Porsche 996 to 997 Front End Conversion?
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Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Round Rock, Texas
I just bought a beautiful 23k mile 2001 Carrera Cab (996). I am have been looking around at conversion kits to change the front end to the more attractive 997 round head lights. There are two options.
The first option is to basically replace the entire front end (fendors, hood, bumper, lights, signals, grill insert...) with 997 OEM parts. LA Porsche Dismantler sells all the parts required for this together for $8500. Of course, this does not include the body shop work, which I would guess to be $3k leading to a hefty $11,500 conversion cost.
The second option is to purchase a body kit from the aftermarket. These kits include custom front fendors and bumper, which look like 997, but utilize existing 996 hood and fendor/bumper mounting points. They utilize the Porsche headlights, turn signals, and grill insert from the 997. The kits cost about $1500, but you need to spend an additional $1000 on Porsche headlights, turn signals, and grill inserts. Currently, Harmann, Prestige, and one other whose name I don't recall sell the conversion kits. The problem is the kits are made from FRP (Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic), so in addition to fitment, I am concerned about stress cracks and such.
I am wondering if anyone here has experience with fitment from the aftermarket body kit makers as well as FRP?
Thanks,
Mike
The first option is to basically replace the entire front end (fendors, hood, bumper, lights, signals, grill insert...) with 997 OEM parts. LA Porsche Dismantler sells all the parts required for this together for $8500. Of course, this does not include the body shop work, which I would guess to be $3k leading to a hefty $11,500 conversion cost.
The second option is to purchase a body kit from the aftermarket. These kits include custom front fendors and bumper, which look like 997, but utilize existing 996 hood and fendor/bumper mounting points. They utilize the Porsche headlights, turn signals, and grill insert from the 997. The kits cost about $1500, but you need to spend an additional $1000 on Porsche headlights, turn signals, and grill inserts. Currently, Harmann, Prestige, and one other whose name I don't recall sell the conversion kits. The problem is the kits are made from FRP (Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic), so in addition to fitment, I am concerned about stress cracks and such.
I am wondering if anyone here has experience with fitment from the aftermarket body kit makers as well as FRP?
Thanks,
Mike
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: San Jose, California, USA
My Ride: 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera S Convertible. Midnight Blue, 6 Speed.Retired - 2007 997 Carrera S, Midnight Blue, Grey leather, premium audioRetired - 2007 550i, Monaco Blue over Beige, Navigation, Logic 7, Cold Weather Pack, Comfort Access, Sport Package
Model Year: 2008
Originally Posted by Mike's 530i' post='631944' date='Jul 24 2008, 05:34 PM
I just bought a beautiful 23k mile 2001 Carrera Cab (996). I am have been looking around at conversion kits to change the front end to the more attractive 997 round head lights. There are two options.
The first option is to basically replace the entire front end (fendors, hood, bumper, lights, signals, grill insert...) with 997 OEM parts. LA Porsche Dismantler sells all the parts required for this together for $8500. Of course, this does not include the body shop work, which I would guess to be $3k leading to a hefty $11,500 conversion cost.
The second option is to purchase a body kit from the aftermarket. These kits include custom front fendors and bumper, which look like 997, but utilize existing 996 hood and fendor/bumper mounting points. They utilize the Porsche headlights, turn signals, and grill insert from the 997. The kits cost about $1500, but you need to spend an additional $1000 on Porsche headlights, turn signals, and grill inserts. Currently, Harmann, Prestige, and one other whose name I don't recall sell the conversion kits. The problem is the kits are made from FRP (Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic), so in addition to fitment, I am concerned about stress cracks and such.
I am wondering if anyone here has experience with fitment from the aftermarket body kit makers as well as FRP?
Thanks,
Mike
The first option is to basically replace the entire front end (fendors, hood, bumper, lights, signals, grill insert...) with 997 OEM parts. LA Porsche Dismantler sells all the parts required for this together for $8500. Of course, this does not include the body shop work, which I would guess to be $3k leading to a hefty $11,500 conversion cost.
