996 --> 997 Front End Conversion Process and Pictures
01-19-2013, 02:51 PM
#31
01-21-2013, 11:24 AM
#32
Intermediate
Thread Starter
I'll post pictures of the car shortly, it's raining here. My photobucket account expired without me realizing it, so pic links are dead. Will create a new account and upload when I have some time.
Final outcome is quite nice, and it looks much better in person than in photos.
Here is a preview for you art critics to rip away at:
At first, I thought for sure that I would go back to the OEM tail lights. It currently has dectane tail lights, which shortly after buying, I started to dislike. However, out in the sun, and with the ducktail, suspension, AERO parts etc, the dectane taillights actually look quite nice and modern, so I'll probably keep them. The whole effect of the new front, nice new paint, more subtle and rounded ducktail wing is really just a more modern and "smoothed out" feeling. Pictures don't really do it justice. With the ducktail, I think that eliminating the OEM rear brake light is a must, otherwise it just looks strange having two. You could also opt to eliminate the light on the ducktail itself I suppose. In my very humble personal opinion , the ducktail really only looks good when the car is quite low to the ground with very minimal fender gaps. However, most 996 owners aren't going to lower their car to the point where mine currently is, in consideration of the ride quality, etc. The car sat out in the snow and mud while they worked on other cars, which I'm not very pleased about. When I went to check it out at the shop, it was caked in mud and water was dripping down into the engine bay. As many of you know, it's a certain kind of hell having your Porsche in the hands of other people who care about it a lot less than you do, especially when you garage it religiously.
Final hurdle to jump was the splash guards. I stuck with the 996 splash guards because the 997 guards don't bolt up to the car itself in the exact same spots. The 996 splash guards don't mount to the fender or bumper, but to the car itself. With this in mind, the 996 splash guards were modified (extended etc) to meet the slightly wider inner areas of the new 997 style fenders.
Final outcome is quite nice, and it looks much better in person than in photos.
Here is a preview for you art critics to rip away at:
At first, I thought for sure that I would go back to the OEM tail lights. It currently has dectane tail lights, which shortly after buying, I started to dislike. However, out in the sun, and with the ducktail, suspension, AERO parts etc, the dectane taillights actually look quite nice and modern, so I'll probably keep them. The whole effect of the new front, nice new paint, more subtle and rounded ducktail wing is really just a more modern and "smoothed out" feeling. Pictures don't really do it justice. With the ducktail, I think that eliminating the OEM rear brake light is a must, otherwise it just looks strange having two. You could also opt to eliminate the light on the ducktail itself I suppose. In my very humble personal opinion , the ducktail really only looks good when the car is quite low to the ground with very minimal fender gaps. However, most 996 owners aren't going to lower their car to the point where mine currently is, in consideration of the ride quality, etc. The car sat out in the snow and mud while they worked on other cars, which I'm not very pleased about. When I went to check it out at the shop, it was caked in mud and water was dripping down into the engine bay. As many of you know, it's a certain kind of hell having your Porsche in the hands of other people who care about it a lot less than you do, especially when you garage it religiously.
Final hurdle to jump was the splash guards. I stuck with the 996 splash guards because the 997 guards don't bolt up to the car itself in the exact same spots. The 996 splash guards don't mount to the fender or bumper, but to the car itself. With this in mind, the 996 splash guards were modified (extended etc) to meet the slightly wider inner areas of the new 997 style fenders.
Last edited by offshoreMM; 01-21-2013 at 11:43 AM.
01-21-2013, 11:49 AM
#34
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Here's another picture of when everything was being put back together for the initial test fit:
I'm satisfied with the fitment. Any issues left over can be tweaked here and there. And yes ,the OEM vent will go onto the front bumper.
I'm satisfied with the fitment. Any issues left over can be tweaked here and there. And yes ,the OEM vent will go onto the front bumper.
01-23-2013, 03:13 PM
#35
Three Wheelin'
congratulations! I go to Seoul once every couple years. 911's are indeed rare. seems the country is in love with Mercedes S class and BMW 7'ers.
I applaud you for this amazing effort by having said that I will tell you that even the 996 looks amazing in Seoul...
I applaud you for this amazing effort by having said that I will tell you that even the 996 looks amazing in Seoul...
01-23-2013, 03:23 PM
#36
Rocky Mountain High
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Looks great in the photos!
01-27-2013, 03:48 AM
#38
Intermediate
Thread Starter
A few shots from the beach today. Snow gone, but still freezing outside. Still not sure how I feel about the non-OEM tail lights. May change them back to original. Looks better in real life though, pictures don't really do it justice:
Last edited by offshoreMM; 01-27-2013 at 04:33 AM.
01-27-2013, 10:25 AM
#40
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Yup! Pleased with how it came out. With new clutch, motor mounts, IMSB, oil, filters, plugs, AOS etc etc etc, it basically runs like a brand new car. Will drive it as it's meant to be driven.
01-27-2013, 10:49 AM
#42
Turned out great. Driving that thing in Korea has to be pretty exclusive. Make sure you got some security detail or peek over your shoulders so you don't get kidnapped by the K-town mafia. 
01-27-2013, 12:42 PM
#44
Intermediate
Thread Starter
I've heard that I can remove the front plate, as active road policing is almost non-existent here. If I were caught at a checkpoint without the front plate, it might be a problem though. A friend of mine was fined $2,000 for modifying his plate (to defeat speed cameras).
My garage at home and at work opens automatically after scanning my front plate. Removing it would mean that I'd have to deal with multiple gate and garage remotes haha!
My garage at home and at work opens automatically after scanning my front plate. Removing it would mean that I'd have to deal with multiple gate and garage remotes haha!
