3.0 Upgrades?
 

I'm having the top end in a stock 3.0 in my 82 SC rebuilt in a couple of weeks. I'm interested in one or more upgrades to get a little more power. It's mainly a street car - I likely won't increase displacement, twin-plug, etc. I most likely will keep CIS, but I'm open to ideas.

OK, with those limitations, any suggestions? Approx. cost would be great, too! :D Thanks!

Use the search button lol. Most popular is backdating the heat exchangers and muffler to the pre 74 style or putting on some SSI's or dansk pieces. Thats about it in terms of power upgrades before going crazy with money.

Hi Amanda, get in touch with mb911(ben) of m&k exhaust. He makes a turbo kit for 3.0L that he is just wraping up! 100 extra ponies!
Nikita

964 cams also make a nice difference when coupled with ssi,s and dual outlet muffler. I just used my first m&k dual in dual out muffler on a customers car, and man it is awesome, has that nice old school porshce sound. I think there are probably a few other cam choices on cams as well, that will work well with cis. I think dougherty cams posts here and has some options.
Good luck. these motors run well with a few mods

Since you live in CA, be careful what upgrades you do as you will have to pass smog. SSIs will not pass the visual on your car. You could go to 98mm P/Cs and 964 cams. That combo should still pass smog and give you a nice power bump. Maybe swap in a race cat or bypass pipe as well.

Basically, there's almost nothing you can do that will not jeopardize the car passing smog...

-Wayne

Well...hold on there. He can do plenty, actually. The only thing that should be considered is if his modifications are reversible.

If he were to use SSIs, he should keep his stock exhaust system, and replace accordingly when smog tests are due. I think the cost of labor to do this every other year is mitigated by the performance gains. You can also richen your mixture and give the motor a bit more umph.

Cams are more elaborate, and as it was once suggested to me, is such a deep surgery into the engine, you may as well change out your pistons and cylinders.

At that point, the poster can still run around in any modified engine, yet will need acess to a second engine for smog tests.

In all, it's just a matter of how much hassle the owner is willing to go through with a car's engine that still needs smog testing.

Thanks for the replies.

CA Smog is important; not willing to do anything to compromise that. The car is primarily for the street.

Assuming the P&Cs don't need to be replaced, looks like the only CIS-compliant option is 964 cams. Any feedback on whether on not this is a worthwhile upgrade even with my stock 95mm pistons (not sure what kind)? Thanks.

First: I'm gender ignorant. If I referred to you as a he, and you're a she (Amanda), I apologize. On the other hand, if I was initially correct, I apologize again. :)

Okay - who or what tells you a top-end rebuild is needed on your engine? Is it smoking or making strange sounds? If so, you might want to get a second opinion. They can help save lots of $$$.

Now, if you indeed need a top-end, the 964 cams would make an improvement, but to my knowledge, it isn't a particularly vast improvement, especially if not used in accordance with SSIs and two-in-two-out-type sport muffler.

As well, because smog is important, you should research if an SC engine of your model year can pass smog with the 964 cams. I think a 964-cam-equipped 3.0 can pass smog, but I'm not certain. If not, it'd be a shame to have to tear down that engine to make stock, or discard it entirely because you can't pass smog.

There are alternate routes to a faster 911 other than taking chances with your engine via modifications. You can lighten it a bit, and also put a 7.31 ring and pinon in the transmission. That will give you some serious boost in lieu of a mild cam change.

I rebuilt a 3.0 for a customer in CA last summer. Put 964 cams in and the car was alot of fun. A fair number of SC cams show a fair degree of wear on the lobes so a regrind may be required anyway. It does not cost anymore to have John regrind the cams to the 964 profile. The increases were not dramatic by any stretch, but they woke the motor up a little. Car passed smop without any trouble at all.

Cheers

964 cams are not a problem for passing CA smog in an 82 SC.

As was mentioned, if your stock cams are worn, it is essentially a free upgrade, as it wouldn't cost any more to get them reground to 964 profile.

Why do you need a top end?

Tom

Thanks again for the help. Among other issues, the engine has four broken head studs (all lowers, each on a different cylinder). Rather than just replace those, I decided to go ahead with the rebuild. OK, if my stock cams are OK, but I still want to upgrade, can anyone ballpark the cost for a cam regrind to 964 specs? Thanks.

Contact camgrinder on this board (john) www.drcamshafts.com

He will take care of you.

Cheers