1983 911 SC Garage Find Build

[Windycitymike]

Washing of 20+ years of dust, spiderwebs, and spider eggs has never felt so good. Although, I’m gonna miss having the original “barn find” feel.

[RobWeiss]

Congratulations! Brings back memories for me as well. Mine sat for several years and smoked for about a week then suddenly stopped.

[Windycitymike]

All clean! It almost looks like it hasn’t spent the last 20 years in a garage. The tires are horrible, I think they’re deformed from sitting flat. I’ve already ordered a set of Continental Extreme Contact Sports to fix that! Tire Rack wholesale only cost me $350! Also before I mount the tires I will be doing pads & rotors, and replacing some of the old rubber brake lines. Until then, here’s a picture from my drive!


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[garment]

Looks great! What size Contis did you order?

Originally Posted by Windycitymike

All clean! It almost looks like it hasn’t spent the last 20 years in a garage. The tires are horrible, I think they’re deformed from sitting flat. I’ve already ordered a set of Continental Extreme Contact Sports to fix that! Tire Rack wholesale only cost me $350! Also before I mount the tires I will be doing pads & rotors, and replacing some of the old rubber brake lines. Until then, here’s a picture from my drive!


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[Markus33]

Great find! Congrats. Even the ride height looks good. Maybe lower the front a tad with the adjusting screws. Sounds like you know what you're doing.

Markus
'80 SC Targa

[Windycitymike]

Originally Posted by Markus33

Great find! Congrats. Even the ride height looks good. Maybe lower the front a tad with the adjusting screws. Sounds like you know what you're doing.



Markus

'80 SC Targa

I will have to look into lowering the front ride height! It can definitely benefit from a little adjustment.

Originally Posted by garment

Looks great! What size Contis did you order?

Ordered for my 16” Fuchs
205/55 ZR16 in front
225/50 ZR16 in back
Can’t wait to put them to the test!





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[Windycitymike]

While replacing my tires I’ve decided to do some service to my brakes. Ordered Zimmerman Rotors and Textar Pads. I’m going to start the disassemble and inspect my front bearings, maybe replacing the rubber brake lines as I go along.


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[Windycitymike]

Working on the brake lines is miserable. The fittings corrode and get stuck to the flange. I’ve been using PB Blaster all week on them. Check out how rusted they were in the pictures below. Almost impossible to remove without heat. I had a rubber brake line explode in my face while using a torch, woke me up faster than a cup of black coffee! It reminded me that brake fluid likes to spontaneously combust. After a couple hours of swearing I finished the front lines without destroying them. I replaced all the rubber lines with DOT Approved Metal Lines from Pelican Parts. Also I replaced all the hard lines I broke with Porsche OEM (they were inexpensive).

Before anyone says something, YES I will clean my wheel wells soon!

Also! Some of you may have seen my other thread, but I repacked my front wheel bearings with Red Grease and installed my new rotors!

I am going to rebuild all 4 calipers and get them Zinc Coated, I am also thinking about zinc coating the 4 dust shields that I already rust coated in flat black paint. But, I want to be OEM in every aspect so I don’t know which route to go.

Also, I have questions for you experienced Porscheophiles.

First Question: If I am correct my 1983 911SC Originally came with 4 green shocks absorbers, my rear ones are yellow. Does that mean they have been replaced?

Second Question: my 83 SC has factory turbo Front & Rear spoiler, 16” Fuchs, and no-Rear windshield wiper. This essentially means it’s an SC sport package correct? But it looks like I do not have Sport Seats, wasn’t that standard with cars that have spoilers?

Thank you!
I do love to hear all your recommendations, ideas, and advice on what I should do next!


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[Superman]

Originally Posted by Windycitymike

I am going to rebuild all 4 calipers and get them Zinc Coated, I am also thinking about zinc coating the 4 dust shields that I already rust coated in flat black paint. But, I want to be OEM in every aspect so I don’t know which route to go.

Also, I have questions for you experienced Porscheophiles.