The second option is to purchase a body kit from the aftermarket. These kits include custom front fendors and bumper, which look like 997, but utilize existing 996 hood and fendor/bumper mounting points. They utilize the Porsche headlights, turn signals, and grill insert from the 997. The kits cost about $1500, but you need to spend an additional $1000 on Porsche headlights, turn signals, and grill inserts. Currently, Harmann, Prestige, and one other whose name I don't recall sell the conversion kits. The problem is the kits are made from FRP (Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic), so in addition to fitment, I am concerned about stress cracks and such.
I am wondering if anyone here has experience with fitment from the aftermarket body kit makers as well as FRP?
Thanks,
Mike
I don't know the answer to your question but if you haven't already stumbled across them you might want to take a look at the 996 forums on Rennlist, Rennteam and 6speedonline to see if any other guys have done the conversion or can help you.
Congrats on the new car - a good buddy of mine just bought the exact same car/year and he loves it!
Good luck
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My Ride: 05 530 Titanium Silver/Sexy black
I was thinking about getting a 996 turbo and doing the conversion a while ago. Find the company "Wicked", they do alot of conversions and can definitly give you some good direction.
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Originally Posted by xexyus' post='631977' date='Jul 24 2008, 08:29 PM
I was thinking about getting a 996 turbo and doing the conversion a while ago. Find the company "Wicked", they do alot of conversions and can definitly give you some good direction.
stuff.
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From: Cerritos, CA and The Philippines
Check out my friend's conversion.
My friend and I actually drove this car back from Maryland to California. Took us just under 2 days to get it to SoCal.
I'm sure you'll find some useful info in his thread somewhere.
The conversion is almost complete.
Cross-country + Open highways + Porsche 996TT = priceless
http://www.6speedonline.com/forums/996turb...reet-997tt.html
My friend and I actually drove this car back from Maryland to California. Took us just under 2 days to get it to SoCal.
I'm sure you'll find some useful info in his thread somewhere.
The conversion is almost complete.
Cross-country + Open highways + Porsche 996TT = priceless
http://www.6speedonline.com/forums/996turb...reet-997tt.html
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,850
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From: Huntington Beach, CA & Scottsdale, AZ
Originally Posted by 545ace' post='632073' date='Jul 24 2008, 08:40 PM
Check out my friend's conversion.
My friend and I actually drove this car back from Maryland to California. Took us just under 2 days to get it to SoCal.
The conversion is almost complete.
Cross-country Open highways in a Porsche 996TT = priceless
http://www.6speedonline.com/forums/996turb...reet-997tt.html
My friend and I actually drove this car back from Maryland to California. Took us just under 2 days to get it to SoCal.
The conversion is almost complete.
Cross-country Open highways in a Porsche 996TT = priceless
http://www.6speedonline.com/forums/996turb...reet-997tt.html
I don't even want to ask how much that cost.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,119
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From: San Jose, California, USA
My Ride: 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera S Convertible. Midnight Blue, 6 Speed.Retired - 2007 997 Carrera S, Midnight Blue, Grey leather, premium audioRetired - 2007 550i, Monaco Blue over Beige, Navigation, Logic 7, Cold Weather Pack, Comfort Access, Sport Package
Model Year: 2008
Originally Posted by 545ace' post='632073' date='Jul 24 2008, 08:40 PM
Check out my friend's conversion.
My friend and I actually drove this car back from Maryland to California. Took us just under 2 days to get it to SoCal.
The conversion is almost complete.
Cross-country Open highways in a Porsche 996TT = priceless
http://www.6speedonline.com/forums/996turb...reet-997tt.html
My friend and I actually drove this car back from Maryland to California. Took us just under 2 days to get it to SoCal.
The conversion is almost complete.
Cross-country Open highways in a Porsche 996TT = priceless
http://www.6speedonline.com/forums/996turb...reet-997tt.html