I have seen many threads in the past and seen many opinions as to suppliers and types. My question is not addressed to who should do the work or not, but why?

Why do you modify a Porsche?
Does it effect value when you sell?
Is the life of the motor compromised greatly?
Is it only because you can?
Do you just want your car faster, and how fast?


Porsche seems to be the most modified brand of car in the market by a long shot. If you mess with a Ford or Chevy sports car, everyone runs when you want to sell it. I rarely if ever see a modified Porsche on the road driving around. Do they just sit in your garages?

Don't get me wrong, I am a fan of doing mods on my Porsches, and am warming up to doing more. I like it done, but a lot of guys here go straight to doing it at the start. Their cars are capable of so much more, I know that, but I am just looking for some opinions from guys that are more serious than I am.

 

Starting from a GT2, it's a fair question to ask. I'm not sure I would mod that car, just because it is so awesome/special out-of-the-box.

I guess many "normal" people would say the same about the TT.

For me, coming from an E60 M5, I wanted to be sure the TT would be a big step up in power/performance. So I modded early and without hesitation and continued to add on stuff.

I think it's one of those "Is there such a thing as too much HP?" kind of philosophical questions. My answer to that is that, unless the power is so much and so brutal that is becomes scary/dangerous, then it is not a problem.

Bottom line: I mod for the same reason people buy Porsches: fun.

 

I think there is never enough Hp, but have had people complain to me about that. I have already flashed the car, and plan some more stuff. The question is not really directed to this car, as I have had several TT's, and most people work on those cars on this website. I never modded one until the last cab, and I flashed that car, and began to realize the fun. So what does it do to value? Do you just get to spend the money but never get any of it back?

 

I think for a GT2 just do some basic mod like INTAKE-EXHAUST and INTERCOOLER-ECU to make it just around 650hp.Becuase it is RWD so too much power will not help it improve track performance...

 

I plan on doing all of that. Dme flash got to 580. I think any HP over that is useless on a track. I won't track this car, just want to enjoy the HP and drive on occasion.

 

In terms of value recovery, I don't have any direct experience (I am pretty new to the car thing, so I have only bought, not sold).

I will say that for used cars on lots, dealers have always positioned mods as "freebies" for the prospective buyer-- so I can't imagine the modded car fetched any extra at wholesale auction.

I guess I view cars as "consumption items" and not "investments," so it doesn't bother me too much.

I suspect the only way to get meaningful value from mods is to sell the car on a place like 6speed (or revert to stock and sell parts). If I were to buy a used car, I would look for a low mileage garage queen and mod myself. If others feel that way too, a modded car might actually be harder to sell.

Anyway, just some random thoughts to address your core question.

 

Thanks for the response. You answered my question with your experience. From an investment decision, it might not be good to indulge in major mods. From a hobby or desire standpoint, the cost doesn't matter to most. It clearly seems to be a decision that each person makes based on the combination of importance of each. Most guys on 6speed choose to do some serious mods. What really do you get when you have a 750 hp 997TT? Just to be able to "say" you have a big HP. Is the car really that much faster than a 650 hp TT?

 

Interesting bunch of questions. I have agonized over the exhaust question for awhile Would be nice to get the exhaust. I like the speedArt with the bypass valve which gives you sport exhaust or straight pipe with a cabin switch. With most systems, you may get 15-25HP and most likely a better sound. However, you pay $4K-$7K for the system depending on the unit you choose. There is $1K install charge plus $2-300 ship. There too, is a loss of a day of your time waiting for the install and watching if you care what is being done to your machine. Then, there is the screw up problem, mainly with the cat bolts, with the exhaust cans being straight and too getting the back bumper back on correctly. Now, if you do not like the sound or there is a drone at 55m/h, off it comes for another $1K plus a day of your time, plus $2-300 shipping to return the unit if the company will accept it.

If exhaust left on: Porsche dealer wants the exhaust back to original or you get a severely reduced trade-in. Off course you have stored the nasty exhaust so you could put it back on for the $1K. And what I find is that most systems come with round cans, so anyone looking at the tt knows modification has taken place. At least they should let you fit factory exhaust tips for emergency resale value, but few do. Also in many cases, the engine light comes on because you have distrubed exhaust gas flow. Now how do you settle this engine light problem and there will be lots of time involved at the dealer or where ever. Next, suppose you , get major engine problems and want warranty work. Because you disturbed the factory exhaust, maybe Porsche will claim no warranty coverage. All this for 15-25 HP gain(maybe) and maybe a better sound, at least a louder one........tough decision

 

One trip to the redline in 3rd and you will have your answer.

It's like crack-- no one ever does just one mod. Exhaust is a "gateway mod." ;-)

 

my 09 turbo arrives at the end of october. i will be ordering gloss black P40's and am leaning towards exhaust, ecu, gmg springs and sway bars. i may look into an aftermarket wingl, but not sure.

 

My most recent experience with selling a heavily modded car was my 2002 BMW M3 S3R. It had virtually every Dinan mod available installed, which almost doubled the original cost of the car. I probably realized a 5% return on my modification "investment" when I sold the car. I don't regret it, because it was just a plain fun car to drive. The mods did limit the market for the car.

I have only lightly modded my turbo with wheels, exhaust and suspension. It has more than enough power for my purposes so further mods seem unlikely. I'm not much for the cosmetic mods such as wings, spoilers, skirts, etc.

 

For the record, you gave your BMW M3 away. I would have bought your car in a second.

 

In a way you're right, but I had an opportunity to save a bundle on the sales tax on my turbo, which required I get a quick sale. There were lots of people who said they would buy it at the price I was asking, but they didn't have the money. BTW the current owner has it up for sale again at I believe $42,500. I'm not to sure he'll get that though. He basically has had the car for sale ever since he bought it from me only putting about 2K miles on it in a year.

 

So what will that cost and what HP will you get? Black P40's look good. I ended up getting Black RS98's.

 

Request for more pics of the GT2 and the M5 ! =)