1987 3.2 Carrera To Do list

[danco_]

Hi guys,

I've been dicking around with a recent 3.2L Carrera purchase. This car is a good distraction from real world priorities and I hope continues to be that.



Things that I've done since acquiring it in April:

Early April:
-Undercarriage Steam Clean
-Full tune up
(all fluids replaced)
(spark plugs, wires, Cap, Rotor, drive belts)
(fresh, upgraded fuel lines)
(valve adjustment)
-Rebuilt Half Shafts





Then I took it racing over one weekend and felt like it needed "more suspension" work. I didn't feel confident going into corners, or coming out of them. This is likely driver error, but I still wanted all suspension and brakes gone through.


What it already had on:

930 calipers from 89 930
Front OEM floating rotors with VCI hats and T-locks
Rear OEM rotors
23mm OEM master cylinder
Pagid Orange track pads
Porterfield street pads

Front Suspension
Bilstein RSR front struts with raised 19mm spindles (valved by Rennsport Systems to match 22mm torsion bars)
22 mm Elephant Racing hollow torsion bars
Smart Racing #27 adjustable anti roll bars
Elephant racing bump steer kit
Elephant racing poly bronze bushings
Wevo strut mount mono balls with carbon fiber strut brace
Turbo Tie Rods

Rear Suspension
Bilstein RSR rear dampers (valved by Rennsport systems to match 30mm torsion bars)
30 mm Elephant Racing hollow torsion bars
Smart Racing #27 adjustable anti roll bars
Wevo rear sway bar mounts
Elephant Racing poly bronze bushings
Elephant Racing sealed trailing arm mono balls

I took it into a local Suspension Guru by the name of Joey Seely of E-Motion Engineering and he set me up with:

Spherical Rod ends for end links Replace Rod Ends
Spring plate bushings
Install and Index Torsion Bars
Corner Balance and Alignment

But then I got a bit intoxicated and had him add in a set of KW Clubsport 2-Way Coilovers with 19mm raised spindles. I get a call three days later that KW misinformed us and they did not in fact have a set of these coilovers ready to go, but that they would need to be built and shipped - ETA was 8 weeks. That wasn't good enough. I ended up settling for their KW V3 system with 19mm raised spindles.

So this was added to the previous suspension list:
KW V3 Coilovers
Front Wheel Bearings (inner)
Front Wheel Bearings (outer)
Wheel Bearing Seal
O-Ring
Spacer Ring
Bearing Grease
Install Dampers and Wheel Bearings 911 Adjustable Bumpsteer Kit
Install Adjustable Bumpsteer







After all that was done, I figured now was a good time to have the bumpers, valence, and side mirrors repainted. They were well-beaten from track days and life in general.
Another one of those intoxicated events happened and I agreed to send the car in for full paint corrected and ceramic coating. I never know if these ceramic coatings are worth it or snake oil, but it sure looks nice.

Then I decided that the current wheels were pretty good, but not good enough. I had a set of 7/8 944 Turbo wheels on, but decided that the path of least resistence would be to throw the rear 8s to the front, and slap on a set of 930 turbo wheels to the rear. A quick google search and about four mouse clicks later, and a set of 9" turbo wheels were ordered through SunCoast. This thing is starting to come together now.

]







Then I found a unicorn set of 930-specific Turbo fans that mount to the Fuchs wheels. Don't ask how. I don't even know how I pulled this off. They are pretty neat. I think I'll have them painted a slightly darker shade of Titanum gray to counterbalance the lighter wheel lips. And now I'm thinking the side of this car needs a set of Carrera script in that same titanium gray color.





Which brings us to now. I am nearly where I want to be for phase 1, but a few things remain on my to-do list. Though I'm not sure which goes first.