First Question: If I am correct my 1983 911SC Originally came with 4 green shocks absorbers, my rear ones are yellow. Does that mean they have been replaced?

Second Question: my 83 SC has factory turbo Front & Rear spoiler, 16” Fuchs, and no-Rear windshield wiper. This essentially means it’s an SC sport package correct? But it looks like I do not have Sport Seats, wasn’t that standard with cars that have spoilers?

Thank you!
I do love to hear all your recommendations, ideas, and advice on what I should do next!


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Your front struts are Bilstein, which is what you want. Some came with Boges. Your front shocks are inserts, located inside the green parts and they are mounted upside down believe it or not. Rear shocks are aftermarket, but not expensive to replace. Perhaps shocks would go on your list of stuff to replace, but Bilsteins last a LONG time. When you make decisions about suspension, that is the time to consider (rear) shocks and (front) inserts.

Yes, rebuild the calipers.

Your car was not built at the factory with that tail unless it was special ordered, which is doubtful. Sport seats are better, in my view. Lose the tail. My opinion.

More opinion: Keep cleaning here up, driving her and compiling a list. At the next oil change/valve adjustment, count the head stud nuts. We hope you do not have a broken head stud. Carrera tensioners are a good upgrade.

You could throw thousands of dollars at this project immediately. Or....you could start a list and decide later. This is my suggestion.

Glad you are rebuilding the brakes properly (it seems). There is a nearby thread about front wheel bearings. In it, I recommend against replacing them if they are working fine. Clean and repack the existing ones.

Zinc coating parts.....best to have a lot of parts per batch.

[Windycitymike]

Originally Posted by Superman

Your front struts are Bilstein, which is what you want. Some came with Boges. Your front shocks are inserts, located inside the green parts and they are mounted upside down believe it or not. Rear shocks are aftermarket, but not expensive to replace. Perhaps shocks would go on your list of stuff to replace, but Bilsteins last a LONG time. When you make decisions about suspension, that is the time to consider (rear) shocks and (front) inserts.

Yes, rebuild the calipers.

Your car was not built at the factory with that tail unless it was special ordered, which is doubtful. Sport seats are better, in my view. Lose the tail. My opinion.

More opinion: Keep cleaning here up, driving her and compiling a list. At the next oil change/valve adjustment, count the head stud nuts. We hope you do not have a broken head stud. Carrera tensioners are a good upgrade.

You could throw thousands of dollars at this project immediately. Or....you could start a list and decide later. This is my suggestion.

Glad you are rebuilding the brakes properly (it seems). There is a nearby thread about front wheel bearings. In it, I recommend against replacing them if they are working fine. Clean and repack the existing ones.

Zinc coating parts.....best to have a lot of parts per batch.

These cars have struts correct?

All of them do not leak so I believe they work well. I know my rears are Bilstein which is good. They must have been replaced semi-recently, that’s most likely why they’re yellow.

My goal is to keep the car as original as possible.. for now..
I am almost positive you can order a spoiler on an SC. The lady I bought it from said it’s been on the car since they purchased it in 1986. I ordered a CoA so we will see soon enough!
These are not SC Sport seats correct?

Also, How can I count the head stud nuts?

I’ve already repacked my front wheel bearings and bought new grease seals.

And yes I will definitely be taking care of the brakes first. Fluid flush, Rotors, pads,
Caliber rebuild, replacing rubber lines, and replacing some copper lines on all four corners. I’ll post pictures of how they turn out!


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[86 ssinit]

Yes take your time on fixing everything. Drive it as much as you can! Great find and good luck with it! Of course you want the tail!! That’s the only reason you bought it.
Mine came with the tail and sport seats and I also thought it was a sports package. Bought it in 13 and it’s still running great. Do a little here and there it’s my sons now and he drives it as much as he can

[Superman]

With the valve covers off, you should be able to count twelve "barrel nuts" on each side, 24 in all. They accept a hex ("Allen") tool. Your engine has six cylinder heads, one for each cylinder. Each of these heads is bolted to the case by four head studs. The studs on the exhaust side are Dilivar, which can snap off due to corrosion. So really, it is the exhaust side studs which need inspecting. There should be twelve.

