1979 911SC Refresh Cost- Breakdown

[Whiskey911]

First, this forum is great, and I was able to get so many answers just with Google Search, so thank you all, and I hope I can return the favors.

I purchased a 1979 911SC with 102K miles on it, family owned since new, same mechanic last 30 years. The owners were not really car guys, and just did with the mechanic told them it needed. They did not have many records, so i had to speak with the shop that did the repairs. Overall, it had valves done, chain tensioners done, clutch done and yearly or bi yearly oil changes, as it was driven on average 2500 miles a year the last 30 years, and was stored in a heated garage from Nov to April. It does not leak a drop of oil, and no rust, the paint and interior is 8 out 10.

So the overall condition was fine, but needed fresh suspension, and had oil weeping mainly at valve covers, and the exhaust was shot, and the AC did not work.

I have a excellent mechanic that is regarded as one of the best, he does safari builds and race cars, all air cooled. After he inspected it, this is what we refreshed- I wanted to keep the 911 as OG as possible, and the upgrades were all what is typical these days for a 911SC. I kept all the original items worth keeping.

Breakdown of the work-

Front Bilstiens struts- old KW's were shot, and the top of the strut had missing parts to accept a Bilstien replacment cartridge. New rear Bilstien shocks.
Turbo R Tie Rods, and all new RSR bushings/ball joints.
New Stainless brake lines (4)
Adjustable rear spring plates
New 23/29 Torsions
Rennline strut Brace
New Fuel Pump
Turbo Valve Covers/Gaskets
Chain Tensioner Gaskets
Engine Mounts Clubsport
Air Injection plug kit
JWest Shifter upgrade
SSI/Dansk Sport Exhaust
CIS Pop Off Valve
Oil Change/Filter
Transmission Fluid Change
Ride Height adjusted, corner balanced.
Removed all AC system, compressor, condenser, evap, lines (55 lbs)

Cosmetic-

Momo 370MM Steering Wheel
H4 Amber Headlights
Magnetic Stone Guards
LED Gauge Lightbulbs
Aluminum Gauge Bezels Rings
Heater Adjustment knobs

Total Cost- $12,000
Parts $9800
Labor $2200

I estimated $10K prior to purchase, but two items put me over budget-
Bilstien Front Struts
JWest Shift Kit- optional, but boy is it sweet shifting now.

The 911 handles great, even the 15" Fuchs and not so great tires, that is the last upgrades, 16's and nice performance tires. I live in North Carolina, so lots of mountain roads to be a hooligan. Motor is very strong, and headers added a nice 15HP bump midrange from 2.5K-5K RPM it pulls nicely. Really happy with work and upgrades, rides like a dream at 90 MPH and the chassis/steering is tight.

It needs a Oil Sending Unit we discovered, diabolical readings, so will do that next week.

I also did a 4 stage paint correction for now, all by hand with Meguires, Clay Bar, Compound, Polish, Wax. But needs a pro with the stage 1 paint, some areas need improvement, but from 5ft away it looks stellar.

[Whiskey911]

Sorry forgot the main photo.

[timchar]

Love the paint and brite trim. You got her dialed in… Looks great!
Tim

[boyt911sc]

Whiskey,

Could you post a close up pic of the return oil tubes? The picture is a little blurry and hard to tell from your picture. The car looks great. Thanks.

Tony

[yelcab1]

Years ago, you could have bought a whole 80-911sc for $10K. Now that just refresh parts (non engine related)

[shoooo32]

Looks like you're on your way to building a proper hotrod!

One suggestion - I'd invest in a set of seats. You don't know how bad the stock "comfort" seats are until you hit the canyons with a proper set of sport seats. Factory sports seats, Recaro SPG or LX/LS, Scheel-Mann 101s (if you're a bigger dude) will change your life.

[Mark Salvetti]

Originally Posted by boyt911sc

Whiskey,

Could you post a close up pic of the return oil tubes? The picture is a little blurry and hard to tell from your picture. The car looks great. Thanks.

Tony

Tony, you are wondering if they are installed backwards? Hard to tell.

I'm also wondering what is holding up the muffler? There should be two straps. I would not want that weight hanging off the heat exchangers. Unless maybe it is a work-in-progress photo.

Some nice stainless straps for sale here if you need them: Stainless Muffler Straps

Congratulations on the car! Looks very clean.

Mark

[Ryan_Cunningham]

Whiskey,

Good looking car. I have an '81 and have gone through about the same refresh/upgrade items you did. I kept the receipts but don't really care to look at them. That's definitely in the ballpark.

How do you like the 23/29 TBs with the Bilstiens? If I recall I went 22/28 and they're amazing when the road is smooth, pretty harsh on the poor pavement on some of the San Diego streets though. One good thing though is that the firm ride has kept my wife from adopting my car as her own which she initially stated when she drove it for the first time prior to the refresh!

[Whiskey911]

The photo of the Dansk exhaust was during install and not complete, but good eye for noticing that.

The Torsions are a bit stiffer, but I dont have anything to compare them to, other than the 100K miles that were in there, which were soft. Yes on uneven pavement they do have more vibration for lack of a better description, but then again, it handles so much better under load. No body sway or dip, and the rear is on rails.

I might have the seat insides/guts redone, Sonderworks is just 2 hours away in Charlotte. The leather is in good shape, dont want perfect. I do wish there was more lumbar for sure.

The cabin is noiser between the raspy deep Dansk and the Torsions...might need to upgrade the sound mat, also its missing the engine sound insulation that is under the rear deck and above the motor...

[Whiskey911]

[Cobalt964ruf]

Nice car!

[ToySnakePMC]

NC Museum of Art photos! Looks great. Definitely recognize the shop photos. Hope you will hook up with our Ral Dur CH air cooled group when temps warm up. PS. Keep the 15’s - they look perfect.

[A930Rocket]

Nice looking car, Whiskey!