996 to 997 headlight look with gloss black vinyl

I was looking g through some other threads on 996 to 997 headlight "conversions" and other people used VHT spray tint over the entire light and just masked off the headlight region. I've had nothing but bad experiences with VHT spray, but I've vinyl wrapped a few cars so I had some left over gloss black vinyl I wanted to try. I wrapped the headlights and they came out pretty good in my opinion. The gloss black vinyl was a perfect match to the factory paint, so I was pleased. It blends in very well, and the gloss black vinyl finish is better than the VHT spray with a clear coat in my opinion. And I can just rip the vinyl off anytime I want with no ill effects. I plan on spraying one or two light coats of VHT over the blinker cut outs in the vinyl.

Looks good. I like it!

Yep, it does look good. By far one of the better jobs I've seen for those who want to change the headlight appearance.

With a good bumper the 996 headlights (mK1) look really good IMO. The stock bumper is the problem, not the lights

I picked up these covers not too long ago and I had no idea how far the difference they made was gonna go.

Hmmmm...not my cup of tea. I find the original lights to be very nice...round I've seen before.

Afrothunder - can you post some more pics of your car?

I've always liked the headlights, and in fact I've always liked the 996, but I was in late high school at the time it came out and a bit more impressionable.

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Surely, I have them on my Mac at home...I'm on my stupid windows at work right now lol I'll shoot some when I get back from work later tonight.

The vinyl looks good, better than I expected. The black blends in well. I don't like the plastic covers. I never liked the lights, but I can't see them while I'm driving.

I prefer the mk1 GT3RS or GT1 style myself which accentuates it rather than trying to hide it and be something it's not. I plan to do something similar this summer.

I agree completely Alpine. I LIKE the 996 lights (MKI anyway). That said, those black vinyl covers are the best conversion I've seen. They look very natural and fit the car well.

Those look awesome. I have the plastic covers and the fit looks a little suspect up close. But, anything looks better than stock in my opinion.

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As promised.

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Is your car gloss white or is a matte finish? Looks great! (if it's matte, is it vinyl or paint?!)

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Thanks! It's matte white (or flat white, either or works And it's a full paintjob. I was thinking about a wrap...I had previously wrapped my '06 Cayman base, may she rest in piece (get it!) lol. But I wasn't a fan of the wrap. It had it's imperfections. But with the paint I gotta say I'm really happy. You thinking of wrapping/painting yours?!

I don't understand the point of trying to make a 996 look like a 997, wouldn't it just be smarter to save some money (starting with the money spent trying to make a 996 look like a 997) and buy a 997. The 996 forum is the best forum on rennlist, always crazy stuff going on.

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You've answered your own question. Peeps would rather do a 997 conversion instead of buying the real deal so they can continue being on the 996 forum as everyone knows it's the best one here. I myself will be doing an original 997 steel conversion sometime in the future so I also can continue being part of the 996 forums.

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I purchased my 996 for 12.5k, if you can find me a 997 near that price please let me know. And had I not done this mod "conversion" I would have saved about $15. So if we can find me a 997 for $12,515 I'll be a happy camper. I love the 996, and am just not a fan of the headlights. You won't find me swapping out seats, dash trim, etc.

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I love the matte look! I agree the matte paint looks better than the wraps. I've wrapped a few cars before and do it as a hobby more than anything. I've been considering wrapping my 996, probably would go with a matte black or satin black. As much as I love flat and satin white, I've learned my lesson with doing color change wraps... I had a black corvette that I wrapped in semi gloss white vinyl and it's 50x harder to do such a drastic change, any spec of black paint you miss shows very easily!

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I myself will be buying a 997 and will convert it to a 996 so I also can continue being part of the 996 forums.

I love the MkI headlights. Unfortunately my car came with covers that were impossible to remove, so I purchased some Litronics. Here's the before and after.

