I totally understand what he said because it's a lot like how I am. If a street car, why bother spending the time or money to "tweak"? The only mods I do to my cars are for track performance and even there I stay somewhat minimal. I don't even understand people that order or buy Porsches with $10-20k in factory options in them, things that don't make the car go any faster and in fact make them heavier and thus slower. PSE is a good example - $2500 and it's heavier and more complex than stock, does not add even 1 HP, and is a "sound machine". I'd rather spend $2000 and get a primary bypass and Softronic software in my 2009 and lower the weight, improve the performance, etc.

The world is such that you can buy what you want.

 

PSE is a factory option so that would be considered "stock" by definition . So is carbon fiber and a host of amenities adding no performance. Still stock .

The difference is that you point out supporting evidence that PSE enchances nothing but in his case sees an ugrade that can and he rejects it.

As for the steet --I disagree with both . 100K to buy a performance car to say that more performance is a waste but the 100 K isn't ? when you could have bought a used Honda or Toyota for the street ?

I actually understand the guy who doesn't like cars or views them soley as transportation more . I even a understand a guy who keeps his Porsche stock for warranty concerns or because its leased or he wants to sell it --or he's just not in love with his car .

But a guy who loves his car and refuses to give credit to progress and even rejects the concept without question ... I think that laziness and complacency is why so many in our culture are in despair . They almost make it --then they quit .

 

Agreed . It's not about his choice but the reasoning . The process by which one reaches a conclusion is what determines if one is rational . One can even be right and still be irrational .

In his case he closed his eyes to the entire concept .

 

I will throw in my 2c as my car is nearly 100% stock (only clear marker lenses) and no one has given 'my' particular reason: Since I currently have a base model C2 that I enjoy immensely and drive daily, I'll save my money and maybe next time get the 'S' - which is more of an upgrade than about anything I could do to mine short of SC. I'm up for new tires and possibly shocks later this year. Depending on the economy and my feel for how much longer I will keep it, I may upgrade the suspension and wheels at that time.

 

This makes sense . You have logically taken the time to at least evaluate the mods available and weighed it with finance to plan for the future .

That's very different than rejection . I have met several view "stock" like an absolute rather than definite maybe .

I have two stock cars . I can still appreciate those who modify them and give credit to the upgrades . I won't reject the concept .

 

With my bikes and cars I tend to go to a lot of car shows, rod runs, bike runs & etc. It's generally considered bad form to rag on somebody else's pride and joy - about the the most you'd ever get out of me is something like 'not what I would of done...but'. I really enjoy the creative ideas and appreciate the effort that is put into it - although most of my stuff is pretty stock.

 

I'm keeping my 997 C4S stock. I heavily modded my previous car, a BMW 330i sedan. I went with Dinan and put on new ECU software, bored out throttle body, cold air intake, struts, shocks, sways and springs.

Performance was certainly improved. The stock "sport" suspension was too soft and the remapped ecu really enlivened the car.

However, I found that the cold air intake caused an annoying high-pitched whine in the cabin in the middle of the RPM range, and the intake was placed down in the bumper, making deep standing water puddles somewhat risky.

After about 30k miles, one of the front struts started leaking and had to be replaced. The rear shocks could only be adjusted by taking them off the car. By about 50k miles, the suspension felt like total crap and I sold the car anyway.

The car was basically born with a 30 sec. valve-tick on startup. Having the engine mods effectively made it impossible for me to chase BMW down on this because they could always point to the engine mods.

The only mod that had no drawbacks, in the end, was the UUC short shift kit.

I respect the mods, I think they can really add to the experience, but for me it's a matter of the (A) increased warranty risk and (B) fact that the mods depreciate even faster than the rest of the car.

But best wishes to those of you who do!

 

[quote=yrralis1;2231675
But a guy who loves his car and refuses to give credit to progress and even rejects the concept without question ... I think that laziness and complacency is why so many in our culture are in despair . They almost make it --then they quit .[/quote]

Lazy, complacent, or infinitely wise... you decide. Two schools of thought here for sure. I used to be deeply in the "Mod" camp. Hot rod Chevy's, racing motorcycles with radical suspension and motors burning 50% methanol, one off racing yachts. I am over it... much to the disappointment of our board sponsors here to be sure. They make their living off the "need for speed" and I respect that. They probably won't be able to send their kids to an Ivy League school on my dime but there are plenty of guys in the "need for speed" camp who will be happy to contribute.