I very much like my Continental Extreme Contact Sport tires.

Correct. Those are not sport seats.

I may be wrong, but I think that tail belongs on a Turbo. The tails we normally see on these (non-turbo) cars lack the heavy, upturned edge.

The yellow rear shocks are Bilstein Sports. Your car likely was born with green Bilsteins. The yellow ones are a bit stiffer than the green ones.

You are doing the right things, in my view. Brakes are important. The list of improvements you might consider is long and expensive. In the meantime, drive the car, read about it, gather information, inspect, discuss, and compile the list.

[Markus33]

Regarding a whale tail, it was offered as part of the 'Sport package' offered to UK customers. Not sure if/how that might differ from the Turbo tail. These UK Sport models were identified by a whale tail, front spoiler chin extension, sport seats (not the ones you have), Bilstein gas dampers, etc. So if your car is a U.S. model it's technically not correct with the tail. But, it seems to have been an approximate period option. Bottom line: do what you like!

Simon's Porsche 911 SC Site

https://www.porscheclubgb.com/regions-registers/registers/classic/911-sc

[OneMore]

Great finding.

Drive it, enjoy it and get to know your 911 step by step. Soon enough you’ll start changing parts and having fun.

Welcome to the club.


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[Superman]

Agreed. Do what you like. I am no expert on tails. If that is not a 'turbo' tail, then I guess I don't know what a turbo tail looks like. From smaller to larger they go like this:

1) Duck
2) Carrera
3) Whale/Turbo
4) Those ridiculous things I've seen on track cars which resemble ironing boards

I've continued to suggest driving/maintaining the car and making a list of possible improvements. I say now....this makes the most sense for expensive stuff. My comrades here will verify it is easy to look back across a few short years and notice you've spent $10-$15K. Sport seats are nice, but they cost money. SSIs are a great upgrade for these cars.

On the other hand, the used market includes some good deals. In fact, new or used, in my view G-body Porsche parts are highly reasonable and also very easy to pay too much for. So...rather than spend $10-$15K in the first several years, how 'bout you spending $8K.

Frankly, your car needs nothing. Just maintenance, like you are doing.

[Bill Douglas]

Nice car!!!

SC Sports were built at the factory, other than items put on by the dealer. I read somewhere that one way of telling is they have a gas strut on each side of the engine bay to hoist up the heavy solid rubber tail.

[Superman]

Yes. Nice car. Except for perhaps the tail, you seem to have a 100% stock 1983 911 SC. In this condition, cleaned up, these go for around $40K.

[icarp]

Just a note regarding my preference about brake pads , I had the Texstar pads on my 80 sc.
I think you will find that they do not stop well , ever . At least that is what I found to be true .
I bought Porterfeild R4-S from TRE, they are fantastic . There are others, but these did the job for me. Lots of spirited and calm driving and they never miss a beat . JMHO
icarp

[icarp]

By the way I love the tires you chose !

[Windycitymike]

Originally Posted by icarp

By the way I love the tires you chose !

Thank you! I haven’t had a chance to test them yet but can’t wait! I will also keep that in mind with my Textar pads, maybe I will switch the out if I get the same results as you.

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

Nice car!!!

SC Sports were built at the factory, other than items put on by the dealer. I read somewhere that one way of telling is they have a gas strut on each side of the engine bay to hoist up the heavy solid rubber tail.

Mine does have dual struts in the bay! I ordered a build sheet from Porsche so I will see soon. It appears my front & rear spoilers and H4 headlights have been installed since the 80’s, maybe dealer installed accessories?

Originally Posted by 86 ssinit

Yes take your time on fixing everything. Drive it as much as you can! Great find and good luck with it! Of course you want the tail!! That’s the only reason you bought it.

Mine came with the tail and sport seats and I also thought it was a sports package. Bought it in 13 and it’s still running great. Do a little here and there it’s my sons now and he drives it as much as he can

Lucky him!




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