1. Upgrade to fancy LED headlights with the fluted H4 lenses so I can actually see at night. The current H5 system leaves much to be desired.
2. Upgrade to a lightweight battery by Antigravity Batteries or LiteBlox. I want to get that 40lb lead acid battery out of the front left corner of the car and swap it out for a 6 pounder. Adding lightness is a huge priority.
3. RarlyL8 Carrera headers with fancy lightweight M&K exhaust muffler. Again, possible HP gain and definite lightness.
4. Guards LSD. This car needs needs all the help it can get under hard cornering and braking. The current set up is oriented towards oversteer rather than understeer, and a Guards unit will give me more stability under hard driving, as well as mental confidence to push the car harder without the fear of almost dying all the time. I prefer the oversteer character of this car.

Current engine and interior set up is as follows:

Motor
104K mile (75k motor installed 29k miles ago)
Autothority MAF with custom Steve Wong chip
Dansk cat euro premuffler (passes smog but who cares)
250 fwhp (214 rwhp)

Transmission
G50
New clutch with cross shaft update

Interior
Leather Recaro pole position seats with Brey Krause side mount brackets
Schroth 6 pt harnesses
Appbiz RSA leather door panels
DAS Sport bolt in roll bar
Appbiz RSA plush carpet set (lightweight sound deadening applied under carpet)
Lloyds floor mats
AC delete
Center console delete
Radio delete
New Momo Mod 8 steering wheel


I've already added a Wevo SSK for the G50 Trans, Rennline adjustable pedals, removed the Brey Krause fire extinguisher and added one of those new Element units, vintage Momo Prototipo steering wheel with one of those custom Zuffenhausen longer hubs, and I can't remember what else.



I think I'll end up going RSR backdate and hopped up 3.6L, but I don't have a time frame on that, and I'm not sure if I should do the exhaust system in light of that plan. What I do know is that I still want the LSD and I don't see any downside to doing one of those, nor the headlights or battery.

The goal of this car is to continue to add lightness, so all current planned modifications (aside from LSD) are geared towards lightness. The car is weighed in at 2600lbs with 3/4 tank of gas. I figure I can strip another 70lbs pretty easily, and more if I get rid of the 964 spare tire up front as well.

This has become on of my favorite cars and I drive it quite a lot now. I don't mind sweating a bit in the summer time.



I also made this thread as a way for me to keep track of modifications to this car. I should have done the same with my 993 Carrera S but I didn't and regret it.


Thanks!

[PDKLOL]

wow! that's an awesome progression since purchase! What color is the car? Mine (per the PO) is supposedly 2560lbs and I have just about the same mods you currently have in terms of weight reduction. The bumpers made a big difference.

[danco_]

[QUOTE=PDKLOL;10134014]wow! that's an awesome progression since purchase! What color is the car? Mine (per the PO) is supposedly 2560lbs and I have just about the same mods you currently have in terms of weight reduction. The bumpers made a big difference.

Your car is rad! A bit darker than mine for sure. Color code on mine is Venetian Blue. I think it's an 87-88 color.

[Pigeye]

Venetian Blue!

Subscribed to this thread

[oMenRC51]

flat beetle

[PDKLOL]

Originally Posted by danco_

Your car is rad! A bit darker than mine for sure. Color code on mine is Venetian Blue. I think it's an 87-88 color.

Thanks man. Mine is the original paint code for the car (Marine Blue). Subscribing to keep up with the progress. I'm going to have a lot of suspension questions for you as mine is stock and I'm wanting to improve mine. I'm a local PCA Instructor and I know exactly what you mean about how it feels going through the turns. Forgot to mention that it's a 1987 as well!

[danco_]

The hunt for a good 993 donor just began.
I'm thinking an obd1 engine would be easiest, and let Steve Wong go nuts with tuning. Let's see if I can get 300 crank HP.

[DRACO A5OG]

Wow

[darrin]

Originally Posted by danco_

The hunt for a good 993 donor just began.
I'm thinking an obd1 engine would be easiest, and let Steve Wong go nuts with tuning. Let's see if I can get 300 crank HP.

how do you plan on keeping this legal/registerable in CA? bump existing 3.2 to 3.5 and twinplug instead?

