usaf-lt-g

Looks like its time to put your car on a lift and check the suspension. With a name like G-Pullin, I am guessing a strut

or other suspension piece is damaged. :D

I honestly don't do too much in terms of "racing" occassionally the boost of speed on the highway here and there, but it's a summer only car. And that license plate I literally just got last week lol.

What size wheels, what were your old tires, what are your new tires and what tire pressure are you using?

Jim

Everything is essentially stock. The car has not been lowered (that I know of) The wheels are the 18" Turbo wheels (stock on the 3.2 L S). Here's a few pics.

And this one is taken at the height of the ground

Well, I got the dash speakers installed and mounted, using the epoxy method. There was no need to cut the old baskets and "bob and weave" them in. They fit nice and sound great....

Now I have to upgrade the doors, but again... I don't have the time to make my own "adapters" to fit the door. I have the speaker templates from the speakers I'd be willing to send someone if they could cook me up a pair of "good quality" adapters that will both doors in my 2000 Boxster S 3.2L. Obviously I'd pay for the parts / labor / and shipping.

Any takers?

Hey guys,

So I just recently replaced all 4 tires on my boxster. i've never owned a boxster prior to this one, so I'm not sure what the suspension or handling is supossed to be like to begin with, however, it seemed to me like it was stiff (a good thing) but the slightest bumps are more like "bangs". Is that normal? I mean you really feel the bumps, cracks in the roads when you hit them. The car now has 80K on it. Replacing all 4 tires didn't seem to help. The wheel seems "slightly off centered" when driving, and vibrates / shakes a bit at speeds over 40mph. Wondering what types of problems I have, and what I can do to fix them diy wise if necessary.

Thanks

Hey guys,

My brake replacement light is not on, the pads and rotors look good, plenty of pad left, plenty of rotor (maybe a little rust on the edges of the rotor, but not really). I get a braking squeak from the front, not very loud, almost like what you would hear on another car if there was too much brake dust in the way. It doesn't happen all the time, only sometimes. Just wondering if there's something I can do to eliminate it completely?

Tim,

Here's a thread that covers opening the instrument cluster to change light bulbs:

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?s...amp;#entry22673

Hope it helps,

Bill

Any writeups on how to change "all" of the LEDS (IC, A/C, Windows, etc) from amber to something else? I haven't really seen anything other than people saying "it's going to be difficult... you need to solder stuff... etc"

just curious

Well, I know i've seen mention of people wanting to "change the amber" color on their A/C displays, window buttons etc, in the car... but I haven't actually heard of anyone actually doing it, or seen a writeup. My A/C display is starting to go as is, so replacing the LEDs would probably be in my best interest anyways.

I've been browsing this subject and I did not see any comments indicating that soldering was required.

Not sure about changing the color. I would assume the bulb is clear (at least it looks clear) and the color (amber on my 986) is from the plastic covering on the instrument cluster.

Tim,

Here's a thread that covers opening the instrument cluster to change light bulbs:

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?s...amp;#entry22673

Hope it helps,

Bill

Any writeups on how to change "all" of the LEDS (IC, A/C, Windows, etc) from amber to something else? I haven't really seen anything other than people saying "it's going to be difficult... you need to solder stuff... etc"

just curious

Painting the Calipers

Link

This link shows someone changing the color of the calipers. You can choose any color you want, the link will give you an idea of what is involved. Key is masking off the areas you don't want sprayed. Including the fender wells, suspension and fenders. Dry cleaning plastic clothes covers work for large areas.

There are on the web somewhere instructions for painting the calipers when removing them from the car.

So I suposse I'll need to get a wire brush of some sort, and shave off as much of the clear coat / red paint as much as possible? Again, it looks as though the original calipers are powder coated red, so I'm not exactly sure how much prep I need to do before applying the primer.

Check out this website... looks like all the same components for less money.

Daytona II Front Bumper - $995

TA style side rocker panels - $395

Daytona II Rear Bumper - $595

Roughly $2000 for the kit, and I hear they do combination pricing as well.

What wheels are those on the bottom picture?

Those are 19" Work VS-KF, and they do belong to "The Voxster" over on PPBB.

