993 upgrades, yes or no???

[Chrism1820]

What are people's thoughts on upgrading their 993?

I have a pretty standard C4, but over the years technology has changed and things like lighting has improved as well as in car entertainment with Bluetooth and integrated satnav. We all seem happy to embrace improved tyre technology and I don't think I've heard anyone say " get me some of those tyres from 1997"

My quandary is should I stay standard or modify to improve what is already a super car or am I just killing the classic feel which I have quite frankly bought into??

Regards Chris

 

[matthewb]

I would say do it but be able to return to original condition where sensible.

This is my list ...
- Headlights - Bergvill T-Light HID - easily returned to original (but why?)
- Clear side indicator repeaters - easily returned to original
- Suspension - KW Variant 3 - easily returned to original Monroe (but why?)
- Performance chip - easily returned to original (but why?)
- Porsche Retro Nav Stereo system - easily returned to original (except my original Porsche Stereo broke)
- Aluminium door releases - easily returned to original
- Aluminium instrument rings and switch covers - easily returned to original
- Powerflex bushes - not easily returned to original (but why?)
- Carnewal Front Protection Bar (FPB) - replaces rubber strip that frequently gets torn off - easily returned to original (but why?)

 

[Graham-S]

I bought the Bergvill T-light HIDS plus all leds for the outside Lights. Amazing.
Only takes 5 mins per headlight to do. The other Lights are very easy too and so much brighter!
I did I bit here on the 993 forum see this link below
https://www.porscheclubgb.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=887199

So much better to drive with at night

Graham

 

[eaurouge]

Apart from the headlamps, which are not great in standard form, I would leave well alone. Anyone interested in a 993 will be looking for originality and will probably steer clear of a highly modified car.

 

[scaramanga]

Apart from the headlamps, which are not great in standard form, I would leave well alone. Anyone interested in a 993 will be looking for originality and will probably steer clear of a highly modified car.

Think it depends on the mods. Agree most want originality, particularly for low mileage collectibles. would like to think that most 993 owners are fairly tasteful in their mods. Eg. Stereo upgrades, Tore's LED upgrades, etc all seem to be respected by most buyers.

Wayne schofield remaps seem to be popular as the focus is on smooth power delivery rather than specific power increases.

Just some personal views, am sure there are many different approaches.

To be transparent, I have had a full bare metal respray and interior retrim. Kept the exterior in keeping with the original but changed the colour of the interior from two-tone grey/blue to black. So naturally I'm a little biased, but my car was a high mileage example that wasn't going to appeal to a collector. Happy to hear other views!

 

[tscaptain]

I nice little mod we did was to install the RS short shifter. 20% less throw and makes it feel (almost) like a modern 'box! The parts only cost just over £100 and there's a great online guide if you are the DIY kind.

http://www.jackals-forge..m/lotus/993/rsshift.html

 

[wilsonny]

Great poser question ! I've done a few mods, but I haven't done/plan to do anything that isn't easily "unplugged" and returned to original. Wherever possible I've retained the original parts, all packed away for this purpose (even kept the original bulbs). I've also chosen "period" upgrades wherever possible, eg. I've gone for the best period Becker Cascade head unit and modded this to full bluetooth, rather than fitting the new Porsche retro unit. It's going to be down to personal taste and of course the type of use that you have for your car. Personally I drive mine a bit, so I'm interested in minor tweaks to make it more enjoyable, but don't want to do things which detract from the original design, eg. when replacing engine mounts and silencers, I went for std. units rather then performance parts because I don't want to make the car harsher or noisier. I've put quite a lot of effort into loudspeaker upgrade and bought an original full set of Porsche speakers then stripped them out and replaced all the drivers so that I could get a completely stealth update (no wiring or mounting mods) and also retain the original units for subsequent reinstatement. A lot of people decry the need for music in the 993, but in my opinion, it's no more interesting to be sat on a damp motorway in traffic for an hour in my 993 than it is in any other car, so I'll have a decent stereo to while such times away thank you !

My non-standard mods (done and planned):

1. (done) Replace headlights and all exterior bulbs with Bergville HID and LED kits
2. (done) Replace internal bulbs with Bergville LED kits (except the Dash lights - I like the retro orange glow!)
3. (done) Fit motor-sound airbox (original option, cheap from Porsche dealer and nice subtle, non-boomy noise enhancer)
4. (done) Replace headunit with a period Becker Cascade unit which incorporates full bluetooth streaming, hands free phone integration, retro satnav and a hidden USB charging point
5. (done) Stealth upgrade on speakers to fit JBL, Kicker and Audisson units into a replacement set of Porsche housings, using VW connectors to be able to connect up units without any wiring or mounting mods to the car.
6. (done) Replaced four spoke steering wheel with a 3 spoke leather unit from the boxster of the same period (midnight blue to match interior) - very slightly smaller and very slightly closer to the driver (both of which are good things imho)
7. (done) Fitted the strengthening/straightening bar to the raising spoiler unit to correct warp (porsche repair part) - not strictly a mod, but a nice improvement of a fault many will have. Check your closed spoiler and see if it sits proud of the bodywork line at the top - once you see it, you won't be able to leave it []
8. (planned) replace shockers with Koni FSD units (seem a good fast road compromise and the Monroes are silly money and outdated tech)
9. (planned) remap from Wayne - mine has the "poor fuel option" from the factory so I can justify removal of this to myself !

Other than these, I've concentrated on progressing through replacements and refurbishments using all original parts - it's truly amazing what refreshing components such as engine mounts and other worn components do for the dynamics of these cars.

Andrew

 

[gm997_1]

IMHO, there are 2 clear camps and the choice is down to the individual.
There's one camp which will mod for practicality, improvement, or aesthetic purposes.
There's one camp which will adhere faithfully to the original spec.

