Porsche enthusiasts have been modifying their cars since the company’s inception. A whole cottage industry has sprung up around Porsche mods, with companies offering everything from bespoke parts, to full-fledged companies like RUF and Singer, who take stock Porsches and create truly special, one-of-a-kind vehicles. PCA National has picked up on the current enthusiasm in mods with the ünStock event in Southern California. ünStock showcases cars that have undergone a minimum of three visible modifications, with Panorama highlighting some of the more memorable examples. 2024 is the fourth year this event has been run, and its popularity is only growing.
Porsche itself, through the Porsche Exclusiv Manufaktur and Sonderwunsch (Special Request) programs, allows customers to configure their cars however they like. Those who take advantage of these options are limited only by their imagination and wallets.

Personally, I like the idea of adding some personal touches and tweaking a car I consider to be almost perfect. With an Arctic Silver exterior, my 997.1 4S Coupe doesn’t exactly stand out at Concours. But I like it that way, preferring something subtle that doesn’t shout its arrival. When I was giving consideration to what projects to do, I wanted to stick to a simple guideline to ensure any mods do one or both of the following: improve performance or evoke the brand’s history.
Now, a lot of mods can take us down some rather expensive rabbit holes. Suspension and exhaust upgrades, wraps, aero kits, and interior upgrades are all common on the surface, but can produce an infinite number of combinations based on personal preferences. For me, I started out small, replacing the original amber side markers with clear ones for a cleaner look. I also really dig the look of well-used, air-cooled Porsches with a bunch of classic window stickers, so I found a site that sells historic window stickers to add some visible Porsche history – and PCA UCR pride!
Getting a little more involved, the original build sheet listed upgraded turbo wheels, but they must have been sold by a previous owner at some point, as the current wheels resemble the turbo wheels, but are definitely not them. These were due for some love, so I had them restored, keeping me happy until I someday swap them out for BBS wheels. A previous owner had fitted Michelin Super Sport tires before I bought it. The rears were 325s, and I loved the look of them so when it was time for replacement Pilot Sport 4Ss, I kept them the same size. They make the wide-body 4S look even wider from behind, giving the car an even more planted look.

Next up was an easy DIY mod relating to airflow. I had noticed a very slight sag in power when shifting at around 5000 rpm, so I installed a Cold Air intake elbow in about 15 minutes. This improves airflow via a thick silicone tube that is much more robust than the OEM part and bypasses the Helmholtz resonator on the airbox. The manufacturer claims a HP and torque increase, and while I can’t attest to that, I could definitely feel the revs now spinning much more freely up to redline. I highly recommend this mod for 996 and 997-gen Carreras. It also gets me wondering what a competition intake would do.
Next up was improving what was my least favourite part of the 997 – the shifter mechanism. Porsche built these manual transmission shifter assemblies with plastic pieces that wear out over time, resulting in sloppy shifts that some describe as “shifting with a wet noodle.” I researched the various options, deciding between the Numeric shifter and the Function First Shift Right Solution. The Numeric option looks fantastic, but I didn’t want something too “notchy.” I wasn’t looking for a short shift kit either, I wanted a stock throw, but with more solidity and precision. I decided to go with the Function First option, as the price was good and it replaced the plastic bits with CNC aluminum components. I also took the opportunity to do new shifter cable ends. Shifting was massively improved and much more precise, restoring the feel the car had from the factory.
But I wasn’t done there, as the stock shift knob was starting to show some wear. It’s also too light in my opinion. I mentioned the importance to me of evoking the brand’s history, and I subsequently came across absolutely beautiful, handcrafted 917 tribute shift knobs by Joel Kernasenko of Nine Eleven Outlaw, that I purchased through Poland-based Carbone. Porsche used beechwood shift knobs in the 917 to minimize heat transfer to the driver’s hand (and for symbolic weight savings I imagine), and this famous component was given a nod much later in the Carrera GT. Combining a dark, wenge oak shift knob with the Function First SRS has given the interior a kind of ‘if you know, you know” look, combined with improved shift functionality and feel.
So what’s to come? The new OEM PCCM+ will probably be done by the time you read this. I also expect to upgrade the stock mufflers with a Fister Sports Exhaust and new tips, for a more throaty exhaust note. I’ve never heard a bad review of the Fister, and I’ve seen more than a few YouTubers say this is the best mod they ever did. I’d like to tackle the steering wheel at some point, to add some thickness and improve the feel.
What have you all done to your cars? I hope to see more members write in with letters or articles on mods they’ve done, so we can get inspired by them. </>