Another photo:

Regards, Maurice.

19" Yikes, I thought 19" wheels were not recommended on the Boxster S, that 18" were really the largest you're supossed to go.

It's Ok, Maurice

but it could be a lot lower?

It's been tough to decide between these 3,,,

GT3

TechArt

997-2 TT

It is about time, I will give my 986S a new GT3 lower balance look,,,

I'm wondering if any of U fellas has done the front bumper mod with this GT3 kit?

Any input would be appreciated.

What do you think of this one?

It's one of my favorites, although it could be a little lower!

Regards, Maurice.

What wheels are those on the bottom picture?

I've seen the GT3 front bumper in person on a Boxster. I think it looks great in photos, but in person I didn't like it. It seemed too much and really stuck out from the car. I've seen the TechArt front bumper on a 996 and it was just stunning. It's a bit radical though, so the rest of your car/body kit should match that style for a complete look.

Just my opinion... I'd get the TechArt for looks. But you really should consider whether the bumper is polyurethane or fiberglass. With as low as my car is, a fiberglass front would not last very long before getting cracked. That's why I put a polyurethane MK1 GT3 bumper on my car (not the same as the 997 GT3 bumper you're looking at). It gets scratched up underneath when I bottom out, but still looks good from the top and hasn't cracked/broken.

Kirk

Hmm... I'm looking for a new bumper and side skirts myself, but can't seem to find anything that's sharp and doesn't cost in excess of $6000. My 2000 Boxster S still has stock front bumper, no side skirts etc. If I replace the front bumper, I assume I really need to get the side skirts and can I do without a rear bumper? or Do I have to replace that as well... just wondering what each of these options cost.

Hey guys,

So I just replaced all 6 spark plugs (and the tubes and o-rings). Thanks for the help on that one btw! Worked like a champ!

I have a couple of other things that have been bothering me lately...

#1 are the brake calipers. Obviously the S series comes with the Red Painted Calipers with the white Porsche logo on it. It appears that these were powder coated, and then is there a stock "Clear Coat" that's put on them to make them shiny or was that from the previous owner? Reason I ask is because the "shininess" is deffinately cracking off, and it looks like a clear coat glossy finish that coming off on all 4 calipers. Looks crappy in my opinion, and I enjoy "paying attention to detail" :)

So question #1, is there an easy way to "re-paint" or "apply this "clear coat"? If so what and where do I get the paint, and what's the quickest, easiest way to do this?

#2 another "detail" oriented observation I made while crawling around the underside of the car, is that the muffler system looks terrible. Works great, sounds great (the factory Porsche one), but looks terrible. Everything from the tail pipes, exhaust, and even the catalytic converters are all brown and look terrible.

So question #2, should I be looking for a better "aftermarket" quality exhaust system to put on ( I don't want to take away from the already great performance, and I don't want some really loud exhaust either)? Should I even really be concerned with this or am I being too nit-picky :) I bought the car because I love the way it looks, feels, etc... and I really take care of her best I can.

#3 I have some chipping on the front bumper, hood, a couple of other small nicks.

Question #3, what's the best way to repair these to looking brand new ( don't really feel like getting the whole thing re-painted )? I've never really done "paint-touchups" before, and the last time I tried, I thought you just went to the dealer, bought the touch-up kit and just applied the paint to the spot and that was it... So for a "newb" to touching up paint what can I do?

Appreciate it. Thanks!

If you want the stock look for your dash, here's what I did for brackets, with the option for reverting back to the stock ones. Still no complaints from me with this approach

How exactly do those brackets work? There just the speaker template with a removeable plastic piece? It sounded like you took them to a shop after you got the template and had them cut the plastic piece to your speaker. Is that what you did? Also is that part # you reference 996-645-049-02-01C both the Grille AND the Blank Template insert?

