Is it even worth it?

[Geronimo]

I finally got a Porsche, and love the car. I had high hopes that I could, over time build a fun lil hot rod out of it.

My research is leading me to believe that the 3.0 Porsche engine is a waste of time when trying to extract power with anything less that a millionaires budget.

I'm seeing people quoting 20K for 250-260hp.... I mean that is just stupid. I get that there is Porsche tax on everything Porsche but that is just insane.

I had hopped that a budget of 12-15K would get me a very hot and fun lil street engine, but I am loosing faith in that very quickly.

Help me find a solution so I don't have to buy a Corvette.

[brianlay]

Sounds like you'll be happier with a Corvette...

[L Sjoberg]

my 2 cents:

if you are simply trying to extract more power out of the engine, you are missing the point of the car. if you haven't already, upgrade the exhaust, focus on the gearbox and then take as much weight out of the car as you can comfortably find.

[dwelle]

go drive the vette, you'll remember why you got into the 911.

or, if you don't, sell the 911 and buy the vette. apples and oranges. HP ain't everything.

it's a lot cheaper to lose weight than buy HP in a 911...

[jac1976]

Why do you need more horsepower?

[Geronimo]

The car currently has 46mm PMO's, SSI, and M&K 2into1 with a weight of 2490# will be another 200# down next year.

I have a new RENNShift and coupler to install as well. It is an amazing car, I love it to death. But everything is better with more power.

My intentions were to do a rebuild in a few years, with the hope of getting into the 250ish HP range. I thought a 12Kish budget would be reasonable...

My thinking was that a fun free raving 3.2SS would be a riot in a 2250# car, even with only 250ish HP. But if that power/performance is 20-30K I just cant justify that. I love my Porsche but if the performance comes at a price the is that restrictive thats just horrible over engineering ya know.

I'm not one of the 500k a year people who might frequent the Porsche hobby.... Maybe I am just punching well over my weight.

I should just call my local engine builder and get it from the horses mouth, rather than all the interwebs peeps.

[fintstone]

A well tuned SC with carbs and SSIs should be a pretty peppy car. If not quick enough, drop a little weight and change the gearing. the 7:31 and 15 inch tires in my '74/3.0 gives me great performance. It will eat my '89 Carrera alive until you get way above legal speeds.

[Rawknees'Turbo]

Originally Posted by jac1976

Why do you need more horsepower?

Is there anything more fun in a motor vehicle (car or bike) than more horsepower?

To the OP, if you want real horsepower out of these things, then the best option is to turbocharge it (not cheap, but not as much as the performance build costs that you noted and with way more impressive horsepower results).

[riverstonefly]

What year is the 911? Enjoy the 3.0 for now and watch the forum for a 3.6. I purchased a complete 3.6 with lsd trans ready to drop in for $18,500 and then you can sell the 3.0 for 8-10k



Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

[1979-930]

If you are looking for that azz whooping power you need to build a turbo or twin turbo motor.
And that goes for all makes. Real hard pulling engines are supercharged or turbo. I have wasted thousands building high HP NA cars that don’t impress on the dyno. But they don’t overheat during a session.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[pmax]

Originally Posted by Geronimo

My research is leading me to believe that the 3.0 Porsche engine is a waste of time when trying to extract power with anything less that a millionaires budget.

I'm seeing people quoting 20K for 250-260hp.... I mean that is just stupid.

I hear you. I don't get spending $$$ to get marginal improvements from a little, by today's standards, 190hp engine.

Originally Posted by jac1976

Why do you need more horsepower?

Good question. Why would I need more horsepower ? I'm not tracking my cars or having trouble flying past modern day traffic.

Originally Posted by Rawknees'Turbo

Is there anything more fun in a motor vehicle (car or bike) than more horsepower?

For one, more HP than the car or driver can handle is not fun.

More HP means the rest of the drivetrain needs to be upgraded, bigger tires, flares, wings, more weight and you end up with an entirely different car after spending all that $$$$$. No thanks, when it's fun enough as is, on the streets in my case.

Originally Posted by Rawknees'Turbo

To the OP, if you want real horsepower out of these things, then the best option is to turbocharge it (not cheap, but not as much as the performance build costs that you noted and with way more impressive horsepower results).

