SC with a 3.6 installed
 

My neighbor is thinking about buying a nice SC but it has a 3.6 motor installed. I told him that he should probably pay less for the car because it does not have the original motor. And I told him at selling time the car may take a hit on value. Am I correct? I know a lot of guys do the switch. My neighbor says he is hoping to buy low and sell high.

Upgrading to a 3.6 is at least a $20,000 project. I don't know anyone who would prefer the stock 3 ltr. Having a 3.6 is a huge selling feature and should increase the value quite a bit.

Okay, Thanks. I did not know. I thought that numbers matching was still
A big deal in the classic car world. So a perfect sc with a strong good original motor would be worth less than a nice sc with a 3.6 conversion? would a 66 Jaguar xke be worth more with a nice 289 V8 tossed in?

The 3.6 is just a upgraded 3.0 in essence. So a v8 is wrong, but a 911 engine with more hp is fine.

Originality is critical on some classic cars, Porsche not so much.

An SC with a 3.6L conversion would be a very desirable driver or DE car, a '66 Jag would likely not be a driver or DE car no matter what engine it has.

Also, this is California, I know the 3.6 is a newer motor but will there be a problem at smog time because it is a different motor?? Trying to help my neighbor. Want him
To be careful.

SMOG in Cali��

There's a few hoops you need to jump through, but I don't think its that hard to be smog compliant with the newer 3.6. In CA if the car has a swapped motor it must meet emission standards of the engine year and retain the smog equipment originally designated to the new engine. (If the engine is newer) You also need to keep whatever original equipment the body originally came with, like the charcoal canister for example. I'm assuming the current owner has already done this since the seller needs to provide a smog cert when selling a car titled in CA. 1975 and older are exempt from smog laws however.

All 3.6 transplants are not the same. Do the due diligence on the parts and install. They can be total crap or stunningly beautiful. Beware they can also be wallet busting expensive to make right. Not many cars are more fun to drive though!

Ask if the ECU has been chipped, this will be critical for smog

I would suggest your neighbor learn more about Porsche’s before he buys one.

Honestly, if he is looking to “buy low and sell high,” let him figure it out for himself. There are enough flippers in this market.

This can be a HUGE sleeper and a very desirable car. BUT, I wouldn't dare buy one unless I had unimpeachable documentation and verifiable build quality from the builder himself. I'd need to know.

The value of some yahoo 3.6 build is inversely proportional to a high end, reputable shop build that would vouch for its work, now and forever. Just think who had their hands on the switch.

Risky business, if you ask me. Be careful.

Just go look at sites like Bring A Trailer. You’ll find that tastefully done outlaws can be close to 6 figures. Some are even 6 figures. Right now a highly original SC won’t command that in the market. The market is what it is.

That said... can’t see this car so it could be great or junk. Not enough info to say.

Tomorrow the market could flip and people will value originality.

Well done 3.6 outlaws with special touches passed $200k, but that was 18 months ago.

OP, originality matters in super low mileage or rare model 911s. As long as the mods are well executed and in the Porsche family, they can be accretive to the car's value. 3.6 swaps included.
Assuming it's a coupe with upgraded brakes and in reasonably good condition it could easily pull $70k or more.

Ok, thank you. I just told my neighbor to do a bunch of homework. He knows nothing. Must be careful, he is my neighbor. Engine swaps and stuff like that are not my thing. Nothing against them. Not for me. So I went ahead and gave him all this great info so it is up
To him. We shall see.

A good 3.6 swap will run $20,000 before supporting modifications. you will need at least two oil coolers, the swap kit and a well setup / stiffer suspension to handle the power.

if you do all the proper bits and use quality parts that swap really starts approaching $30,000 very fast. that said, a 3.6 in a 911 sc is an awesome thing! very reliable, 100% more power and the torque is amazing.

The sway bar mounts alone are a weak point with an engine as aggressive as this esp. if the PO has included more rubber to the road via 8"/9" rims. If he is flipping then it is the next buyer's issue, but for sure if he holds on to it plenty of checks to be made (and paid?).

I agree though that with a neighbor you have to be very careful. A garage-bound trinket is not going to help relations!

Nick, as you are in SD just take the car to Black Forest and have Mark take a look at it. He has done a number of top notch 3,6 conversions.