84-89 3.2 rebuild cost

infadel_aviator · 03-27-2008, 04:07 AM

Hello everyone

I'm doing some homework as in a few months I may be in a position to buy that 911 I always wanted. I searched the forum for answers but really couldn't find any.

I was wondering what the ball park cost of a complete rebuild on years 84-89 might be. I myself don't intend on buying a project car (don't have the knowledge, skill, or time) but I would like to be armed with some basic info when looking at millage cars. I would not take it to a dealer, I'd use a smaller Porsche shop.

I'm also wondering what an A/C conversion might cost.
Thanks everyone!

930gt-40r · 930gt-40r's Garage

For a rebuild (depending on what needs to happen) is going to be anywhere from $6-12,000. Again, this depends on what condition all the parts are in (extent of head work, lower end machine work, ETC...) As for the A/C, I could be wrong, but I think the dealer I used to work for used to charge 2 hours plus whatever a reciever dryer costs plus R-134a. Im thinking
<$500...

hcoles · 03-27-2008, 05:57 AM

it is almost "if you have to ask you can't afford it" - you will see some posts... all the cars are $20k cars or some other number. E.g. you find a really "great" deal for a $10k car and then within a year you have put easily another $10k into it... Personally I would not get one of these cars without at least a spare $10k in the bank. Of course more could be needed to get the car right.
you may get lucky... but since you are not doing the work yourself plan on some "big" bucks to get things all sorted out. Where do you live?

I think the estimate for a R134 conversion is low.. it really depends on how good a job you want to do... new compressor, hoses, exp. valve, tri function relay, ProCooler or not/etc./etc. I'm going to attempt myself one day and I'm guessing $1,000 for DIY after I'm all done. I'll probably have to get a vacuum pump in that est. also.

infadel_aviator · 03-27-2008, 07:04 AM

I'm in Atlanta at the moment, but consider Florida my home. My price window is between 18-24K, and from looking around it seems I can find a fairly nice car in that range. I actually love the boxer, but I want air cooled + I think the boxer will go the way of the 944. I can't stand the idea of the car loosing value-as I know it will. It will be a second car, but I don't want a museum piece. I'm looking for something in the middle.

hcoles · 03-27-2008, 07:24 AM

you can read so much on these cars... if you talk to many owners and mechanics a common theme starts to come through in my experience... The later model cars (Boxsters and water cooled) are full of issues and very expensive to repair...they are not a guarentee of reliability. If you want to "get into" Porsches one of the best models is a late year 3.2 car. The 3.2 cars also have possible/common known issues. If you want to own a Porsche and tell your friends and let it sit in the garage, then the later model cars are fine for that assuming nothing breaks. E.g. I know a guy (works in marketing) he has a 996 and is afraid to drive it because something expensive might happen. Yes, sure the later model cars have as good or better acceleration, better handling/etc./etc. - you can also read that this does not necessarily mean they are more satisfying to drive... many of us like the more raw feel of operation and very much easier DIY repair and modification. Of couse if you have a huge budget... then get what ever car you like.

infadel_aviator · 03-27-2008, 08:20 AM

Yea that's the impression I've gotten regarding water cooled,+ It's the 911 coupe I've always wanted, nothing like the feel and sound of one. I'll be in a position to buy in 6 months, so I'm starting to ask questions now. Market conditions seem to favor the buyer right now so my timing is good. I'll have more questions down the road for sure.

I'd like to buy a car from someone at Pelican, everyone here seems to take real pride in the cars.

88911coupe · 03-27-2008, 07:22 PM

I was quoted $8-10k for a top end ONLY at a well respected shop here in the DFW area. I'm having some stuff measured (pistons/cylinders, etc.) and it's $100/hour which is their "normal" labor rate. If you can do some things yourself you will save a ton of money. In addition to buying parts from Pelican. Otherwise, you're out a lot more money...I repeat, a LOT more money. A well discussed Excellence article put a SC rebuild in the $22K range IIRC. Several competent Porsche mechanics called BS on that estimate but it's still expensive.

infadel_aviator · 03-28-2008, 04:52 AM

good gawd..

I know of a shop in Daytona FL where I'll have a solid PPI done- and in all reality without this guys "OK" I wouldn't buy a car...but what are the warning signs of impending doom for a 3.2 in terms of oil consumption,pressure, leak down ... ect.. it's that 70- 120 K mile car I kinda worry about.

hcoles · 03-28-2008, 06:54 AM

yes, the best thing you can do at this point is put time and energy in lining up the PPI place...I suggest posting the name of the place and getting confirmation on this board.. and you will likely get other PPI place suggestions.. your best use of money will be to get the best possible PPI.

If you are not a very good DIY mechanic these cars can be very expensive to operate. If you don't track or AX the car it is a bit less expensive because you may not feel the need to have everything in top condition.

or you can do what I did... pay way too much and then spend 6 years going over the car and doing the top end and p's and c's refurb along with complete clutch in my garage. The cost of just the parts was expensive to the point that I didn't add it up. Then there are lots of things you don't put in the estimate.. e.g. powder coating the engine tin and clear coating the fan, etc. etc. and a new starter...the list seems to never end.

probably the best thing for you to look for is a used 3.2 that was rebuilt not too long ago by a named rebuilder with a good reputation - this way there is a very good chance the engine will run for at least a number of years without having to open it up.....

I would get a G50 car with Nicasil cylinders....

others on this board know 1000 more than I.... those are just my comments at 7:50 in the AM

peppy · 03-28-2008, 07:08 AM

I was quoted 10K for complete rebuild, sight unseen. I think that is a little cheap.

I am in the process of doing it myself.

88911coupe · 03-28-2008, 07:20 AM

If you could get a complete rebuild for 10k from a reputable Porsche mechanic that is an absolute steal! One thing to note, the guy who quoted me the 8-10k for the top end admitted that about 80% of the labor is "cleaning stuff up"...his words. That's why I'm doing the part of the work myself that does not require any particular skill and the other things will be done by an expert. I'd suggest getting Wayne's books and the Bentley manual.
I simply enjoy reading them...but then I'm not normal.

hcoles · 03-28-2008, 07:57 AM

not to hyjack too far
Buck, yes I enjoy the reading also and it seemed like most of the work was cleaning stuff up. Clean and reclean - the actual bolting things on part was not a lot of time. The most time consuming for me was the reading/rereading/and posting questions/visiting my machinist and then making parts list and ordering. I also spent a lot of time just looking at the various parts and how they went on and how they worked. I also rebushed the rockers myself...that was a huge project in time spent starting with turning down the bushing stock/etc. Took me 4 months.

88911coupe · 03-28-2008, 08:35 AM

My wife pretty much starts running away now when I bring another part to show her. I'm getting even for all the jewelry I've had to look at over the last 4 years.

Wangrande · 03-29-2008, 10:02 PM

I think you should talk to a few more well-known builders before jumping. Many have opinions on mechanics but Henry at Supertec should be on your call list. My 3.2 custom build runs great 2 yrs later and he will be able to give you a realistic quote. 10K should make you run a way.