Quote:
Originally Posted by Don Ivey
I struggle with this question too
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You don't need to struggle with the question, Don - you just need to state it clearly for yourself and answer it honestly: what do you want from your car?
I never met a car that wouldn't benefit from another 100 horsepower, so that's a given for most of us - but bumping a 2 liter 4-banger to 300 hp is a major effort not to be taken lightly, and the rest of the car needs a bit of bolstering as well to handle it. When I hear about 300 hp Minis, all I can think of is the story about the old man who went to the ballet for the first time, took one look at the dancers up on their toes, and said, "If they wanted tall girls, why didn't they just hire tall girls?" You have a 911, so you clearly understand this.
If you love a deep exhaust note, get a Perrin. If you love the look of tires with no sidewalls on huge wheels, go 19". If you want to lead the pack at the track, upgrade the suspension. Decide what you love (or, for many of us, what we thought we loved until we got it...), determine the compromises you'll have to make, and go for it. I've learned to consider the cost a kind of tuition because I learn something no matter how it goes.
But my advice is to drive the car stock (at least, drive train and suspension) on the street for a while and invest in a good driving school before you make major mods to your cars. Once you can lap your local track safely and consistently at a clip that says you're ready, modify intelligently and you'll enjoy your progress on street or track. Driving your way to the front of the pack is a lot more satisfying than buying it. You really only need to mod for performance if you're at the limits of your current setup. Even Hamlet knew this!
"Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous suspension work to cut a second from one's lap times, or to educate against a sea of faster drivers and by becoming a better driver beat them?"
