So I'm driving the other day and pulled up next to a 1979 Carrera that was running an LS1 in Long Beach! This thing sounded incredibly mean.

Now that my car is paid off, and considering the fact I plan on keeping it for 20+ years, I'm curious what type of engine modifications I could do that wouldn't sacrifice the longevity of the car. I don't want to get it to 1000hp and have a blown engine at 30k miles, but would like some more speed and sound out of the vehicle to make it more enjoyable.

Thoughts?

 

Just leave it as it is. German cars are engineered to provide you with the maximum amount of performances without sacrificing quality and reliability.

How about a driving school with your own car to show you just what this baby is really capable of.

Yves

 

(Drastically) improved sound can be done with no compromise to the engine and at a reasonable cost -- mufflers, cats, etc. -- and it probably gives you a little power too. How much exactly is a controversial issue on this board. So if it's really better sound that you're after, I think you have a lot of good options and I wouldn't hesitate to pursue them.

Now if you're looking to significantly boost your power, forced induction is really the only way to do that (without switching cars of course), and it's not a casual mod. There's plenty of FI info on the board for you to decide whether this makes sense for you. Just keep in mind that nobody has 20 or even 10 years experience with FI kits on a 997.

 

I generally agree with KonaKai. A supercharger is the only way to make a drastic improvement in power. To me, if that is what you really want, then don't waste money on things like exhaust, airbox, etc. as it gives you very little real power for the money you spend. But if you want the better sound and aren't so concerned about the power, make some exhaust changes. In reality, driver training will be a better investment than a supercharger if you're looking for better track times.