Is turbocharging out of favor compared to the NA performance builds these days ?

vvv Dude, see that edit button on the right below your reply ? Use it

[Rawknees'Turbo]

^^^

Yep pNutz, everyone's perception of "fun enough" is different; I don't consider low h/p cars to be fun (have had many over the years, and thought them fun at the time, but no longer do), but I also don't consider big h/p in a "normal" car to be fun enough (even though it sure would be a lot cheaper ).


Dude, you edited your post so now this response doesn't make any sense, bub!!!

[Rawknees'Turbo]

Originally Posted by pmax

. . . Is turbocharging out of favor compared to the NA performance builds these days ?

Only for people that don't like "azz whoopin", to quote Deez above, acceleration and power - the big NA builds cannot carry turbo powaaa's jock when it comes to those two qualities (not even close).

[scary driving]

You know, the best way to tell if this car is right for you is to look at your application for it firs. As a straight line car that doesn’t get driven on twistes, it’s really not that much fun. I mean, a COROLA can beat the crap out of you at a stoplight. There is no better thing than a light car when it comes to tight turns. That’s kinda the point of these. I’ve got a neighbor with a panamera and another with a 991. Those cars can humiliate me on any stoplight any time, but once we start making our way up the mountain and the turns become more challenging, it becomes obvious why they bought their cars; for looks, not driving. I push my cars hard, abuse them and do it often. The 911 is the most affordable car of these characteristics (in operational costs) that I can do that to, and that’s why I like them. If I didn’t live up here, I definitely consider more weight for more power. Consider what you want out of a car. There is no universal solution, so choose what fits YOU.

[Bill Douglas]

Probably you need to slow down your emotions and just enjoy the car as it is. There is nothing wild or legendary about them, they are just a car. And if it still doesn't work for you; sell it to someone who will be happy with it.

[SalParadise]

Your expectations are way out of line for an early 911. This is not a supercar - and a modern car by any means. Even in its time it could be beaten by several family sedans. I would sell if I were you and get that Vette. You'll never be happy. You either get it or don't. Not to sound harsh, but a early 911 is more than about horsepower.

[macssc911]

Many of us have owned our cars many years and it’s safe to say we didn’t have any idea at the time the evolution of our cars and ourselves. Drive your car build a relationship over time you will learn and decide what you want the car to be and learn a little about yourself. Slow down enjoy the ride and get back to us from time to time

[cabmandone]

If you really want to be sacrilegious drop a WRX engine in it and keep the 3.0 for when you want to sell.
You could go this route too
Gordo's 3.2L Engine Rebuild - Ready to Reassemble
His engine pulls HARD! The low end torque is excellent. He did a 2nd gear change when he rebuilt his transmission that changed the feel of the car as well. We haven't tried it but I have driven his car and I'm pretty convinced he'd walk away from my chipped, 3.2. I don't recall exact dyno specs, he didn't increase HP by much if any at all but the torque the engine generates is really nice.

[Dpmulvan]

You don't need to spend $20,000 to make your car faster. After owning A high HP car I realized it's good for two thing, destroying tires and getting tickets. Your missing the point of the 911. Sell it to me and buy yourself a vette that will depreciate in 10 minutes. Once you mash the pedal at a green light smile and giggle like a schoolgirl the novelty wears off. Or better yet park your 911 and pull it back out when your 50.

[911tracker85]

there are many forum postings about the fun of driving a slow car fast rather than only drive a fast car slow.

maybe it is my age, but my mildly modified 951 is perfect for me at DE. fast enough and handles great. with all of the godzilla cars running in the A group, I have been running in B for the past few years. and I get amused when I can pass what should be 'faster cars', such as a cayman s at a DE. only explanation is I have more time/experience on the track.

and at one event, I found myself keeping up with a new GT3 RS. talked to someone who knew that driver, he just got it and it is scaring the crap out of him.

for fun drives, the 85 911 targa with the roof off.

as I believe Dr Porsche once said about more HP, "but at some point you must turn."

but in full disclosure, in the middle of a complete restore/rebuild of a 78 930, will be heavily modified. but as I consider building to a goal of 400hp/400tq and 2500lb, it is just incredible what you can buy and drive off the show room floor. just reading an article about the new challenger hellcat with the deamon's engine detuned to just under 700hp.