356 Upgrades

Fire Extinguisher: This is more of an “accessory” than a “modification”, but if your vintage Porsche doesn’t have one, it NEEDS one! I myself have fallen victim to a carburetor fire, and if I hadn’t been near a well-equipped gas station, that car would’ve been scrap metal in minutes. Halon fire extinguishers are the best by a long shot. New production of Halon was outlawed back in 1994 because it depletes the ozone layer, but recycling of existing Halon stocks is allowed, and that’s what you get when you buy a new Halon extinguisher, which should cost between $80-$100 for a small unit. Dry Chemical extinguishers should be avoided because, although they do work, the sodium-based agent will quickly corrode your electrical components and work it’s way into bearings and carburetors and such.

Dual Circuit Brakes: The 356’s have a single-circuit brake system…only one line to serve all the brakes. If it gets punctured, you have NO brakes! Upgrading to a dual-circuit system like on the later 911’s not only makes sense, but is invisible to anyone but your mechanic. The change basically involves using a later 911 master cylinder and new brake lines. Several kits are on the market making DIY installation possible. The most popular kit is currently sold by Klasse-356, a Panorama advertiser.

3-Point Seat Belts: This is a change that will be visible when you enter the car, but is probably the biggest single safety upgrade you can make. When you realize that the 356’s steering column is a steel rod pointed straight at your chest, you might begin to consider the logic of updated safety restraints. Modern inertia-reel belts are available from many Porsche suppliers. Proper instructions for installation have been documented in multiple places on the Internet, or ask your mechanic for assistance. If you’re going to drive your 356 on the road, this is one upgrade that really makes sense.

New Rubber Fuel Lines: It’s time for you to replace that old fabric-covered rubber fuel line that’s been in your car since…when? The rubber line provides vital flexibility in the fuel piping between the rigid metal lines. Modern gas has a nasty habit of degrading rubber fuel line quickly, which can soon result in cracks, gas fumes, leaks, and well…fire! Correct replacement fuel line is available from several Porsche vendors, and should be now changed out every few years. This is a very inexpensive fix to make and will definitely help keep your 356 (or 911!) safely on the road.

Halogen Headlights: The glowing candlelight at the front end of the 356 is well known for good reason…you can’t see where you’re going at night! Even if you retain your 6-volt setup, you can still get better lighting because 6V halogen headlights are available. According to sources I’ve talked to this is not a bad upgrade to go with. You buy a kit that gives you new lights and bulbs, and results in a nice white light that is projected further than stock sealed beams. On the other hand, if you just

clean your electrical contacts (including the switch…headlight current goes through there too!) you may be pleasantly surprised how much brighter that candlelight can get!

Full-flow Oil Filter: We all know that the 356’s oil filter only cleans about 5% of the oil on one pass. Maybe that was acceptable back when you could afford to rebuild your engine, but with 356 engine parts now rivaling gold as precious metal, more people are installing full oil filtration on their cars. Many systems have been tried and cobbled together over the years, but Ron LaDow’s Precision Matters, Inc now markets the slickest system available…a nicely machined unit that replaces your oil pump cover and uses modern spin-on filters. As a side benefit, his setup also helps cool the oil. Cost is about $450, but the cost of a new motor can run deep into the thousands, so it’s a true bargain by comparison!

Yes, these can be some dramatic changes to make to our beloved treasures, but if we’re going to preserve Porsche history for future generations, we may have to make a few changes along the way. You might say the time has come to adapt the 356 for service into the next millennium! Not a bad legacy for a car conceived over 60 years ago!