2003 986: Snorkel or no snorkel?

[sd_boxster]

Been looking for a definitive answer to this question forever.

Does the '03 Boxster have a removable snorkel? I am aware that the intake design changed for MY03. But, can an '03 be desnorked?

Edited February 21, 2009 by sd_boxster

[sd_boxster]

Got tired of waiting and went exploring again.

The short answer: Yes there is an intake extension behind the grille that is removable and is tapered, presumably to restrict airflow. If you yank on that extension, it does in fact pop off and you're left with a larger intake hole. Going to go for a spin (to buy a torque wrench so I can snug up my lug bolts for tomorrow)... will update on whether it made any difference.

[jmatta]

Glad you found your answer...BTW, exploring is a good thing; you can get answers to questions you never thought of asking.

[grover]

Got tired of waiting and went exploring again.

The short answer: Yes there is an intake extension behind the grille that is removable and is tapered, presumably to restrict airflow. If you yank on that extension, it does in fact pop off and you're left with a larger intake hole. Going to go for a spin (to buy a torque wrench so I can snug up my lug bolts for tomorrow)... will update on whether it made any difference.

I was under the impression that this snorkel was used to prevent water from entering the engine, and that by removing it, you run the risk of hydrolocking it, and that it's generally NOT recommended for a DD, just a fair weather racer.

[sd_boxster]

Not trying to start an argument - I'm totally willing to admit that I'm probably wrong - but I'm not sure how it would possible to draw enough water into the intake to produce hydrolock - especially given that the intake is now about six inches further inboard than it was with the snorkel in place. Can anyone else chime in on this?

My Boxster lives in San Diego and doesn't see any rain unless it's absolutely unavoidable, so it definitely falls into the "fair weather" category.

This may be largely moot, anyway - while there is a noticeable tonal difference with the snorkel off, it is not the amazing difference I've seen people write about when they desnorkel their 986's. At about 3K rpm, the engine sounds a little deeper, but not a lot of difference toward redline. I believe the '03 exhaust is tuned differently than previous Boxsters ("modified acoustic presence"), which may explain this difference.

I was under the impression that this snorkel was used to prevent water from entering the engine, and that by removing it, you run the risk of hydrolocking it, and that it's generally NOT recommended for a DD, just a fair weather racer.