Spec Boxster Build

[thstone]

Finally got around to installing a new 997 shifter ($250). This shifter isn't officially a "short shift" kit but the throws are about 25% less than the stock Boxster shifter.

My Boxster shifter has 210,000 miles on it (came with the blown engine chassis) and the bushings are so worn that the shifter just kind of flops around. This makes it hard sometimes to find the right gear on the racetrack.

Replacing the entire shifter and not having to mess with the bushings certainly saves time. And as you can see, my car doesn't have a center console so this job went really quick, like 45 mins (and I was definitely in no hurry).

The result is 150% improvement in shift quality! Not only are the throws a little bit shorter but the shifts are firm and crisp!

997 shift assy


Old shifter


New shifter

[thstone]

Well, with summer and hot temps coming I decided to take a look at the front engine cover. I have found that this cover radiates a huge amount of heat into the cockpit. On a cold winter day at Willow Springs, this is great. On a hot summer day at Willow, its like having the heater running full blast.

I bought some automotive insulating foam (EZCool - Automotive Car Insulation) and put two layers on the inside of the front engine cover panel using high temp industrial spay adhesive for bonding. This insulation is EXTREMELY light and the weight of the two layers was only about 4 oz.

I'll report back next weekend after racing at AutoClub Speedway if this helped to reduce cockpit temps.

As you can see here, the chassis has substantial insulation lining the interior of the engine compartment:


That is, everywhere except for the front engine cover - no insulation! Of course, in a street car this is normally insulated by the heavily insulated engine compartment carpet behind the seats.


Two layers of insulation;


The final product. Installed perfectly.

[rastta]

Originally Posted by thstone

Well, with summer and hot temps coming I decided to take a look at the front engine cover. I have found that this cover radiates a huge amount of heat into the cockpit. On a cold winter day at Willow Springs, this is great. On a hot summer day at Willow, its like having the heater running full blast.

I agree on the cabin heat. My boxster came with an integrated cool shirt system - but I took it out for the weekend we both drove since my wife had an instructor and I didn't want the hassle of taking it in and out.

Car was really hot as there are no air events in it anymore. Not being that familiar with the car - I didn't know that this piece comes off. Insulating it should work well. I might have to give this a try.

I'm also working on a way to draw air back into the cabin. I'll post pics when I start working on it.

[thstone]

Originally Posted by rastta

I agree on the cabin heat. My boxster came with an integrated cool shirt system - but I took it out for the weekend we both drove since my wife had an instructor and I didn't want the hassle of taking it in and out.

Car was really hot as there are no air events in it anymore. Not being that familiar with the car - I didn't know that this piece comes off. Insulating it should work well. I might have to give this a try.

I'm also working on a way to draw air back into the cabin. I'll post pics when I start working on it.

I also use a cool shirt system but still wanted to reduce the heat load in the cabin. To get some air into the car, I opened up the air vents under the front cowl. Its not a lot of air but it helps.

[rastta]

Originally Posted by thstone

I also use a cool shirt system but still wanted to reduce the heat load in the cabin. To get some air into the car, I opened up the air vents under the front cowl. Its not a lot of air but it helps.

That's what I'm going to do - I'm going to take a square duct - this one in fact



and put it in the passenger side air vent under the cowl - it should fit right in. Then connect a hose to it and have the hose come out under the steering column area. Also debating about putting one of these in-line - and have it controlled by a switch on my dash. I'll see how it does without a fan and go from there.

[thstone]

This week I received a $1,000 gift certificate towards a set of Forgeline Wheels for being selected "Rookie of the Race" at the PCA Festival of Speed in April. Always nice to be recognized.

[RedTele58]

Way cool!

Rick

[BruceH]

Very cool, congratulations

[rastta]

Very nice - congrats!

[thstone]

How to Go From 3rd to 8th in the First Five Corners

Since I started racing in February, I have found that I still have quite a bit to learn! No surprise there.

This video is from AutoClub Speedway on the roval. I qualified 3rd out of 10 so I have good basic driving speed but I'm still learning to negotiate traffic. I don't want to sound like I am whining but not one is cutting you any slack out there so you have to be fairly aggressive to make a pass - or to even keep the pace. If you are sitting back or get behind a slow car, you drop back like lead weight.

So, here for your enjoyment is an example of how NOT to start a race. I start 3rd and drop to 8th in the first five corners (about 1/3 of a lap).

What went wrong? Just about everything.

First, the pace speed at the start was right at the rev limit between 2nd and 3rd gears, so you'll see me shifting from 2nd, hit the rev limiter, shift 3rd, too low of RPM for a good take off, shift back to 2nd, on the rev limiter again, and so on. So I lose momentum on the start and lose a few positions as we accelerate down the front straight.

Second, I get held up a bit behind a 911 who is having a mechanical problem. Watch the world stream past me.

Third, with all of this happening, I fail to defend the inside line and get dive-bombed into Turn 3. Maybe this wasn't the best pass for the other driver to make but I saw him coming and gave him racing room. Again, I should have defended that line so he couldn't come up on me.

Fourth, I get squeezed at the apex of the next turn and have to slow and the car on the outside moves ahead. This was exactly what the other driver was supposed to do - force me to the extreme inside (while still giving me racing room) which allows him to roll through the corner faster on the outside.

All of this is incredibly exciting from the driver's seat and I'm having a blast out there even while I'm getting creamed.

Enjoy.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbavOhobKB8&feature=youtu.be

[jaykay]

Looking good Tom!

[BruceH]

Yep, still looks like great fun! Thanks for the video Tom

[thstone]

If you missed these posts (http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/52494-aos-more.html and http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/52798-engine-failure-pics.html), then I'll summarize quickly by saying that my engine failed.

The rebuild is going well; the heads are already completely rebuilt, the cases are cleaned and the bottom end is ready for re-assembly.

Eric and the team at Hergesheimer Motorsports is moving fast so I may not have any more pic's since the engine should be complete early next week so I can pick up the car in time to race at Laguna Seca on June 28-29.

[rastta]

Ouch. Looks like a nice rebuild though.

[thstone]

Re-assembly started today...

[thstone]

Engine re-assembly complete! I also needed a new clutch so that will be installed tomorrow when the engine goes back into the car. Should be ready to pickup on Thursday.

[boxsterspec]

I'm super impressed with HRG! Props to them for getting all their customers back on track in time for Laguna.

Mark
#299

[thstone]

Engine installed along with a set of cat delete pipes from Fabspeed! These complement the Top Speed mufflers that were previously installed.

The engine is being dyno'd tonight and I'll pick it up tomorrow.

[thstone]

Dyno runs last night showed that this new engine is pretty darn strong for a 2.5L base!

[Topless]

Yay, those boys were quick! Does Tyson oversee all the engine rebuilds? 295 hp at the wheels?