Low cost chassis bracing that works! (For 987s)
07-26-2017, 05:59 PM
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Low cost chassis bracing that works! (For 987s)
Hey guys, I've found some good low cost mods for a 987 Boxster that's really worthwhile if you're sensitive to chassis flex. This doesn't really improve performance, even though a lot of aftermarket companies that sell bracing might claim so. However, for someone like myself who hates the little bit of "reverb" vibration emanating through the car's structure over rough roads or even normal bumps, this is great couple of mods. It does increase steering precision at very high g loads as well, but it's a minor difference.
So onto the mods. For the 987 chassis, Porsche decided not to include the diagonal braces in the front compartment that the 997s have.
The mounting holes for these braces are already in place in the 987, you only need to buy the braces and the 6 bolts for this to bolt right on.
Parts:
99650423301 (DRIVER SIDE)
99650423401 (PASSENGER SIDE)
90037810001 Hexagon-Head Bolt M10 X 45 2
90007501003 Hexagon-Head Bolt M6 X 12 4
If you're on a budget, go ahead and buy the braces used on Ebay or something, otherwise they're still only $130 USD or so. The bolts can be bought anywhere or ordered through a dealer as well. These braces will slightly improve steering precision when the suspension is loaded up in corners. The difference isn't huge, but it does work. Why Porsche left them off the 987, I have no idea.
The next mod is a lower suspension brace. This one made a fairly noticeable difference in reducing overall chassis structural vibrations over bumps. And luckily it is also extremely cheap to make.
It is basically the $100 Techno brace from Pedro's garage.
Parts:
One 24" 0.75" square aluminum bar
Two M10x55mm bolts with 1.5 pitch treads (could sub for M10x50 or M10x60)
Two 10mm washers
Cost will be below $20. What you need to do is undo 1 sway bar mount under the car, undo the 2 nuts on the most rearward (towards the back of the car) mounting point of the rear suspension. Pound out the studs that the nuts were screwed onto. Insert the aluminum bar and slot it right above where the 2 studs used to be. Mark the holes onto the bar by using marker or spray paint, take the bar out, drill out the holes (10mm diameter, 3/8 drill bits will get it really close, 3/8" = 9.6mm). Insert the new M10x50mm bolts and push the washer between the bar and the bolt head, and use the original nuts to tighten the bar onto the car (48ft/lb). Reinstall the sway bar mount (17ft/lb for the 2 bolts) and you're done.
This reduced chassis vibration/reverb by a good 75%, I'm actually amazed Porsche didn't reinforce the aluminum plate which mounts onto the same bolt holes, it's a missed opportunity to make the car feel much more solid.
I also bought an aftermarket front and rear strut tower braces for my 987 Boxster S, however I think the Porsche OEM front diagonal braces will be enough for the front, and the rear one didn't do much at all, plus it was very difficult to fit a 986 rear strut brace in a 987, I wouldn't recommend it.
The overall feel of the car is now much closer to a coupe than before. I never thought the Boxster lacked much in terms of out right grip in the corners, but the steering precision was just a touch off when you're cornering right at the limit, now that's much better. The best part is that a lot of the squeaks and rattles are gone, and the ride overall just feels calmer. A lot of the bumps on the road used to make the structure of the car reverb just a tiny bit, making it feel a bit busy. Now it is more solid and "refined" if you will.
As for the 987 Cayman, it already has a top, so I doubt these braces will make much of a difference. That said, how can you go wrong for less than $100 in parts for these braces?
-Lucas
So onto the mods. For the 987 chassis, Porsche decided not to include the diagonal braces in the front compartment that the 997s have.
The mounting holes for these braces are already in place in the 987, you only need to buy the braces and the 6 bolts for this to bolt right on.
Parts:
99650423301 (DRIVER SIDE)
99650423401 (PASSENGER SIDE)
90037810001 Hexagon-Head Bolt M10 X 45 2
90007501003 Hexagon-Head Bolt M6 X 12 4
If you're on a budget, go ahead and buy the braces used on Ebay or something, otherwise they're still only $130 USD or so. The bolts can be bought anywhere or ordered through a dealer as well. These braces will slightly improve steering precision when the suspension is loaded up in corners. The difference isn't huge, but it does work. Why Porsche left them off the 987, I have no idea.
The next mod is a lower suspension brace. This one made a fairly noticeable difference in reducing overall chassis structural vibrations over bumps. And luckily it is also extremely cheap to make.
It is basically the $100 Techno brace from Pedro's garage.
Parts:
One 24" 0.75" square aluminum bar
Two M10x55mm bolts with 1.5 pitch treads (could sub for M10x50 or M10x60)
Two 10mm washers
Cost will be below $20. What you need to do is undo 1 sway bar mount under the car, undo the 2 nuts on the most rearward (towards the back of the car) mounting point of the rear suspension. Pound out the studs that the nuts were screwed onto. Insert the aluminum bar and slot it right above where the 2 studs used to be. Mark the holes onto the bar by using marker or spray paint, take the bar out, drill out the holes (10mm diameter, 3/8 drill bits will get it really close, 3/8" = 9.6mm). Insert the new M10x50mm bolts and push the washer between the bar and the bolt head, and use the original nuts to tighten the bar onto the car (48ft/lb). Reinstall the sway bar mount (17ft/lb for the 2 bolts) and you're done.
