996 Fried Egg Headlight Conversion

[Jappo]

I've seen pictures of 996 (Series 2) cars with headlights that have either been converted or have body coloured shrouds that isolate the main headlamp and the side light to make them look more 997 ish. Anyone know how this is done or who does such conversions?

[emicen]

I think I saw such a shroud on a car in Glasgow last week. They really are the epitome of tackiness. Almost as bad as those RGM headlight covers to try and make an XR3i look like it has quad lights.

I really would advise against them (btw, there is no pretense here, I'm one of those people that think dressing a C2 as a GT3 is perfectly fine).

Edited by emicen on Wednesday 11th April 09:22

[vario-rob]

I think you will find they are Techart items which iirc are supplied by Tech9.

I hang my head in shame as I think they look ok, I'll get my coat.

[loach]

Those body coloured shrouds look rank IMO. They're reminiscent of those tacky covers MaxPower guys put over their VW Golf tail-lights to make them look like Ferraris. And that really works....oh yes..... fools me every time. If you want your 911 to look more like a 911, buy any 964. If you're determined to get a set of these plastic sunglasses for your 911's headlights, German ebay (ebay.de) would be a good bet.

Here you go. A set of carbon-fibre(ish) ones. Yummmmmy. Fit for any knackered Boxster or 996 about to reach the hands of someone that really shouldn't have bought one in the first place. Or a Tiptronic owner. They love 'em.

http://cgi.ebay.de/Porsche-996-986-EC

Edited by loach on Wednesday 11th April 11:10

[speedyellow]

Specialised Paintwork in Reading have done a few updates to cars to go to the later lights and PU's. When I was up visiting last week they were halfway through a Cayenne convertion to the new facelift spec, looks much cheaper than buying a new model!

[jk75]

loach said:

Or a Tiptronic owner. They love 'em.

[Andrew D]

Err... not wanting to pile on the negative sentiment, but I'm not sure I'd bother with the surrounds. Any 996/986 pre- or post-facelift, lightronic or otherwise looks fine to me, but whenever I see a car that's been made up to look like a newer model I have to cringe. Spoils the whole thing for me.

When I see a Fezza 288 GTO I'm not disappointed that the owner hasn't put Enzo-style lights on the front.

[Jappo]

Hey, didn't want to start a flame sesh, I've only ever seen a low resolution photo of one and it looked OK. Sopunds like in the flesh they look crap.

Oh, btw my car IS a Tip

[loach]

Jappo said:

Hey, didn't want to start a flame sesh, I've only ever seen a low resolution photo of one and it looked OK. Sopunds like in the flesh they look crap.

Oh, btw my car IS a Tip

Aah Haa! My Tip-senses are obviously very finely tuned this afternoon.

And awaaaayyyy *takes rapier and makes big, slashing T on the wall and leaps from balcony*

Edited by loach on Wednesday 11th April 12:35

[audi321]

There are 2 options here. The Cheaper one - the 'covers' over the headlights which IMO look awful, and the expensive option - New wings, front bumper and lights. There are a couple of tuning companies in Germany and Japan who do these 996 to 997 front end conversion kits. I looked into this when I had my 996 pre facelift but decided the cost (circa £5k) was not worth it so bought a C4S instead. Hope this helps.

[Jappo]

loach said:

Jappo said:

Hey, didn't want to start a flame sesh, I've only ever seen a low resolution photo of one and it looked OK. Sopunds like in the flesh they look crap.

Oh, btw my car IS a Tip

Aah Haa! My Tip-senses are obviously very finely tuned this afternoon.

And awaaaayyyy *takes rapier and makes big, slashing T on the wall and leaps from balcony*

Edited by loach on Wednesday 11th April 12:35

It was either a Tip or I couldn't have the Porsche. I have my Sag for going mental (which is not a Tip) and my 1098S for when I want to go really mental (also not a Tip) so I'm happy with the compromise. Won't be doing anything about the lights now after this experience though