[mikesarge]

"hot rod" is always a funny term to me. Seems more fitting for use by old guys to describe 30s era Fords with big blowers, more than a modified 911.

But I'm a "younger" 911 owner, and grew up in the euro tuner car scene.

Is my 911 a "hot rod" or "outlaw?" it's an SC with the supertec 3.1L cylinder/piston set, 964 cams, wevo shifter, stiffer bushings everywhere I could fit them, and SSI/dansk exhaust. It would be stock if I didn't find a broken head stud after I bought it.

So, it's not stock, it's not easily reversible. It's considerably quicker than it was stock, but it's totally drivable in traffic. hot rod? eh.. it's pretty tame. Outlaw? no speed holes, so I think I'm DQ'd there.

I could add ITB/EFI, does that make it a hot rod? what if I get lighter seats and remove some carpet and door cards?

You could always start with easily-reversible mods, like exhaust, shifter, strut brace, shocks, etc.. (and get a good alignment and corner balance), and see if that satisfies you.

If not, it's your car, so do what you want with it. I don't think it's worth worrying about keeping it original (though I guess many people do). Engine upgrades are expensive, and on these cars, they really don't seem to be a good return on $ per hp compared to the turbocharged cars I've built in the past. It really depends on what you're after.

I've never owned a vehicle that stayed stock for long, so I'm the wrong guy for advocating for an original car. I'd just keep in mind that your modifications don't necessarily add value toward resale.