Best. Mod. Ever. ???
 

I was curious as to the best mods that all have done, as in "what has added the most benefit?" I suppose mods generally fall into 3 categories:
1- Performance
2- Aesthetic
3- Comfort/convenience

For me, the best mods I have done (as in the ones I am most glad I did), would be:
- speaker upgrade: replaced all stock with Diamond Audio HEX + rear speakers
Why best? I find myself listening to a lot of music, and stock didn't cut it.
- iPod cable (using AUX (CD changer) input on Becker)
Why best? Same as above + I like the OEM look but wanted to add my library.
- padded armrests: While door panels were off, upholstered the flip up arm rests.
Why best? Besides looking much better, the padding is soooo much more comfortable. As trivial as it seems, this might be the best thing I have done, or could ever do. Used a professional trimmer, and the result was totally stock look.

Anyway, what about everyone else?

For me, changing the stock steering wheel for a fat and much heavier RAID steering wheel made it all happen in the cabin. Feels so much different.

The best (of the very best mods) for me are aesthetic related. Other than a lot of plastic panels & glue add-ons, my boxster and I wouldn't be able to live without their stylish full aluminum body bi-xenon projectors. Also, the wheels needed a very special finishing touch ;)

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Cat delete pipes. I like the subtle sound enhancement they make. It's a hint, like a spice added to good food
A lot of work but not much $$$
It and the Low temp thermo. are the only actual mods I've done. Everything else has been replacing bad or preventative item replacement.

Though the low temp may be the best for the car as I am seeing 10-15 degree cooler running temps on the hwy
Right now I'm just trying to stay ahead or even on the mechanicals. I do like that the front bumper Nine8Six.

Beautiful centercaps, actually many beautiful touches nine8six.
Best mods for me

Custom AOS
Complete audio upgrade
Targa top
Remote oil fill delete
Remote dipstick delete

And many orher little things

1- Performance - I've left the engine and suspension stock so I have to skip this category. -EDIT- Numeric Shift Console and Cables

2- Aesthetic - The PSE (Porsche Sports Exhaust) is my favorite.

3- Comfort/convenience - I have to agree with Nine8Six, I had my steering wheel reworked by CarsDream in Poland. Very nice.

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Best. Mod. Ever. ???
 

Performance (sort of) - ball bearing short shift kit
Aesthetics - gauge trim rings, bat wing, and door sill plates
Comfort/Convenience - top down while in motion, variable intermittent wipers, ultimate cup holders
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Love Fred and Chuck's cars!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I like all the mods I've done to the car so far. My favorites in no particular order are Rewrapped three spoke steering wheel with leather airbag, Ben006's short shifter, Nine8six headlight conversion and aftermarket top with glass window.

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A few more.

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All two of my mods have been great: Comfort top module, and desnorkeling.

1- Performance
3.4 996 motor. I give lots of rides to other Boxster owners and they all like the increased power.
2- Aesthetic
GT3 front bumper and black trimmed headlights
3- Comfort/convenience
No insulation and no stereo. Keeping the AC system was my idea of creature comfort

Very nice, love the aerokit I

Full suspension upgrade. Awesome handling, lower ride height, street comfortable on full soft.

1. Bilstein PSS9 Stocks
2. New Upper Front Shock Mounts
3. New Upper Rear Shock Mounts
4. Rear Tarett Anti-Sway Bar
5. Front Porsche 996 GT3 Anti-Sway Bar
6. Rear Tarett Drop Links
7. Front Tarett Drop Links
8. Rear Tarett Toe Links

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The previous owner did the install but without a doubt the short shifter is an absolute must upgrade IMHO. I've driven one with and without it...

Driver modification - some HPDEs

Performance, installed a double din with dvd playback in motion, nav and backup camera. While it seems like a convience it really was a drastic perfomance and feature upgrade over the stock deck.

Aesthetic is kinda a toss up. Replacing the stock grey 17" turbo twist rims with 19" SSR GT3 rims was drastic but then Eibach lowering springs (even just the modest 1" drop) really changed the look from inside and outside of the car, far more than I thought it would.

Convience is easy, there is nothing cooler than rolling up to a light and raising the top without worrying the light will turn before its fully up. The best convience mod didnt cost me a dime and is used daily, top up\down in motion hack.

Omg this Boxster car is amazingly beautiful. If those extra panels and C wheels would have been available in my location at the time no doubts they would have been installed in a flash. The best.

Like the new roof Tommy, I like how black it is (compared to my 20years old gray'ish roof loll). Your car literally looks brand new.

Nice work man (same to all here who've modded their ride)

Gt3 centre console delete opens up the cabin for comfort. Short shift. Lightning cable from iPhone to CD-R 220.

Love your headlights where can I get a set!

I believe they're retrofitted bi-xenon projectors, with the inserts painted black. Easy to do yourself if you know how :)

1998 Boxster

Aesthetics:

-Paint front vents black to match side vents.
-Replace broken visor mirror covers
-Paintless dent repair & Colorite touch up paint for stone chips.
-New LCD screen for climate control
-New leather shifter boot


Performance

-New Continental ExtremeContact DW's
-Short shifter

Convenience

Pin mod on convertible top relay so it can be lowered without stopping.
Pioneer 6200NEX GPS Bluetooth Appleplay head unit

Super easy to retrofit indeed. You can get $50 retrofit kits off eBay and diy. Good’ol untested Fire Hazard composites and materials with body, shrouds/bezels prone to cracks and early uv discoloration or worst; flaking! “The ultimate plastic kits” for Porsche car (Chinese/Japan style!!!).

