Installing Imagine Automotive Super Charger on my 1998 2.5 Boxster

[drbodzin]

Step 1: Remove the stock air intake system

I had done this step as part of the work I did earlier this year: http://986forum.com/forums/performance-technical-chat/45685-oil-leak-pulling-trans-change-rms-ims-clutch-etc.html

Here are some pics of the newer cold air intake installed from this SC Kit.





This is the stock intake tube, with the baffle removed. I was able to seal the hole with some plastic
off the original air box and JB Weld. I've use it for the past 4-5 months and its performed great!

As part of this SC install, I have removed this intake tube and will be selling it with another cold
air intake kit I have. PM me if you are interested in the complete cold air intake kit.

[drbodzin]

Step 2: Installing Resistor in the Mass Air Flow Harness (I HAVE REMOVED THE RESISTOR SINCE ADDING THE Apexi AFC)

The SC kit comes with a resistor that needs to be installed on the Air Mass Flow Harness.

Before starting, detach the negative battery strap.

Locate the White Wire with the Blue Strip. Then I spliced in the resistor and soldered it in
place. So far so easy! I should also mention, I had already removed the engine cover
exposing the front of the engine and removed the serpentine belt. Although not
necessary for what's been done so far, I figured I would do all the stuff on the top
of the car before I head beneath.

[drbodzin]

Step 3: Relocating the Air Pump (HAVE SINCE LEARNED TO DISABLE THE AIR PUMP WHEN I TUNE THE AIR FUEL RATIOS SO I DON"T GET FALSE LEAN READINGS FROM THE WIDE BAND O2 SENSOR)

This step was mildly challenging. The Air Pump stock location is on the passenger side of the engine compartment.
It needs to be relocated to make room for the new air intake pipes. The kit comes with a custom bracket that will hold
the air pump on the driver's side of the engine bay behind the oil cooler.





Here is the Air Pump in the stock location (right arrow). It is removed by detaching the hose (left arrow) and three (3)
nuts securing it to the bracket.



When relocating it, the air intake tube from the throttle body to the air box had to be removed. With a stock oil cooler,
there is enough room to wiggle the air pump behind it and get it in place. I had installed a Boxster S oil cooler earlier,
so it was impossible to get the air pump back there. So I had to drain the coolant and oil from the engine and remove
the oil cooler. Now that I have gone through the process, not sure I would attempt it without removing the oil
cooler, even if it were a stock cooler.

The new bracket is held in place by the three rear intake manifold bolts.







Here is the final placement of the air pump. I also had to add 3 feet of wire to the wiring harness . I routed the extended
wiring around the forward portion of the engine compartment.

[JAAY]

Make sure that you put a wide band 02 sensor gauge in ASAP. You will want to know what is going on. I used a apexi afc to tune in my afr's. This will basically take the place of that resistor. FYI, my motor melted a piston or a valve with the kit, not to scare you. I was tuned to 11:2 afrs. which I feel was safe.

[BYprodriver]

The "S" engines have forged pistons, other engines have cast pistons.

It would be good to have the injecters cleaned & tested to enhance fuel flow & remove a likely variable to inevitable problem solving. Test fuel pressure at the fuel rail too.

[JAAY]

Originally Posted by BYprodriver

The "S" engines have forged pistons, other engines have cast pistons.

It would be good to have the injecters cleaned & tested to enhance fuel flow & remove a likely variable to inevitable problem solving. Test fuel pressure at the fuel rail too.

Really? That I did not know. You always surprise me with your knowledge.

[JAAY]

BTW This is what I used for my O2 bung. I love the fact I didn't have to weld and it works perfect with my fabspeed midpipes. I also am using the aem uego gauge type for monitoring.

AEM No-Weld O2 Sensor Mount 1.75-2 inch exhaust

[drbodzin]

Latest update to the Supercharger install:

The 2.5" inlet pipe that attaches to the out port of the supercharger just does not work real well.
So I decided to order a 2.5 flexible hose to use instead. Won't be here till next week.

So the past few days, I've changed my focus from the SC install figuring out a way to mount my new gauges.

I purchased an AEM Wideband O2 Sensor and an AEM Boost Gauge. To control (tune) the air-fuel ratio, I purchased
an Apexi Neo. Thanks to JAAY and The Radium King for your earlier advice. It all makes sense now.

Well, I wanted to install the AEM gauges in the center console so they look factory installed. For the life of me,
I could not figure out where I could install the Neo unit, without it looking lame. I even considered leaving the
Neo in the storage compartment behind the seats.

Then I came up with an idea (that I think is pretty darn cool ;-). I decided to make a hide-a-way pocket between
the AEM gauges that I could slide the Neo in and out of when needed.

I still had an old cassette tape center console insert that I modified for the job.

Take a look. I am almost done with it. Just waiting on some 3M 94 primer so I can install the Burl Wood Laminate
to finish off the factory look.

Here's a couple of shots showing the pocket I built for the Apexi Neo.










Here I'm test fitting the whole unit. Once I get the wood laminate installed, it will look factory. At least I think so

[drbodzin]

Originally Posted by JAAY

Make sure that you put a wide band 02 sensor gauge in ASAP. You will want to know what is going on. I used a apexi afc to tune in my afr's. This will basically take the place of that resistor. FYI, my motor melted a piston or a valve with the kit, not to scare you. I was tuned to 11:2 afrs. which I feel was safe.

When you say "wide band 02 Sensor Gauge", is this what you mean?

Apexi SAFC Air Flow Converter from AlamoMotorsports

Also, if you use this "wide band 02 Sensor Gauge", do you still need to get the ECU reprogrammed? Tuning is fairly new for me.

When you day you melted... with the kit, do you mean the SC kit or Apexi?

So from what I am hearing here, the resistor is s hack and the wide band sensor gauge is a better solution. Am I correct in that?