This is what I have learned:
1. The best racing is "one design". Tight rules to keep car performance equal (very few mods allowed) so the only variables are driving skill and setup. You build a car to the rulebook. Spec Miata, Porsche GT3 Cup, and Grand Am all do a great job and the racing is excellent. The last thing I want to own is a totally modded out car and no one to race with. Been there, done that. Bumped into exhibition class with too many penalty points.

2. Fast times on track days are 90% driving skill, tires, and setup; 10% horsepower. Skilled drivers in 914s, 944spec and Boxster Spec cars are right in there with the GT3s and TTs everywhere but wide open tracks like Daytona, Indy and Fontana where you can use all of a 160mph+ car. At 140+ I want a full cage, fire suppression, 6pt harness, racing seats, Hans device, stripped interior... no longer a street car. Weekend track days are every bit as much fun on shorter, more technical courses with top speeds below 120 in a street stock car.

3. Street racing is for adolescents. Nobody needs 700 hp on the street. Period. We probably don't really need 200hp+ but it comes with the car.

Call me complacent, a contrarian, lazy, or wise beyond my years. When considering making changes to my car I run it through the list above and nearly always choose Stock over Frankenporsche.

Just one mans opinion. Your mileage may vary.

 

Hey Cajundaddy,

some strong statements there man...but I agree with most of them.

 

plus, for SCCA solo, you really have to keep the car stock or go "all the way" and make a track machine. They have some classes that are supposed to be milder in the mod arena, but they still are pretty heavily modded with extreme alignments and camber......Still, I drool over some of the cars I see here by the more prolific members. They sure look like ambitious and rewarding projects!

 

Cajun

Your statements are logical and articulate yet can one even insert logic into auto racing ? After all one spends thousands of dollars to buy a car and drive it around in a circle going nowhere (with risk). Is that 100 percent rational ? So why do they do this ? To compete . There are safer choices of competition .

Not everyone who plunks 700Hp into a car is a street racer either. Some are , some might even keep the car in the garage like art. Every person is different .

What we all share in common is that we love our cars . We also love driving . After all you and I are both sitting on the same forum and even on the same thread.

I chose to make my car "Frankenporsche" (as you call it) because I felt that the factory is limited in how they can mass produce and warranty a car to the public . In short --they produced the platform and the rest is up to me and the tuners in a quest to maximize its potential .

 

And a good/valid one in many, many ways. Much respect:P

 

I respect him too but I disagree with his philosophy . Although different from my former neighbor (original post) he still is playing by someone elses rules . In his case his car's limit is a boundary set forth by sport which he loves . The results of which he feels reveals a skill . And the street is merely trasnsporation. Some find contentment inside the box .

Events like Texas Mile or drag race events have different rules . Some who modify choose those and I suppose a stock car could compete -- and lose. The modified cars who win often have drivers and tuners who revel in their accomplishments too . .

and they all differ .

Then there's me . The only rule I have is to create something that fills my life with joy . I don't wish to prove whether I have or lack skill to attain this .

All I want is time to enjoy my car . For 19 months this car has been a tangible reminder that amidst all the challenges of daily life where so often we attempt to meet or even exceed the expectations of others -this one thing in my life is for me .

 

Thanks for the props guys. I respect what you do, it's just not for me. One of the great things about this site is that you get the full spectrum of perfomance car experiences. yrralis1 and I are on different ends of that spectrum but we can still hang out and examine the automotive world through our own eyes. The term "Porsche enthusiast" has many different meanings. Everyone has a little different vision of what their car experience should be. There are no wrong choices.

Now lets go carve some canyons!

 

Cajun - Despite our different opinions I also have enjoyed the discussion and though we are so different I feel that you express yourself with decency and class .

Enjoy you car Cajun. I wish you the best.