If you look at my first picture in the referenced topic, you can see the top and bottom side by side (I took 2 and placed them next to one another, with the white mesh behind). The part is basically a "dummy" dash speaker cover, with the foam behind the grill and then solid plastic on the bottom. The stereo shop took a dremel and cut out the area for the main speaker grill, then mounted the coax speaker using 2 screws directly on the bottom of the dummy cover, as you can see when you click on the last picture. The whole dummy cover is one piece (actually a top and bottom glued together, but I couldn't get it apart with a heat gun, so essentially one solid piece). I think the covers are used to cover the speaker holes for cars without any dash speakers. The part they cut out has the round green part number sticker on it in the first picture and is about 4" diameter. You can also see the stereo shop cut part of the metal speaker frame to get it to fit

I did not have to use any other mounting brackets. The reason I went with this approach instead of buying a speaker and cutting it up was because the dummy covers were pretty cheap (about $28 at the time). The mounting brackets that vfxbox had would have probably made it easier and I would not have bothered to use the stereo shop for anything except selling me some speakers. But I was too lazy to try mounting the speakers myself

Note that if you are looking at separate tweeters instead of a coax speaker, the covers have a left and right side orientation so the tweeter is aimed toward the passenger compartment.

Hope this helps. If I didn't explain right, let me know and I'll try to clarify.

Thnks for the clarification... I've been trying to get a hold of vfxbox for a while now to no avail. I think he's dropped off. I was hoping to just get his kit and go with it. But that doesn't look like it's gonna happen :( oh well.

If you want the stock look for your dash, here's what I did for brackets, with the option for reverting back to the stock ones. Still no complaints from me with this approach

How exactly do those brackets work? There just the speaker template with a removeable plastic piece? It sounded like you took them to a shop after you got the template and had them cut the plastic piece to your speaker. Is that what you did? Also is that part # you reference 996-645-049-02-01C both the Grille AND the Blank Template insert?

all U need is a jumper wire & soldering gun

the other fog will be on within 30mins

From where to where does the jumper need to be?

I think if U need a baffle for the dash,u got the wrong speakers,,,

be creative, a little dap of 2 parts epoxy worked great for me

Yea... that's what I was looking at.... epoxying it together. Probably a silicon based product. The speakers should fit just fine though... the one's I got anyways...

When I met with vfxbox a few years ago, I think he had some baffles for the dash speakers. Haven't heard from him for a while. I know he bought some items from Crutchfield, and looking on their site they have baffles listed for sale, starting under $10. crutchfield.com

I think "Baffle" is the wrong word ;) I meant "Bracket" or Speaker Adapter to actually fit and house the speakers. I've been looking at crutchfield and can't find anything that works.

I PM'd you back.... I'm still curious if anyone has baffles for the dash? I saw a post a while back from someone making them... although i've been unable to reach that person, and haven't heard anything else on the subject.

However i fail to understand the need to have all lights on, fogs front and rear - what is the purpose?

Im amazed at your arrogance driving like this when you are aware you are creating issues.

Here in the UK we have a law whereby fog lights front or rear must only be used in poor visibility such as Fog or Falling snow, some people here do drive with all lights blazing but will get pulled by the Police who ask them if they are aware the fog lights are on, if you reply yes, you are nicked for breaking a law, if you say No then you are nicked for driving without due care.

First, I wasn't referring to "people being irritated by my rear fog lights" I was stating that the brightness of the headlights / fog light combination are enough to be irritating, and that people have told me before that they are bright (front end only). Really it's the HIDs on my model that people get irritated with. They think I have my high-beams on, when in fact, it's the low beams. Most people in the US still have the yellowish lights, and aren't used to HIDs yet. If anything it's more irritating when you're driving down the road minding your own business, and some 67 Chevy Pick Up Truck coming the opposite direction thinks you have your High-Beams on, and starts flashing you. <_<

Second, The Rear Fog Light (at least on my car) doesn't "dazzle" anyone.... it's not bright enough, or even close to the light that is produced from a headlamp or high beam. The only difference the rear fog light creates is that it illuminates another "RED" section of the taillamp that wasn't previously illuminated, and it's not that bright.

Third, I wasn't even "trying" to drive around with them on. I was stating that I usually drive around with my front Headlight and Fogs, because the fogs help see the sides of the road much clearer. Most people (at least where I'm from in the US) drive around with both low beams and fogs activated. The Rear Fogs I didn't even know I had activated (or that the car even had them) until someone said they thought a taillight was out.

