New 99 Boxster Owner, loss of engine power?

[svt cobra]

Hi all,

I just picked up a 99 porsche boxster with a porsche rebuilt certified engine and about 25k on it. I sold my 2.8 1997 Z3 to get it, and I thought for sure the boxster would be faster. The fact of the matter is, the boxster fees about HALF as fast as the Z3. Im sure there is something wrong, but it takes forever to accelerate. The engine runs great, and seems better on the highway, however. It seems as if it takes the gears forever to wind out, the car feels as if it has a 2.82 gear ratio. Is this how boxsters are, or is there something wrong with the car? Any owners near the cleveland area that have a spare moment, Id love to set up a test drive to see if there are any other issues as well, as I've never owned one of these cars (or know anyone that has,) and have no clue what to expect.

Thanks guys!

[CJ_Boxster]

It shouldnt be slower, if anything is should feel equivalent if thats how the word is spelled. I think your experiencing the syntoms of a dirty MAF, try removing (tamper proof torx) and cleaning it with CRC MAS AirFlow Cleaner from pepboys. You should feel a difference in power as soon as you accelerate...

question for you, Does it feel like the power/torque flatten out when the RPM's go past 4k rpm?

[azzar0]

Hi all,

I just picked up a 99 porsche boxster with a porsche rebuilt certified engine and about 25k on it. I sold my 2.8 1997 Z3 to get it, and I thought for sure the boxster would be faster. The fact of the matter is, the boxster fees about HALF as fast as the Z3. Im sure there is something wrong, but it takes forever to accelerate. The engine runs great, and seems better on the highway, however. It seems as if it takes the gears forever to wind out, the car feels as if it has a 2.82 gear ratio. Is this how boxsters are, or is there something wrong with the car? Any owners near the cleveland area that have a spare moment, Id love to set up a test drive to see if there are any other issues as well, as I've never owned one of these cars (or know anyone that has,) and have no clue what to expect.

Thanks guys!

Not sure what the problem could be, but a Boxster is faster, quicker, more stable, and more fun than a Z3 / Z4 and/or an Audi TT. And, unlike its 'competition', a Boxster is also a Porsche ;)

Try cleaning the MAF as suggested - that might cure it. Also, has this car been running regularly? If so, what kind of driving (slow / grandma style, fast, hard, aggressive)? The car adapts itself to the driver's style. Is it a tiptronic or a manual transmission?

[svt cobra]

Hi all,

I just picked up a 99 porsche boxster with a porsche rebuilt certified engine and about 25k on it. I sold my 2.8 1997 Z3 to get it, and I thought for sure the boxster would be faster. The fact of the matter is, the boxster fees about HALF as fast as the Z3. Im sure there is something wrong, but it takes forever to accelerate. The engine runs great, and seems better on the highway, however. It seems as if it takes the gears forever to wind out, the car feels as if it has a 2.82 gear ratio. Is this how boxsters are, or is there something wrong with the car? Any owners near the cleveland area that have a spare moment, Id love to set up a test drive to see if there are any other issues as well, as I've never owned one of these cars (or know anyone that has,) and have no clue what to expect.

Thanks guys!

Not sure what the problem could be, but a Boxster is faster, quicker, more stable, and more fun than a Z3 / Z4 and/or an Audi TT. And, unlike its 'competition', a Boxster is also a Porsche ;)

Try cleaning the MAF as suggested - that might cure it. Also, has this car been running regularly? If so, what kind of driving (slow / grandma style, fast, hard, aggressive)? The car adapts itself to the driver's style. Is it a tiptronic or a manual transmission?

It was a one owner car by two 60 year olds that babied the car its entire life. Just driving it home to Ohio from Tennasee and opening it up a few times, it feels slightly better. It is a 5 speed manual transmission. What tools are required to clean the MAF, and where is it located?

On a side note, is there any where online I can look at an owners manual? I have no clue what these buttons on the dash do (a key?)

[Tool Pants]

Go to the Quick Menu at the top of the page for a 2000 manual.

The Boxster is underpowered, and heavy. That is the way Porsche wants it, to protect the 911/Carrera.

I have had my 2.5 for 8 years. I rev it up to keep up.

[azzar0]

MY00 manual is here: http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?a...mp;showfile=947

Should be close enough to what you need.

The key button you see is the door lock / unlock.

[CJ_Boxster]

The Key looking button locks the doors. Your going to need to search for directions on this site for placing the convertible top in "Service Mode" to gain access to the engine, once your there the MAF is on the drivers side of the engine, there are 2 tamper proof torqx screws holding it in... this will be a good time to go buy a tamper proof bit set from sears., remove the MAF, and Hose it down with MAS Airflow sensor cleaner that you can buy from any pepboys... its usually stocked near the throttle body and intake cleaner spray. Let it dry really well in the sun and while your waiting, pull the airfilter out and inspect it and check in the filter box for leafs and remove them.

Edited August 17, 2007 by CJ_Boxster

[svt cobra]

The Key looking button locks the doors. Your going to need to search for directions on this site for placing the convertible top in "Service Mode" to gain access to the engine, once your there the MAF is on the drivers side of the engine, there are 2 tamper proof torqx screws holding it in... this will be a good time to go buy a tamper proof bit set from sears., remove the MAF, and Hose it down with MAS Airflow sensor cleaner that you can buy from any pepboys... its usually stocked near the throttle body and intake cleaner spray. Let it dry really well in the sun and while your waiting, pull the airfilter out and inspect it and check in the filter box for leafs and remove them.

Anyone near cleveland want to help me out and make some cash?

[mikefocke]

It is a trivial half hour job (with pictures)

Here

I'd never before been inside the engine compartment and I did mine.

I think the secret is the car was babied. I'd dump a can of techron in the gas tank and maybe invest in a new set of spark plugs (stock, don't try to get "new improved" ones).

The engine is smaller than your Z3 by about 10% so it may well have a bit less grunt. But you are comparing a car you knew and had a feel for to a car new to you. Wait a while and you'll settle into a driving style that fits you and the car.

[rsfeller]

Is this the car you picked up via the salvage yard you mentioned in another post? I'm curious why the engine was swapped?

If you want to drive about 1.5 hours to Mansfield on a week day I most likly could assist you in the MAF cleaning and compare acceleration. Send me a PM and we can discuss.

Shawn

[Chris_in_NH]

is this Boxster a manual transmission (stick) or an automatic (Tiptronic)? was your Z3 manual or automatic? that could be the difference.

are you used to driving a stick? the Boxster has the most low-end torque in 1st, 2nd and 3rd, especially above 4000 RPMs. if you try to 'gun it' in 4th or 5th gear at low RPMs, you will be disappointed because the car is a dog in those gears/RPMs.

try driving above 4K RPMs and see if you notice a difference. it might just be that the car is new to you.