This reduced chassis vibration/reverb by a good 75%, I'm actually amazed Porsche didn't reinforce the aluminum plate which mounts onto the same bolt holes, it's a missed opportunity to make the car feel much more solid.
I also bought an aftermarket front and rear strut tower braces for my 987 Boxster S, however I think the Porsche OEM front diagonal braces will be enough for the front, and the rear one didn't do much at all, plus it was very difficult to fit a 986 rear strut brace in a 987, I wouldn't recommend it.
The overall feel of the car is now much closer to a coupe than before. I never thought the Boxster lacked much in terms of out right grip in the corners, but the steering precision was just a touch off when you're cornering right at the limit, now that's much better. The best part is that a lot of the squeaks and rattles are gone, and the ride overall just feels calmer. A lot of the bumps on the road used to make the structure of the car reverb just a tiny bit, making it feel a bit busy. Now it is more solid and "refined" if you will.
As for the 987 Cayman, it already has a top, so I doubt these braces will make much of a difference. That said, how can you go wrong for less than $100 in parts for these braces?
-Lucas
07-27-2017, 01:24 PM
#3
Rennlist Member
These are my favorite kind of mods. Nice work!
07-27-2017, 01:51 PM
#5
Rennlist Member
Does this also apply to 981s? Cool project.
Trending Topics
06-01-2018, 01:32 PM
#8
Rennlist Member
Bringing this thread back from the dead!
Will these fit a 987? http://ultraracing.my/ecatalog/index...e-boxster-986/
What about frame rail reinforcement? I know it's popular with Miatas.
Will these fit a 987? http://ultraracing.my/ecatalog/index...e-boxster-986/
What about frame rail reinforcement? I know it's popular with Miatas.
06-04-2018, 12:21 AM
#9
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Has anyone had experience with the Rennline rear brace? http://www.rennline.com/Rear-Subfram...fo/E35%2ESB96/
Curious if this will stiffen up the rear even more without any detrimental effects?
Curious if this will stiffen up the rear even more without any detrimental effects?
02-28-2019, 04:36 AM
#10
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Join Date: Feb 2019
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Hey guys, I've found some good low cost mods for a 987 Boxster that's really worthwhile if you're sensitive to chassis flex. This doesn't really improve performance, even though a lot of aftermarket companies that sell bracing might claim so. However, for someone like myself who hates the little bit of "reverb" vibration emanating through the car's structure over rough roads or even normal bumps, this is great couple of mods. It does increase steering precision at very high g loads as well, but it's a minor difference.
So onto the mods. For the 987 chassis, Porsche decided not to include the diagonal braces in the front compartment that the 997s have.
The mounting holes for these braces are already in place in the 987, you only need to buy the braces and the 6 bolts for this to bolt right on.
Parts:
99650423301 (DRIVER SIDE)
99650423401 (PASSENGER SIDE)
90037810001 Hexagon-Head Bolt M10 X 45 2
90007501003 Hexagon-Head Bolt M6 X 12 4
If you're on a budget, go ahead and buy the braces used on Ebay or something, otherwise they're still only $130 USD or so. The bolts can be bought anywhere or ordered through a dealer as well. These braces will slightly improve steering precision when the suspension is loaded up in corners. The difference isn't huge, but it does work. Why Porsche left them off the 987, I have no idea.
The next mod is a lower suspension brace. This one made a fairly noticeable difference in reducing overall chassis structural vibrations over bumps. And luckily it is also extremely cheap to make.
It is basically the $100 Techno brace from Pedro's garage.
Parts:
One 24" 0.75" square aluminum bar
Two M10x55mm bolts with 1.5 pitch treads (could sub for M10x50 or M10x60)
Two 10mm washers
Cost will be below $20. What you need to do is undo 1 sway bar mount under the car, undo the 2 nuts on the most rearward (towards the back of the car) mounting point of the rear suspension. Pound out the studs that the nuts were screwed onto. Insert the aluminum bar and slot it right above where the 2 studs used to be. Mark the holes onto the bar by using marker or spray paint, take the bar out, drill out the holes (10mm diameter, 3/8 drill bits will get it really close, 3/8" = 9.6mm). Insert the new M10x50mm bolts and push the washer between the bar and the bolt head, and use the original nuts to tighten the bar onto the car (48ft/lb). Reinstall the sway bar mount (17ft/lb for the 2 bolts) and you're done.
This reduced chassis vibration/reverb by a good 75%, I'm actually amazed Porsche didn't reinforce the aluminum plate which mounts onto the same bolt holes, it's a missed opportunity to make the car feel much more solid.
