3.2-3.4 rebuild or 3.6 conversion?
 

I am lined up to buy a '97 3.6 with low miles to put into my early
'89 Carrera. Before, I was looking at rebuilding [not me, a shop]
the 3.2 to 3.4 with 964 cams, extrude-honed intakes, etc.
Before I pull the trigger on the 3.6 conversion, I would like to get
some 'Pelican Head' opinions.
What to do?
I am also going to do a full suspension rebuild at the same time:
mono balls, torsion bars, lower to Euro specs, Elephant Sway Bars, Etc., Etc.
The horsepower increase of the 3.6 is really alluring. Keeping the
engine compartment 'stock' with a little h.p. bump is tempting too, I just can't afford to keep the 3.2 if I go 3.6, hence, my confusion.
Drums

The 3.4 twin plug conversion is fun (BTDT) but the 3.6 is a lot more cost effective.
-Chris

I am in California so I can't do the twin plug version of a 3.4 due to smog laws. Yes, I know it doesn't make sense because the fuel is burnt
completely, but that's California.
Drums

Is this because it fails visual inspection? Do the techs know Porsches well enought to even know?

I know I saw this something like this on this list a few years ago:
"I not be knowing what these two distributors are doing."
- Indian accented inpector

Geez, that's funny, my car and a few of my friends pass emission tests (visual & dyno test) no problem. All we have to do is take our headers off and put the stock heat exchangers with catalyst back on.;)

Ralph

P.S. - If you can afford to do the 3.6L conversion, then go that route. I did my 3.5L twin-plug at a fraction of a 3.6L transplant but I had some extra circumstances involved that most couldn't replicate. However, I would think that you would potentially have an ever greater problem trying to pass the car with a 3.6L through the visual portion of the smog test.

Also check the Instant G website and fill out the 3.6 conversion price checklist. It will give you the total cost of the conversion pieces to get the 3.6 running in an earlier car. Good luck if you go this route. I'm just getting started geting a 97 Vram motor ready to go into my '86 Carrera.
S Timmons at Instant G appears to have the best total conversion kits going. He also provides external oil cooler kits to go with the conversion. The 993 doesn't have an oil cooler attached to the engine like your 3.2 so you'll have to add an additional cooler up front.

As far as the smog situation, they aren't very stringent right now, but they [the government] will get hip to it, and when they do, look out [twin plugging a 3.4].
I have been working with Steve on this and he has been great. I am
looking at the pros and cons of both ways before I reach the point of no return. I am 95% sure of going the 3.6 route; you cant' beat the horsepower.
The state does allow more modern engines in older cars as long as the original smog equipment is there and working. You have to take them to a referee, who have been allowing these conversions.
Drums