QUOTE(grantsfo @ Oct 2 2006, 09:45 PM)
QUOTE(Dan (Almaden Valley) @ Oct 2 2006, 09:21 PM)
Trek,
He got it about 2 weeks ago now. He is planning on making a SPEC Boxster or some such itteration.
He and I have been talking on the phone about this for about 3+ hours over the last month or so. Actually he was going to buy a spec Boxster last year before he bought Fritz.
I am going to help him as much as I can since I do have some Boxster experience.
This should be a fun project.
A completely setup, gutted Boxster should be a very formidable AX/track car.
I have been contemplating just such a project for about 2 years. So I can give Bill some good input, plus my AXing/tracking of my Boxster over the last 4 years.
If its a spec Boxster it will be limited in its capability to be an AX force.
This car will be anything but a "Spec Boxster"....more like a wolf in Spec Boxster clothing....and we will be pushing the limits of what is "bolt on" and "bolt off". Remember, the Spec Boxster series is limited by a sound set of rules to keep initial build costs down. As most of the Spec Series will be POC driven for the next few years, it will be mostly SoCal centric. I will have no such limitations up here in NorCal where I can do whatever I please within the spirit of our wonderful points system in GGR, the American Racing Club (NCRC) or PRC. With some headers, chips, intake bolt on mods...we can get the motor to 230 HP easily. And with Scott Yeamans wonderful crew at Yeaman Autobody....well f/g lids are just the beginning...it only takes money.
With a little imagination, you could see being able to configure the car easily to different groups or points. Wanna save 70 pounds...bolt on f/g doors and lids. Want to save hundreds...do the aforementioned and bolt on f/g fenders and quarter panels.
We'll see where the migration takes us over the coming few years....in fact, since the pre-2000's aren't e-gas, a '99 996 3.4 isn't nearly the bear of a swap as the newer models.
But after taking the Boxster out in stock form and flogging it in the Santa Cruz hills and a few parking lots in my area, I'm convinced after mods the car is a consistent top 10 car at AX's and hopefully top 5 eventually. It may take a while to sort, but I think we can get it there.
As far as taking TTOD, a heavily modified zoomie will always take that. But my teammate Randal Barrick will give Andrew B a good run at it next year with his monster Raby 914. Wait till you see that car.....
And don't forget Sir Andy and his 3.6. Or the Beast....
Besides the weight, the Boxster's biggest weakness is that in stock form, it understeers like a pig (which a street car should do). Once you see Ira's swaybars, you will understand just how much more capable the Boxster platform will be. And we will not be constrained by the PSS9 spring rates. We've already talked with H&R about higher spring rates that work with the PSS9's. They are currently supplying the PSS9 springs to Bilstein. Stock Boxster rates are relativel soft as it is a street car. The PSS9's raise the rates considerably to 260lbs fronts and 370lbs rears (approx). H&R will be supplying us with some test springs at 450/500lbs rates for the track. That should flatten out the Boxster pretty well, even at an AX!
Aftermarket pieces were few and far between on the Boxster platform. But that is changing quickly. Now you can pick up the bits and pieces needed to transform the car for the same prices as 911's or even a few 914 bits. Early stages right now, but it has begun.
It will be a battle of pure lightweight older technology versus newer technology. This should be interesting.
Dan, Randal and I have always thought a Boxster with the right mods and capable drivers would do well in AX and on the track. We will be testing that theory.
I can't wait. Wetting the appetite will happen at Sears on November 12th. We won't have time to gut the car entirely or put in the cage. But the suspension should be in. It will be a get to know the car session. Then shortly thereafter TonyC gets the car and things start to change.
Lots of fun. And the donor car we picked up is beautiful. I'll post pics of it it later.
I've tracked a 914-6 and a 911, both heavily modded. And now I'll get to play with a Boxster. I'm pretty lucky, so it's all good.
Bill P.