Carrera 3.0 Purchase

OZCarrera3 · OZCarrera3's Garage

Hi Everyone!

Well, I've finally achieved a life long goal, I've purchased my first 911! I wasn't specifically looking for a Carrera 3.0, but when I first saw this car, I started to do some research into this model. The more I read, the more I started to think that maybe this car made a great alternative to an SC. The rarity of the model (more talking point than $ value), the additional power and revvy nature of the engine (quite noticeable against an SC) won me over. All that was left was to get a PPI and close the deal.

As for the car itself, its had two previous owners (the second since '78) and although its travelled 230,000 km's, its in absolutely immaculate condition inside and out and the engine and drivetrain run strong. I can't believe how tight and rattle free this car is after 26 years and after covering such an enormous distance! It really says a lot about Porsche quality and design. I'll hopefull be able to post some pics of the car within the next week or so.

I haven't had much 'road time' yet, but each time I get in the car its a real rush - life just doesn't get much better! I'm really looking forward to my first 'track day' to get to learn how to fully appreciate the car and to understand its capabilities.

Apart from a set of Recarro Sport seats, a Fittipaldi 13'inch steering wheel and hydrolic tensioners, the car is standard. I'm keen to undertake (myself) some further updates such as new shocks, turbo tie rods etc, in the near future. I'll be sure to make good use of the excellent advice provided in the numerous threads on these subjects on this bulletin board.

I'd really like to hear more from other C3 owners about their cars, particularly those of you here in Australia.

Elombard · 07-26-2003, 08:26 AM

Cool

I was trying to look up the difference between these and the SC the other day. What are the differences? What range of prices are they in? Congrats. Cant wait to see pics.

pohsche · 07-26-2003, 09:09 AM

Congrats on your C3 purchase. I have had my "77 since 1999 and have loved every minute of it. The previous owner who is a friend of mine had it for 11 years previous to that. Fun car with very few problems popping up. Have had it up to 150mph range on the deserted Arizona roads and it runs strong and hard. The thing I like is it puts us C3 owners in a very small club as not many were made. The 200HP engine and subtle differences like the flairs and pop-out quarter windows make for an interesting car, but not anything special in modern 450 hp terms. Enjoy, and let me know if there is a C3 registry. That would be interesting to see how many have survived and where they are.

Alan Poh
'77 Carrera 3.0

Stuttgart951 · 07-26-2003, 11:18 AM

Congrats! The first 'non-chop shop' 911 I drove (I dont count my 'real' first because it was a 78/82 911 Coupe/Targa/Cab 2.7L) was a 77 Carrera 3.0 - fantastic cars.

UTKarmann_Ghia · 07-26-2003, 11:43 AM

Congrats brother! May you and your "new" car have many happy returns!

Oh, and you've got to do an autox to get your feet wet on your car. It made a HUGE difference how I now drive the car once I did my first autox.

Schuey · 07-26-2003, 01:19 PM

congrats! was this a Guards Red one? pics, pics, pics!

OZCarrera3 · OZCarrera3's Garage

Thanks for all the responses and best wishes! This is one of the great things about this site and Porsche ownership in general, the commeraderie!

Elombard - the differences between an SC and C3 are mainly related to the tuning of the engine. The SC develops 180hp @ 5500rpm, with 265nm of torque @ 4200. The C3 develops 200hp @ 6000 with 255nm of torque @4200rpm. The timing of the SC was 'retarded' by 9% (I think) to improve torque. The C3 is also supposed to be 40kgs lighter than the SC, however with a sunroof, electric windows and mirrors being standard on the C3, I suspect this may not be the case. The interior and body work differences of the C3 (to the 2.7) generally became standard on the SC. Globally there were only 2566 coupes and 1125 Targas ever built.

Schuey - My car is Grand Prix White, with no Carrera scripting.

UTKarmann_Ghia - my first autox/track day cannot come quickly enough.

Elombard · 07-26-2003, 08:51 PM

Wild. There is one of these for sale here on Ebay. I am interested in more detail on the motor. Its MFI right? do you know the CR? IS the motor "cammy'" like an S?

jmz · jmz's Garage

not an mfi car.

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

CIS car with a 1976-77 Turbo case. This case takes the 2.7L crank and the 3.0 pistons and cylinders. Sortof like a hybrid between the 2.7 7R cases and the 911SC cases...

-Wayne

Dana_Drury · 07-27-2003, 07:51 AM

I have a Carrera 3.0, they (of the two I have driven) are very quick cars, noticably more so than any SC I have driven. I don't understand why. I know they have 200 HP, over the average 180 on the SC (204 for the 83 version).

Great fun to drive, especially over 3500 RPM's... and keep it there

I'm lucky as my 3.0 Carrera engine was put in a 2.7 1977 narrow body Targa and is as fun (and as fast) as hell