new 911 where to start?

sammygon1 · 09-10-2003, 05:26 AM

I will be buying a 69 912 with a 2.0 911 motor in the coming week. I have about a thousand to spend on it initially after the purchase price. What mods should I do? i am not that concerned with interior or body at this point and would like to focus on performance mods. What are the best mods that you have done to your cars for around $1k? Anything specific I should do becasue its a 912 chassis? Like replacing ignition with an MSD, I have the 101 projects book just wanted to know which mods are the best to do early and which make the most difference in performance.

sammygon1 · 09-10-2003, 05:31 AM

here is a pic

sammygon1 · 09-10-2003, 05:34 AM

Okay how do you post a pic in a reply?

dotorg · 09-10-2003, 05:46 AM

The best change I made to my car after I bought it was adding new seats. Second was adding sound proofing. Not as important if your car wasn't previously owned by someone with a thing for loud cars.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

what he said....no mods. Fix stuff that is broken. And I guarantee....there is stuff that will be broken.

silverc4s · silverc4s's Garage

Good areas to check right away are: front ball joints, steering, suspension bits, brakes, all lighting. Update seat belts if not already done, make sure the tires are matching and in good condition. Ckean out battery boxes and repaint if needed. Replace battery with (1)Optima dry if shot
PS I agree about the seats...the originals will be pretty uncomfortable and will not hold you in place behind the wheel.

Tim Walsh · Tim Walsh's Garage

most definitly save it for repairs. There will be things wrong that you want right. As long as you've got a good engine and no rust on the body then I'd go after all the things that aren't right. THEN go after performance mods.

Tim Walsh · Tim Walsh's Garage

double post

Jdub · 09-10-2003, 08:17 AM

Are you commited to buy THIS car? May I ask how much you are spending?

If it is anywhere above $5,000 I'd say leave the car alone and keep looking. I bought my SC for a little over 5K. A better platform to start with anyway...

John

Randy Webb · 09-10-2003, 09:29 AM

THE most importatn things to do are safety related -- that means new rubber brake hoses. I would check it over extremely carefully for any welds or brazing in the front end, and be sure the rotors etc. are fine. After reserving funds for repairs, I would then replace every piece of rubber in the suspension -- the ride will be tons better and so will the handling. How are the tires and how old are they? If > 5 years old no matter how they look replace them (they lose their grip as the rubber hardens). Next change every fluid in the car, including the grease in the CV joints and maybe the wheel bearings too. Check the ball joints and wheel bearings VERY carefully. I would replace the 34 year old rubber fuel lines. Engine fires are not fun. Squeeze all the oil lines in every reachable spot (not when they are super hot!). If squishey, replace.

If the motor blows your wallet gets hurt. If the brakes, tires or suspension blow, you'll be dead, crippled, or at minimum, maybe just scared to death.

sammygon1 · 09-10-2003, 11:09 AM

seats and seatbelts sound like a good place to start. Any tips on updating the belts. Also the car is less than $5k the body has some rust but nothing major. I live in the desert so I'm not too worried about it detoriating that quickly. The tires are pretty new the wheel bearings have all been done. And the fuel tank has been flushed and new lines have been put in.

dotorg · 09-10-2003, 11:35 AM

Thats the take I had sammygon -- my car has a little rust, some paint bubbles here and there. Its a 37 year old car that spent most of its life in Canada, I can't really complain.

Some people will tell you you should spend your money on fixing that sort of stuff, but unless you're restoring the car for show, a little rust isn't gonna kill the car. Sure, you might not get another ten years out of it, but its an old car, and it wasn't expensive. Blashphemy, perhaps, but I'd rather spend my money on things that directly impact my driving experience in the car.

Ie, seats, engine/tranny stuff, interior repairs, suspension, etc first. Paint/rust second. As long as its not structural, I can live with it. If I have to cut out a panel to replace it anyway, might as well wait until its really gone.

My car came with no seat belts at all. I added lap belts so I have a moderate level of safety while driving it. I decided to go the rollbar/harness route with mine, just waiting on spring for the roll bar.

Just drive it and enjoy it. Fix what needs to be fixed and look at what other people have done to decide what you think you need to spend your money on... based on what'll make your ownership experience the best.

silverc4s · silverc4s's Garage

Sammygon,
Try www.peparts.com for belts. I have used his services and products and they are top notch!
No affiliation, just a happy customer...

Randy Webb · 09-10-2003, 02:19 PM

Actually, I am having trouble right now on getting some instructions out of theses guys on how to mount things.... I hope for some notch from them even if not top.

silverc4s · silverc4s's Garage

Randy,
That is surprising! My experience has always been positive there, but it's been a while.. I wonder if it has changed hands, just took a look at the website and the original guys' name is no longer in evidence.. ;-(