I also bought an aftermarket front and rear strut tower braces for my 987 Boxster S, however I think the Porsche OEM front diagonal braces will be enough for the front, and the rear one didn't do much at all, plus it was very difficult to fit a 986 rear strut brace in a 987, I wouldn't recommend it.
The overall feel of the car is now much closer to a coupe than before. I never thought the Boxster lacked much in terms of out right grip in the corners, but the steering precision was just a touch off when you're cornering right at the limit, now that's much better. The best part is that a lot of the squeaks and rattles are gone, and the ride overall just feels calmer. A lot of the bumps on the road used to make the structure of the car reverb just a tiny bit, making it feel a bit busy. Now it is more solid and "refined" if you will.
As for the 987 Cayman, it already has a top, so I doubt these braces will make much of a difference. That said, how can you go wrong for less than $100 in parts for these braces?
-Lucas
So onto the mods. For the 987 chassis, Porsche decided not to include the diagonal braces in the front compartment that the 997s have.
The mounting holes for these braces are already in place in the 987, you only need to buy the braces and the 6 bolts for this to bolt right on.
Parts:
99650423301 (DRIVER SIDE)
99650423401 (PASSENGER SIDE)
90037810001 Hexagon-Head Bolt M10 X 45 2
90007501003 Hexagon-Head Bolt M6 X 12 4
If you're on a budget, go ahead and buy the braces used on Ebay or something, otherwise they're still only $130 USD or so. The bolts can be bought anywhere or ordered through a dealer as well. These braces will slightly improve steering precision when the suspension is loaded up in corners. The difference isn't huge, but it does work. Why Porsche left them off the 987, I have no idea.
The next mod is a lower suspension brace. This one made a fairly noticeable difference in reducing overall chassis structural vibrations over bumps. And luckily it is also extremely cheap to make.
It is basically the $100 Techno brace from Pedro's garage.
Parts:
One 24" 0.75" square aluminum bar
Two M10x55mm bolts with 1.5 pitch treads (could sub for M10x50 or M10x60)
Two 10mm washers
Cost will be below $20. What you need to do is undo 1 sway bar mount under the car, undo the 2 nuts on the most rearward (towards the back of the car) mounting point of the rear suspension. Pound out the studs that the nuts were screwed onto. Insert the aluminum bar and slot it right above where the 2 studs used to be. Mark the holes onto the bar by using marker or spray paint, take the bar out, drill out the holes (10mm diameter, 3/8 drill bits will get it really close, 3/8" = 9.6mm). Insert the new M10x50mm bolts and push the washer between the bar and the bolt head, and use the original nuts to tighten the bar onto the car (48ft/lb). Reinstall the sway bar mount (17ft/lb for the 2 bolts) and you're done.
This reduced chassis vibration/reverb by a good 75%, I'm actually amazed Porsche didn't reinforce the aluminum plate which mounts onto the same bolt holes, it's a missed opportunity to make the car feel much more solid.
I also bought an aftermarket front and rear strut tower braces for my 987 Boxster S, however I think the Porsche OEM front diagonal braces will be enough for the front, and the rear one didn't do much at all, plus it was very difficult to fit a 986 rear strut brace in a 987, I wouldn't recommend it.
The overall feel of the car is now much closer to a coupe than before. I never thought the Boxster lacked much in terms of out right grip in the corners, but the steering precision was just a touch off when you're cornering right at the limit, now that's much better. The best part is that a lot of the squeaks and rattles are gone, and the ride overall just feels calmer. A lot of the bumps on the road used to make the structure of the car reverb just a tiny bit, making it feel a bit busy. Now it is more solid and "refined" if you will.
As for the 987 Cayman, it already has a top, so I doubt these braces will make much of a difference. That said, how can you go wrong for less than $100 in parts for these braces?
-Lucas
On my (German-spec) 2008 Cayman S the front diagonal braces are missing too.
But they cannot be retrofitted since the holes for the screws are not present.
You can see on the attached picture that the screws for the diagonal braces are actually screwed into a reinforced part of the strut tower.
On the firewall side of the car you would need an extra "console". At least that's how it is called in the parts catalogue. See attached picture.
So, no, sadly this low cost chassis mod does not work on all 987's.
.
03-24-2019, 01:50 PM
#12
Rennlist Member
Mine doesn't have the bolt holes either.
Mine was EURO delivery, built in Valmet.
Suspect that is the differentiator : built in Valmet where they don't build 911's
And any built in Germany got some cross pollination with the 911's?
Mine was EURO delivery, built in Valmet.
Suspect that is the differentiator : built in Valmet where they don't build 911's
And any built in Germany got some cross pollination with the 911's?
03-24-2019, 03:57 PM
#13
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Interesting, I’ll check my Spyder as I know it was built in Stuttgart.
03-27-2019, 05:42 AM
#15
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
IIRC all 987 Spyders were manufactured in Stuttgart or at least a large majority, your VIN should indicate location of manufacture.