986 for autocross and track days

bearbones26 · #1

I just picked up a 1998 Boxster to use for autocross and track days. Anyone have experience with early Boxsters used for this purpose and suggestions on modifications for improved performance without significant compromise to reliability and the overall character of the car? Appears to be a solid example that is mostly stock. Has H&R lowering springs and an aftermarket muffler.

#2

bearbones26 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 29, 2024 6:43 pm I just picked up a 1998 Boxster to use for autocross and track days. Anyone have experience with early Boxsters used for this purpose and suggestions on modifications for improved performance without significant compromise to reliability and the overall character of the car? Appears to be a solid example that is mostly stock. Has H&R lowering springs and an aftermarket muffler.

So you got a second Boxster to go with your yellow one! Cool! It looks like a very clean and very nice example, just like your other find. Good job corralling it.

I cannot help with suggestions for track and autocross mods on your car but I know that options exist. Hopefully someone at Carpokes will chime in soon. I may be wrong but I feel like your request is specialized and may need more time to be seen by those who can offer appropriate and relevant answers, so if necessary, give the thread a bump or remind me and I'll do it.

There are a significant number of earlier gen Boxsters and Caymans being raced in various series such as WRL, ChampCar, etc., so there are definitely things that can be done. (And I'm not referring to full on caged race cars but rather mods that will help while not eliminating or degrading street driving.) Good luck with your quest and have fun!

996C438 · #3

My 2 cents: the Boxster is an excellent chassis . I say make sure all maintenance is up to snuff , use a great motor oil and drive it . Regardless of how good we think we are as drivers rarely is the car the issue on going faster .

If/when you reach a point of being limited by the chassis then you can make improvements . Talk to instructors at the AX events to get feedback . Learn from others mistakes . Have instructors ride with you to give tips . Most important have fun .

bearbones26 · #4

Thank you! That’s my plan for the upcoming season and I will see what adjustments will complement the type of events and my driving style. I did this with my ‘74 911 and enjoyed the process of figuring how to work with the car as a driver and amateur mechanic/tuner. Looking for input from people that have already had experience with the Boxster so I don’t potentially make costly mistakes. But I love the thought of just driving it and finding my limits and improving my skills.

J-Dub · #5

Long read but some of the notes for the spec cayman may be helpful .

https://pcaclubracing.org/wp-content/up ... anFull.pdf

bearbones26 · #6

Wow that is fantastic! Thank you.

WillyDaP · #7

Are you planning to run SCCA for Autocrosses and if so the rules will determine what mods you can make. The biggest key to going fast and having fun is tires, and the two hottest tickets in the 200 Treadwear rated segment are Bridgestone RE71RSs and Yokohama A052s. From my experience and even some testing done by TireRack the RE71RS may be a bit quicker on track and last a little longer, but the Yokohama is one super fast Autocross tire. As noted before, ask alot of questions as most folks are more than willing to give you advice --- some of it might even be good, ha!

#8

WillyDaP wrote: ↑Sun Mar 03, 2024 1:32 pm Are you planning to run SCCA for Autocrosses and if so the rules will determine what mods you can make. The biggest key to going fast and having fun is tires, and the two hottest tickets in the 200 Treadwear rated segment are Bridgestone RE71RSs and Yokohama A052s. From my experience and even some testing done by TireRack the RE71RS may be a bit quicker on track and last a little longer, but the Yokohama is one super fast Autocross tire.
As noted before, ask alot of questions as most folks are more than willing to give you advice --- some of it might even be good, ha!

Brax2U · #9

I am the happy owner of a 2005 BoxS that has been tracked and AutoX for years. It passed 126kmi at VIR yesterday. During two years with me, we have run 14 hpde events without any breakage. It is mostly a SPB without a cage: PSS9 coilovers, sebro rotors, unknown headers with Borla exhaust (out of production), numeric shift & cables, rennline pedals & track mats & “Pedro bar”. Race seats. Kuhmo exsta v730 tires (not 100% sold on these) and recently, Pagid yellow pads (money can buy happiness). It cools well, even in July, so no center radiator added. Steering fluid reservoir leakage caused by excess fluid heat lead me to install an underdrive pulley.
As I get faster, I want a roof over my head, but otherwise the car never fails to impress riders, other drivers and me. “Well sorted” is the most common comment.
Not sure where you should start but racing seats literally connect you to the car (and require harnesses and a HANS device $$$). The Pedro bar stiffens the rear end for small money. I couldn’t imagine it without coilovers… Whatever you do, you will have a blast!

#10

Good info - thanks Brax2U.

Welcome to Carpokes!