Looking for (retired) 930 engine builder willing to travel (Caribbean)

[6771911esses]

I have a low mileage 930 in Curacao (Netherlands Antilles) that sat for over 14 yrs. A local Porsche mechanic pulled the engine out and disassembled it. We sourced all the required parts plus some (aftermarket SS headers/ Andial IC/ BB exhaust) for the rebuild. The mechanic that started has been very flaky. He promises that he will show up and never does. He works at the local P dealer and is quite good but he was doing this as a side job. We would like to move forward with the project.

This a long shot, but this is what I am putting out here:

We would be willing to host an experienced 930 mechanic in Paradise for 1-2 weeks to build the engine and get this car back up and running. We have a lovely home, ample garage space, lots of sunshine, great beaches, good diving, lovely European atmosphere in the Caribbean. Airfare, lodging and transportation is on us. We will also pay fairly for the labor. We speak Dutch, English, French, Spanish, German, British () and American, so all are welcome .

The engine is torn apart and inspected. Build up will start from the crank with new bearings and end with larger Andial IC and hybrid K72. I can only think of a few small items we need to put this engine together.

I would rather not ship the engine to the USA at this time. Anyone with spare time looking to spend winter in the Caribbean? I am sure that my friends down there have Turbos (several RUF Turbos) that can use some service work as well so this may turn out quite well for the candidate.

[6771911esses]

[6771911esses]

I have mucho new parts including 8' + 9" wheels/ tires, retrimmed leather sport seats, body rubber trim, etc. for the car. We just need help with the engine. Dad is retired and lives at the house where the car is stored, and I am in the USA. You can actually see the garage (his "man cave") in the picture.

[6771911esses]

Video link of Paradise:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=493ctKMJ2qY

[Lapkritis]

Interesting proposition. If I may offer one suggestion it would be to bid the job out with half up front to cover air etc, the balance upon completion. Expect the unexpected with the project. .. a thorough inspection will uncover more items needing replacement or refinishing which adds significant time and cost to the project. Specialized tools may need to be shipped in advance if not already on hand.

Scammers/clowns will apply for the game alone so the selection process must be rigorous and thorough. Draw up a contract.

Good luck !

[Hams930T]

I hate to say it - but I think you'd be better off shipping the engine to a competent builder in the US like Turbo Kraft. You may run into something that would slow the process down which would require more than 1-2 weeks. The cost of shipping the engine is marginal compared to the payoff of having it done right.

Best of luck!

- Chris.

[6771911esses]

I can do the engine here at my US location that is not the issue. My local P mechanic was available to go down with me for 2 weeks but he has a F/T job now and same for me. Money upfront.....is asking for trouble. Pre-paid airfare and covered logistics is as far as I am willing to stick my neck out. Contracts are commonly broken by contractors and I don't need any legal hassles. I can put $ in Escrow with a local attorney (good friend and big time Porsche collector) to secure my part of the commitment. Prefer to work with a humble person that can still honor a hand shake agreement. This is supposed to be a fun part-time work/vacation deal if some one has the time and no obligations. Work 4-5 hours a day and then be a tourist.

[jwasbury]

This sounds like a great offer, but having built a couple of 911/930 engines myself I have to echo the sentiments expressed by my fellow Pelicans who posted previously. A 1-2 week window is plenty sufficient to assemble an engine and install, test, etc. this is assuming you really have 100% of the necessary parts and supplies, and everything checks out. In reality, you don't know if you're 100% ready to assemble until you begin the assembly. Setting the right deck height may require custom or unusual thickness cylinder base gaskets, or some other small part must be ordered. A good builder is going to check tolerances and insure everything is square and all sealing surfaces are true to one another. If any issues are found there, you have to send parts to a machine shop.

The risk is you can't get this done properly in the allocated time.

[boosted79]

Are the girls in the video included in the deal?
I'm very envious of people who speak so many different languages as you do. I can speak English, Canadian (eh?) and enough Spanish and French to order a meal and a beer but that's it. I've been to Aruba, I assume Curacao is the same? I would be very careful about what you are getting into. There are scumbags out there who will take you up on this deal and once they get a free ticket you'll never see them again.

[RarlyL8]

If you change your mind and decide to ship the engine to the US we can rebuild it to any spec you wish, then all you have to do is install and a little tuning. Rebuilding an engine is 40 hours alone so install/tune may be a much easier thing for your local P-mechanic to accomplish.

[pkabush]

I agree with the others. I think you'd be better of shipping the motor to the nearest competent mechanic. Most if not all reputable builders are going to be to busy to take you up on your offer. Plus, as others already pointed out, parts will be readily available. It does look like really nice though.

[6771911esses]

Great advice from all. Just thought someone would want to take a mid winter break and get some extra $ on top of it. Had an interesting off line conversation with someone in this community. Been down the restoration/ rebuild path many times over. Also have my 3.3T that needs to go back in my '89 Coupe here in CT. Lots of projects. Looking to get the Turbo up and running so that my Dad can have some fun with it before I eventually bring it to the US. Right now Dad has a RS spec 964 down there. He (we) are no strangers to set backs with building cars or engines.

[6771911esses]

Had some great online and offline (PM) advice and recommendations. Looking into some leads currently. Thanks 930 Forum! This place rocks. Hopeful to get my two Turbos back on the road this year.

[flightlead404]

Clearly the roads in Curacao are way better than those in Bonaire lol

[6771911esses]

Cheap plug for my friends down in Curacao. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKl95yhl338. The 964 at 6:51 is my Dad's (my ex-car). Several of those cars (993TT and 73 911 Coupe) were sourced by me for my friends down there. Miss the weather right now!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKl95yhl338

Roads are quite decent (some) but heavy traffic now a days. Best time is early Sun am to take high speed blasts out of town;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23-NXmjP2Hg

[6771911esses]

As found before teardown. Car was parked for 15 years . 55K km original.

[krasuskyp]

great to see you're back at that one!

I'm certain you could have a realllly interesting convo w/ Petey (pkracer21)

also look up former owner Kris D'Agastino, he's a pro wrench in FL (CT native!)... something like 930-GTR IIRC

hope it all works out for you - love that car!

good luck getting your 3.3 back into your car here in sunny CT - LMK if you ever wanna get together again 8-)

[6771911esses]

She has been saved. Tech 9 engine rebuild and Dawe Motorsport dyno tune. 401 hp at crank, 348 rwhp, 375 ft lbs torque. To qoute Peter Dawe " it is a torque monster". Finally registered in my hometown after 1 yr wait due to Covid and DMV not doing in-person business. Got to say a well tuned CIS 3.3 is 😎😎😎. See ya on a back road in New England. Wooosh...

[Skillet83]

Great to hear! Congratulations.

[slow&rusty]

So happy to read the outcome! Congrats.