Purchase advice on 1981 911 Turbo

[Bulletproofauto]

Hey folks hoping for some wisdom here. I am located in Canada and am in the process of purchasing a Canadian spec 1981 930 Turbo.

The car is mostly stock other than:

1) RUF front valance.
2) Fikse 17 inch wheels
3) Billy Boat Headers heat exchangers with Billy Boat muffler.
4) K27 Turbo upgrade.
5) Upgraded larger intercooler.

I was thinking to go back to stock except leaving the K27 Turbo and intercooler.

The seller has agreed to replacing the front RUF valance with the stock parts, removing the current exhaust and replacing with good condition Oem heat exchangers and muffler.

I am also considering swapping the Fikse wheels with a set of 16 X 8 and 16 X 9 Maxilite rims he has as well.

As you can see I'm trying to return it mostly to stock.

My biggest concern is the exhaust system swap. Is this a bad idea? I realize some of this is personal preference but at 55 years of age I'm past the obnoxious exhaust stage. Will I lose a lot of performance? Am I better off keeping it and swapping later? he's offered to do it before the sale.

[boomvang]

Have you driven the car with the Billy Boat? If you find it too obnoxious I would ask for the switchover, and see if he will include the BB with the sale, along with the other parts. You can always sell them here or locally.

[Bulletproofauto]

Originally Posted by boomvang

Have you driven the car with the Billy Boat? If you find it too obnoxious I would ask for the switchover, and see if he will include the BB with the sale, along with the other parts. You can always sell them here or locally.

I have not but seen a video. Lots of snow here at the moment. TBH I hate the huge muffler exiting the bumper. Is putting a different muffler onto the Billy Boat manifolds a reasonable option? Do these aftermarket manifolds make more power than a Euro Spec heat exchanger?

[john walker's workshop]

On a 930, the muffler bolts to the turbo. A Monty fits well and not too loud. Not big on BB stuff.

[Bulletproofauto]

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

On a 930, the muffler bolts to the turbo. A Monty fits well and not too loud. Not big on BB stuff.

Thanks

[gsxrken]

You’ll want to keep the headers for earlier boost onset, and they’ll work much better with the larger turbo. You can put any muffler on after the turbo.
16” rims are hard to find tires for and have been for years. Those fikses don’t look right to my eye either, but if they’re 17s tires will be much easier to find.
Most people go to a front valence like that one for an extra oil cooler. If the car has one, that’s a nice addition and I’d stay with the valence too.
That’s a nice color.

Make sure to get a PPI, especially if the wastegate has a 1 bar spring in it. These are durable cars but parts and labor can be pretty stiff. Once they’re sorted you can have many years of only minor infusions.

[OldSpool87]

I have BB headers w/heat and a RarelyL8 muffler. It’s not obnoxious except when the waste gate opens. Then it’s pretty gloriously raw.

[Richard930]

+1 on what Ken said. If the ppi checks out you can always drive it for a bit and get to know it - if the BB muffler is too loud there's lots of options and swapping mufflers is pretty easy/inexpensive.

The headers have a very positive effect on driveability especially when combined with the K27. I would only change those if the heat from the BB isn't adequate for your needs.

That's a really nice looking car, rare colour and the underside looks perfect - was it cryogenically cleaned?

If that front valance is coming off I might be a buyer. Where are you located?

[onboost]

Nice looking 930.. ruby red metallic?

So that's not a Ruf front valence.. it looks to be a copy of the 930S front spoiler.. and as Ken said, its typically done when an auxiliary oil cooler has been mounted in front.. I would leave it as you could use the extra cooling and of course any change will require paint work.

I would leave the headers a they definitely make the engine breathe better and obviously work well with the k27. Of course you can change the muffler to suit your taste/tone.

If you swap the wheels, I'd go with 17" Maxlite.. its not too big, you can set a nice ride height with them.. and there are a few more tire choice than with 16" and in doing a custom wheel.. I go for 8's and 10's or 11

If you really want 8 & 9 x 16 then I'd piece together a factory set.. 930 9inch rears and 944
8 inchers to use on the front.

Just my opinion..

[GaryR]

Other than the wheels (personal preference) I would leave it alone as the mods are all well done and functional. I can't imagine the exhaust being loud, I ran a K27 with a 90 degree elbow out the rear on my 930 (no muffler) with Fabspeed headers w/heat..!

[Bulletproofauto]

Thanks to all of those who replied with suggestions. I have decided that I will take the car as is and keep all the parts on it for now other than the tires and rims because I have found a nice set of original Fuchs. Can’t wait for the snow to melt!