Newbie - Modifications Questions?

1988CarreraCab · 03-20-2002, 10:12 AM

Hi - I have an 88, 911 Cabriolet. I figured out there is no short shift kit for the G50 transmission. As this was a modification I wanted to make i'm a little bummed out. I was wondering what other worthwhile modifications there are to this car. My choices would be intake system, computer chip, cat removal and exhaust. I would rather not modify the suspension excessively at this point (living in Michigan). Any suggestions or experiences would be great. I did think about the Mass Air Flow w/ chip from performance products but its $1700 bucks.

Thanks
Ryan

don911 · don911's Garage

I believe the G50 had the short shift as part of the design. Don't know for sure tho.
As far as the mods you're talking about...intake system, computer chip, cat removal and exhaust, I'd do some research on the performance increases of these mods before you start writing checks. These mods can be expensive and may not provide much, if any, performance gain. I suggest reading Bruce Anderson's Performance Handbook to get some background on the performance of these mods. You'll have to decide if you feel the performace gain (claimed) is worth the cash. I plan on SSI's and a dual in/out muffler but not until my stock system craps out. The exhaust is the one area that seems to yield some gain but for me, it's not enough to change until it's needed.
My opinion, spend money towards the suspension first as the engine performance was maximized during design. The suspension changes don't have to be radical. You can get a noticeable increase in handling by lowering, corner balancing and adding some neg. camber in the alignment. Throw on some sport shocks and you're good to go...until you decide you need larger torsion bars.

Just my opinion. Good luck!

speeder · speeder's Garage

I mostly agree w/ Don, euro pre-muffler on 3.2 is most cost-effective thing you can do if emission testing is not a problem; actually it is not too hard to switch back and forth to cat if necessary. This plus a sport-type muffler is good for a few HP, one or the other is good for less HP. I am a fan of SSI heat-exchangers for SC's and earlier cars, they are beautiful pieces, but on 3.2 not worth it, IMO. SSI never bothered to design a set specifically for 3.2, so you are left with SC set which has smaller than optimal pipe-size, plus heater hose P.I.A. Not a lot of performance gain per $.

On handling side, you did not mention miles on your car, but if stock tie-rods are worn, 930 type tie-rods are a no-brainer upgrade, along w/ good 4-wheel alignment and corner-balance from someone w/ 911 expertise. Also if your car did not come w/ factory sport-shock option, and you have Boge shocks, switch to Bilstein greens, (factory s.s.), for best street-ride/ performance balance, also IMO, but also in Porsche engineers'. I would not lower an '88 for street, they came stock w/ euro height. Any further mods to suspension, ie. larger torsion bars/sway bars, lower ride height, negative camber, are going to be a 1:1 trade-off between track performance and street manners. There is no absolute right or wrong, (if things are done correctly), just depends on what you want out of car and where you will be driving, ie. blasting around town w/ top down or serious track-time/ club racing.

Oh yeah- skip the expensive throttle-body mods and other BS for otherwise stock car. My .02. Good luck!

JDaniel · JDaniel's Garage

I believe the g50 had a shorter throw shifter than the OE 915, but KTL has apparently installed a short throw shifter. You might want to ask him what he thinks. Here's a quote:"Club Sport shift lever- don't do it. It's only 3/4" shorter".

As for the other mods. Most have been discussed in detail. Lots of opinions, and even some empirical data. Check the archives.

Pick up Bruce Anderson's Performance Handbook, read, ask questions, and be wary of snake oil claims (they're everywhere).

Dan

dickster · 03-21-2002, 12:18 AM

agree with speeder totally.

do a search, and heres a thread on the exhaust upgrade on mine inc. dyno figs.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=61178

1988CarreraCab · 03-21-2002, 05:06 AM

Thanks for all the great responses. My Mechanic said the car might have been lowered - which contributed to the front tires wearing extremely quickly. This is just a Euro ride height? I will look into the 930 tie rods too. The link to the Dyno concerning cats and muffler was excellent - I learned quite a bit in 5 minutes of reading! Please let me know if there are any other concerns or worthwhile steps. THANKS.