Need advice in sorting 1987 911

[HugoBear]

I have had an 87 Carrera since 2011.
Car had a top end rebuild right before I bought it about 15k miles ago.
Car runs very well.
I put new Bikstein HD's and Bridgestone RA71's on it earlier this year.
I drove a friends car he bought from Dick Barbour.
It is an 88 with a short shift kit, sits much lower than mine, has I think an M&K exhaust and Steve Wong chip.
It was not much quicker than my car but I did like a few things about it.
I think my car would benefit from new shifter bushings.
I think the front end floats and is not hooked up like his.
Don't know if this is due to his car sitting much lower because our suspension is the same.
I have the disco RUF front bumper and wondering if that hurts handling.
The car does not feel as stable as I would like turning around 80 mph.
I like the sound of the M&K exhaust but heard it may sap a little power.
I felt like his car had a very small torque advantage but not all that big.
I liked the short shift kit but the guy who owns my local shop said he just took one out of a car as they couldn't find first gear very well with the kit.
Want to get this car sorted as I had been considering a Cayman S but think that may be unnecessary if I dial this car in correctly.
What would you recommend to do to get a little more performance out of it?
I live in California, ugh for smog....

[specialtyoneinc]

A good corner balance and alignment will help allot. Also look into turbo tie rods and a sway bar.

[HugoBear]

Thank you!

[ficke]

"I have had an 87 Carrera since 2011.
Car had a top end rebuild right before I bought it about 15k miles ago.
Car runs very well.
I put new Bikstein HD's and Bridgestone RA71's on it earlier this year.
I drove a friends car he bought from Dick Barbour.
It is an 88 with a short shift kit, sits much lower than mine, has I think an M&K exhaust and Steve Wong chip.
It was not much quicker than my car but I did like a few things about it.
I think my car would benefit from new shifter bushings."

Yes, Yes, Yes, Good idea!

"I think the front end floats and is not hooked up like his.
Don't know if this is due to his car sitting much lower because our suspension is the same.
I have the disco RUF front bumper and wondering if that hurts handling.
The car does not feel as stable as I would like turning around 80 mph."

Spring plate bushings are the first to wear out and make a car "wonder"

"I like the sound of the M&K exhaust but heard it may sap a little power."

I do not know about sapping top end power but it might take a little off the bottom end which you will feel the most. If you road trip your car much the after market exhausts get a little annoying

"I felt like his car had a very small torque advantage but not all that big.
I liked the short shift kit but the guy who owns my local shop said he just took one out of a car as they couldn't find first gear very well with the kit."

I was never been fond of the short shift kits, they were all the rage 25 years ago. Short shift kits are quicker but take more effort, ok on a track, but tiring on the street.

"Want to get this car sorted as I had been considering a Cayman S but think that may be unnecessary if I dial this car in correctly."

There are surprisingly few properly set up 911's. Refreshing the worn, old stuff will do more for you than poorly thought out after market stuff. Be carefully when modifying, many thing do make for a better lap times but many times it is a trade off for the advantage. For instance, sport suspension will lower your track times and make the car handle well, but ride quality suffers and you might drive the car less. There is a balance between the two that will suit you.

"What would you recommend to do to get a little more performance out of it?"

I usually buy a faster car when I want more performance, so I really can not help you there. I just make the cars I have run their best.
Good Luck, hope fully you will get more opinions.

"I live in California, ugh for smog...."

I like Cal. alot but does not suit me to want to live there, primarily how it can change a car from a form of freedom to a solitary confinement cell, traffic.

[HugoBear]

Thank you Ficke!

[techweenie]

What aero parts do you have? Front lip spoiler? Rear spoiler? These are important to higher-speed stability...

You also need to look at the relative height of front vs. rear. I prefer my 911s a bit (5-7mm) lower in the front.

[HugoBear]

I don'e have anything on back and I have a disco RUF front valence with no chin spoiler. Not sure if I could even put one on that valence but I think that is part of the problem.
I lowered the front myself and it threw off the alignment. It is at the shop right now and I would like it to be lower in the front but want to make sure I have an ok rake.
Thank you for the info. I always love to hear what you have to say techweenie.

[whiterabbit]

Check both cars have the same size front rims. Just because they are both running the same tires doesn't mean one isn't on 6"s and the other on 7"s.

[gshiwota]

I've run cars with / without front spolers, wide tires, narrow tires and stock height and lowered. While lowering and running a spoiler helps at higher speeds, most of the loosness I have felt is due to work suspension parts.

I've owned several 911s and the biggest improvement I've had to front end feel is new a-arm bushings. If your car hasn't had these replaced, I bet this would give you what you're looking for. The ER rubber bushings are the ones to get! Also if you're running original ball joints or tie rods, it's time to replace them.