Ronin-951

New Old Stock here, only putting Porsche parts back in, ... and ya, that's just as expensive as any mod program. Different value system for my Car, doesn't have to be the fastest, 155 is quite fast enough, - and it does it with a calm grace. Not the quickest ether, but you better bring a healthy V-8 if you wish to see the front end. Not the best handling, but I can set in the Car for 16 hours, not get frazzled or deaf, and still want more. Not the lightest, even though I'm comfortable traveling with NO Tools, just a spare DME Relay. Not the 'best' Car ever, but it will do till there's something better. 170 k ish miles, 3 years since the last sputter/miss, no drips, no time off, no excuses.

fejjj

M-Tune as a minimum and the drive ability improvement will make put a HUGE smile on your face!

Rogue Tuning makes the M-tune.

User 52121

I can certainly see some appeal to leave the car bone stock - they're pretty nice even if left alone. Plus the whole "future value" thing - you'll probably get more $$$ if the car is completely stock and unmolested.

I bought my car to drive. It's a toy. And part of the fun of my toys is tinkering. I'm not planning to get rid of my car anytime soon (if ever) so I'm enjoying it with the mods I've done. I'm not worried about "future value" as really, I drive it often enough that even if I left it 100% stock, it's got a TON of miles on it and won't be worth much anyways.

If I had a low-mile example, I'd leave it stock. I'd also never drive it. Which I guess is why I didn't start with a low mile example to begin with. I bought it with 124k on it, it's got 175k or so now...

PEvans

Mine is essentially stock but probably not collectable at over 200K.

I agree with the driveability path. I put in a headlight relay (not stock but a no-brainer) and my car has 17" wheels (also a no-brainer). I am not interested in more performance but I do want the car to run right, and the stock engine management has to be dated. I have been thinking about an M-tune just for more precise operation and possibly an easier time passing smog, but I am still not clear whether the benefits to me are worth it.

rlm328

I would never mod mine

lart951

I am sorry to disagree with most, but an unmolested 951 doesn't have much appeal to me, even for a parts car, once you try a modded one it's hard to go back.

Stephencs601

I know of only one

Droops83

I've somehow managed to keep my engine stock in the 7+ years I've owned it. This is also likely why the head gasket lasted 160K miles and 28 years, despite many thousands of hard track miles in that time. I just redid the head due to valve guide wear, but the leakdown was still good and the cylinders are in beautiful shape.

I have a spare engine that I will eventually build into a monster stroker motor with bigger turbo, but that is a ways off. I will soon get an M-tune going and some light mods to make it a bit quicker now that the head/gasket are fresh.

I rebuilt the LSD w/ Guard internals, which I would recommend for any 951 thus equipped, even if you leave the car stock otherwise.

The original sports seats are in fantastic shape and the dash has just started to get a couple hairline cracks.

Nothing of the stock suspension remains, however . . . . .

rocketrider2

Mine has remained stock through 4 owners, including me, and just turned over 100k miles. Sport seats, LSD, M030, interior looks like new. Now I do have a new exhaust, turbo, wastegate, FPR, cat replacement pipe, etc just waiting. The only missing part of the equation is the Rogue tune. If I do mod I will be using his tune.

Speed Metal 951

Thanks for the replies. My car has 80k, so not low mile, not real high either I guess. I did plan on going M tune, and some other reversible stuff.. I have the room to keep all the stock stuff. Its easy to see how the mods can get out of hand and originality out the window! :P

aglaes

Interesting post. Engine wise, my '87 (62K) is still pretty much stock as far as I know - except for the Authority chip and LR Boost Enhancer - both could easily be reversed. Also had to replace the fuel lines - that one can't be easily reversed. Had to cut the stock lines.

I do have some other nicely done aesthetic and convenience mods - ie aftermarket radio and multi disc CD player in rear fender, new speakers, 968 mirrors and door handles, brighter head lights, LED instrument panel lighting, 17" Boxster wheels, window tint.

I've only had the car a year and so far have been mainly working on getting the maintenance up to date - timing belts, brakes, wheel bearings, wheels and tires.

But now I'm at a point that I want to try some performance mods. I'm just not sure where to start - and I don't have an unlimited budget. Thinking about trying the A-Tune for starters just to see if I like Josh's tune - and it's only $350 with the DME conversion. If I like it, I may later opt for the M-tune, which seems to be pretty popular on this thread.

Other mods I'd like to do would be new 3" exhaust with a cat delete, dual port wastegate with manual boost controller and new boost gauge. As a final mod, probably a new turbo - maybe an LR Super 48.

If I do all that I'll have another $5-6k in it - that's if I do all the labor myself.

As far as value goes, unless you have a '88S or '89 that is very low miles and in pristine condition, I really don't think these cars are ever going to go up much in value. Mine would need a complete restoration to be in that kind of condition and you would never get that investment back IMO.

IanM

Fantastic question. Been there done that, my '89 was basically stock when I bought it. Over 10 years I dumped a ridiculous amount of money into it. Loved the car, but the returns are diminishing and reliability suffers. If I was to do it again, I'd do the following -

- keep the K26/8, free up the intake and get a good tune for 16psi boost
- Tial wastegate, a basic electronic boost controller (I ran a Greddy Type S), boost gauge
- upgraded suspension (recommend Bilstein Escort Cup approx 400#/600#, solid spring plate bushings, delete t-bars, Weltmeister swaybars)
- 33/5 proportioning valve, PFC01 front / PFC97 rear pads, Motul RBF600 brake fluid
- sticky rubber
- Redline rollbar, Sparco Evo 2 seat, 6-pt harness

Hit the track and enjoy. You'll have a reliable 280rwhp at 16psi boost, awesome handling and fantastic brakes.

Black51

...and now years later, it's basically only modded.

reno808

If you want to sleep at night leave it stock

Chris White

Basic unchanging rules:

Collectors are collectors.

Drivers are drivers.

Modders and Modders

Track people are track people.

You are one or the other of these. if you bought the 89' as a collector car - then put it in your garage and polish it - don't drive it much as that will detract from it value to you as a 'collector car'. If you just like to drive it then just drive it....by now I'm guessing that you know where the rest of this is going!