ploglet

I am looking to do some work on my "new" 87 Coupe and wanted to find out some recommendations on what to do. Currently the car is lowered about an 1.5 inches and is quite a bit stiffer than the stock car. The car has a set of 16" BBS wheels on it for track use but I wanted to add some additional items to the car for the track. I dont want to make the car undrivable on the street though.

I am thinking about putting the big red brakes on it. Any one have those on their 3.2? Would these be the recommend brakes? Any issues when installing them?

I am thinking about putting a drivers seat in the car. I was looking at a Recaro but dont hav emuch experience with new seats. Any recommendations on which seat to put in the car?

What type of exhaust would be the recommendation.

I know there is a lot of questions there but any information will be useful. I am looking forward to spring to take the new car out to the track and am just trying to get ready. So any other recommendations of what I should do to get the car more track ready would be greatly appreciated.

Bill Gregory

Ploglet,

You've probably already read the 911 tech articles on tech.rennlist.com. I'm also working on a new one specifically on getting 911SC's ready for the track, much of which would be applicable to your questions - ought to have it posted in a few days.

My first question would be why larger brakes? If your answer is to stop quicker, that's the wrong answer. If your answer is to have more heat sink capacity so you don't have to bleed your brakes as often while at the track, that works. If you go to big reds, you have to go to 17" wheels. Turbo brakes will fit under your 16" wheels (there's an article discussing brake upgrades and the upgrade to Turbo brakes on the tech.rennlist.com site).

Drivers seats are like helmets, you have to sit in them to find one that's comfortable for you. I happen to like the Recaro SRD because it reclines and fits my bod well. Are you also putting in safety harness's? A harness bar? Roll bar?

Exhaust on your 3.2 is personal choice. Loudness, 2500-3000 rpm drone, stainless vs painted steel, track db limits, there's lots of factors and choices. Go to a Porsche event, listen to what others use, ask questions.

ploglet

Bill,
The car has a harness bar and a driver seat harness already in it. I dont think I am going to go with a roll bar...yet.

I am also curious about the shocks for the car. I don't think that they have been upgraded so I am thinking about putting some new shocks on it. Any recommendations on that front. I would like to get some good shocks that will help enhnace the performance of the car.

I would think that the stainless steel exhaust would be the way to go for longevity. I was also thinking I would go with new headers on the exhaust. I will go out an event and see what looks good. Are there any manufacturers that produce better systems than others?
Thanks.

Stephen Masraum

For big reds you'd have to do away with your 16" rims and go to at least 17". A better option would be to go to 930 brakes and/or brake cooling. Chances are you should be able to stick with the Carrera brakes with brake cooling, but if you are determined to upgrade then the 930 brakes would be perfect. More braking and will still fit inside your 16" rims.
As far as seats lot's of people use the Recaro SRD for a seat with more support and a car that still needs a comfy seat and the functionality of a street seat. The SRD will lean forward and recline giving access to the back seat area. One thing that I see over and over again concerning seat changes is that aftermarket seats are all of varying measurements and so you really need to sit in the seat before you purchase to make sure the seat fits you or you fit the seat. Buying an expensive seat and then finding that you are too big or too small for it is inconvenient at best.
Exhaust depends upon where you are and what you can do. Can you ditch the catalytic converter or do you have an emissions inspection? If no emissions inspection then do you need heat in your car. If you need heat but no catalytic converter then you could go with SSI's. They are just on the small side for a 3.2L car but will work well and preserve heat. They are making or may have just completed a larger capacity SSI for the 3.2L and later cars. If you don't need heat then there are quite a few different headers out there. If you need a catalytic ocnverter then you may be limited to a sport muffler of some type.
If you have any other questions let us know as there will be someone who will have the answers.

ploglet

Thanks for the advice. To answer a couple of the return questions.
I will need heat and a convertor. So I guess that answers that question.
As far as the seat questions, I should try and sit in a seat but I am not sure who around my area ia going to carry any of them but I will see. Better safe than sorry.

Using the turbo brakes seems to be the answer. I was thinking of upgrading to the 17" wheels anyway hence the thought of going with the big red's. I will have to see I guess.

Any thoughts on the suspension parts?

James Achard

Another Brake option is Alcon. They will fit in 16" wheels and are really nice. I have a set on my '87 Carrera which I use as a DE car. I have pagid Orange pads in them and they work great. Mind you, I have no comparison to the stock brakes since the car came with the Alcon's. Alcon Brakes Here's the link to there website. In regard to ehausts, I live in Massachusetts and my '87 got by with a B&B exhaust with the cat. not installed. Don't ask me how since I saw it was not there after the inspection Good luck with the car, they are a blast on the track!!!

James Achard

richard glickel.

If,as you describe, your car is stiffer and about 1 1/2 inches lower than stock, what makes you think the suspension hasn't already been "tweeked"? Unless the car has been converted to coil-overs, you don't have springs, so what would make your ride more stiff? . . . shocks and torsion bars, I think.

You need to have someone who knows what they are looking at take a peek under there. You may not need to change much.

Good luck!

Richard
'87 Carrera (w/ 930 brakes)

ploglet

Yes the car is a lot stiffer than the stock car. I know the previous owner has put larger torsion bars on the car. Hence the stiffness. I was thinking though that I may want to upgrade the shocks to match the stiffer bars. Just a thought. I know the previous owner has not put new shocks on the car as he told me so.
I guess I am just going through the motions of getting a new car and what I would like to do to it. You know all the tinkering you like to do when you get a new toy!
So I am goign through the motions on the car to see what I would be most interested in changing. I am going to dirve the car mostly on the street but dont mind the little changes that I can do to the car to enjoy the quickness of it more.
So I guess I am looking to see what other people have done to their 991's and in what order they tended to do it.

WonPutt

New larger sized SSI's for a 3.2? Tell me more!