911 engine conversion

[ChrisBennet]

It's one thing to do that conversion for fun and to wind up the purists (always fun) but as an economical alternative it just doesn't make sense. I think most guys that could tackle your conversion would simply replace their 2.7 with a 3.0 motor ($3500) and perform a top end rebuild themselves (say $1500). So for about $5K they'd have a car that is worth a little more than they started with. (That doesn't count the oil cooler and lines you'd need but selling the old motor would pay for them.)
I think the same car with $9500 worth of Suburu motor is going to almost impossible to sell thus devaluing the car.
That said, hats off to you for figuring everything out. How about some pics?
-Chris

[Pettybird]

ooohhh kaaay...

time to throw a little Subie knowledge out there. The 2.7/3.3 flat 6 variants are ancient motors. 8 years old, minimum. What are you getting there? What are the maintainance costs associated with a decade-old motor? They're not going to be $50 a year for too long. I was puzzled to see the two sizes- Subaru only has one flat 6 engine currently, and it's the 3.0 liter in the Legacy Outback, and those aren't on the ground like flies. Why would you swap in a crappy old motor? Sure, they're reliable, to a point. You'd be better off shoving in a WRX/2.5 RS motor wih far fewer miles. I am in no way saying that Subie engines belong in Porsches, but if you're gonna do it, do it the right(?) way. It'd be like putting in a diesel benz motor for reliability. Or a mopar slant six. Or a Model T engine. The 2.7 came in the STX models, which were discontinued in about '96... that's not new any more.

Paid about 9 grand for the SC... Blow the motor, sell it for 4500. Buy another 911 SC for 9 grand. Blow the motor, sell it for 4500. Buy another SC for 9 grand. YOU ARE NOW AT THE COST OF THIS CONVERSION KIT. And you don't even get to blow up two 911's....

Ran a 15.1@94mph on a crappy evening... STX's didn't go that fast. Why go backwards? If you want ultimate reliablilty, go buy a new Honda Odessey.

15.1 isn't the fastest time out there, but I don't feel bad considering it's the 5th fastest car in the yard...

Personally, I think a Chevy 2.5 liter "Iron Duke" motor from a Fiero would be killer... Tha was a sports car, right?

Doug

[Pettybird]

And where is the $3000 a year thing coming from? Mind the rev limiter, use the clutch and don't hit anything. I don't have well under two grand in receipts in two years, and that's including new tires and shocks, tie rods, full tune up, weatherstripping, etc etc etc. Only way you'll spend $3k a year in maintainance is if you count car payments.

[swinborne]

I guess some people just don't understand.

Unfortunately, my first older Porsche nickle and dimed me to death which ended up forcing me to sell it (long story). Now I'm in the market for any car I want...and I can't wait to get another one!

[flmont]

Who in there right mind would EVEN ...

[1973911t]

i have a 73t rolling body that didnt come with an engine so i cant take the old engine and sell it to help pay for a 3.0 or a 3.2. so like you i am wanting to do the same conversion with a wrx 2.5 turbo i think that would be plenty of motor for that little car. yes i know it wont sound like a porsche and yes it wont resale for as much but i dont plan on reselling this car. just wondering if you have used a 2.5 turbo yet and how that car drove and how much you spent on the whole conversion

[Flieger]

putting a 3.3 in my SC

3.3 flat 6 Subaru

[1973911t]

do you know if a 3.3 flat would fit in a 73t engine compartment. also great find on the motor

[Flieger]

Engine compartments are the same for 911s. If it fits in his SC, it should fit in your 1973 911T. Just try to run the water lines where oil cooler lines normally go, so that you do not cut the tub. This means that if you want a real Porsche engine in the future, the car will still be "unmolested".

[gearheadgreg]

Heh. I'm on both sides of this - I love my 911 and the Porsche Flat 6 engine.

On the other hand, I have an SVX (parting out) right outside my office in the shop. I bought it to use in my Vanagon (not unpopular swap).

I can understand why someone would want to, as there are a lot of pluses to the 3.3 SVX engine. 230-240hp stock, easy to get another 20 or so. In that tune, it would run and run and run (just like a 3.0 or 3.2 Porsche). Should be very reliable and long lasting.

And if you pay $3500 for an old SVX engine, you're an idiot. Do a quick Craigslist search and you can find complete cars (drivers) for $1500-3000 all day long. eBay has engines for $500-1000.

The false economy that most people don't realize is that there is a lot of time and fab work to make one fit. Read that thread that was done on the SC. Great work, but the guy is a very talented fabricator. Makes sense if you have lots of time and talent and no 911 engine in your 911, but still.

It will increase the value of my Vanagon Syncro and make it much more enjoyable, but I wouldn't think about installing a swap like that into a long-nose 911. Maybe a ratty 74-77 or later unloved example - but even then...

I've got a hot-rod 2.7 on the stand ready to replace my 2.4 in my 73.5 T and webers, etc. It's a 911 and the engine is one of the really big attractions to it for me.

[gearheadgreg]

Oh, and didn't notice this thread had been brought back from the dead...