New to forum, SC engine swaps

curtis73 · 02-19-2004, 03:37 PM

Good day. I recently was offered a 1980 911SC as an abandoned vehicle. I love freebies! It is an excellent body with no bondo and only one tiny dent. The previous owner had some motor issues, so the engine is completely disassembled and inside the car along with the tranny. He gave it to me since I'm a really handy guy.

Since I've never had a Porsche and I'm not familiar with them old or new, I was thinking an engine swap would be just as easy for me (and maybe cheaper) as rebuilding the current engine. I've done some research on engines and I was thinking a later 3.6L or 3.2 turbo from around 1989?

Are these engine families all the "same"? Meaning; are they physically bolt ups as far as engine mounts, flywheels, trannys? I don't mind some fabrication of certain parts, but it seems as though it might be an easy swap. Thoughts? Kits? Anyone done it?

Tim Walsh · Tim Walsh's Garage

I'm an early guy but I think in order of increasing difficulty 3.0, 3.2, 3.6.
The 3.6 is significantly different than the previous engines so that alot of adaptation is needed. Do a search on 3.6 conversion and you'll find out all the details. A 3.2 would still need to have the DME (computer) mounted and some rewiring for different sensors. A 3.0 would basicly be a straight drop in. BTW a DIY rebuild if everything is there runs between 3-6K.. around the same money for a used engine.

Must some musings from a 2.4L MFI guy.

curtis73 · 02-19-2004, 05:37 PM

Good info, thanks. From what I understand the tranny is a fresh rebuild, so its of little consequence other than I want to make use of it. If a newer or different engine won't bolt up to it, that puts a bummer in the works.

Hmmm.... I have a spare caddy 500 in the garage. Do you think it will fit?

Tim Walsh · Tim Walsh's Garage

In terms of a tranny all 3 will work just fine. A 3.0 and 3.2 will bolt right up. I belive a 3.6 needs something but I don't remember what.

Jim Richards · 02-19-2004, 06:53 PM

Curtis, if you buy a used motor to transplant, you'll have an SC with a used motor. You may or may not have to rebuild that motor in the not too distant future. Or you may find a gem. If you rebuild your 3.0, then you'll have a fresh motor that'll last you a helluva long time. From what I can tell from talking to folks, they're not too hard to rebuild. I'm doing a full rebuild in 6-8 months from now, unless I dp something stupid on the track this season. Another plus with the rebuild is that you can tweak it a bit for performance. Best wishes with whatever you decide.

Tim Walsh · Tim Walsh's Garage

And that is exactly why I'm rebuilding my 2.4 instead of buying a 3.0 or a 3.2. In the end they will cost me about the same and I'll actually end up close to 3.0 HP (around 190 I belive)

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

I would get a copy of the Engine Rebuild book - all of the interchange information from year to year is in there, along with just about every other piece of info you could possibly want about these engines...

-Wayne

curtis73 · 02-19-2004, 08:12 PM

Jim, Good point, although what I'm thinking is that I currently have a stock 3.0 in need of a rebuild, so a 3.6 that might need a rebuild is a salivating option

Wayne, that is a book that I need

I'll be in touch about that very soon. My friend and I currently hold the title for it, so its just a matter of time until we're gettin' greasy.

MotoSook · 02-19-2004, 09:29 PM

Get a 3.6 and send me the disassembled 3.0. Since you got the car for free, a 3.6 is definitely a good path. In the end you will have a killer car for the price of a tired SC, but with 270+ hp! A used 3.6 can be had these days for 6-8K....then the parts that you'll need to complete the conversion...still under 10K total I bet.....

Jim Richards · 02-20-2004, 03:46 AM

+ budget for 3.6L rebuild. But hopefully not for a couple of years.