How Far Does One Go? My New Build

[Larmo63]

This is solid advice, kind of what I'm doing in the honeymoon stage.

Originally Posted by jpnovak

I always start with a list of what I don't like about a car and what I want the car to do. This will prioritize a few things.

What don't I like about car?
Is it not performing up to standard?
Is it handling?
Is it power?
Is it cosmetic?
Etc.

What do I want the car to do?
Street cruiser?
Back road bomber?
Track capable?
lap time chaser?

Answers to these questions will guide you.

More importantly, Drive the car - A LOT! The car should speak to you and tell you what it wants. Once you bond with the car you will know. This always takes some time. Be patient. There is no rush to do what other people think is cool.

[Larmo63]

I completely agree with Flo on the look of these tails on narrow body cars, they don't look right to me. I may do a duck tail instead. I'll keep the whale tail for a future owner, but I don't see selling this car in the foreseeable future.

[AG81]

Ducks are cool and so are mini ducks....

https://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-used-parts-sale-wanted/1032842-65-89-mini-ducktail-wing.html

[chrismorse]

Hi Larmo,
Great looking car.
My suggestion is to first go over the car carefully to see what it needs. At almost 35 years old, it may have some needs: the list is endless, brakes, wheel bearings CV boots, Rack bellows, just about every rubber part may be approaching the end of its life, fluid leaks, brake flush, and on and on. See what it needs, then prioritize/budget that list.

Talk to others with similar cars, talk to the folks at Renline, Elephant Racing and read similar forum threads.

Inevitably, as you do maintenance, you will come across "opportunities" to do upgrades and "As long as i am in there" improvements. Like a brake fluid flush, if the pads are ok but getting low, or the brake lines are not ageing well, might as well pack the front wheel bearings, are the discs within spec??? With the wheels off, this might be the time to do some spectacular wheel well lights, (just kidding).

By having a direction and a plan, you can try to avoid duplication of effort, like having to repeat alignment/cornerweighting, (expensive) after a bushing refresh, then wanting to upgrade the T bars.

Once you have the immediate car needs, (safety and reliability) handled, you can drive the car and decide how you want to repurpose the car. You might want to break the work into related groups by priority, so you can enjoy the car and you don't end up like me with a 74 that has been off the road for almost 10 years.

Lastly, Beware of the slippery slope and "motor gently through the grease-mud, for there lurks the SKIDDEAMON".
chris

[Flynt]

Congrats, Lawrence!
You've seen how far I went. Getting that rowdy isn't necessary to have an enjoyable car, especially since you have such a clean starting point!

A lot of good opinions here. Personally, I'd drive for a while, fix the little stuff "new" cars always need, and figure out what you want to change. You keeping the green one? If so, one can be the hotrod..

[Larmo63]

I did a PPI on this car so I know what is going on underneath.

I have a pretty good idea what maintenance it will need and where we go as far as rubber stuff.

The fun part will be suspension. I love to do suspension.

[Larmo63]

By the way, my son's 993 got new wheels today:

[Flojo]

fix that wheel gap :-)

[carrera32911]

Originally Posted by Flojo

fix that wheel gap :-)

The clear euro turn signal lenses would also clean up the front end, but that is more of a personal preference

[famoroso]

Originally Posted by Frog76S

You started with the best of both worlds, a hot rodded Targa the PO put the money into and a nice stock Coupe that appears to require nothing. Both just need to be driven. Now the Targa is returned to stock and the coupe is going to be hot rodded? Kind of a head scratcher? Both cars are pretty nice and I will enjoy watching your progress. Best of luck to you and thanks for sharing.

Some of us have been there.

My '87 M491 was originally delivered as an M470 "without spoilers" car. Sometime during the ensuing 30 years before I acquired it, it sprouted a tea-tray tail. I removed the tail, effectively "re-deleting the tail delete," but then I also deleted the original front spoiler delete by adding a 930 rubber front lip spoiler. Did you follow that tale of deletion? Go figure!

As I like to say... Every dog outside wants to be inside and every dog inside wants to be outside...

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzBsUStl7AR/?igshid=1q6ts7um27b1c

[Larmo63]

Originally Posted by Flojo

fix that wheel gap :-)

The 993 will be lowered soon.

[ted]

Make it a Safari look 911.
Raise it a few inches and try 27inch tall off road tires.
Front skid plate, replace the heavy bumpers.

[Larmo63]

Whelp, the green car is getting some interior work done and a transmission rebuild. We will re-seal the motor too while it's out.

It's going to get sold so I can spend stupid money on this car.

It's an addiction, I admit it.

[ian c2]

Look forward to seeing it on the road .
The 993 too .

[Flojo]

Originally Posted by Larmo63

The fun part will be suspension. I love to do suspension.

and brakes.
these two topics are key for ANY car to be able to show what it is made of.

[Larmo63]

The brakes were all gone through before I bought the car, but I'd like to take a look at what they did. Everything checked out decently on the PPI I had done.

What is the trick brake upgrade? I looked at StopTech recently.

[ted]

Originally Posted by Larmo63

What is the trick brake upgrade? I looked at StopTech recently.

Your stock brakes are actually very good for street performance.
Turbo brakes are more robust and can take the heat and abuse of track work.
If you never go to the track keep them stock.

[Larmo63]

[trentwat]

Larmo...the slippery slope can have a sharp fall off...I too started with the suspension years ago...went with Elephant Racing poly products, etc., b/c I wanted to do it myself (track-ish car, but coilovers meant paying someone)...these days I don’t have the space for DIY, but I recently took a HUGE bite...after obsessing after Flojo’s ride. It started as a sunroof delete and ducktail...5.5 months in and about 80% of the car has been resprayed with a new interior on the way...I’ve been obsessing so much while car is a away, I can’t find any new vids on YouTube...it is a sickness...good thing these forums exist...great resource...have fun!

[Larmo63]

I remember having my 914 laid up while I was getting the chassis ready to install a 2.4S motor. The longest ten feet was the distance between the motor on the stand and the car.

Having the car to drive is a plus. Having it on jack stands is painful, I remember. I did get it in and finished, but so frustrating to wait.

Luckily, now I have two Porsches.