Porsche 356 Outlaw Parts: A Complete Guide to Building Your Dream Custom

Building a Porsche 356 Outlaw is about blending vintage charm with modern performance and personal style. Whether you're starting from a rusted shell or upgrading a runner, the right parts make the difference. This guide covers the essential components you'll need, where to find them, and what to watch out for.

Engine and Performance Upgrades

The heart of any Outlaw is its engine. Most builders go for more displacement and reliability over stock 356 specs.

Engine Swap Options

• Porsche 914/4 engine: A popular choice. The 1.7L to 2.0L Type 4 engines fit with adapters. They're affordable and parts are plentiful.
• Subaru EJ25 swap: More modern and powerful. Requires custom mounts, cooling, and wiring. Popular for its weight and power.
• Original 356 engine modifications: Rebuild with 1720cc or 1900cc pistons, performance camshaft, dual Weber carburetors, and electronic ignition. Stoddard and Restoration Design carry many of these parts.

Cooling and Exhaust

Outlaws often ditch the stock heater boxes for headers. Look for stainless steel exhaust systems from outfits like Sports Purpose or Mittlemacher. Ensure you add a proper oil cooler (Setrab or Mocal) to keep temperatures down, especially with more power.

Suspension and Brakes

An Outlaw needs to handle and stop better than a stock 356.

Front Suspension

• Replace kingpins with ball joints: Kits from CSP or Tarett Engineering allow better alignment and less play.
• Shocks: Koni or Bilstein inserts are common. Some go with coilover conversions for adjustability.
• Sway bars: Thicker front bars improve cornering. Elephant Racing offers specific 356 kits.

Rear Suspension

• Torsion bars: Upgrade to larger diameter bars or fit adjustable spring plates.
• Panhard rod: Reduces lateral body roll. Wevo makes a bolt-in version.

Brakes

• Front disc brake conversion: Essential. Use parts from early 911 (1965-1973) with adapter brackets. Pelican Parts and Stoddard sell kits.
• Rear discs: Optional but beneficial. Kits from CSP use 944 parts.
• Master cylinder: Upgrade to dual-circuit for safety. ATE or Brembo units fit with mods.

Body and Exterior Parts

The Outlaw look is about subtle aggression: lowered stance, wider tires, and sometimes flares.

Steel vs. Fiberglass

• Steel fenders: Blain’s Farm & Fleet carries NOS panels, but repro steel from Restoration Design is high quality. Perfect for factory-like flares.
• Fiberglass: Lighter and cheaper. Tremont and Mittlemacher offer bolt-on flares, decklids, and bumpers. Expect some fitment work.

Bumpers and Trim

• Early 911 bumpers: Often adapted for a cleaner look. CSP makes a fiberglass 911-style bumper for 356.
• Delete trim: Many Outlaws remove side trim or replace with thin rubber strips. Stoddard has the body hardware.

Lighting

• Headlights: Replace sealed beams with H4 conversions (Hella or Bosch). Rallye lights fit the bucket.
• Tail lights: Use smaller aftermarket units or preserve stock. Vintage Parts Inc. has lenses and gaskets.

Interior and Cockpit

Simple, track-inspired interior is a hallmark.

Seats

• Scheel or Recaro: Period-correct aftermarket seats. Beach Racing sells brackets for 356.
• Low-back bucket: Lightweight option from Momo or Sparco.

Steering Wheel

• Nardi or Momo: Wood-rimmed or leather, with a quick-release hub. Rallye sells adapters.

Gauges

• VDO or Smiths: Full set of mechanical gauges (oil pressure, temp, tach). North Hollywood Speedometer can restore or sell new ones.

Where to Buy Porsche 356 Outlaw Parts

Specialty retailers are the backbone of the scene. Here are trusted sources (not marketplaces):

• Stoddard: Largest selection of new old stock and repro parts. Good for engine, suspension, and interior.
• Restoration Design: High-quality steel body panels and hard-to-find rubber seals.
• Mittlemacher: Specialist in Outlaw parts including fiberglass, exhaust, and conversion kits.
• CSP (Competition Service Parts): German company with comprehensive 356 performance upgrades.
• Pelican Parts: Good for brake, suspension, and engine parts. Quick shipping in US.
• Renault Parts (for early 911 parts): Often cross-reference for brake upgrades.

Avoid buying mystery used parts without inspection – rusted components and stripped threads are common headaches.

Tips for a Successful Outlaw Build

1. Plan your budget: Parts add up. Set aside 30% extra for surprises.
2. Join a forum: Forums like 356Registry.com and PCA.org have classifieds and advice.
3. Match parts to your skill level: Engine swaps need fabrication skills; bolt-on parts are easier.
4. Don’t cut corners on safety: Brakes, steering, and tires matter most.
5. Keep paperwork: Title and VIN matching not required for Outlaws, but keep receipts for stolen parts claim.

Final Recommendation

For a first-time Outlaw builder, start with a solid 356 platform (a later T5 or T6 body is easier to modify). Then focus on three key areas: reliable engine (Subaru or built Type 4), disc brake conversion, and a lowered suspension with good shocks. Spend your money on parts from Stoddard and Restoration Design for body and interior, and CSP or Mittlemacher for performance upgrades. Avoid cheap imitation parts – they rarely fit. With careful picking, you can build a Porsche 356 Outlaw that's both fun and reliable.