996TT Headers

A buddy of mine came across a used set of aftermarket headers for cheap, so we decided to slap them on the other day.  Pretty easy job, but it takes a couple of “just the right size” wrenches to get it done. New (used) higher flow headers. Old headers. Pooof! New ones installed.

This little boxster came in for it’s yearly service and brake job.  It was time for pads and rotors all the way around.  Unfortunately, the picking crew pulled the incorrect front rotors, so I am waiting on the correct ones which will be here on monday.  Actually they weren’t rotors at all, but mislabled CV boots, lol.  Oh well, it happens.  70k+ miles is usually pushing the pads and rotors.  After that it was an oil change with some fresh …

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A friend of mine has acquired a new to him 993TT which is in excellent condition.  Very low mileage, well taken care of, but the previous owner installed a set of Fabspeed mufflers a few hundred miles before selling the car, but the problem was, the tips just wouldn’t line up straight.  While we could get them somewhat close, it was still like the tailpipes had walleye vision, with one tip pointing one direction, and the other rotated and pointed …

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Ooops, I said it, the dreaded IMS issue of the boxsters and 996’s.  This weekend we tackled upgrading the IMS bearing in a buddy’s 1999 996 C2.  The IMS issue is the main cause of failures on the engines found in the early boxsters and 996’s.  The early design was a dual row ball bearing, followed by the later design of a single row bearing.  Typically failures are seen on lower mileage cars that are driven sporadically.  The theory for …

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One of the major issues of the 993 is clogged secondary air injection ports in the cylinder head which causes a dreaded CEL light.  The thing is, the SAI system is only active on start up, and really is only an emissions thing to prevent excess hydrocarbons on initial startup.  The nice thing, is that the 95’s are OBDI and do not have a CEL light to trigger.  So most likely the majority of 95’s are running around with clogged …

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Last time the car was in we noticed some cracked spark plug wires, and really had no history of a full 60k service, so we decided to take the plunge and get it done.  Picked up a set of wires for a song, and we will reuse the old boots since they are in nice shape. First up was to install a front bumper bar to prevent some curbing. Right side muffler off, going after the spark plugs. Top side …

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Audi DE Inspection

Finished an inspection on a 951 last week getting ready to do the upcoming Audi DE event at Heartland park.  A quick brake bleed, inspection, and replacement of a few missing door check bolts, and it was ready to rock!

Had a buddy bring in his 993 today for an install of an Atiwe steering wheel.  The install took some trial and error since what little instructions came with the wheel weren’t for our model car, and they were in German, lol.  Eventually we got it figured out though: Using a t-30 torx, remove the 2 screws on the back of the wheel holding the airbag on (disconnect the battery for 20 minutes before removing airbag, yada yada). Unplug the …

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Finished up the alternator change in the 911 targa the other day.  Voltage output dropped to about 14.2 which is more acceptable.  Still want to clean some grounds before sending it on it’s way. Removal is a bit tricky….. Out of the car. Removing the shroud. Removing the fan Bunch of crap came out of the inside….. And going back in 🙂

Speed yellow 993TT in for spark plugs, belts, and a few other misc jobs. First thing to do was the drop the bellpans and change the diff fluids. A gallon of Mobil 1 (and then some) Going after the spark plugs.  On the TT, this is a real pain in the butt, lol.  4 are easy, 1 is a semi PITA, and the infamous #6 plug lies under the power steering pump, which makes access nearly impossible.  To get this …

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