Author Topic: 911s fans/owners out there? (Read 297 times)

BigMan · « **on:** June 22, 2004, 05:48:40 PM »

I dying to buy a mid 70's early 80's 911s. they go for around 10 grand or soo. everybody and I mean everybody is warning me that they are money pits....any advice..I'm dying to buy one like this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2482590794&category=10156

GtoRA2 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 22, 2004, 05:55:53 PM »

If you had said 1911 I would be there man!:D

Saurdaukar · « **Reply #2 on:** June 22, 2004, 06:13:58 PM »

What do you want to know?

Saurdaukar · « **Reply #3 on:** June 22, 2004, 06:25:39 PM »

From looking at that ad:

1.) Motor Meister has a pretty bad reputation for engine rebuilds. Not exactly the kind of work that creates a return customer. That alone would be enough to steer me away from this one.

2.) Engine displacement is listed as "2.7-3.0" which can mean one of three things. Its an early 2.7L, which would be correct for the car, its a 3.0L from an SC (78-83), which is a bulletproof engine, or its a 2.7L thats been punched out to a 3.0L which - if they used the 2.7L block - its a grenade waiting to go off. Thats not to mention that the seller has listed it as a "4 cyl" which has got to be a typo considering the pictures.

3.) Seats are listed as "from an 86." I dont know where he got them, but they arent from an 86. The dash and carpets dont match, either.

4.) If the seller just spent $20K on a "complete drivetrain and motor rebuild" why cant he spend $150 for two hours of labor to have the carbs tuned? In addition to this, the rebuid was performed 1 year ago and the engine has zero miles? Why wasnt it driven?

Id stay away from this one - you dont know what it is.

If youre shooting for a first 911 and wish to stay between $10K and $15K, look at the 78-83 911SC's. Fun, cheap, and you couldnt break em if you tried. Stay away from the 2.7L cars if you can - especially those that have never had the engine opened up.

Saurdaukar · « **Reply #4 on:** June 22, 2004, 06:29:23 PM »

Oh, and for info on early 911's, sign up here:

Pelican Parts BBS

More info than you could ever want about these cars. Just head into the 911 forum and youll be occupied reading for weeks.

MrCoffee · « **Reply #5 on:** June 22, 2004, 06:36:01 PM »

From 1978 onwards, the next 911SC had a completely new designed engine. Original crankcase design was bored from 2.0 liter to 2.7 liter ('76). The SC engine had a new crankcase design so the engine could continue to eveolve to 3.0 3.2 etc...

BigMan · « **Reply #6 on:** June 22, 2004, 07:34:48 PM »

Saurdaukar,

That is a beatiful car. I salivate when I hear one go by. What year is it?

MrCoffee · « **Reply #7 on:** June 22, 2004, 07:42:59 PM »

Ok, heres some things of note for 1976 911. Since I have this book and remember a few things, I looked it up for you. The 1975 and 1976 were essentially the same except the 76 had five blade cooling fan. Alternater pulley ratio was increased for additional charging in 1976. All engines in 75,76 were designated 911S. Anti rust material was first applied in 76 or 77 if I remember right?

All Porsche engine sup to 77 used copper valve guides which were prone to early failure as the engines ran hotter (2.6,2.7 series). Updates in 77 were to silicon bronze vavle guides.

2.7 engines also had a problem with pulling cylinder head studs. This repair and upgrade should be part of a standard overhaul.

Good thing is that most Porsche shops have learned how to deal with these common 2.7 liter engine problems.

2.4-2.7 liter engines has the same connecting rods.

2.4-3.0 liter engines had the same crankshafts. Though the 1978 SC engines had a new designed crankcase to deal with higher operation temp of the bigger bore engines.

Cam chain tensioner is also something to look out for. There are modern aftermarket mods that solve the original problems.

There was also a factory 3.0 Carrera engine in 76-77 but I dont think it was available in the US.

Course, there are combos that could mod a 2.7 liter to 3.0 liter engine.

From Porsche 911 Performance Hand Book - Bruce Anderson

Saurdaukar · « **Reply #8 on:** June 22, 2004, 09:26:47 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by BigMan
Saurdaukar,

That is a beatiful car. I salivate when I hear one go by. What year is it?

Thanks!

88 3.2L. I wanted one since I had teeth and picked it up January of 03. Had a tastefully modded 944 Turbo before that ("Oh ****" fast at about 18PSI).

Got it stock, thus far I've done:

-Upgraded clutch/lightweight flywheel/G50 fork update
-Borla 1 in/2 out (had to retain cat in PA...)
-Slightly advanced cams (nice "solid lifter" sound at idle)

-Custom burned DME chip to make it all work together with 93 octane
-Turbo torsion bars and shocks/lowered slightly below Euro-spec
-Bump steer kit
-Turbo tie rods
-16x7 and 16x8 polished Fuchs off an 88 Turbo
-930S steering wheel (much better feel)
-Collapsable oil return tubes

Basically all the recommended updates with some improvements thrown in for good measure. I dont think Ill ever get around to a big brake kit - cant justify the cost considering I can just swap pads for a track day and have narry a problem with fade or softening.

It sounds alot faster than it is - I would expect it to dyno between 205-210 at the wheels at about 70 degrees as it sits now - but at about 2750lbs, itll move quick enough. 0-60 would still be in the mid 5's and it would probably trap the 1320 a shade under 100 MPH if one were so inclined to drag race it.

This being my second, Im confident in Porsche reliability - both cars were almost daily driven. The 951 was bought with 62K miles and sold with 100K miles. The 911 was bought with 97K and currently has 108K. Both engines - the 951 at sale and the 911 at purchase had factory perfect compression and leakdown results - on paper you wouldnt be able to tell the difference between them and their factory fresh counterparts.

Never problem that couldnt be solved and never left me stranded.

As long as you do a PPI (pre purchase inspection) on a prospective car you should be fine. Its a fair comment to say that you should pay for a good car upfront rather than get a "deal" on a car and put 50% of its value into fixing stuff.

But if you want a warranty and cheap labor, buy a Civic. You only live once. Make it count.

Shoot me an Email if I can help further - although I dunno what advice I will be able to lend about driving a hopped up VW bug in Detroit.

United · « **Reply #9 on:** June 22, 2004, 09:43:59 PM »

7,200, aint that rather cheap for a 911 of ANY year?

BigMan · « **Reply #10 on:** June 23, 2004, 07:38:06 AM »

My uncle had a 356 Speedster from like 1964. I used to drive it around with the top down when I was in HighSchool. I've never got that feeling from another car again. I'm a Engineer for General Motors so I stay close to the current auto industry and drive a lot of cars. I would smile for like 3 hrs after driving that speedster- it was so fun.

btw- my uncle sold it to a German investor because he got so much heat from his new wife. they sunk all that money into furniture and kitchen upgrades.