986 for autocross and track days

[vitaminc]

How many miles on it? Before thinking about mods, consider if the existing parts are in decent shape. Rubber bushings can dry out over time regardless of miles.

As mentioned above, 200 TW tires will give you the best bang for your buck. You may find that your tire options are limited by the wheel size.

Love the red interior!

[WillyDaP]

VitaminC noted some good info and considering where you plan to run you can often stay in a stock Class ( if that is your desire ) by staying with a wheel one inch smaller or larger in diameter to help with tire sizes. You do have to stay within 1/4 of an inch for your width dimensions, but that depends on who you run with. Great to check bushings as noted and definitely a full flush of brake fluid with a solid DOT 4 refill ( like Motul 600 or 660 ) , likely new track style pads , etc.

Have fun and reach out with any questions, there are quite a few autocross's on here and with the membership growing day by day that is likely to change even more!

[bearbones26]

That’s great advice. I have seen similar experiences/modifications discussed on other forums. Very excited to get this car to an autocross and see how it feels as is and then start building from there. I will likely start with the reliability enhancing modifications-air oil separator, underdrive pulley, water pump. Any other suggestions?

[bearbones26]

It has 45k miles. Seems to run very well and shows signs of good care. I will get it on a lift and check it out. I won’t be able to run in stock class due to lowering springs. I will be in SCCA solo class STU.

[alexwade]

I drove my 04 base Boxster at Road America and Blackhawk Farms and loved it. I would drive there, getting 33mpg, then get about 9 mpg around the track.
I agree with the post above that says you don't really HAVE to do anything to the car, you will really enjoy driving it on the track as-is.
I found myself in a bad situation where the tachometer and my genius brain said it would be better to come out of turn 8 at Road America in 2nd gear and I spent a day rev-matching to get down to second and as my approach got more aggressive, toward the end of the day I broke the car. It cooled off for a while and I ended up driving it home about 200 miles. My mechanic later figured out what I had done - I delaminated one of the two organic surfaces off the clutch. He'd never seen anything like it.

7322790D-2732-4855-A257-0C81E1F409E2_1_105_c.jpeg (221.38 KiB) Viewed 308 times

The clutch was replaced and it drove well, and I stopped thinking that down-shifting to 6k rpm was a good idea. I think some turns are why there are 6-speed transmissions.
My point is, the car kept trying to do what I was telling it to do, and the weakest link in the system was definitely me.
If I were going to make one recommendation, it would be tires. Start with a great set of tires or before you know it, you'll need new tires. Your car can burn off a set of tires in a weekend or two if driven aggressively on a track.

[blueline]

@alexwade

We've got some AX and track day threads going in the Racing sub-forum if you look past the pro racing stuff. Check it out sometime! (The pro racing stuff too!)

viewforum.php?f=34#start_here

[bearbones26]

Had a blast autocrossing the Boxster this season at local SCCA events. Unfortunately my season ended early due to an injury (ruptured biceps tendon in a fluke incident while building a treehouse for my grandkids).
I did decide to leave the car as is for this season and will now begin adding improvements based on my experiences behind the wheel.
-comfortable on the road driving to events
-enough power for me
-tall 2nd gear great for autocross cross and rarely needed 3rd gear (only on 1 course)
-too much body roll-plan for coilovers and stiffer front sway bar
-slow turn in-plan for wider front tires, max negative camber, and slight toe out
-all season Continental tires make a miserable autocross tire (sounds like I’m murdering kittens), but has made me modestly adept at controlling the car in a slide- plan for a 200 treadwear summer tire for the street touring ultra class and consider a wider front, maybe even square
-interior bits need upgrades-pedals, shift knob, seat belts/harness, would love to find matching red racing or sport seats
Looking forward to next season!!!

[WillyDaP]

Great write up and it looks like you have a nice site to pulverize pylons, ha!