Softronic Race Plenum Install
Whew.
My first major Cayman mod accomplished: installation of the Softronic Race Plenum/Throttle body (SRP).
Originally, I had planned to have it installed at a local dyno shop by the owner/tuner there, but he had too much going on this week, and I was too impatient to wait another week or 2 for him to be available. Oh well, so no before-and-after Dyno results to share - but I did save about $500 doing it myself!
I had read the Softronic and segue007's installation instructions so many times in preparation, that I pretty much had the whole process memorized. Since it was my first time venturing into the engine compartment, I decided to change my air filter first - it was pretty dirty at 20K miles - no problem.
As I started to tackle the SRP, I realized that my car (being a Tiptronic) looked a little different than the install articles I had read. The small engine bracket that apparently has little or no function in the Manual cars and is removed during the install, does have 2 other items attached to it in the Tip (besides the OEM plenum): the shift cable (only 1 in the Tip) and a 1/2" rubber pipe with a plug in the end. Since the latter was not mentioned in the installation articles, I was worried about what to do - so I sent a priority email to Scott Slauson (Softronic) for advice. His reply was to just zip tie the other (apparently non-functional) tube out of the way and go ahead and remove the bracket.
However, as I actually got around to removing the engine bracket, I realized there was actually another bracket attached to it holding some kind of electrical relay (again, not present on the Manual cars). After studying the situation for a bit, I realized I could just move the engine bracket back and to the side, and still maintain its function, while allowing room for the new plenum.
Problem solved.
The actual time I spent working on the SRP install was about 2 hours - not particularly difficult, but a lot of fussing with getting the hoses off and on, and particularly getting the oil separator hose aligned right. Now, just waiting for Softronic to send me the software flash - got a PCA DE this week-end, so that extra HP/Torque would sure be nice.
My first major Cayman mod accomplished: installation of the Softronic Race Plenum/Throttle body (SRP).
Originally, I had planned to have it installed at a local dyno shop by the owner/tuner there, but he had too much going on this week, and I was too impatient to wait another week or 2 for him to be available. Oh well, so no before-and-after Dyno results to share - but I did save about $500 doing it myself!
I had read the Softronic and segue007's installation instructions so many times in preparation, that I pretty much had the whole process memorized. Since it was my first time venturing into the engine compartment, I decided to change my air filter first - it was pretty dirty at 20K miles - no problem.
As I started to tackle the SRP, I realized that my car (being a Tiptronic) looked a little different than the install articles I had read. The small engine bracket that apparently has little or no function in the Manual cars and is removed during the install, does have 2 other items attached to it in the Tip (besides the OEM plenum): the shift cable (only 1 in the Tip) and a 1/2" rubber pipe with a plug in the end. Since the latter was not mentioned in the installation articles, I was worried about what to do - so I sent a priority email to Scott Slauson (Softronic) for advice. His reply was to just zip tie the other (apparently non-functional) tube out of the way and go ahead and remove the bracket.
However, as I actually got around to removing the engine bracket, I realized there was actually another bracket attached to it holding some kind of electrical relay (again, not present on the Manual cars). After studying the situation for a bit, I realized I could just move the engine bracket back and to the side, and still maintain its function, while allowing room for the new plenum.
Problem solved.
The actual time I spent working on the SRP install was about 2 hours - not particularly difficult, but a lot of fussing with getting the hoses off and on, and particularly getting the oil separator hose aligned right. Now, just waiting for Softronic to send me the software flash - got a PCA DE this week-end, so that extra HP/Torque would sure be nice.
Total Comments 2
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wow! i am quite impressed - looks complex to me.
should i cut the red wire, or the blue one... heh. |
 
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...um, also the pictures are awesome.
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