Schnell Gelb

New to Boxsters but familiar with older Porsches.Just familiarizing myself with the engine layout .Puzzled by a large and useful looking bracket unused. It is adjacent to the gear-shifter cables on top of the engine .It has a captive nut, a large orifice and looks almost sturdy enough to be a lift point but I am unsure. I would be grateful if you could just look at the photos and educate me.Thanks for any identification.2001 Boxster S 6-speed. M96-.21

BigKraut

Just a lift point as far as I know. The captive nut does make me wonder though.

Schnell Gelb

There are actually 2 captive nuts .So I was thinking it is both a lifting eye and also the attachment point for some missing engine covers?

NewArt

This is a support ring for when you need to support the rear of the motor when you remove the transmission supports. The nut on the top can support the end of a long transmission vent tube if your car is so equipped. Some cars have a short vent and this will not be used.

Schnell Gelb

NewArt,
Merci Monsieur !
Since I am about to remove the transmission, your explanation is most useful and timely! Mine is a 6 speed manual gearbox so I'll hunt for an untethered vent tube or perhaps that is a Tiptronic -only feature.

DennisAN

Here's a photo of it in use IIUC.

http://986forum.com/forums/392032-post6.html

Schnell Gelb

Thanks Dennis for the photo.Exactly what I needed.
FYI the support is from Harbor Freight ! Perfect application of the tool-I have it. Can you imagine the price for the official Porsche part!

Schnell Gelb

I found an alternative way of using this bracket that may help others. I needed to remove the entire top to use the Harbor freight support or leave the top in the Service Position. I use a 2 post lift in a rather low-ceiling garage so there wasn't enough headroom for all this.
I simply laid a suitable length of 2" steel tube across the width of the engine service hatch and attached the bar to the bracket. The ends of the bar rest on wooden pads to protect the sound insulation.Not elegant but it works! So far the engine seems secure .I'll comment if it falls on me while proceeding with the engine removal task.

DennisAN

I've made makeshift engine supports myself. Generally I use a piece of 4 x 4 and drill it in the right place to use a long J bolt. The J bolt hooks onto the engine lift point and can be adjusted up with a couple of fender washers and a nut.

Schnell Gelb

Hey Dennis -your 4x4 + J-bolt is much slicker than my system. I'll use your method -much better.
Thanks for your kind suggestion.

PorscheDoc

Tiptronic has the vent tube attached there. Also, some intake tubes have a resonance box coming off near the throttle body that also bolts to one of those nuts.

Schnell Gelb

Thank you Doc. I was sure Porsche would not have wasted that bracket/nuts. My curiosity is satisfied !