itzbob46

First, for GANDRADE1, it's logical. You need a 1" hole for the big rubber grommet. And I'd advise a little silicone sealant for where the cable passes through. The ballast, with the other electronic dohicky electrical taped to it's back, can be screwed to the back of the removable cover. A few cable ties and you're in. Toughest part is getting the lamp units back in!! Don't plan on finishing too quick unless you have a fair amounts of tools such as files, dremel, assortment of screws and drills. For niebyl2002, there's really not much diff between your solution and the method that you are putting down. You have to cut a MUCH larger hole, all of your wiring is on the inside rather than the outside. If the ballast is mounted on the plastic cover, and cables are tied down neatly, there's no need to mount anything on the car body. Yours looks cleaner, mine's $170 and looks/works really good. 5000K bulbs are perfect. Bob

Thanks Kirk.... In summary, would you advise this mod for street drivers that occasionally do some tight cornering to the point of some tire slip?? I'd liokely just do the ernie bar. Incidentially, with the upper 30 temps here in New England now, it's doesn't take much to make good summer tires slip, but that's another story....it's almost moth ball time for the Boxster!!! Bob

Apology certainly accepted, Rick. I probably could have phrased my post a bit better so it could not be easily misinterpreted. I really respect the opinions of all contributers, but usually want to feel that there is substantial concensus before parting with my money. Thank you for your reply. Bob

Hey, rick3000.......I read every word on the 986 forum. There was not too much comment on street performance of this mod, so I checked the RennTech forum to see what other comments may exist and didn't find much. So I asked to get opinions on the mod form different people in order to get as many inputs as possible. A different forum input may contain different opinions from the first. Where do you get the wild idea that I dislike anyone on that forum??? And do you mean that you don't think it's odd that the greatest performance car mfg in the world never thought to and a $10 item to the Boxster that would give it more fame on the track, or offer the accessory???? And it is difficult to hit every bump and curve exactly the same before and after a mod, unless you are an expert driver on a track with some fancy recording equipment. I'm not that driver....are you? I don't have to explain anything to you, but I thought it a good idea to explain my thinking to other readers. I suggest that you calm down.

I'm hoping to get some replies from 986ers that don't frequent the other forum so much. Especially comments on street performance improvements. Sort of amazing that Porsche couldn't figure out that this cheapie bar would help the handling of the car. I find that it's very hard to judge the improvement that such a mod makes because of the physiological or placebo effect when an mod feature as added. For that reason, I would like to hear from as many as possible who have installed the bar. Thanks to all, Bob

Is anyone familiar with this item. Supposedly can be homemade from 3/4" or 1" aluminum and installed for less than $20. Stiffens the rear plate that ties the rear subframes together. This is supposed to be a super improvement on the track with no downsides. I'm wondering if it is practical and has a noticable effect on agressive street driving. I won't be getting on the track, but would like to tighten and improve the 986's handling if it can be done for less than $20. Like, why not??? Seems like if it were really as good as they say, there would be numerous offerings for a bar and everyone would want/have one. Bob

I noticed that when my '01 986 is not locked the lighting in the trunk release switches and seat memory stay on. Took me months to notice since I usually lock it, and as I approach the car I don't have a view of the area between the seat and door. These lights are normally on when driving, but I figured that they were supposed to be. If this is just a few LEDs I can probably safely ignore it since thereis so little draw on the battery. But yet it bugs me! Does anyone know if this is normal, or how to correct it if not normal??? If unfixible, I'll probabluy remove the pastic covering and just disconnect those LEDs. Thanks, Bob

Thanks guys.... Next time I see this thing happen I'll give the key a little wiggle and see if it changes anythjing. If so, we found the culprit. Bob

Today when I started the 986 the batt idiot light stayed on while I drove away. I stopped and reastarted the engine and it was normal again. Later the same night the oil pressure light did the same thing, and again it was out when I restarted the engine. I have ample oil. Any ideas?

I installed the kit from CQ Light just like 986JIM that started this thread. Good light, not too difficlut to do. But the light pattern leaves something to be desired. My light pattern has "cat ears" to the right of each beam like in niebyl2002 's picutres, but they are closer together and higher. Adjusting light height is easy, BUT PORSCHE'S GOT TO BE KIDDING ABOUT THOSE LATERAL ADJUSTMENT SCREWS. I wound them in and out for several turns in each direction while aiming them at a fence, and they move the beam UP & DOWN only. Not a pinch to the right or left. I'm wondering what a SHIM washer between the bulb seat and the lamp housing would do.....This shim would pull the bulbs rearward a bit out of that little canister that it is inserted into, and would affect the light pattern for sure. But how??? I'm tempted to carefully make a single shim perhaps of some easy material like cardboard just to experiment. Any experience or thoughts on this idea. Bob

I recently installed a HID kit for my low beams headlights on my 2001 986. Nice color and light with 5000K bulbs. Now those stock fog lights sure look yellow! I've installed Sylvania H7ST 12V55W Silver Star High Performance Halogens on my last car (Infiniti FX) and they were a fairly good match to the projector HIDs. They are reasonably priced at $40 to my door. Some of the available "super" bulbs are 50-100% more $. I don't want to have to by light bulb insurance! Any experience and/or recommendations??? Bob

