987 Spyder

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hot66
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Re: 987 Spyder

Post by hot66 »

So… assuming prevention is better than cure, something I’d read lots about was the gear cables have a habit of snapping on 987 boxsters and caymans . The idea of this was making me paranoid so having researched a bit there was an aftermarket solution or as it turned out Porsche themselves had redesigned things for the 981 and redesigned parts were available. As I’m too busy with work during summer months, got my local specialist to do this job whist the car was in for a minor service ( on the pics above you’ll see the gear cables going over the engine) .

He replaced the cables, a mounting bracket that reduces the extreme radius the cables bend round at the box ( this is the failure point) and in addition a redesigned part that originally had a Bush with an element of play but is now solid mounted ). Those 3 parts were almost £600 alone! .

Gear shift is now much more positive .. significant improvement ( car has factory short shift anyway )

And the old cables that came out … yes were starting to show failure ! As my specialist said, it wasn’t if, but when the originals would fail

So a couple of jobs to improve reliability…. Next one which can wait for another 12 months or so is the infamous coolant pipes at the front … these always corrode as Porsche in their wisdom put no protection on them .. problem is it’s a drop the front subframe job to replace them !!!
James

1973 911 2.4S
1993 964 C2
2010 987 Spyder
1973 MGB Roadster

Its not how fast you go, but how you go fast ;)
neilbardsley
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Re: 987 Spyder

Post by neilbardsley »

Front subframe drop! Easy

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Bootsy
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Re: 987 Spyder

Post by Bootsy »

Great looking car and I admire your balls to work on 'modern stuff'
1972 911T | 1994 993 Carrera | 1999 986 Boxster | 1990 T25 Camper

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hot66
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Re: 987 Spyder

Post by hot66 »

For interest… here’s the access to the front of the motor

Image
James

1973 911 2.4S
1993 964 C2
2010 987 Spyder
1973 MGB Roadster

Its not how fast you go, but how you go fast ;)
Ashley James
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Re: 987 Spyder

Post by Ashley James »

Well done you! I had a 987 Boxster and rather liked it, but because I didn’t do the work myself, I spent a fortune on it, which spoiled the pleasure of ownership. My coolant pipes necessitated engine removal and my crossover pipes dismantling of the front of the car. I bought it with 2 owner Porsche history and 53,000 miles for £8,500 and spent about £10,000 over three years and 12,000 miles.

Then I took fright and traded it for a new 718, which I loved, but as sole transport it was too noisy had a useless heater aircon system and it kept breaking down. I sold it before the guarantee ran out and bought another Mercedes. They’re far better equipped, reliable and at least as well made for less money. I’ve had three now and I owned a C coupe when I had the 987 and I would have been happy if it still had both.

I’m sure you’ll really enjoy your 987 and I really hope you do and tell us all about the work you do on it.

I’m getting similar fun with my 356, which is about as complicated as a 2CV with irritating carburettors.
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Re: 987 Spyder

Post by map »

hot66 wrote: So a couple of jobs to improve reliability…. Next one which can wait for another 12 months or so is the infamous coolant pipes at the front … these always corrode as Porsche in their wisdom put no protection on them .. problem is it’s a drop the front subframe job to replace them !!!
Really enjoying this thread :thumbright:

Interesting to see 981 parts going into a 987 - wonder if it's also possible in a 986....

Know that some simply loosen/lower the subframe rather than remove it altogether when changing the coolant pipes.

Those subframe bolts are (I understand) stretch bolts which should be replaced if removed/loosened. Whoever does the work must make sure the sub frame is relocated centrally - or at least exactly as it was when disturbed. Most seem to think there's no need to validate the geometry on these after this work but it is essential.
911hillclimber
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Re: 987 Spyder

Post by 911hillclimber »

Had my 987.2 for 4.5 years now, and indeed, always something to do.
I spent a lot of time 'patching' up the front coolant pipes which are a chronic piece of design, fine for 3 years then issues abound.
The front coolant system is a mass of tubes in plastic, alloy and steel that fuse nicely together and then leak. A lot.

Trying to avoid (successfully so far) the very big bill to replace the lot, I have changed the 4 flex hoses that go first.
When I have done these (OPC are the cheapest source by the way) I have replaced the skinny O rings with same dia, plumper cross section.
Some rubber grease and with a swear word they slide in with a nice 'click' from the poxy steel retaining clips.
This far tighter fit stops leaks for sure.

The system needs filling (lots of pink antifreeze of the right spec, I used VW fluid, same spec, 1/2 the price) which needs a full exposure of the engine from the top, far more of a fiddle than the front panel, and you need to get the air out, known as 'burping' the car....there is a valve just for that.

A good indie will charge £800 to do the Full Monty, £400 of that are the pipes. Slcking the subframe allows access to 2 clips to free the 'cross-over' pipes under the steering rack which has to be disconnected in this process, and the lot re-aligned. If you have the right fingers and ladies hands you might do the pipes with the frame in place, but good luck.

OPC cost is about £1200 but they remove the whole front end as their manual tells them to.

If this sounds awkward (it is very DIY, but not for the faint hearted) just wait until the AOS need changing. :lol: I've done that twice. It only JUST comes out of the engine bay and will bite back when replacing it. 986's are worse than 987's.

I can fully see why people take these modern Porsches to dealers, you need a ramp to do the job quickly and easily.

Best bit is when running well these are killer cars.
73T 911 Coupe, road/hillclimber 3.2L
Lola t 492 / 3.2 hillclimb racer
Boxster 987 Gen II 2.9
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