disconnect fitting). Since #9 was split in half, I wasn't able to tell if #1 would leak or not until I replaced #9.

For reference, hoses #9 and #1 are the high pressure lines and #2, #5, #7 are the low pressure return lines.

The installation of #9 wasn't too hard but it took a bit of fiddling (aka patience!) to get the hose in the proper position since it has several awkward bends and it fits fairly tightly up against the engine and there isn't a ton of room to maneuver around when working through the front engine access panel. Again, this was made MUCH easier by the absence of the a/c compressor.

Looks like the #1 hose shouldn't be too hard to replace since the connection to the steering rack is visible with the left front tire removed. New #1 hoses were over $300 so I bought a nice looking used hose for $150 from eBay.

Since the car was already up on the lift, I went ahead and replaced the brake pads/rotors along with an oil/filter change. I've done these two tasks so many times now that I could pretty much do it with my eyes closed.

Power steering parts diagram


Location of leak in #1 front high pressure hose


#1 hose connection to the steering rack


Used replacement hose

[thstone]

Here is a video from the PCA race where I started 2nd and finished 2nd!

Not nearly as much action as the video where I went off track but a much better ending!

[Chuck W.]

Tom.... your race videos and closed captions are outstanding. First thing in the morning on a big screen with a cup of coffee.....great way to start the day.

I am tempted to set up a Go Fund Me Account so we can all pitch in and get you a high dollar video set up. Speed, RPSs, place on track G-force and so on. It's not for you, if for our viewing pleasure!

[steved0x]

Originally Posted by Chuck W.

Tom.... your race videos and closed captions are outstanding. First thing in the morning on a big screen with a cup of coffee.....great way to start the day.

I am tempted to set up a Go Fund Me Account so we can all pitch in and get you a high dollar video set up. Speed, RPSs, place on track G-force and so on. It's not for you, if for our viewing pleasure!

He might have that data but keeping it a secret so his competitors don't steal his tricks....

[thstone]

Originally Posted by steved0x

He might have that data but keeping it a secret so his competitors don't steal his tricks....

I wish that I had tricks that were worth protecting!

With that being said, I do have all of the data but I have not yet mastered the software that let's me merge it with video and create the overlays. Maybe I'll try it once since it might be be as hard or time consuming as I imagine.

[rastta]

Originally Posted by thstone

I wish that I had tricks that were worth protecting!

With that being said, I do have all of the data but I have not yet mastered the software that let's me merge it with video and create the overlays. Maybe I'll try it once since it might be be as hard or time consuming as I imagine.

I use RaceRender 3. It works good although syncing is the tedious part.

[spendy]

Tom-
Did you get a chance to weigh your glass windshield?
I'm very curious how much weight the lexan saves.

thanks

[thstone]

Originally Posted by spendy

Tom-
Did you get a chance to weigh your glass windshield?
I'm very curious how much weight the lexan saves.

thanks

The Boxster has been up on the lift waiting for the delivery of the second power steering line so I haven't had the lexan windshield installed yet. As soon as I do, I'll weigh the glass windshield and post it!

[steved0x]

What camera and mount are you using? I just realized how stable your video is compared with the videos I take. Do you do a processing step to remove shake? If so what do you use?

Thanks,

Steve

[thstone]

Originally Posted by steved0x

What camera and mount are you using? I just realized how stable your video is compared with the videos I take. Do you do a processing step to remove shake? If so what do you use?

Thanks,

Steve

Hey Steve, I don't do any preprocessing or anything special, the stability is simply from the camera. The Mobius 1080p camera is impossible to beat for $75.

Mobius Action Camera 1080P

For the mount, I use a RAM dual ball mount with the base attached to the roll bar with a hose clamp. The Mobius cam is controlled (on/off) and powered from the TraqMate/TraqDash data system.

Its a somewhat low-tech setup that works really well. Credit goes to Brad Roberts for the recommendation and installation.

Here is a photo of the mount...

[steved0x]

Originally Posted by thstone

Hey Steve, I don't do any preprocessing or anything special, the stability is simply from the camera. The Mobius 1080p camera is impossible to beat for $75.

Mobius Action Camera 1080P

For the mount, I use a RAM dual ball mount with the base attached to the roll bar with a hose clamp. The Mobius cam is controlled (on/off) and powered from the TraqMate/TraqDash data system.

Its a somewhat low-tech setup that works really well. Credit goes to Brad Roberts for the recommendation and installation.

I will check that out, I have a Hero 4 Black that has been nothing but trouble so I am returning it. $75 sounds pretty sweet Thank you!

Steve