Enhance Your 986 Boxster: A Guide to Performance Upgrades.

Upgrade Your 986 Boxster for Performance: A Guide for Porsche Enthusiasts. From Outlaw 356s to 935-look 911s, Porsche fans have always loved modifying their vehicles. The 986 Boxster, which was sold from 1996 to 2004 and is considered a turning point for the company, is now an ideal candidate for upgrades. With prices starting at just £4,00, even those with limited budgets can afford to make changes. This guide focuses on practical and affordable modifications for improved performance, rather than cosmetic upgrades.

An Overview On Performance Upgrades

The 986 Boxster: Performance Specs and Modifications. The 986 Boxster was first introduced with a 2.5-liter flat-six engine that produced 204 horsepower, which was later upgraded to a 2.7-liter engine producing 220 horsepower in 2001. The same year, the Boxster S, featuring a 3.2-liter engine producing 250 horsepower, was introduced. In 2003, the facelift increased the engine output to 225 horsepower and 258 horsepower for the standard and S models respectively.

The 986 was offered with manual or Tiptronic transmission options.With a lightweight frame ranging from 1,250 to 1,320 kg, the Boxster still offers impressive performance with zero to 62 mph times starting at 6.9 seconds for the 2.5-liter model and 5.7 seconds for the late-model S. Despite these impressive stats, there is always room for improvement in terms of handling, acceleration, and braking.

The above Porsche Boxster S Cabriolet, 2000 is for sale over at Elferspot here.

This guide provides information on practical and affordable modifications to improve performance, including the Porsche 986 Exhaust Catalytic Converter Pipes Sports, Underdrive pulley, Sports Suspension, Quick-shift kit, and Low-temperature thermostat. These modifications will enhance handling, acceleration, and braking and make the car sound more aggressive. Installing aftermarket exhaust components may affect the vehicle’s emissions compliance.

Catalyst / Bypass

The Porsche 986 Exhaust Catalytic Converter Pipes Sports are aftermarket exhaust components designed to increase the performance and sound of a Porsche Boxster (986) vehicle. These pipes replace the factory catalytic converters and are often made from high-quality materials like stainless steel to improve durability and longevity. The sports catalytic converter pipes are meant to enhance the car’s exhaust note, providing a more aggressive and sporty sound. It is important to note that installing aftermarket exhaust components may affect the vehicle’s emissions compliance. Shop the Dansk Catalytic Converter Pipes for the 2.5L here or the 2.7/3.2L here.

Underdrive pulley

An underdrive pulley reduces the speed of ancillary components in an engine, such as the power steering pump, air conditioning, water pump, and alternator. This reduction in speed results in a decrease in horsepower used by these components, increasing engine output. The underdrive pulley by Rohler is a cost-effective solution for improving performance in both street and track vehicles. However, a new OEM crankshaft pulley bolt is not included and is recommended for proper installation. You can pick up the Rohler Underdrive Pulley here.

Sports Suspension

A fresh set of suspension could improve your car’s stance and sharpen up its handling. For a simple upgrade on a budget Boxster, we recommend Eibach Pro-Kit lowering springs, which drop the car by 25mm and cost £277.42 (at the time of writing). For more serious drivers, the KW Variant 1 coilover kit will set you back £1,695.35 (at time of writing).

The above Porsche Boxster S “50 Jahre 550 Spyder” is for sale over at Elferspot here.

Quick-shift kit

A DesignTek short throw manual shifter is a performance upgrade for Porsche Boxster vehicles with a 5- or 6-speed manual gearbox. It improves the shifting action, making it shorter, quicker, and more satisfying. The shifter is a direct bolt-in replacement that is CAD-designed and engineered to fit Porsche vehicles. It is made with high-quality components, including a stainless steel stick, CNC machined aluminum carrier assembly, and bushings. The shifter has tight tolerances for smooth and accurate shifting, and it accepts the stock factory knob. Shop it here.

Low-temperature thermostat

The abrasion of the engine’s cylinder walls due to bore scoring can result in problems such as piston slap and excessive oil consumption, particularly in later models of the 987 Boxster/Cayman and 996/997 versions of the 911. To avoid these issues, it is best to prevent rather than treat. Our site offers a low-temperature thermostat that operates at 160F instead of the standard 186F to maintain a cooler flat-six engine. At a cost of £54.27, it is a more affordable solution compared to a full engine rebuild. You can shop it here.

Braided brake lines

Braided brake lines offer both aesthetic and practical benefits. Compared to traditional piping, they have a more modern look. Additionally, made from stainless steel, they don’t experience the stretching or expansion that standard rubber hoses are prone to under pressure and repeated use. This results in improved braking performance, with shorter stopping distances and heightened pedal responsiveness. A complete set of four brake lines can be purchased for £94.96 on our website here.

These upgrades aim to enhance the car’s handling, acceleration, braking, and engine output, while providing a more aggressive and sporty sound. Please feel free to get in touch with our sales team at sales@design911.com or give us a call at +44 208 500 8811 if you require any assistance.