Any difference in the 97-99 Boxster
12-18-2023, 08:34 PM
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Any difference in the 97-99 Boxster
Are there any factory differences in the early 986 production
12-19-2023, 02:52 AM
#2
Instructor
Yes, there are. Maybe someone has a definitive list...
The ones that come to my mind are:
- 1998 added some rear body/suspension strength, allowing for an 18" wheel option on the '98 that was not there on the '97 (and inadvisable to add).
- The 1997 engine block has a different coolant breather arrangement, with a hard line coming off the oil pump housing instead of a hose coming off the top of the oil cooler. (I had to deal with this when transplanting a '97 engine into my '98 car.)
I think if you search the web you can find some more definitive listings:
https://www.stuttcars.com/porsche-bo...%20an%20option
https://pedrosboard.com/read.php?7,46497,46557
https://sites.google.com/site/mikefo...eardifferences
http://986forum.com/forums/boxster-g...-boxsters.html
The ones that come to my mind are:
- 1998 added some rear body/suspension strength, allowing for an 18" wheel option on the '98 that was not there on the '97 (and inadvisable to add).
- The 1997 engine block has a different coolant breather arrangement, with a hard line coming off the oil pump housing instead of a hose coming off the top of the oil cooler. (I had to deal with this when transplanting a '97 engine into my '98 car.)
I think if you search the web you can find some more definitive listings:
https://www.stuttcars.com/porsche-bo...%20an%20option
https://pedrosboard.com/read.php?7,46497,46557
https://sites.google.com/site/mikefo...eardifferences
http://986forum.com/forums/boxster-g...-boxsters.html
12-19-2023, 07:55 AM
#3
No side airbags (in the doors) on the '97.
12-19-2023, 08:55 AM
#4
Rennlist Member
Small differences in parts. 1997 to mid-1998 had a few Boxster-only parts. Mid-1998 they changed several small things to make the same parts work between the 996 and the Boxster.
For example the brake linkage and pedal cluster were changed.
Also the rear subframe is different.
I have run across several other little things with my 1997 that there is a superseded part in mid-1998.
Late 1999 had some transmission changes internally, minor.
From a performance standpoint though the cars are the same.
For example the brake linkage and pedal cluster were changed.
Also the rear subframe is different.
I have run across several other little things with my 1997 that there is a superseded part in mid-1998.
Late 1999 had some transmission changes internally, minor.
From a performance standpoint though the cars are the same.
12-19-2023, 10:21 AM
#5
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97' motors are sleeved and come apart with a ton of track use.
The main wiring harnesses are different from each year.
97 cars are built in Stuttgart or something like that. 98-99's are built in North Korea.
It is claimed that 97-98 have a smaller gas tank (15.3 gal) but I've found that most 98's have the 17 gal tank.
Most racers prefer 99's, but I've had each year and they're all capable with the right driver.
The brake booster was changed in 99 somewhere through the model year. If you have the earlier car you have to change the booster and a few other things to put in a GT3 master cylinder.
--Aaron
The main wiring harnesses are different from each year.
97 cars are built in Stuttgart or something like that. 98-99's are built in North Korea.
It is claimed that 97-98 have a smaller gas tank (15.3 gal) but I've found that most 98's have the 17 gal tank.
Most racers prefer 99's, but I've had each year and they're all capable with the right driver.
The brake booster was changed in 99 somewhere through the model year. If you have the earlier car you have to change the booster and a few other things to put in a GT3 master cylinder.
--Aaron
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Last edited by RennPart; 12-19-2023 at 10:23 AM.
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jbauer (12-25-2023)
12-19-2023, 03:29 PM
#7
Rennlist Member
I posted a thread around here somewhere about how to modify the 1997 brake linkage to fit the GT3 booster and M/C. It's not difficult to do. Huge braking improvement.
Last edited by Nickshu; 12-19-2023 at 03:38 PM.
Trending Topics
12-20-2023, 09:41 AM
#9
97' motors are sleeved and come apart with a ton of track use.
The main wiring harnesses are different from each year.
97 cars are built in Stuttgart or something like that. 98-99's are built in North Korea.
