Your top 5 upgrades for an outlaw build

For those who couldn't care less how their 356 left the factory!
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Adrian Kors
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Your top 5 upgrades for an outlaw build

#1 Post by Adrian Kors »

Looking to tap into the hive mind for the best upgrades to a 356 for an outlaw build. Starting point is a 1961 B Super 90. Target is a decent street car with a bit more power than original. The original super 90 engine is in pieces and not complete but I have a 912 engine that will be used.

What are your top 5 upgrades?

Thanks!
Adrian

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John Brooks
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Re: Your top 5 upgrades for an outlaw build

#2 Post by John Brooks »

My three.

1. Ron’s full flow oil filter,
2. Vic’s sway bars,
3. Al’s disc brakes,
John Brooks

62 Roadster
66 912
84 Cab
getting pushed around in porsches since 1965

Adrian Kors
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Re: Your top 5 upgrades for an outlaw build

#3 Post by Adrian Kors »

thanks for your input John :)

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Harlan Halsey
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Re: Your top 5 upgrades for an outlaw build

#4 Post by Harlan Halsey »

With one exception, it is hard to improve on the street performance of an S90. Practically anything you do to the suspension will degrade the ride. If you don't have them, Koni shocks set toward the softer end of the range are good. Porsche disk brakes are the biggie. Speedster seats are a common change. Beware that about half the springing in a 356 is in the seats. A lightened S90 with Speedster seats will ride like a go-cart. As for the full flow filter mentioned, I wouldn't hang that thing off the back of my engine. (The experience of millions of miles over decades tells you that any advantage of increased oil filtering is negligible. However if you want it then fender mounted filters are much the cleaner way to go.) I like an oil pressure gage on the instrument panel. The 904 cluster does that. And improved air filtration is worthwhile and easy. Exhaust systems are a fraught issue. No one has been able to better the original for the street. The Bursch used in racing is too noisy if you are not wearing a helmet. There are many things you can do to the engine: increasing the cylinder bore seems popular these days. But on those occasions when I'm full throttle wishing for more power, the 10% offered by a "big bore" isn't it.
Outlaws are mainly about looks anyway.

Adrian Kors
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Re: Your top 5 upgrades for an outlaw build

#5 Post by Adrian Kors »

Thank you Harlan for your comments :)

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Craig Geiger
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Re: Your top 5 upgrades for an outlaw build

#6 Post by Craig Geiger »

I'm no expert, but the two biggest "quality of life" updates IMO:

1. Electronic fuel pump
2. Pertronix points conversion kit
1963 356B T6

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Jim Clement
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Re: Your top 5 upgrades for an outlaw build

#7 Post by Jim Clement »

big motor - Willhoit 2.1
louvered engine grill
 

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Mike Wilson
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Re: Your top 5 upgrades for an outlaw build

#8 Post by Mike Wilson »

Dual circuit master cylinder
Front disc brake conversion for drum brake cars
Upgraded transaxle for earlier cars
Upgraded suspension components
Free flow oil filter
Aluminum oil cooler
LED lights
12V conversion
Various body mods

The first two aren't what I consider outlaw upgrades; just safety upgrades.

Mike
Mike Wilson
Lomita, CA
'63 B coupe

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Bill Lawless
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Re: Your top 5 upgrades for an outlaw build

#9 Post by Bill Lawless »

Personally, I prefer Ron's Full Flow oil filter over running hoses to a fender mount filter , much cleaner set up.
There are picture of each on here somewhere!!!
 Thanks,
Bill
65' 356 SC Cab Irish Green :D
82' SC Targa
81 VW Westfalia with 2015 Forester Engine
BMW 64'-R50/2, 75'-BMW R90/6, 74' BMW R90/6, Yamaha BW350

Craig Colaluca
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Re: Your top 5 upgrades for an outlaw build

#10 Post by Craig Colaluca »

76 911S Coupe
91 964 C2 Targa
92 964 C2 Coupe
76 BMW 2002 (my handsome son’s car)
66 Mercedes 230SL Pagoda (my beautiful wife’s car)
Greenville, SC

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GregVandenbussche
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Re: Your top 5 upgrades for an outlaw build

#11 Post by GregVandenbussche »

Wevo 356 5 speed gearbox, coupled with a 1883 or bigger, C brakes, dual master cylinder.
Bt5 Super - used to be fjord green, was painted brass, then brown... sadness

Tony Lim
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Re: Your top 5 upgrades for an outlaw build

#12 Post by Tony Lim »

Mike Wilson wrote: Fri Nov 05, 2021 3:17 pm Dual circuit master cylinder
Front disc brake conversion for drum brake cars
Upgraded transaxle for earlier cars
Upgraded suspension components
Free flow oil filter
Aluminum oil cooler
LED lights
12V conversion
Various body mods

The first two aren't what I consider outlaw upgrades; just safety upgrades.

Mike
Hey Mike,
What did you do on the front disc brake conversion with the safety wiring of the three bolts holding the caliper bracket? I was unable to install the wiring and am afraid the bolts will come loose. My conversion was from Automotion. Is the conversion from Zims better?
Tony
limt@hotmail.com
 
 

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Martin Benade
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Re: Your top 5 upgrades for an outlaw build

#13 Post by Martin Benade »

Loc-Tite will do fine. Think of all the bolts around the car that aren’t safety wired. Tightened properly they all stay put
Cleveland Ohio
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Mike Wilson
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Re: Your top 5 upgrades for an outlaw build

#14 Post by Mike Wilson »

Hi, Tony:

My front disc brake conversion is from Classic and Speed Parts. I've forgotten how the bolts are secured.

Mike
Mike Wilson
Lomita, CA
'63 B coupe

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