911SC America Horsepower Rating

[b00mslang]

It seems the consensus that the 911 SCs shipped to the U.S. were 180HP for the entire duration of that model.

However, Porsche "America" rates them at 180/188/204 (similar to the Euro variation).

Engines
The 911 SC was powered by a 3.0-litre flat engine, the output of which was increased slightly over the years.- MY 1978-79 - 3.0 litres, 180 hp
- MY 1980 - 3.0 litres, 188 hp
- MY 1981-83 - 3.0 litres, 204 hp

So, are these numbers correct for the U.S. versions? Actually, my 79' Targa is noticeably quicker than my 82' SC.

[Bill Douglas]

And US ones are a bit heavier than ROW.

[Flojo]

the best SC is the early one. perfect engine setup and gear ratio.

The regular history is indeed 180, 188, 204 (though the last two don't rock'n roll)
In the US emission rules may have castrated them?

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

And US ones are a bit heavier than ROW.

e.g. due to US spec reinforcements, see steel bracket next to spare wheel, inside doors and shock absorber bars behind bumper

[b00mslang]

So basically, it isn't my imagination that my 79' Targa feels quicker than my 82' coupe? I mean the Targa just feels as though it noticeably has more torque.

[Josh D]

All US version were rated at 180 HP, but torque rating actually went up when they raised the CR for '80. Cam timing also varied, with the early US ones using the advanced timing setting. All US engines had cats, RoW did not. Take factory rating with a grain of salt. The earlier big port K-basic engines tend to have left a little more on the table with tuning. '74 and earlier exhaust, add 5* of ignition timing and richen the CIS a bit really wakes them up.

[Flojo]

Originally Posted by Josh D

All US engines had cats, ...

they may be called "catalysts, though they just carried a secondary airpump which is a joke.
edit: My 79 had this, 930.06.
The real CAT came in late 80 (correct me if I'm worng).

Originally Posted by Josh D

The earlier big port K-basic engines tend to have left a little more on the table with tuning. '74 and earlier exhaust, add 5* of ignition timing and richen the CIS a bit really wakes them up.

adding SSI with a sport exhaust, freshening the seals of the K-Jet and fintuning timing tickels up to 15 HP

[Bill Verburg]

All US SC have catalytic converters, the cats become more sophisticated 3 way cats in 1980. These can be id'd by the O sensor just before the cat inlet and separate control computer under the passenger seat and the frequency valve on the fuel distributor to control fuel pressure and new fuel distributor w/ line connection to the frequency valve and throttle switch and the integration of the temp sensor in the right timing chain cover

[pmax]

Originally Posted by b00mslang

So basically, it isn't my imagination that my 79' Targa feels quicker than my 82' coupe? I mean the Targa just feels as though it noticeably has more torque.

Performance per factory

[Walt Fricke]

The 204 HP model is the late Euro SC, which had the early SC large ports and runners, but instead of 8.5/8.6 CR, had 9.8. The comparable US model had the smaller ports/runners, and 9.3 CR., and less advertised HP.

Cats etc would vary the actual HP numbers as well, but headers and the rest of the exhaust are the kind of things easily changed as external.

If you put the 9.8 pistons into an early SC, you get the Euro power output.

[Bill Douglas]

My 1979 SC ROW went well. I was very happy with it. But it got one or two broken headstuds. Young Reuben, Big Reuben and Dave at Powerhaus said they will put in my spare 1982 SC ROW engine with SSIs and cam job into the car.

Not as much low down torque. But it really rev's out. A lot faster overall. I tend to keep the rev's up anyway, so it suits my driving style. Definitely a better engine.