Making the Boxster Reliable on The Track

[Jittsl]

Would help to know what you mean by "track", Autocross?, DE?, Club racing?

I am surprised that AX has given you power steering issues. I wouldn't expect any issues after 2 minutes. Certainly mine has proven capable of running 90 minutes on the track without any issues. Having said that, I have heard of some racers having issues so maybe some other AXers can chime in.

For me, the biggest concern tracking a 986 will always be oil starvation. You definitely want to look into some sort of deep sump and, if DEing or Racing, an Accusump.

Definitely will want GT3 arms and better spring/shocks. Brakes will be fine just as they are provided you have good pads (I've always run Pagid orange) and fresh fluid. Tires will be critical but will depend of your intended use. Biggest tip would be (and it doesn't matter which type) would be loose all the weight you can.

Have fun.

[com3dorm3]

Originally Posted by AndyA6

...def check out an underdrivepulley!

Makes sense. Thanks.

Originally Posted by Jittsl

Would help to know what you mean by "track", Autocross?, DE?, Club racing? I am surprised that AX has given you power steering issues. ...

By "track" I mean High Plains Raceway, CO as the home track. (Open lapping, DE, TTs).
Yeah AX doesn't tax the car nearly as much as the track, but still I've had power steering issues. The PS cooler is installed and hopefully that is addressed for good.

I've heard about the oil starvation issues and wondering if one can track the without Accusump. Some of the questions that come to mind include
- Can starvation be monitored safely via an Oil press gauge?
- Can good oil pan baffles alone be a solution?
- If deeper sump is needed, how much? .5 quart enough?
Or all these are just bandaids and one must use accusump if taking the car to the track?

[LAP1DOUG]

Originally Posted by com3dorm3

I've heard about the oil starvation issues and wondering if one can track the without Accusump. Some of the questions that come to mind include
- Can starvation be monitored safely via an Oil press gauge?
- Can good oil pan baffles alone be a solution?
- If deeper sump is needed, how much? .5 quart enough?
Or all these are just bandaids and one must use accusump if taking the car to the track?

If you look around on the Planet-9 forum, you will find a huge amount of data on oil pressure loss with similar Cayman engines. There are simply more serious Cayman track guys out there than Boxster track guys. The general consensus seems to be the oil pressure light is a buffered signal and can't be relied upon for instantaneous warning. Low oil pressure does seem to occur regularly with hard braking into a left hand turn.

Just to be safe, I installed the X51 oil pan and 3 quart accusump before going to any track events.

[com3dorm3]

Originally Posted by BYprodriver

Remove front bumper cover, clean (vacum) radiators including behind each radiator & A/C condenser. Change oil before & after track day, inspect oil filter everytime. Change powersteering fluid with new oem Pentosion.

Done all that.
Radiators: Looked like someone was using it to mow the lawn.

Originally Posted by Jager

What's the easiest way to change the power-steering fluid? Do you drain it from somewhere or pull it out?

I cut the line to drain the system and install the PS cooler, but I did not see any plug or drain valve.

Originally Posted by LAP1DOUG

... oil pressure light is a buffered signal and can't be relied upon for instantaneous warning. Low oil pressure does seem to occur regularly with hard braking into a right hand turn...

Thanks for the planet9 referral.
I plan on installing a full sweep oil pressure/temp gauge... just because...


As far as oil starvation, I'm hoping the oil sump baffle will do the trick initially, as suggested by some of the members here.
In my case, we're talking about a driver with less than 10 track days of experience and non-sticky tires for now.

but then,

Originally Posted by Jake Raby

...The G forces are NOT the root of the problem.

Would you elaborate on the issues and root cause?

[jb92563]

This is a good thread, very informative.

I've curtailed my track activity for now because I used a Durametric tool and found my "Timing Deviation ?" is around -5 and -6 which is right at the allowable limit from what I have read.

Not sure what needs fixing exactly, so I need to do more research into this.

I would recommend a Durametric reading on a periodic basis to get a base line and to measure against to see where things are wearing.

As far as Mods for the Track, you need to understand the points distribution for the Mods so that you don't inadvertently put your self I a class that you come in last place all the time. Keep it simple at first and when your ability catches up to the car then the mods will start to have a positive effect.

I ended up in a class that only have 3 entries, (I didn't know any better) and came in last place but since racing points are awarded to the top 3 drivers I got points where others whose time was much better with the same car got 0.

Consider applying some tape protection around the wheel wells to protect the paint.

Some folks just use the Blue masking tape at the race but others have the clear protector tape and leave it on all the time.

[com3dorm3]

All these goodies just keep adding up. One can easily spend more than the value of the car on mods for the track.
Well... it's all worth it in the middle-end of that 2nd session when you nail an awesome lap. (... and realize that it could be a lot better if you had Senna's skills. Gotta go back for more)

[thstone]

Originally Posted by com3dorm3

All these goodies just keep adding up. One can easily spend more than the value of the car on mods for the track.
Well... it's all worth it in the middle-end of that 2nd session when you nail an awesome lap. (... and realize that it could be a lot better if you had Senna's skills. Gotta go back for more)

In seriously tracking a Boxster, you can easily spend the value of the car in upgrades needed for the track and then spend the value of the car again in tires, brakes, gas, entry fees, etc.

http://986forum.com/forums/boxster-racing-forum/41688-yearly-track-costs-how-spend-%2420k-yr-%2410k-porsche.html


And yes, it is all worth it when you hit that magical lap..

http://986forum.com/forums/boxster-racing-forum/41896-willow-springs-big-track-today.html

Its a new year and a new track season so I'll be at Buttonwillow for the next two Saturdays.

[jaykay]

Originally Posted by com3dorm3

Done all that.
Radiators: Looked like someone was using it to mow the lawn.


I cut the line to drain the system and install the PS cooler, but I did not see any plug or drain valve.


Thanks for the planet9 referral.
I plan on installing a full sweep oil pressure/temp gauge... just because...


As far as oil starvation, I'm hoping the oil sump baffle will do the trick initially, as suggested by some of the members here.
In my case, we're talking about a driver with less than 10 track days of experience and non-sticky tires for now.

but then,
Would you elaborate on the issues and root cause?

Oil temperature!