[Trakrat]

Originally Posted by danco_

The hunt for a good 993 donor just began.
I'm thinking an obd1 engine would be easiest, and let Steve Wong go nuts with tuning. Let's see if I can get 300 crank HP.

I have a couple of questions...

I noticed you have a VIN sticker on the bottom of your rear quarter panel (along your rockers/side skirt)…. do you ALSO have a VIN sticker on the opposite side of your car?

Finally... I'm interested in knowing more about that front bumper. Does it have a placement to cut out the front for a front-mount oil cooler? Or is that just for a Euro style license plate?
Where did you get that bumper?

I'd also like to see some pics of the interior to get a better look at your harness/roll bar you have set up as well as the aftermarket seats.

[danco_]

Originally Posted by darrin

how do you plan on keeping this legal/registerable in CA? bump existing 3.2 to 3.5 and twinplug instead?

I did the math and a 3.6L Twin plug would be the path of least resistance for me at this time.

This will be CA Legal once finished. I've gone through this process with a few BMWs that I've built over the years. Seems the 3.6L engine is actually easier to have legalized than were the BMWs.

Originally Posted by Trakrat

I have a couple of questions...

I noticed you have a VIN sticker on the bottom of your rear quarter panel (along your rockers/side skirt)…. do you ALSO have a VIN sticker on the opposite side of your car?

Finally... I'm interested in knowing more about that front bumper. Does it have a placement to cut out the front for a front-mount oil cooler? Or is that just for a Euro style license plate?
Where did you get that bumper?

I'd also like to see some pics of the interior to get a better look at your harness/roll bar you have set up as well as the aftermarket seats.

I do have both VIN stickers present. One on each side rocker panel.

Front bumper is stock. Valence is a custom modified piece. I like it.

Interior photos to come at some point. Maybe today, maybe tomorrow. Thank you.

[PDKLOL]

Originally Posted by danco_

The hunt for a good 993 donor just began.
I'm thinking an obd1 engine would be easiest, and let Steve Wong go nuts with tuning. Let's see if I can get 300 crank HP.

Yes!

[danco_]

I managed to have a set of the "Audette Collection LED headlights with fluted lenses" made and installed today. My motivation was being able to see at night and that was pretty much it. I'm happy to report that aside from light output, they actually look better too. At this point, even duct taping flashlights to the front of the car would have netted better light output than the stock H5 headlights.

Before





Comparison between H5 and the LEDs with H4 lenses


Installed



And finally, I have a set of beauty trim rings at the painters now. They will be painted Venetian Blue, as the H5 set up was as well. I like the chrome rings, but my car has zero chrome on it, so it looks a bit out of place.

[86 911 Targa]

Outstanding, well done...........

So, How's your checkbook doing?

Gerry

[75 911s]

Super clean. I like your mod path.

[danco_]

Originally Posted by 86 911 Targa

Outstanding, well done...........

So, How's your checkbook doing?

Gerry

Every time I check my account, I realize I’m not spending enough.

So I just put an order for a Guards LSD.

That should hold me at bay for a week or two.

[Outlaw_singer]

Originally Posted by danco_

Every time I check my account, I realize I’m not spending enough.

:-)
Stop making us jealous Ryan.
Love what you're doing with the car!

[Jonny042]

Any comments on the KW suspension?

I'm curious if Mr. Seeley had any feedback on available bump travel at your ride height. The OEM setup runs out of travel pretty easily and I'm wondering if KW made any changes in that regard. Judging from the pics the strut body length and shock shaft are the same as bilstein, but then there's a bumpstop stealing some travel.....

[rokemester]

This is some serious “dicking” around, just sayin

[Canada Kev]

I also am kind of curious about the KW suspension, and how it performs, feels, rides, etc...

You also mentioned that the coilovers weren't immediately available and that you used the V3 system. But then after said in your "added to the previous suspension list" that you used V3 coilovers. I do believe their V3 setup uses the torsion bars and their own dampers and struts. I'm just a bit confused about what I thought I knew about their 911 stuff.

Regardless, she's a nice looking ride and you seem to be diving right in with the mods. Keep the updates coming.