Damn this forum is slow!!!

[motion]

Cmon, Richard, lets get this thing going!!! Any other new 993 owners out there??

OK, I'll get things started (I have a '95 Carrera 4 Cab - will NOT see track time):

I have $big bux to spend on my new toy. Here's where I am so far:

1) MASHAW or similar front aero splitters. Any disadvantages with going fiberglass? Should I go plastic instead?

2) Wheels - I think I'm going with 996 Carrera 18" wheels with Michelin Pilot Sports or Bridgestone S03s. I LOVE these wheels!!

http://www.wheelenhancement.com/9961802.htm

3) Springs - I am looking for 1" lower... HR springs? My car has 28k on it, so I would like to stick with stock shocks for now... Is this an easy upgrade? I'm assuming I'll need a 4 wheel alignment.

4) Chip - What's a good chip? I have no idea on this one.

5) Muffler - Fabspeed? I wish I could listen to them all and make the decision, but I know that's impossible. Anyone in SoCal with an aftermarket muffler that I can listen to?

6) Airbox - I know you can't expect any additional HP, but they supposedly make more noise? That's what I want. Anyone running an airbox and filter?

Any other good mods out there for this thing?

[maxnine11]

yes, it sometimes is a little slow here...but so am i ...question 1- turbo/CarreraS front bumper is by far the most handsome, IMO. never liked the splitters, esp. on a cab. (2) MY2002 lightweight 5spokes are an awesome choice..very light, don't look too great on a 996, look great on 993s . being for a cab, i would research a 18 inch tire that gives a little bit of a cushier ride than the S-02s, PZeros etc.(3) H&Rs will drop your car a lot..at least 1 1/2 inches, and are quite stiff for a cab. Eibachs are almost identical. the bad news is that the factory shocks are actually made by Monroe, and are crap. And they do not work well with the stiffer aftermarket springs. I have researched the suspension thing to death for my car; and have been trying to figure out a configuration for a 993 cab as my 'chick' is thinking of getting one instead of a Boxster. I f she does get one i will probably put on bilstein HD shocks with a Porsche european spring...can't remember the code...it is not the m030, but is a lot softer, with the low european ride height. then, put on some m030 swaybars to keep it flat when cornering. (4) chip- heard lots of great things about Steve Weiner's Rennsport chip for the '95s. (5) fabspeed is a good choice, as are Robin Sun's RSR muffler ( modified factory stainless mufflers) you won't see much HP difference, but some aftermarket mufflers are quite loud, and the B&B is known to really ressonate at certain rpms. (6) i have the factory motorsound airbox cover...gives a little deeper sound at/near WOT. later, max.... i am going to try to find that option code for the soft, low springs.

[maxnine11]

found it -suspension option : m033. about 15 mm lower than ROW ride height, but softer than the m030 suspension option.

[maxnine11]

one thing that i am sure you have read about: wiring harness issues with '95s and early '96s. Has your's been replaced??? It is now a Porsche recall. (the plastic covering on the wires was of a material that would turn brittle , crack and flake off, creating all sorts of electrical problems and in some cases-FIRE. some of the first ones replaced were replaced with a harness made of the same quality!! one other thing for the '95s is to switch rear alignment settings to the '96 and newer specs. you will still eat rear tires, but not as bad as the 95 alignment. max

[Rick Lee]

Richard, my new 993 has some of the mods you're talking about. I have the H&R springs on the stock struts (I believe), car has been lowered and I totally LOVE my Fabspeed exhaust. My interior is marble gray with a black dash and steering wheel. Aluminum gauge bezels really stand out, as does RS shifter with black leather and aluminum "PORSCHE" logo handbrake grip. I want to go with 18" wheels eventually, but will wait until I've chewed through the new Kuhmos on there now. I have the Fabspeed carbon fiber open air box cover and put it on eBay, as it's just too loud for me at 5k rpms, which my 993 sees VERY often. It may actually sound better for your cab.

Unfortunately, I belatedly noticed some worn suspension rubber boots, which can only be replaced by all new tie rods and rear control arms. I will DIY that one, but after the alignment that will have run me a good $800. so the mods will have to wait. Later will be LWF and RS clutch kit, but am still bonding with the car and learning its limits.

[motion]

Max - Thanks for all the info... I will look into your spring recommendation... the last thing I need is a stiff ride... although the little blondie sitting next to me would look really good when jiggling.

I'll check out the turbo/CarreraS front bumpers too. I like the idea of the splitters because they are small and easy to install. The entire bumper seems like a much more expensive job?

What is the factory motorsound airbox cover?? Is that an aftermarket part available at Porsche dealers?

I did a little research on the Rennsport chip - they are claiming 12-25 HP.. wonder if that is true? Also say you need 92 octane gas... I'm not sure if I can live with that requirement. Wonder if they trigger the 'check engine' light?

Richard - Wish I could hear your Fabspeed muffler. Is it more of a rumble sound, like a V8, or more high-pitched like an F1 car?

[Rick Lee]

My Fabspeed gets something close to a V8 sound - but of course, far classier. I have a front splitter too and the PO installed brake cooling ducts with the tiny fog lights too.

[maxnine11]

Richard -Motion, sent you a PM. i looked up the factory motorsound airbox. they just have one part number for the whole airbox, not a seperate one for the lid. the 95s have a different part number than the 96>, but , the lids themselves are quite likely interchangable. you can borrow mine to see how it sounds if it will fit. Richard LeShander, did you ever try your open carbon fiber cover on a car with the stock mufflers??? wonder if it would still be very loud....just curious. Here is a picture of a cab with the m033 springs. looks just right to me. low enough to look good, doesn't have that 'nose in the air' stance of the US ride height, and not too low that pulling into every driveway is a scraping adventure.

[poorb0yw]

Richard- Yep this board is insanely slow. Mostly becuase Rennlist has the 993 topic covered pretty well. Tons of archived information specific to the 993. I'd definitely check it out.
Anyhow, welcome to the big and slippery slope that your about to step onto.

You can find some pics of a cab with the Supercup splitters here:
http://gallery.rennlist.com/gallery/Dannys-albums I think it looks pretty nice. I'd have to say going with plastic would be a better choice if your streets aren't too great especially in such a high risk area. Plastic takes hits and scrapes so much better than glass.

The same effect from the motorsound airbox can be realized by drilling your stock unit. If you take it off and look at the underside there are actually little outlines of the holes in the locations exactly where the motorsound airbox lid is drilled.

I'll have to second the rest of max's picks. Many seem to be happy with such mods over on Rennlist.
Good luck and have fun with the new toy