Aftermarket performance mods....

[Spy4cia]

I will be getting my Boxster S fairly soon, and wanted to know which modifications or additions you driving enthusiasts would recommend.

I don't want to add a supercharger, or anything that will invalidate my warranty. I also don't want to add anything that will add a great deal of stress to the engine, as I hope to keep this car for at least 10 years.

Based on those limitations, fire away!!!!!

Thanks,
Michael

[Travis]

Michael -

I looked over your post where you listed the options you had ordered for your 2007 S . . . . . .

What else is there, you have about every option known to man and your Boxster will be so young that if you spanked it's bottom you would smell baby powder.

Just sit back and enjoy the ride and post photos (of the car, not the big smile on your face)

[MNBoxster]

Hi,

My best advice is to first get to know the car as it is before going willy-nilly into modifying it. This way, you'll have an appreciation of what you like just as it is and what things you feel could be improved.

Second, put a little distance between the initial $$ shock and spend some money on a Code Reader, good set of appearance products, Random Buffer, Cover, Tire Air Gauge, Radio keys, asst. Torx bits, Battery Maintainer, Red Clip, Jack and Jack Plate, join PCA, Bentley Manual, etc.

Then research and take a premier driving course to improve your own skills so you can be sure you're deriving everything that the car has to offer as is.

Then, place any excess cash into your portfolio. This will have a much greater impact to your Bragging Rights than any Go Fast part will, especially with the Ladies.

If, after all this, you still feel the need to improve the car, charge forth!

This may not be the sexiest plan, but it is the most prudent, and no way can you make a mistake. Good Luck with the new ride, it sounds sweet!

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[Spy4cia]

I'll probably take the three day Skip Barber course at Laguna Seca, very close to where I live.

Would you expand a bit on some of the following (with colons after them)? Thanks...

Code Reader:

good set of appearance products: Got a friend maniacal about perfectionist maintenance

Random Buffer: for wax application, right?

Cover: It will be garaged...

Tire Air Gauge: have one

Radio keys:

asst. Torx bits: for tightening things?

Battery Maintainer:

Red Clip:

Jack and Jack Plate: got one

join PCA: which stands for??? Porsche Club of America???

Thanks, and pardon my ignorance!

[MNBoxster]

Originally Posted by Spy4cia

I'll probably take the three day Skip Barber course at Laguna Seca, very close to where I live.

There are few better. I've taken their 2-day High Performance Driving School at Laguna, their 3-day Racing School and their Advanced 2-day Racing School (3-day Racing School is a prerequisite) at Sebring. I hold an SCCA Competition License, raced Formula Ford for many years and now race Formula VEE, and I tell you, it's money WELL SPENT!

Would you expand a bit on some of the following (with colons after them)? Thanks...

Code Reader:

Actron OBD II AutoScanner®? (Part Number CP9175) - http://www.actron.com/whats_new_detail.php?id=6 , or better yet - Durametric Software for PC - http://www.durametric.com/ . This will allow you to read CEL codes and reset them. Beneficial when you bring it into the Dealer, you'll already know what the trouble is. Minor codes can be reset by you.

good set of appearance products: Got a friend maniacal about perfectionist maintenance

Like Beer, everyone has their favorite - mine is Zaino (appearance products that is, my favorite Beer is Chimay Ale, Trappist Ale from Belgium ), been using it (Zaino that is, well Chimay too, but not on the cars... ) for years on my Boxster, Lotus Esprit and '71 Datsun 240Z. Tried them all, this is my personal Favorite.

http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc

Random Buffer: for wax application, right?

Wax/buffing/polishing - http://portercable.cpoworkshop.com/polishers/?ref=ysm531&OVRAW=Porter%20Cable%20Buffer&OVKEY=porter%20cable%20buffer&OVMTC=standard or http://www.griotsgarage.com/search.jsp?searchtext=Random+Orbit

Cover: It will be garaged...

Tire Air Gauge: have one

Radio keys:

http://eagleday.stores.yahoo.net/porscheaudio.html

asst. Torx bits: for tightening things?

Yep, best to get the Anti-Tamper, lots of the fasteners use them.

Battery Maintainer:

http://e-partssales.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=P&Product_Code=98061198100&Category_Code=WS or http://www.acehardware.com/sm-schumacher-and-reg-1-5-amp-automatic-battery-charger-maintainer--pi-1296395.html Which I use on all my cars.

Red Clip:

http://e-partssales.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=P&Product_Code=98650498600&Category_Code=POTEBXIN

Jack and Jack Plate: got one

Do you have the Porsche Jack Pad?

See: http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/996M/POR_996M_MISCLL_pg3.htm# - model # PWE-FJP-003

join PCA: which stands for??? Porsche Club of America???

Yep - http://www.pca.org/

Thanks, and pardon my ignorance!

Hi,

See above. Good Luck!...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[z12358]

Spy, I agree with the others. You have the mod of all mods coming in February. Enjoy it as you learn about all of its aspects. Plenty of time to decide on mods later.

I wish I had a friend who's "maniacal about perfectionist maintenance". Not a big fan of detailing but love to drive and look at a clean car.

Z.

[ddb]

[QUOTE=Spy4cia]I'll probably take the three day Skip Barber course at Laguna Seca, very close to where I live.
QUOTE]

I did the 3-day Racing School at Laguna back in 2002. I learned a lot and had a ton of fun. I know you will as well.

ddb

[ddb]

"my favorite Beer is Chimay Ale, Trappist Ale from Belgium"

My favorite is Westmalle Dubbel, another Trappsit Ale from Belgium. Have you tried it? I'll give the Chimay Ale a try. Like waxes and polishes, I'm always open to finding a new favorite.

ddb

[MNBoxster]

Originally Posted by ddb

"my favorite Beer is Chimay Ale, Trappist Ale from Belgium"

My favorite is Westmalle Dubbel, another Trappsit Ale from Belgium. Have you tried it? I'll give the Chimay Ale a try. Like waxes and polishes, I'm always open to finding a new favorite.

ddb

Hi,

Yes, I've tried Westmalle (but the tripel), had some last week btw, it's also very good. Another good Belgian is Affligem Tripel (though it's brewed by Benedictines, not Trappists). I think Chimay may have a little more nuttiness to it, I especially like the Cinq Cent (Beige Label), a recipe they developed to commemorate the 500th year of the Abbey. Chimay also produces an excellent Bread and Cheese (available here) using the same yeast they do in the beer.

The Belgian Beers are all the rage now, with US breweries even trying to cash in by producing Belgian Style Beers.

Back in the 80's, when I lived in Chicago, I used to race (Formula Ford) with Nicky Paterno (grandson of the big wine importer). At that time, they were only importing about 300 cases/yr. of Chimay, but that's when I discovered it. Nick used to give me a case every xmas. It was only $3/Btl. then - times have changed, but the Chimay hasn't...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[z12358]

Not a big beer conoisseur here but I discovered Chimay Rouge couple of years ago and it's almost a weekly ritual now. I'll have to try the couple others Belgians mentioned here.

Spy, get used to threads heading off to most unpredictable directions here.

Z.