It is claimed that 97-98 have a smaller gas tank (15.3 gal) but I've found that most 98's have the 17 gal tank.
Most racers prefer 99's, but I've had each year and they're all capable with the right driver.
The brake booster was changed in 99 somewhere through the model year. If you have the earlier car you have to change the booster and a few other things to put in a GT3 master cylinder.
--Aaron
The main wiring harnesses are different from each year.
97 cars are built in Stuttgart or something like that. 98-99's are built in North Korea.
It is claimed that 97-98 have a smaller gas tank (15.3 gal) but I've found that most 98's have the 17 gal tank.
Most racers prefer 99's, but I've had each year and they're all capable with the right driver.
The brake booster was changed in 99 somewhere through the model year. If you have the earlier car you have to change the booster and a few other things to put in a GT3 master cylinder.
--Aaron
North ****ing Korea?
Tell us you're ****ing with us without telling us you're ****ing with us. And, thank you for making my morning.
Last edited by Starter986; 12-20-2023 at 09:42 AM. Reason: I don't need a reason.
12-20-2023, 10:30 AM
#10
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
🤣comedian
12-20-2023, 05:30 PM
#11
Burning Brakes
Oh there are a few
1997 Base introduced
2.5Litre engine 201 HP.
5 speed manual transmission, Tiptronic 5 speed optional
Originally produced in Stuttgart. 11th digit of VIN is S. Later produced in Finland. 11th digit is U.
See note in red below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 Base
2.5Litre engine 201 HP.
5 speed manual transmission, Tiptronic 5 speed optional
18” wheel option with rear chassis reinforced to accept new wheels. Rear body structural change included redesigned wheel wells and coil spring mounts, lower engine compartment bulkhead, rear wall crossmember and rear axle mount reinforcements.
Side air bags standard (not available in ’97.)
Satellite navigation option.
See note in red below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 Base
2.5Litre engine 201 HP.
5 speed manual transmission, Tiptronic 5 speed optional.
Litronic headlights option.
Small storage compartment between engine compartment lid and the convertible top.
Larger & redesigned fuel tank and venting system including a fuel tank differential pressure sensor
Note: There were an unusually high number of catastrophic engine failures in 1997-early 1999 Boxster engines and these engines were often totally replaced very early (<first 10k miles)in their life. A replaced engine is not a bad thing in a Boxster as the Boxster is a car to be driven, not collected. A dealer should be able to tell if the car you are looking at has had its engine replaced if you give him the VIN.Reference
1997 Base introduced
2.5Litre engine 201 HP.
5 speed manual transmission, Tiptronic 5 speed optional
Originally produced in Stuttgart. 11th digit of VIN is S. Later produced in Finland. 11th digit is U.
See note in red below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 Base
2.5Litre engine 201 HP.
5 speed manual transmission, Tiptronic 5 speed optional
18” wheel option with rear chassis reinforced to accept new wheels. Rear body structural change included redesigned wheel wells and coil spring mounts, lower engine compartment bulkhead, rear wall crossmember and rear axle mount reinforcements.
Side air bags standard (not available in ’97.)
Satellite navigation option.
See note in red below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 Base
2.5Litre engine 201 HP.
5 speed manual transmission, Tiptronic 5 speed optional.
Litronic headlights option.
Small storage compartment between engine compartment lid and the convertible top.
Larger & redesigned fuel tank and venting system including a fuel tank differential pressure sensor
Note: There were an unusually high number of catastrophic engine failures in 1997-early 1999 Boxster engines and these engines were often totally replaced very early (<first 10k miles)in their life. A replaced engine is not a bad thing in a Boxster as the Boxster is a car to be driven, not collected. A dealer should be able to tell if the car you are looking at has had its engine replaced if you give him the VIN.Reference
Last edited by mikefocke; 12-20-2023 at 05:31 PM.
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EVOMMM (12-20-2023)
12-26-2023, 05:22 PM
#12
Nordschleife Master
My '99 SPB is fitted with a '97 engine. Flogged the crap out of it for 7 years, and just did a rebuild. Bores were pristine, and all bearings were in great shape. Headed to the dyno next week so see how she does.