What are the MUST mods/improvements for 911SC?

[vanos]

Starting with a stock car, what are the MUST mods/improvements for:

Lowered suspension/handing:
- Bilstein shocks
- Turbo tie rods
- What else?

Braking:
- Bigger rotors (if yes which ones?)
- Pads for street

Engine:
- Performance mods?
- Mods to improve engine robustness?

I am trying to educate myself on 911SC mods to not only improve the performance but the overall robustness of the car. I know many install turbo or later model 911's parts, if there is a link even better.

[IROC]

I think you need to define the end use for the car to really get meaningful answers. For a street-driven car, the vast majority of an SC is perfectly fine in stock form.

For instance, you can't put "bigger rotors" on an SC without also changing the calipers. Carrera calipers are an "improvement", but on a street-driven SC, you'd never be able to tell the difference, so is it really a "must have" mod?

[tazzieman]

The SC is a tough little bastard to start with.

CIS cars benefit from SSI's and a muffler to suit , or at least a cat delete.
Some upgrade to 964 cams.
Then it gets expensive - carbs , EFI etc etc

Handling - good tyres , a strut brace if you autoX or track it. Bilsteins are good.
Lots of potential with torsion bars and sway bars, depends on your expected usage. You can't have everything i.e. inverse relationship b/w handling and comfort.

The stock brakes are very good.
Better pads will help on the track.
Yes , you can put bigger brakes on. Depends on what you are wanting to achieve.

Other mods - little things like a voltmeter , dash light improvements , I just put a mechanical brake light switch in.

And replace all old rubber. All. Including fuel and oil lines.
That will empty your wallet , but make the car robust and reliable.

They are tough , reliable when set up as the factory intended , and as they say pretty bulletproof. Preventative maintenance keeps them that way!

[Dublinoh]

I'd just add the air box "valve" to prevent damage. New air box is close to $500.

Pelican Parts - Product Information: 10-0843-000-M253

[Targa Time]

+1 on IROC

The number of modifications you can do to a SC are endless. So like IROC said you need to know what you want to spend and what kind of car you want to end up with.

The only suggestions I can make is to determine what is worn, and start your improvements there.
How are you shifter and coupler bushings? Old CIS systems develop a lot of leaks effecting performance. Maybe thats a good place to start. But not if your goal is to convert to carbs.

Remember with every "improvement" you make there is a down side. Be it driveability, reliability, or functionality.

[na2ub]

A pop-off valve for your airbox and oil-fed timing chain tensioners are standard mods. These might already be done.

Brakes: These are fine as is. The SC is not under-braked. Yes, track pads are recommended for the track, but not necessary for the street.

Suspension, etc.: Chances are you are due for new suspension bushings, at least for the f/r torsion bars. Rubber is fine, polybronze is better, but only necessary for serious track junkies. To stiffen the suspension, you can get new / bigger torsion bars, and new shock inserts, which are probably getting worn by now.

Performance: As previously mentioned, SSI headers (if you want heat), or any 1-5/8 headers, if heat is not important, and a 2-in sport muffler - dansk, M&K ... Thats should give you a few horses and a wider power band.

I wouldn't go crazy with the mods until you have the rest of the car sorted, like ball joints, wheel bearings, tie rod ends, shift coupler bushings, suspension bushings, etc.

[Scott R]

Relays for the headlights.

[LWJ]

I have a very stock 1980 SC. It has a pop-off valve, oil-fed tensioners, H4 lights with higher wattage bulbs and LOTS of maintenance.

I will say that the SC's are really a fantastic platform. Not fast but balanced. If you are looking or own one. Take the time to go through it as they will all have needed maintenance issues. Get that up to speed and drive it. You might love it.

A non-stock item that I enjoy are my h4's which are pretty nice. I think I run 65/85 Osram bulbs. Not crazy and I didn't do a relay. A relay is a good idea however.

I have stock brakes and have Mintex pads (from Pelican) that I am very happy with. They have better friction when they get a little hot but are just fine for driving the street.

Can I get more power out of my CIS? Probably. Do I need it? Not really. Does my suspension need a refresh? Yes. Will I go crazy? No.

I read once that a 911 is the perfect daily driver / sports car. And I agree. I have had mine in lots of rain. A little snow. And plenty of dry. I daily drive it. It is reliable and fun.

If you want a hot rod, you can make it into one or buy one.

A stock SC is a lovely balance however. The more I drive mine, the better I like it.

Larry

[DaddyGlenn]

When I shopped for my SC, I had a list of mods I wanted already done (so I wouldn't have to)

Oil-fed tensioners for increased reliability
Pop-off valve to save potential expense
H4's, I like to see where I'm going at night
Turbo tie rods to improve steering

That is it. I figured the rest of the stock package was just fine for my purposes (daily driver and occasional AX) and left enough for me to change and make it my own.

I didn't get the turbo tie rods but got everything else. (I have since installed the tie rods.)

[Jaskas]

A 3.6

[Porchcar guy]

You have just been given a very wide range of mods of which, ones that should be done and others are elective depending on what YOUR NEEDS are for the car. Enjoy it for a while and it will tell you what it needs to make you smile, who knows, it may make you smile as is :=)

[Boricua21]

...a chipped 3.2 with Fabspeed exhaust...

[trak ratt]

complete tune up to include valve adjustment
turbo lower valve covers
if early SC upgrade fuel lines
fuel filter
replace all vacumm lines
drain gas tank, clean screen replace gas lines to pump
chain tensioner upgrade
renewed bushes front and rear
remove BIG washer on front struts
lower to Euro height and realign
rebuild calipers
SS brake lines
SSIs and 2 in, 2 out muf
new Bilsteins front and rear
new shifter bushes front and rear
repair the side oil lines
upgrade oil cooler
7x9 fuchs w/225 & 245 tyres

[Ronnie's.930]

Engine performance mods: remove and replace with a 930 powerplant!

[ivangene]

Driver skills

Priceless

[tazzieman]

Originally Posted by Ronnie's.930

Engine performance mods: remove and replace with a 930 powerplant!

I knew someone would suggest this...hence

[dhagood]

Originally Posted by ivangene

Driver skills

this.

and do the safety items: replace ALL the rubber (tire, fuel lines, brake lines, etc)

[flat6pilot]

You can always lighten it too.

e.g.: fiberglass IROC bumpers.

Fiberglass deck lid (removing weight in the back is always good.)

Remove all the sound deadening material and replacing the carpet with light weight perlon if you're into that look. And the seats too...

Actually, lightening these cars goes a long way as far as performance. Mine was somewhere over 2500lbs when I got it. Last time I weighed it was #2250 (with out my fat ass in the seat) You can feel the difference.

But I agree with all the safety stuff first. Start making a priority list to help keep your "mods" in check.

[James Brown]

transmission/rear gear. rebuild the transmission and install a smaller rear end gear (7.31), improve the shifting with aftermarket shifter, bushings, coupler. stock brakes/pads, new suspension rubber. make sure the CIS works well and drive it. After a year then decide on what you would like to do. At first the car will exceed your abilities then as you improve, you will reach the limit of the car. Then it's time for upgrades.

[Vin-barrett]

Nothing that ive done to mine made a bigger difference on the butt dyno than SSI's