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Porsche 997: Popular Modifications

Looking to modify the king of the high-performance sports cars? Here are some of the more popular modifications you can make to your ride.

By Jeffrey Smith - March 20, 2015

This article applies to the Porsche 997 (2005-2012).

Modifying your 997 is a delicate task. There are aesthetic mods and there are performance mods. A big question to ask is not really how to increase performance for a street riding Porsche, but rather, why? That bad boy has 385 horsepower that can't really legally be captured on the street as it is. Still, there are a few things you can do to increase the power a little, change the handling some, and make the sound a little meaner. There are a bit more mods that can be made for a strictly-track racer. Whatever your ride, there are always ways to make it look a little meaner or just stand out from the crowd, showing off something as unique as its driver. Here are some of the more popular modifications you can make.

Cosmetic

Side Skirts

It can be argued that side skirts give your ride better performance, but in reality, this is an insignificant gain. What they do is make your car something to be feared. They make it look a lot meaner; something meant for the track that blows the doors off the competition. It is a great way to get that track-look for a street ride. TechArt is a popular supplier of such items and will set you back about $1,500.

Figure 1. Side skirts give your ride an aggressive look.

Ground Effects

Adding ground effects such as a carbon fiber front lip is another nice mod that brings the mean streets look to your 997. While it does not add to the output of the power plant, it does help to add some extra down-force to the front end. This really plays no role on the streets unless you regularly get the MPH into triple digits on your way to the grocery store. Adding a front wing increases the down force nicely and is really only relevant to the track. Expect to spend upwards of $2,000 to get this look.

Figure 2. Adding a front lip is another way to get a meaner-looking ride.

Spoilers

Adding spoilers, wings, vents, or mirror trims to your Porsche can really make your car stand out. Just by virtue of being a Porsche alone turns heads, but to make a more memorable, lasting impression, any one of these easily-installed bolt-on parts are just the components you may be looking for. These modifications are a better bang for your buck, setting you back only $300 to $1,000.

Figure 3. Adding a roof spoiler gives some added lines to your Porsche.

Performance and Sound

Intercooler Upgrade

Aftermarket intercoolers are just the thing if you have the 997 twin turbo. These easily-installed items can increase airflow to the power plant by a whopping 36% giving quite a boost in power output. Expect to pay approximately $3,500 for these performance enhancers.

Figure 4. These EVO intercoolers can give your turbo a powerful boost.

Headers

If you are looking to make it loud, aftermarket headers might be just the ticket for you. Combined with an aftermarket high-performance exhaust system, you can crack windows if that's what you are looking for. On the performance side, if the nearly 400 hp power plant just isn't cutting it for you, these headers can increase the output by up to 30 hp. You can expect to shell out upwards of $3,000 for this add-on.

Figure 5. Aftermarket headers will both increase the horses in your stable and make a big difference in sound.

Suspension Mods

Lowering springs create a mean look and better handling. Link kits, control arms, and coil-overs won't make your car look different, but they will make it handle like it's riding on rails. These modifications are a little lighter on your wallet, with costs ranging from $500-$1,500.

Figure 6. Lowering springs not only drop your car, they also help change the way it handles to your liking.

Driver Modifications

There really is no better modification for the Porsche than modifications made to its driver. This car is considered one of the most elite, high-performance, all-around king of the imports. What more can really be done to this car for most folks, especially the daily driver? If you aren't tracking it, performance modifications really aren't going to do much for you. Whether you are a new Porsche owner or an old enthusiast, one of the best things you can do is attend one of Porsche's High-Performance Driver's Education courses put on by the Porsche Club of America. This kind of training will give you the ability to better utilize all of those horses. In this regard, that will allow you to make a better, more object decision on what kind of modification you should spend your hard earned money on.

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