BrooksBier

I know there have been several threads on this and there is some degree of differing views on this but....
My 87 carrera all original except the stereo and steering wheel and is in very good condition. I want to improve the performance of the car. The shop I bought it from says that the first thing they would recommend doing is to lower it to euro specs. They said chipping the car will give a small increase in performance but at a cost of potentially stressing the engine.
I spoke with Steve Wong and he was great. I know people swear by his chips. I do not want to stress my car for a small increase in performance if that is what it will do in addition to the potential hassle at smog time.
Hope I'm not starting the most controversial thread possible and thank you.

redridge

What do you want to do with the car.... Suspension mods are very rewarding, if you want more power a pre muffler and a sw chip is the best bang for the buck.... No need to worry about stressing these engine. Adding 10-15 hp is nothing for these engines.

ivangene

lowering the car is OK as long as the shocks are not spent...as Ferd said...refreshing is worth the effort. Since these are "momentum" cars having the ability to keep the power on and not slow down while cornering has the best bang for the buck IMO

have you been out to the track? some time with an instructor will get more out of your car then $5k in upgrades...believe me...my bone stock car over takes plenty of cars with 100+ or more HP (in the turns...not so much on the straights... but if you tailgate them enough in the turns they "get it" and let you pass on the straights )
and then think about motor mods

Chuck Harmon

I'd agree, lowering the car is a good improvement, if done right, be sure to get corner balanced.
I have Steves chip along with other mods and consider it to be an upgrade over stock. The one thing I recommend is replace the exhaust.

Turn3 Autosport

What are your goals for the car, how do you intend to use it? Street, track, autocross, or a combo?

Euro ride height is easily done. I would recommend a full inpection of all suspension related components and replacement of any supsect parts at the same time. However, depending on what you find this can lead to the "while you are in there" syndrome.... If you need to to do bushings, may as well do torsion bars or coils over conversion, oh heck, why not sway bars too! You can see where it can lead..... Set a plan first about what you will do when you get the initial work and inspection done or before you know it you will be spending far more than you planned. Think ahead about how much "while you are in there" stuff you will do. For instance, don't put sway bars that will rattle in the car if you are planning to use it as a DD, etc.....

If the car gets lowered, get a corner balance done and a good alignment. But be careful with the corner balance. There is plenty to consider. For instance, do you drive with your significant other most of the time? Or are you tracking the car with only you in it and no instructor? If you are spending the money to get it cornerbalanced then think about the load you normally have in the car and have it set up to suit that. Also, we like to sacrifice a little rear balance (if we have to) to get the front exact to maximize braking in a 911 with its' light front end. Don't want to debate the theory, been done many times before, but that is how we like it if the car is seeing the track.

ivangene

I have to say corner balancing was Money well spent!!

Byron did mine and yes, sacrificed a little rear and nailed the front weighted with me (as I run solo most often)

now I have to do some additional work and I am reluctant because I dont want to mess up the balance (double edged sword!)

I need a set of scales