2.7 in an '88 Carrera Targa

[FRHeinsohn]

Fellow Porsche Air-Cooled Aficionados,

After five Karmann Ghias, three Datsun Z's ('71 240, '74 260 2+2 & '78 280) and a '75 Triumph TR6--woke up one morning and realized they were nothing more than subs for what I wanted all along--a Porsche, air-cooled that is, 911. Exactly as it happened... .

Within days, found an '88 Carrera Targa "roller" that was destined to be a parts car when the owner felt it deserved a second chance--blessed to be part of that and get a once in a lifetime good deal on top of that...

No engine or transmission. Believe I can go w/a 2.7 and related transmission for likely 1/3 the cost of a 3.2. Car will be my "forever" car--felt a bond immediately w/it. Welcome your feedback about this conversion and any other details that a novice could encounter... . If I do go w/the 2.7 conversion would the car fall into "backdate" category?

Graci!!

[Trackrash]

Please post a picture. That will help us better evaluate your options.

The first issue I see is that it is a G50 car. I'm guessing that it would be unrealistic to backdate it to a 915, or at least an undesirable backdate.

I question your assessment that a 2,7 is 1/3 the cost of a 3,2.

IMO it is a false economy to put a 2,7 in an '88.

Then again if your roller is a bare shell in need of a complete resto, disregard my opinion.

[SalParadise]

Originally Posted by Trackrash

I question your assessment that a 2,7 is 1/3 the cost of a 3,2.

IMO it is a false economy to put a 2,7 in an '88.

Then again if your roller is a bare shell in need of a complete resto, disregard my opinion.

I agree with this. Save your money. Save all of it and buy a 3.2 - even if it's a decent core, you are ahead of the game. 2.7s even when done WILL be more of a problem. I would save the money and get a 3.2 back in there.

[FRHeinsohn]

Gordon, Sal--thanks fellas. I need to take stock of what I have and take the long view. Agree about the "false economy" -- it's really seemingly the easy way, "nothing that's easy is worth it... . " Graci!

[Matt Monson]

If you are going to go to the trouble of taking an EFI car and making it CIS, at least put in a more reliable 3.0l. Definitely false economy IMO. I would be looking 3.6 more than 2.7.

Also keep in mind it is federally illegal to put an engine in a car that is older than the chassis. While you say this is a forever car, in certain states this could pose a smog issue and it would definitely pose a resale problem if that was ever to be sold.

[FRHeinsohn]

Thanks Matt--during my life I've made the "False Economy" mistake before--whether buying my first new car -- a car I didn't really want because the one I really wanted was just too expensive ('86 Corolla vice '86 Celica--eventually got that Celica) or a house long ago where the commute back & forth to work every day eliminated any financial gain within two years... . I'm going w/the 3.2 as that's what she came w/... BUT do find your 3.6 suggestion intriguing.... Graci... .