mods and value

criv911 · 05-24-2006, 03:47 AM

I just bought an 87 carrera and I'm already getting the itch to modify,any comments on how any of this list will effect the value of the car. I know mods are for me and don't expect to get my money back but I don't want to devalue this nice car. sw chip,cat bypass,seats,steering wheel, light weight interior,harnesses/bar,various suspension mods,spoilers,etc. P.S. What makes the momo protopito wheel desirable.

JeremyD · JeremyD's Garage

I wouldn't be a good person to ask that question - but it's your car - do what you want to make it your own.

Jgordon · 05-24-2006, 05:27 AM

I have an 89 Carrera with a 3.4, 16x7s on the front, 968 cs wheel, thinking about seats, etc...

The point is, all my mods are bolt on. I have all the original pieces. Theoretically (because I'd never sell) a buyer could undo everything I've done and put it back to as-delivered. It's a question of how far you want to go. If you want to do some tasteful, reversible mods, go for it. If you want to hack up the car and turn it into a track monster, probably better to start with something in less good condition. Then again, some people will go buy a brand new car and strip it out.

There's a wide spectrum of available mod levels. Choose one that's right for you - start with some bolt-ons, and if you want to keep going, buy a shell and an engine, and go to town. But by the time you get there, you may decide a pristine 87 is the perfect platform for a stripped out badass track car.

charleskieffner · 05-24-2006, 05:38 AM

try putting it to PCA/SCCA show room stock specs. if the bug bites(which it will) your car is still basically stock except safety items. then decide to hack it apart or buy turn key race car. but if you read the show room stock rules to the letter you will find you can spend ALOT of money making it competitive for this class. brakes suspension tires wheels exhaust(no chip) seats etc. keep all the old parts for next owner if you decide on turn key full race winged G*@ DAMN-IT! its only money and you only live once so hang the expense!

Jeff · 05-24-2006, 06:04 AM

I have an 87 that was / is in very good shape. For the first 4 years I kept it an original (except wheels) street car. It was great at first, detailing it and sitting in my garage drinking beer and admiring my first sports car. I hate washing cars, so I got bored with it (not the car just what I was using it for). I do on the other hand like working on cars to make them perform better, so.....

After some pushing from a friend of mine (LeeH from the board) I took an autocross driving school. What a blast! I was hooked. I didn't do any real autocross as my goal was to go to the track. After my first track day I decided my car was niether fast enough, loud enough, stopped well enough, etc. So I jumped in with both feet and removed all the interior, HVAC system, anything on the car just for looks (ex: Bumperettes). I added R-compound tires, track brake pads, seats, harnesses, roll bar, well you get the picture. I still have some things to do though.

I guess my sugestion would be, don't wait do it now. Add an unmodified street car later if you have the itch. And don't believe anyone who tells you it is a slippery slope... IT IS A CLIFF!!! Enjoy the car how you want, it is too expensive of a toy not to have fun with it the way YOU want to.

stormmaster · stormmaster's Garage

I went the route jgordon mentions....I made a few mods to make the car "mine"....everything is reversable, I kept all the original parts...although as long as I own the car they will never be reinstalled...and aside from the Ductail and lack of rear bumperettes, most of the mods are so subtle very few would ever notice the changes...and that is exactly what I want

stormmaster · stormmaster's Garage

oh....the ptrototipo?......It feels good in your hands and it was used in some very famous factory racers. Not to mention it just looks right in the car.

MOMO3.2 · 05-24-2006, 06:47 AM

criv911:

I have a 1987 Carrera too. I was happy for the first three years of ownership keeping it stock (except for a Steve W chip). However, I could not fight the demons any longer.

The next thing I knew I was stripping EVERYTHING off the car that was not directly related to going fast. I literally gutted the interior and removed countless other items inside and out. I replaced the heavy standard power seats with 1974 manual sport seats, added a duck, Prototipo, Bilstein Sports, 9" Fuchs on the rear, 7" on the front, etc...

Finally, I had the car lowered, aligned, and corner balanced. It is a totally different animal now. The car is so much more raw, precise, and exhillerating to drive. I LOVE it.

My advice is to really make sure you want to commit to keeping your current 911 over the long run (forever) and then do any mod you think will allow you to enjoy your car more. If your car is too nice (G50 Carreras do command a little premium), maybe sell and get a car that has already been moded so you won't lose a lot of value.

Good luck.

Mike

charleskieffner · 05-24-2006, 06:53 AM

saw jeff (cul8tr) replied to your thread. hes right its a cliff into an ABYSS! but man is it fun. better than sex...........lasts longer and you could quite get a trophy! wait til you go in to race store and buy the MOST EXPENSIVE SUIT you will EVER OWN! id rather wear my OMP M.SCHUMACHER 3-layer fire suit out on the town w/girlfriend than any armani suit ever! g/friend has to fight me not to wear my firesuit just going on freeway cruise!!! its that bad! but really go to some track days, talk to some vets,read these threads and try and do things ONCE THE RIGHT WAY instead of half assed. safety is JOB #1 and focus bucks on that first. next look into suspension mods, then tires and so on. as far as HP! stock will scare the hell out of you! if after getting your feet wet, you still have the need for speed.............the equation is the following...........SPEED COSTS...........HOW FAST DO YA WANNA GO! anything and everything you need down to how many beers it takes to complete job, is all at your finger tips! frickin wonders of technology!

criv911 · 05-24-2006, 11:36 AM

Thanks for all the replies,but I already have a '73 track car that I went too far with. I understand the do it for your self idea. I just wanted some opinion on what best maintained or added value to the car. For instance; do I keep the seats steering wheel and interior or does it make more sense to sell them for more profit.[do I really get any more if I have them with the car.] The emotion part of owning a 911 I've got its the objective Ineed help with. Please don't fail me guys.

stormmaster · stormmaster's Garage

If I ever decide to sell my car I would most likely put the original engine lid on it, remove the roll bar, and put the original steering wheel back in it and use the ones I have on my next 911....