Need some help on suspension modifications please.

[thstone]

Originally Posted by eicheldp

Just trying to improve myself and get off the bottom of the rankings.

I would suggest that your best investment is in yourself!

Find a competent driving instructor and then get as much seat time as possible. A purely stock Boxster is incredibly capable and there isn't much point in improving the car unless your driving skills can take advantage of the car improvement. In fact, it can be a hinderance.

The best gauge of progress is to track your lap times and compare to equal cars. If you're not at the top of that list, then its not the car that is holding you back.

I did around 25 track days before I improved my original Boxster beyond better brake pads and performance tires. You'll know when you are better than the car and when the car is what is holding back your performance. THEN upgrade the car.

I still follow this lesson to this day. Even after three seasons of racing Spec Boxster, I am not at the top of the leader board so I will continue to focus all of my efforts on improving my driving skills first and foremost.

[rastta]

Originally Posted by thstone

I would suggest that your best investment is in yourself!

Find a competent driving instructor and then get as much seat time as possible. A purely stock Boxster is incredibly capable and there isn't much point in improving the car unless your driving skills can take advantage of the car improvement. In fact, it can be a hinderance.

The best gauge of progress is to track your lap times and compare to equal cars. If you're not at the top of that list, then its not the car that is holding you back.

I did around 25 track days before I improved my original Boxster beyond better brake pads and performance tires. You'll know when you are better than the car and when the car is what is holding back your performance. THEN upgrade the car.

I still follow this lesson to this day. Even after three seasons of racing Spec Boxster, I am not at the top of the leader board so I will continue to focus all of my efforts on improving my driving skills first and foremost.

^^^^^This.^^^^^

[Topless]

Agree with Thstone. On a limited budget leave the suspension alone and run stock class. Mount the freshest tires that are competitive in your class, get a performance alignment to make the most of your contact patch, and get a top driver in your right seat for coaching. "Tuner" suspension changes will make no difference in lap times at this point. Always tighten the loose spacer behind the steering wheel before making changes to the car.

[eicheldp]

[/QUOTE]
I did around 25 track days before I improved my original Boxster beyond better brake pads and performance tires. You'll know when you are better than the car and when the car is what is holding back your performance. THEN upgrade the car.[/QUOTE]

Thstone, Topless, Rattan and Racer Boy,
Thank you for your advice. I think i'll save save some money to devote to lessons instead of parts. I hope I can get to the point where I can recognize that the car is holding me back. (Or that this old man lives that long )

One question, where is a good place to look for an instructor for AX? I reside in eastern PA.

[Topless]

I did around 25 track days before I improved my original Boxster beyond better brake pads and performance tires. You'll know when you are better than the car and when the car is what is holding back your performance. THEN upgrade the car.[/QUOTE]

Thstone, Topless, Rattan and Racer Boy,
Thank you for your advice. I think i'll save save some money to devote to lessons instead of parts. I hope I can get to the point where I can recognize that the car is holding me back. (Or that this old man lives that long )

One question, where is a good place to look for an instructor for AX? I reside in eastern PA.[/QUOTE]

Looks like you are in PCA Zone 2. Find an active AX region near you and contact their CDI. Let him know you are interested in improving your AX skills and would like to work with a qualified instructor. He will direct you from there.
AUTOCROSS « Porsche Club of America, Zone 2

[eicheldp]

Originally Posted by jakeru

I'm also just curious, what modification(s) did you make already which put you into SCCA Street Touring Unlimited class?

Jakeru,
The only modification I have made was changing wheel diameter and putting on some spacers and summer performance tires. I put it all in the thread below. Everything else is stock.
http://986forum.com/forums/boxster-racing-forum/67760-wheel-fitment-spacers.html
I went back to the SCCA classifications and I saw where my car is listed under STU class, but I also read the opening paragraph of the class that allows for suspension and engine modifications.
What confused me was the C street list of applicable cars, where it states "Boxster (986 chassis, all) (1997-2004)". It doesn't call out the S version specifically as they do for other classes for different models. I guess I'm in the wrong class.

Porsche
356 Carrera (4-cam)
911 (non-turbo, NOC)
911 Club Sport
914 (all)
928 (all)
944 (16v)
944 Turbo (all)
Boxster (986 chassis, all) (1997-2004)
Carrera 2 & Carrera 4 (964) (1989-94)
C Street class (CS)

Originally Posted by Topless

Looks like you are in PCA Zone 2. Find an active AX region near you and contact their CDI. Let him know you are interested in improving your AX skills and would like to work with a qualified instructor. He will direct you from there.
AUTOCROSS « Porsche Club of America, Zone 2

Topless,
I looked at the other regions listed on the link you provided, it seems that Reisentoter (my current chapter) is the most active for Autocross. I'll check within the club, but I will also check with the SCCA.
Thanks