To change Front end to 997 or not

I have to repaint the front and rear bumpers on the C2 Project Cab which got me thinking about whether to put 997 wings bumpers lights etc. on it and 'upgrade' it. I couldn't find a body kit sub forum or other body kit forum so though I would ask for any advice from anyone who has done this conversion and what the gotchas might be. The current C2 has Litronics so I can't see the cost of lighting change being a big deal asnI can always sell the current immaculate set. And there are plenty of 997 Panels bumpers etc. about a few hundreds for the panel andof course the lighting set. Feels like maybe 1500 to change. Any help ideas or guidance appreciated. Cheers Spart

Seems like they've ripped the arse out of that, they've changed everything ? Why don't you just buy a 997 ? That'll be a lot more than £1,500

Absolutely not. For nothing else, just because it will destroy resale.

Don't think the 997 pic is a conversion If it is as someone has said they've gone all out and definitely won't be 1.5k to do I would say don't Will be harder to sell, cost more in insurance I would imagine as it will be classed as a modified car i guess But its your money :thumb: Guess the world would be a boring place if we all did the same thing

Yeah I figured 'you' might say that. It would be a shame I think as this car is super super clean. I am only painting the bumpers because I am *****! Most people would leave them I guess. She currently looks like this...

Definitely NOT :judge: Just buy a 997...cheaper than 996's. The 996's will be the 911 (original) of the future I promise you, ugly duckling and all that :grin: :thumb:

I've seen a few 'upgraded' 996s and some don't look too bad until you realise that the c1998 interior looks so out of place in a 2004+ car. The 996 is starting to attain modern classic status. I'd just embrace that. Besides you can't see the front lights from behind the steering wheel.

I saw a 4S with a 997 front, worked better than I expected. I think it was a pretty straightforward conversion, to the point he changed it back for resale. Try it. It's a 996 after all, not a 250 GTO.

Personally I don't like the .2 lights so I think it's a brilliant idea (or how about a back date to .1?!). My question (following your 'why the old shape" question) is why the 996.2 after such a run of relative exotica? What is it about the car, and the project that it is that inspires you?

Dude that's a lovely 996. Spend the money on tyres, suspension, brakes and you'll have a really nice car.

Well i can definitely reply on that one, as I have done it last year! you have 2 options, (1)real Porsche parts or (2)aftermarket. (1)You will spend £££ on original parts.wings are not a straight swop, flitch panels need to be unwelded off the inner wings replaced with a flat oanel to be welded, 997 wings then fit on top, but do not marry up to the door bottom/A pillar. You need to cut both 997 & 996 wings diagonally from half way up the wheel arch across to 75% up to the door, weld the two parts together. Bonnet also different as are the mounts. I did price up the parts 2nd hand from a breaker at £2.5k. including lights, loom and mounting plates. (2) bought aftermarket fibreglass kit, straight bolt off bolt on, these kits fit well as are manufactured off a 996 bodyshell. use the same bonnet, side lights etc. Wont say straight forward as alot of fettling necessary. kit for the wings front bumper was £900, new halogen lights £800, bodyshop £3.5k. Bonus for option 2, you can more or less unbolt and swop back if you wanted...not that I would!!

Why not change your front end completely to this: Video of build ---> http://www.911uk.com/viewtopic.php?t=129625&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=trax

That looks great. Yes I have been doing some research and realised the wings are not a bolt on proposition. The bodychop/shop component is largely down to us as we can do most of that work. Its only the quality of the final paint finish that we might farm out. Although much progress in technique and skill over the last few years and lots of practice panels to have a laugh at I do appreciate all the points of view. It is a quandry. Part of that being the base I would start from as this C2 is super super clean with a very extensive history so maybe it would be a shame to corrupt that. Anyway congrats on the shape change. It looks great. Cheers Spart

HI thanks for the question. This one was a weird one. I wasn't even looking for a Porsche project at this time. But for some reason it kind of spoke to me. When we got it, it was shocking but only superficially, totally incorrectly described in the auction info. It was also 4 hours form how, my wife thought I had gone mad! The electrical gremlins were a puzzle and finally we are down to an airbag light, which I am certain is down to having dismantled the doors and disconnected the airbags but even if not it is a simple fix to replace the Airbag module and any airbags around the car if found to be faulty. When we finally unravelled the history and got in touch with the previous owner who was the 2nd owner from new and had the vehicle for over 10 years he provided all of the historical paperwork and an eye watering stack of invoices over his ownership. One we had forensically cleaned the car, engine bay, frunk and interior and all surfaces the real car started to emerge. It is a super super clean car, yes of course it has age related wear to the seats, door cards etc. but nothing that pointed at any abuse, more just constant and normal use for commuting and pleasure. I am sure that once (if) we start looking at the detail of the drive train components my ***** nature will take over and we will start systematically replacing things like suspension linkages, ARB hubs, discs etc. Martins epic thread is an inspiration. Alex, Martin and Iain and others from this forum have been very generous with advice and guidance as we worked through the electrical systems and replaced lots of things. The car drives and sounds superb largely down to the Dansk super sound sports system the previous owner had fitted last year. There are no leaks I can find. This is the oldest car I have ever owned. I don't count my collection of old Landies going back to the 60's as these are a breed of their own. Poor old Humbug (1969 Series 2A LWB General Service Pick up) has been waiting patiently in the paddock for about a decade for his restoration. A project I have decided I will not start until retirement a few years from now. My wife still reminds me that even though we had the 360 Spider nothing put a smile on my face more than trundling through the 2ft snow with the smiths heater on in Humbug. It has been a long time since I owned a 996 my last being a 9 month old 2004 Black Turbo Cab that I loved and my wife hated and as it was our 'escape' vehicle unfortunately it had to go to be replaced by the 360 spider which she loved and so did I but I missed my Turbo! I finally came back to Porsche with the 997 Gen2 C4S PDK Cab which was just a year old when I acquired it and remains in my mind quite possible the best everyday supercar money can buy although in return to form and in true German style it is a little 'plastic', I am sure I will get heat for that comment, but I feel qualified to comment as I drove that car in just about every circumstance including a few crazy nutter button tyre shredding track sessions at Cadwell. It was just too easy and you kind of felt that you were somehow slightly disconnected from the visceral realities of hard circuit driving. I used to race a formula Honda which is super crazy slicks and wings. I did a few tests in a 360 Challenge also but was not rich enough to run one I lament the 997's passing whenever I think about Porsche, but hey 'that's life' as the famous crooner said. I won't ever buy a 997 again as I think I have owned the best 'normal' 997 ever built. Probably part of me opening this thread was unconsciously driven by nostalgia and partly by wanting the simplicity of the 996 with the modern looks of the later cars. Sorry rambling and far more than you probably wanted. Onwards.... Spart

Yes, unfortunately due to my innate analness it is inevitable that is where this will end up! Cheers Spart