I've posted this comment several times: I challenge someone to create a product that mods a 911 headlight to a 996 if ours look so awesome. I agree with the value comments Fedeks's posted on value. You can't beat it. Fedekz, will you give us the steps to create the mod? I've never worked with a wrap. I'm guessing it involves removing the headlight and a heat gun? Is there adhesive? Removable? Applying it whole and cutting around the round part? Thanks in advance

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Why the heck would someone make a headlight mod to look like a 996, if you have a 997 and like 996s wouldn't you just buy a 996.. Modding a 996 to look like a 997 is like wearing a fake watch. I personally think a stock 996 c2 shape is nicer than a 997 (997's started getting fat). 996 owners should stop viewing themselves as the ginger kid at school that wants blond hair instead. Lose the fake stuff, red hair's hot too Edit: Apologies if anyone has taken offence to this, obviously what you do with your car is your business

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Thanks fedeks! Haha I hear you on the color changes loud and clear. My buddy wraps cars at his garage in NJ, I had him wrap my white E39 M5 with a matte/carbon black and over time exactly what you said began happening! I ended up taking it off. Granted the thing was worked and looked mean as hell with matte black and gold wheels (call me tacky), but I loved it. Also side note; don't mind the "purists" here...see? Pel doesn't even get the sarcasm about cuda making a 997 look like a 996... No offense to anybody, Porsche purists are absolutely hands down the worst kind of automotive enthusiasts. Most of them don't consider the 914 a real Porsche, saying it's a VW. Also, if you're a purist, why do you own a 996? Isn't that sacrilegious? I mean, Porsche discontinuing air cooled 911's and producing water cooled ones? Blasphemy! And altering the look of a 911 in the slightest way? Now that's just plain crazy... Don't listen to them, you're 911 looks awesome and I personally think you did a great job with your headlight wrap. It crossed my mind to go for a wrap but I happened to come across the covers I have now on eBay. Definitely keep us posted if you do decide to wrap your car!

Afrothunder - that car is badass With your covers black and the body white, in your case the lights look great! Why? You have a sporty bumper, side skirts, and tail, awesome paint job, it all goes together very well. Looks awesome! I'm telling you guys, the lights look great when you have the right bumper and add side skirts and a tail. The stock 996 bumper is lame, I'm replacing mine this summer with a set up like AF. I was not planning the head light covers as my car is black. Just my opinion, but what AF has done will add tremendous value to the car. Trying to make a 996 headlight into a 997 will not. Again just my opinion, do whatever you want with your car. 996 MK1 with a GT3 type bumper or aftermarket bumper with the right lines look absolutely awesome! I'm spending my $$ there. I'm not a purist, but rather I enjoy doing mods that will add performance, style, value, and also stand the test of time. 911s are able to do what no other car has ever done, look awesome 50+ years into production! Enjoy guys!!

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Vinkings, you are too kind! Thanks for the words. I completely agree about your aesthetic points about the 996. It can be a stunning looking car, even more than what it already is. For the record, I wasn't going for a 997 or any other generation look for the headlights; I have black accents and wheels on the car, and thought the covers would compliment it well. You're absolutely right; 911's no matter what are hands down awesome cars. Entry level supercars. Mass produced, very affordable compared to their counterparts. But hey, haters gonna hate! ...more like purists gonna hate. Great points all around. Modify away. It's that much more fun, from labor of love to the performance gains. As much as I loved stock acceleration/performance/power...going the modification route makes everything that much better.

I don't really see it as hating or being a purist for everyone. It's a matter of taste and how it blends in. Of course this aspect is gonna vary from person to person. I think more people wouldn't mind it if it looked like it belonged there or came from the factory this way. This mod IMO, doesn't really achieve that. I'm all for mods but I subscribe to the Foose design philosophy which is subtle like it came from the factory style. My $.02

I personally like the 996 headlights. I may be the only person....

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Nope...you're not the only one.

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Definitley not the only one

Love me some fried eggs. Just wish there was a way to add a taco to the menu on a cab.

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Amazing color! Is that a Porsche color or did you have it done? Looks almost like Candy Apple (especially on the curve of the Taco)...

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Thanks! It's Arena Red. The window sticker shows it as an $805 option in 1999. It really pops and sparkles in the sun but turns to a non-metallic dark maroon in the shade. It gets lots of compliments.

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There is an aftermarket taco option for cabs. Not the exact same dimensions but taco nonetheless.

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Squished taco.

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Yes the Flour Tortilla version, not the Corn version.

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Lol, I just bought this one from a friend who owns a used dealership, it has the flour tortilla version as well. Currently it is off having the RMS and IMSB replaced. Hopefully I will have it back on 5/20.