Aaaaaa....The Boxster was not designed for that kind of activity!!!! Bring a blanket!!!! :D

Well, I read it all.......... Hope that you guys are still happy with your HIDs, because I ordered a set identical to 986JIMs. Any additional or new info to offer? Bob

PN requested for a 2001 986 driver's side PLAIN mirror. Part available on eBay is 996 731 03 501 . Want to avoid buying the wrong part. Can't be returned. Thanks, Bob

If your car has the memory seat option, then simply reprogram the setting. To do that: 1. your key in the ignition and 'on', but not started. You can program 2 sets of adjustments, each activated by a different key. 2. set seat the way you like it. 3. Put car in reverse. (this is the action that tells the mirror to dip when in reverse) 4. push the 'key' button, and seat memory button '1' or '2' simultaneously to store settings. Try this and see what happens. This post may be geting old, but THANKS, since I had this problem and reprogramed it is seconds. I don't have a KEY button, but it works none the less with memory and user number buttons. Bob

6 weeks later....... Installed the GT3 console delete package and chopped 7/8" off the shifter and could not be happier about it. Made the car really comfortable. To lean the seatback a little, I have to slide the power seat forward a bit..... and ever then it's comfortable. Money/time well spent and looks great. Bob

"The passenger side rear fog light is not supposed to work. For the rear, only the driver's side is supposed to turn on. This is on purpose, so that in fog, people don't think that your brake lights are on at all times, but instead, so that they can just notice that a car is in front of them. " INCREDIBLE!!!! I found the same condition, bought a new bulb, etc, etc. Wiring diagrams available show wiring from both sides going back to the fuse panel seperately and joining there. I was actually eventually going to try to make it work since I THOUGHT it was broken. Joke's on me!!!!!! Thanks for that info. One less project tempting me. Bob

IF this is truely a plug! If so, and I can get the correct tool for it, it may need only a little tighten. Or it may need to be removed and gooped witt thread lock or something. The trick will be getting a good look at one to see what it's like and how it operates or removes/installs. Thanks fo the advice. Bob

I purchased this 2001 Boxster several weeks ago (private sale). It has a minor leak of coolant under the driver’s side radiator which I figured to be a loose hose clamp, since an out-of-state mechanic changed a hose 200 miles before I bought it (I have receipt). WRONG! I tightened the lower hose clamps at both ends and the hose was drippy with coolant. Thought I had it, but not so such luck! I just pulled off the left front wheel and the plastic inner fender to reveal more. There is nothing leaky that is visible from behind the inner fender. When carefully examining the front of the radiator through the driver’s side grill, a tiny wet trickle runs down the radiator casing from top to bottom. Looking through the vents at the bottom of the flexible bumper skin, the black plastic front edge of the radiator is visible and is all wet. There is a plastic plug “looking” item at the top front corner of the radiator that is covering the leak area with a 1.5” diameter rubber shroud looking thing. The plug thing is a half inch in diameter and has some visible threads. The end of it is a X shape that appears to need a special tool for turning it. It goes through a minor piece of painted metal framing. I’d say that THIS IS THE CULPRIT. Does anyone know what it is, and how it might be tightened or replaced. I can reach it with my hand and arm forced through the bumper skin bottom vent hole, so the right tool can reach it without much difficulty. If I give this thing to a dealer I’ll need a second mortgage to pay for it. I really need good experienced advice on this. I’m hoping that it does not need a radiator, but if necessary, I’ll disassemble the nose and work on it this winter. The leak has little effect on the coolant level over the 5 weeks that I’ve owned it. I assume that I have Porsche specified coolant. It’s green like common antifreeze…..is the original coolant green? Help please. Bob

I have to disconnect the batt soon to pull apart a door panel, and now you guys got me worried!!!!!!!! Even if the MAF Sensor needs cleaning and that make the correction, what is causing the problem in the first place (what's disconnecting a battery have to do with that?? And how do any of us really know if our Boxsters are performing correctly in the first place? I had my '01 for only a month and have nothing to compare it to. Bob

But ar ethese brands really different or better than the common brands? Bob

I've had this '01 Boxter for a few weeks. There are substantial rattles in the drivers door between the inside door handle area and the top rear corner. Banging on the inside door handle or upper door interior with the heel of the hand, road bumps, and sound system bass rattle the heck out of it. I know I have to pull the door panel off to find/fix the problem, but I'm wondering if this sounds familiar to any owners and if any specifc advice is available for panel removal or what may be the rattle culprit. Thanks much. You guys have been a godsend since I adopter this car. Bob

Thanks.... Looks good. Off-topic Q, but since you have an '02, what color are the plastic grill inserts on the front of your Boxter? The '01s are silver, and I think they'd look a whole lot better in flat/satin black. Bob

Thanks Guys, Bob

Do you any of you know what kind of fasteners are holding this rack in place? I looked in with amirror and there is no tool that can be used. How is it removed? Thanks, Bob