So as always we start with some background about my life. So I was supposed to take my youngest to Virginia Beach for a dance competition. We had it all planned. 400 miles in the Porsche with the top down and the music blasting. We alternate songs. Anyway the competition was cancelled. And I have 5 days off work and I did not tell anyone. My plans are to spend 5 days working on my car. So I washed it and now panel by panel I am compounding/polishing/waxing. Don't get a base black car, but that's another thread.

So I decided also I should changes the spark plugs. They are 2009 originals.

So do the first time ever I jacked up the entire car.



All four wheels off the ground. Now I can wax under the bumpers!

 

enjoy! time spent bonding with the car is time well spent

 

Good for you. I enjoy doing it so much I now own 3 Porsches. I'll eventually get tired of it for a while, sell the Boxster, go back in the basement and find another room to finish...it's the circle of my life. Best times though are spent under the car. Enjoy knowing the job was done right

 

One of the alll time best thread titles on RL

 

There's a certain satisfaction that comes with tinkering and DiY

Have Fun

 

Day 1 progress report. Compounded and polished the front bumper, hood, and front quarters. Paint touch up as needed. Waxed the hod and quarters. Ordered a clear bra for the bumper. It's pretty beat up.

Jacked the car up on all fours as stated before.

Removed the muffler to change the plugs. Don't know how you guys do it, but this is my prices for right muffler removal. Took about 4 hours. Step 1 break bolt to catalytic converter. Step 2 strip bolts on clamp sleeve holding muffler to center muffler. Step 3 - regret my decision to stay in Ohio. Step 4 - go to Home Depot and get cutting wheels for the dremel. Step 5 - cut bolt on top of muffler to cat and bolts on sleeve, and when this didn't work just cut sleeve. Step 6 - use up or break all 5 cutting wheels for dremel. Step 7 is go back to Home Depot and get more. Step 8 is cut last bolt and remove muffler. Step 9 - consider drinking heavily.

Step 10 - get involved in a discussion with my children about cost effectiveness of my work. The dealer quoted me $600 to do the plugs and the kids wanted to know if I could do it for less than that. At this point the answer is still unclear, but I think I can do it.

Then they asked if any of this was even necessary! I had to explain that there were swirl marks in the paint you could see under the fluorescent lights at one of the gas stations. And even though the car ran perfectly the spark plugs were old. After they rolled their eyes I told them it was my time off and dammit, I can spend it doing whatever I want.

Step 11 - go to bed satisfied with a good days work.

 

And a pic of the aftermath

 

Go ahead and get a Gundo Hack while your mufflers are out. It will never be cheaper to do.

 

Since your already there try painting the calipers.. the hardest part is getting the car in the air! I just did mines one by one..


All you need is a can of engine enamel primer one can of the color and the decals.. plus sand paper n brake cleaner to prep!!

 

Time well spent....

 

I'll never own a black car again...

 

you could have painted the rotor hats....

 

End of Day #2 Report

Got spark plugs in on R side and put muffler back on with new bolts, got all bolts loose on drivers side except 1

Costs so far (just for the plugs)

$28 for dremel bits
$15 for tools (swivel extensions and a 13mm S wrench)
$20 in bolts (bought as assortment of grade 8 and zinc - my planis to change the bolts when I change the oil and monitor which does best)
$62 for a new sleeve - I had to cut one to get it off
$30 for 6 Autolite double platinum spark plugs form Autozone - hey, they were in stock and available today
$155 for Porsche spark plugs when I saw the Autolites were crap

$18 for gas - I also should include 120 miles driving to get the parts at 20mpg - so 6 gallons of gas

Total so far - $328 - but I got new tools - still on track to beat the dealer

And got 1 door done -

And I have to say - base black when done right is by far and away the best color. It is magnificent. Last week did my wifes Basalt Black Macan - it is metallic and it is A LOT easier to hide scratches. But not as "deep" as base black done right

What I have learned - Salt sucks, you can not ruin a paint job with Maguairs Ultimate Compound - but you can really make it shine, even though Porsche are expensive, the quality of the parts is amazing - no rust on anything - rotors still look new after two winters (not counting exhaust system bolts)

Off to bed after Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is over and ready for day #3 tomorrow.

 

Tool costs don't count. Or at least that's what I tell myself every time I start a new DIY project to "save" money.

 

Totally agree that tool costs don't count. Or if they do count, you amortize them across all the job....aw, screw it, they're free :-)