Both clearly have their merits.

Yet neither the classic feel nor value of the car will be adversely affected so long as any mods are really in effect a minor upgrade, ie. latest Porsche or high-end OEM parts which can improve on the performance of items as fitted at the factory, while in keeping with the look of the particular model concerned.
For example: headlights (HIDs), other interior and exterior lights (LEDs); ECU remap (smoother performance); front and rear screen bonding (improved seal and fit to body); exhaust system (less restrictive); windscreen wiper blades (greater curvature); sound system (head unit to handle mp3 sound files), speakers (better sound reproduction, wider range); shocks and springs (variable setting, longer-lasting); wheels and tyres (fill the arches, better wet performance).

 

[wilsonny]

windscreen wiper blades (greater curvature);

I want to know more about these wiper blades ! - there's a distinct corner lift on the originals which I had put down to "one of those things" - have you located a solution which can tackle this ?

 

[matthewb]

I considered a short-shifter for my C4S - I even bought one from Carnewal.

But when it came to fitting it, it was pointed-out that a significant 'dimple' (about 1") needs to be made in the transmission tunnel and I was avdvised against doing this. I took this advice. (Consequently, I have a short-shifter for sale if anyone wants one.)

I would certainly recommend this enhancement for 2WD but not 4WD.

 

[gm997_1]

Matthew - I looked into a short shifter too but was told (a) they're for 2WD only, for the reason you give, and, more significantly (b) the 4WDs already have a slightly shorter throw than the 2WDs anyway. Not too sure how true that is, though, but can see it would be plausible enough.

Wilsonny - I used to buy from Porsche direct and they were just regular Bosch wipers in fact. But, ill-fitting (tall design), standing off the curve of the screen at rest and, what's more, screeching when in use in just damp conditions (not downpour). They wore out quickly too due to the soft rubber binkling too easily (very strong downward spring pressure in the arms), so I just randomly went to Halfords to see what differences they had - comparing 3 different wipers out of the box fully slotted in the wiper arm outside the store. Believe it or not, Halfords own brand had shorter cantilever thingies in the design so could handle the screen curvature fine, the others had longer spans and so couldn't manage to bend around sufficiently. Slightly lower in height too, so looked better and harder rubber, so didn't binkle as much.[]
Since then, I've kept the arm assembly and only buy Halfords rubber blade inserts and cut them to fit. And, BTW, good performance up to twice the legal speed limit has been confirmed !

 

[shorthouse]

Apart from the headlamps, which are not great in standard form, I would leave well alone. Anyone interested in a 993 will be looking for originality and will probably steer clear of a highly modified car.

+1
Keep it as original as possible, it's fine to replace consumables such as light bulbs and tyres with improved modern versions, but originality is what will keep these cars special. The untouched ones will become rarer as most people can't avoid 'personalising' their cars with the latest mods.

 

[Chrism1820]

Thank you for your input guys, some very sensible reasoning with certain upgrades.

I think the subtle upgrade rather than the highly modified camp is where I sit, I love the idea of improving the car but really don't want to spoil it. The future value thing isn't the reason I bought mine and if it naturally depreciates ( which I don't think it will) then I won't lose sleep.

keeping all the original parts also makes sense to change back if required.

I think I may just take a look at the Bergville kits first, they seem to be a favourite.

thanks again for your you valued input.

Chris

 

[Graham-S]

Chris

If your going to the Porsche open day this Sunday I'll be there and you can see the HID's and led bulbs

Graham

 

[Chrism1820]

Thanks Graham

But I'm not going to be able to get there on this occasion.

 

[wilsonny]

Believe it or not, Halfords own brand had shorter cantilever thingies in the design so could handle the screen curvature fine, the others had longer spans and so couldn't manage to bend around sufficiently.

Thanks. I'm not too proud to give Halfords own parts a try (well wipers anyway) ... thanks for the tip. As you say, they are just bosch units from the dealer, not a specific porsche part.

 

[B'gad]

I changed my original Porsche stereo to the new(ish) Porsche Nav Stereo and it is ruddy brilliant. Hooks up with phone, nav is good if a little small and the sound quality is OK. A bit expensive, but worth it and easily reversed.

 

[Chrism1820]

I recently met Magnus Walker the famous Porsche modifier and thought I'd ask him the same question as he has not only restored many Porsches but also modified quite a lot too, he replied:

"Its your car, you can do what you want to it, have it how you like it, don't be afraid to use it. I have a couple of cars where there are only a handful in the world, these cars I have restored to standard for the sake of the car but the rest have my stamp on them! It's also surprising what you can order from the Porsche factory, my brother has a 996 with a Gt3 body kit from the factory, it's not a Gt3 so what is standard??"

I thought his response was very honest from someone who is well thought of in the Porsche world and this was on a wet day in Sheffield where we all blasted our cars over the Snake pass, there were everything from the very rare to the very modified but none were "garage queens" Magnus' tag line is #getoutanddrive. Quite appropriate I think.

Also if you have never heard of Rudy Mancinas, check him out on you tube, his collection of 993's is probably the best in the world. Every car he buys gets "rudified" not heavily modified but changed just enough to force an opinion. He then drives it like he stole it. It worth a watch.

By the way I've now ordered T lights and led's all round, thanks for the advice.

 

[Simon P]

Hi Chris m. I'm from Sheffield so enjoyed your note about the Snake Pass. I like the road from Totley to Chatsworth when it's quiet! We also share similar cars. I have a '96 Carrera 2 in Midnight Blue

 

[Chrism1820]

Hi Simon, I love all the roads out there, I'm a biker too so have sampled most of the roads in that area, the Snake pass on Boxing Day was very wet which added to the thrill.

Your C2 looks very nice, do you get to any meets or club events?

regards Chris