Bottom line is, the tail lights weren't creating any issue for anyone. I simply noticed them for the first time the other day, and thought... "gee, that seems like an odd thing to have only one." I was just curious if anyone in the US ever bothered to make it symetrical. Again, there's no law in my town against Rear-Fog Lights. Not to mention, with all the CRAZY bad storms we get around here, fog from the Mid-West, lack of lit roads.... they'd be more safe, than non-safe.

my 2-cents. I'll get off my soap box now! :) :soapbox:

After living in Europe where I had a rear fog light on my 911 and BMW, I always use it in the rain. That way folks behind you can see you. They should be on all cars in my opinion. You only need one to be seen.

Are they really that much brighter then the driving lights in the back? I seem to recall in my Saab it being rather redundant!

Well the placement of the rear bulb illuminates another portion of the rear taillight, it's clearly obvious at night, that's why I was so confused :) And just for the record... I was pulled over a couple days ago (no ticket issued or anything) because the cop thought I had a taillight out. I told him I would check it out, and that's when I realized the car even HAD a rear foglight, and why I thought it was odd that it was only on the left side. Now I know! :) and knowing... is half the battle ;)

Although I would still be curious in getting the right side to work as well... purely for the sake of "symetrics"

Hey guys,

I purchased replacement speakers for My boxster s a while ago, and haven't had the time to make the necessary custom baffles needed to install the speakers. I was wondering if anyone out there has the capability of making a couple for my install, or if there's some pre-built ones I can purchase somewhere out there.

I have the JL Audio Evolution ZR-650csi that I was planning on putting in the doors which come with tweeters but I don't know if I'm going to use them or not.

And also the MB Quart PVI210 that I was planning for the Dash.

I'd make the baffles myself, but I just haven't had the time, and I don't necessarily trust taking the car and leaving it at the audio shops around here for an extended period of time.

Any suggestions?

In the US there is only one rear fog light - on the left rear.

Some states prohibit using fog lights when there is no fog.

Hmmm... never heard of a law like that in Illinois. Is there some hack for this? Or something that can be purchaed to fix this?

I have only tried to remove a tube once. Removed the coil, plug, and stuck my finger inside the tube and pulled it out with my finger. Engine was warm. What keeps the tube in place is the friction fit of the o-ring on each end, and the coil.

Porsche has a factory tool. I have never seen it because all the mechanics I know simply pry out the tube with a small prybar on the edge of the tube. Pic is an aftermarket version, but if I remember correctly it is like $100.

If you cannot pull them all out with your finger and don't want to pry them out, then you need something to shove inside the tube that you can expand inside the tube to grip the tube. Then you pull on the end of this something to pull the tube out. People have used a spark plug boot puller. Shove the puller inside the tube and expand it so it grips the inside of the tube. Then pull the tube out.

The plastic tubes may be brittle from years of heat, and plastic pieces fall into the cam cover. A mechanic I asked said not to worry, it does not harm the engine.

Thanks for the info TP :) I was also a bit concerned of that as well... if something were to break off and slip inside the cam. It's good to know that this should be a "fairly" simple thing to fix.

Hey guys,

Another interesting question I have here. So I was driving down the road last night, when someone said to me "dude, it looks like one of your taillights is out." So i checked it out today, and here's what I'm seeing. Typically if I'm driving at night, I have all the lights on, Front Fogs, Rear Fogs, etc. People get irritated because they're so bright, but bah... whatever ;)

In any case, I opened up the trunk to check out the bulbs. What I noticed is that on the left side (driver's side of the car) There's a Fog Bulb. On the right side, there wasn't one. When The Light switch is pulled all the way out (2 clicks) the Rear Fog lights are activated.

So first thing was first... I tried taking the bulb from the left side, and sicking it in the right side to make sure it worked.... however.... it didn't... and I know for sure that bulb is good, since it works in the left side. The next thing I did was I went and inspected my old tail lights (the ones with amber plastic), and lo and behold.... the Driver's side one had a fog bulb, the Passenger side didnt! :huh: Is that just a coincidence?

Either way, I would expect that there should be 2 bulbs, and both bulbs should work. What's going on here?