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Finally broke down and bought the RS uprights and tie rods. Crazy expensive, but I've been wanting to get this done. Also got control arm bushings for good measure.
I highly recommend following performance upgades because I got unexpected results.
1. Replaced the windshield wiper fluid tank cap, it was yellowing and developed 1 tiny crack but perfectly working.
2. Replaced the gas cap gasket, it seems like a good idea, who knows my SAI error was related somehow.
3. Installed a brand new headlight lamp bulb retaining clip, 3 zip ties were holding the light bulb in place - brilliant contraption by one of the prev owners when the HID was done I suspect, ppi did not catch it.
4. Replaced one of the airbox retaining clip, missing the retaining pieces on both sides of one clip, someone did not know how to unclip tried to remove the clip by squeezing them, I guess, before my time.
5. Washed the car paying attention to the spoiler curtain, my prev test drive left dead bugs on the windshield. I cleaned the painted area asap.
I felt it was necessary to test my performance upgrades so drove around for an hour at sunset averaging at 70mph + 20 - 70.
I confirmed following improvements;
1. less dead bugs on the the windshield due to the brand new oem windshield fluid tank cap, at 0 mph, it worked but 70 +20 not so much, but I definitely observed overall there were less dead bugs on the windshield glass, side mirrors and the front bumper cover. I did not count the dead bugs before and after the upgrade.
2. significant improvement on the gas milegage (36 mpg)* from the usual average 20 mpg due to the brand new gas cap gasket. No engine light after resetting the SAI code so far.
3. be able to read signs at least 2 miles away around the bend ( they tell me the light bends but I personally experienced after replacing 3 zip ties holding the headlight bulb with the original metal clip)
4. amazing power improvement due to the improved intake air management. I am sure there was some amount of unfiltered air into my 66K engine even though the old partially broken clip was doing it's job
5. improved airflow at the back of my 993 due to less drag caused by the less dirt on the spoiler curtain. I partially attribute the improved gas mileage to this.
My future performance improve projects
1. lowering the weight of my car by removing my unused CD changer, not working anyway and not original.
2. Vacuum ALL dust from my glove compartments and remove old registration and insurance certificates to improve the cabin air quality.
3. Clean all parts under the car, caked on grease and dirt, I already cleaned inside and outside of the red heater rubber pieces with straight Simple Green. The Simple Green smell lingered for about a day inside, a pleasant break from the usual smell. That's inside my garage.
4. Change the tire pressure caps to plastic type, my car has metal porsche logoed caps. These have impaired the acceleration significantly due to the increased wheel weight. At high speeds 90 mph+, the weight bends the rubber stems and they hit the side of rims. The metal caps do remove the brake dust from the rims as you drive but it is limited to about 1/16th round spot. I should add about 40 more metal caps dipped in rubber coating to the rims so I don't have to clean the rims so often.
5. Shampoo the seat belts, I am sure there is a lot of dirt unseen but trapped in the fiber weighing down my 993.
I will come up with more performance improvements when I am done with the above 5 items. But I am afraid that I get stuck at item no3 and never get to the next easy items but I must have listed the items in the order of importance and I shall follow my plan of action.
Darn, I have to wash my car again because my 993 is covered with dead bugs except that the windshield should have less dead bugs. ( I verified it at 0mph )
*going down a 1/4 mile downhill at 60 mph at the beginning of the test drive with a full gas tank, 36 psi front 38 psi back, 17 inch, Raptor ( budget limitation ), not lowered to facilitate the ease of the air flowing under the car, almost no dead bugs on the car and immediately after resetting the gas mileage meter for 5 seconds. I think I can achieve a even higher mpg if I put the engine cover, load my frunk and back seats with all my future project parts, all my old *metal* parts from 993, and other cars, and at 60 psi.
Have a nice day to all!
i did not spellcheck so....
Although these improvements happened to my 993 on August 13, 2020, between 8pm and 9pm, no guarantee that it will happen again to my car or to other cars... regrettably...
Last edited by 1997hmc993; 08-14-2020 at 07:34 PM.
Last week I finally had a LWF installed with a new clutch. Amazing difference in 1st & 2nd gear - I wish I would have done it sooner. Yes, the car chatters a little at low rpm and you can stall the car if you aren't too careful, but if you like a peppy engine, then this is a great upgrade
Modified spoiler module to disable the auto-spoiler. Will have to wait for the storms to clear up to see if it works.
You can actually defeat the auto-mode on the spoiler by manually putting the spoiler up. When you restart the car, you simply hit the spoiler button once to extinguish the light in the button, and it remain extended.
However, I recognize you may have already known this and agree hitting the button every time starting can be nuisance ... making this mod totally worth it!
Brought it home 8/3 with 29,799 on on ODO. So far 500+ miles and many hours of smiles!
Did my first mod: new factory DME relay.
Car came with receipts back to ‘96 and I read every page. Learned it had the DME replaced in 2012. And when 18” wheels were added in 2012 the steering rack brace retrofit was completed. Very pleased to have good records.
Absolutely loving this car! My husband didn’t see it until after the deal was done. He wasn’t in favor of the purchase (but supported my desire to own it). Within 48 hours he was in love and called it a “keeper”. That makes it even better!
Last edited by needmoregarage; 08-21-2020 at 11:00 PM.
Brought it home 8/3 with 29,799 on on ODO. So far 500+ miles and many hours of smiles!
Did my first mod: new factory DME relay.
Car came with receipts back to ‘96 and I read every page. Learned it had the DME replaced in 2012. And when 18” wheels were added in 2012 the steering rack brace retrofit was completed. Very pleased to have good records.
Absolutely loving this car! My husband didn’t see it until after the deal was done. He wasn’t in favor of the purchase (but supported my desire to own it). Within 48 hours he was in love and called it a “keeper”. That makes it even better!
Congrats! You still have the GT4? The 993 is a great compliment to modern Porsches. Both are great, but in completely different ways.
Yes, still loving the GT4 although it went to storage to make room for the 993. I love the GT4. Was considering the new version with PDK but can’t quite bring myself to part with this one. It was built to my spec and modified for my use. The contrast in experience is great between the GT4 and 993. Both are fun in completely different ways. Hubby finds the 993 far more comfortable (he has bad back and LWB don’t agree with him). I’m happy he likes the 993.
Last edited by needmoregarage; 08-25-2020 at 07:18 PM.
08-12-2020, 06:31 PM