Another option; there is a guy on this forum who works those especially for Porsche owners; full aluminum body/anodized however (class appearance only!). Looks sharp from up close if you know what I mean and should look that way minimum 10~15 years. No-no cheap plastics kits! He also engineered the riser/adapter for those particular 9x6 headlights so that the projectors sits where they should – prevents the kit from being hidden & tucked inside the headlight unit where the halogen used to be thus preventing overheating.

Cheap-Cheap: $6,999 (for the left side only, of course)

http://986forum.com/forums/diy-project-guides/48169-porsche-headlight-retrofit-[-cad-prototyping-finish-64.html

1- Performance - Dunlop Z1 Star Spec
2- Aesthetic - Painted Bumperettes
3- Comfort/convenience - SmartTop

Performance- haven't done much other than some Falken Azenis which are quite sticky.

Comfort AND Aesthetics- By a HUGE margin I have to say the GT3 console. I'm not a massive human being (6'1'' 195lbs) and I was getting significant ball crunching and leg rubbing with the stock console in place. I don't know how some of you more stout gentlemen make do with the stock console. This is probably my favorite mod and has made the car so much more comfortable on long drives. I also think it improves the look of the interior.

Convenience- putting my flame suit on here, but I was forced out necessity to convert to a manual top, but I have now found the top more convenient as a manually operated top than I ever did as a power operated top. The power top on these cars is in my opinion painfully slow. My new process is to put the windows down using the key in the door before I get in the car, and once that's done the top is down in about two seconds before I get in the car to start it.

Performance - Underdrive Pulley. Gives me a kick in the pants now
Aesthetics - 18 inch Carrera light wheels (Aftermarket with correct offset)
Convenience - Glass window retrofit top

+1 Tommy, she's a beauty!! And Fred's car has been a fav of mine since I joined the site! I have been concentrating on the maintenance stuff mostly, IMS, water pump etc...but my favorite mod so far has been the Android tablet install, and stereo upgrade.

Thanks for all the positive comments on the car guys. It came with the Aero kit. All the rest has been a slow 4 year upgrade process. If you check out my garage you can see all the improvements listed in the info. I'd like to thank Particlewave, NINE8SIX, Chuck W, Ben006 and Woody for all the help over the last few years :cheers:

Flame, hell. You're to be commended. I haven't had an issue with the Boxster top yet, but if I get into any major PITA issues I'll be following your footsteps. I did the same thing on my prior 993 cab. It is a popular mod with those owners because the tops are very prone to expensive issues.

We need pictures and details of these!!!

Performance -
1. Tarett rear toe arms
2. Tarett LCA bushings (4)
3. Function 1st shifter bearings
4. Oil pan baffle
5. IPD plenum + GT3 TB

Aesthetics -
Black fog lamp spars

Asthetic mods

2004 soft top
Aerokit II
Painted bumperettes
Litronic headlights
550 tail lights
18" Gemballa Competition wheels

Performance upgrades

ROW M030 suspension
Upgraded to front and rear S brakes

Sorry to high jack somewhat this tread but my question might help those thinking about this mod...

Hey, I did the same and love the IPod and the music but I had a question: did you notice that your IPod gets power/charges even when the car is "off" and radio has no power? On my 99 base, it seems that this iPod cable connected to the CD charger input is always hot. Once my battery drained, but it was already weak.

Does yours stay hot after contact is off?

yes
 

Yes I will make individual posts, therea re some already floating but will start specific ones

Hey Pony , I'm keen to know what android tablet did you install and was it hard to do ,
pics please

is there a write up on this

If I have to rank them, here they are in order:

Performance -
Litronic headlights with low-beam rotation and self-leveling function
996 (5-Gauge) Instrument Cluster
Looking for a 997 short shifter

Aesthetics -
De-Ambered
Wood Steering Wheel, gear shift and e-brake handle
Painted bumperettes

Convenience -
Hard top
Glass window top and frame from an 04
Pioneer double-din navigation unit with blue tooth and iPod integration
Heated seats
8-way power seats with memory
Integrated Homelink garage door opener
Variable speed intermittent wipers

Some mods could fit in more than one category. For example, the litronics look better and improve performance.

You can see it all here: http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/55759-de-changed-some-interior-items.html

[QUOTE=KevinH1990;500722]If I have to rank them, here they are in order:

Performance -
Litronic headlights with low-beam rotation and self-leveling function
996 (5-Gauge) Instrument Cluster
Looking for a 997 short shifter


There is one in Craigslist.

Porsche 911 997 Gearshift p/n 99742601102

[QUOTE=911monty;500733] I believe that is for a tiptronic.

[QUOTE=Chuck W.;500735] Well Crap.....was worth a shot. Didn't really look at it just saw the listing. Who the hell would want a used tip shifter????:(

Custom lighting (dual projector headlights with CCFL DRL's, side markers - completely transforms the front end)

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All interior dash lighting changed to blue LED and custom made motion activated storage bin lights.

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Custom leather interior bits (made them myself :p ).

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Spin-on oil filter adapter and reusable filter.

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Just a few of many...mostly aesthetic and functional. Not much I desire on the performance side. Porsche did it right. ;)

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