Dreamy situation. I have a 3.0L and $4K. What to do?

[farleyd]

Hi guys, a dream situation. I received 4K that wasnt planned.... so i MUST spend it right? on a Porsche related way, right? so....

I have a 1978SC 3.0L, leak-free, strong pullling good but not documented. I dont know if it has been rebuild or not. What should i do?

1) Upgrade de 3.0L
a) supercharged?
b) oversized?
c) SSI, exhaust and the usual way?

2) Sell the 3.0L, go 3.2 or 3.4 or 3.6?

Lemme know your thoughts. Thanks!

[Shuie]

How much oil is your 3.0 consuming? Do you have compression and leakdown numbers? If there is nothing wrong with the motor, put the money into something else.

Or sell me the 3.0 and do a 3.2 swap

[farleyd]

My 3.0L isnt consuming any noticible oil at all, isnt smoking and rarely on firing. Absolutely no leaks, even when parked after 2 months.

As i said, i am not too keen on touching it internally. Id be either:
- a swap to 3.2 w/chip or 3.6
- external modifications: SSIs, muffler, etc.
- cams maybe

Thanks!

[Victor]

Wheels...spend it on wheels man!

[Victor]

But seriously, If I was in your situation I would do:

1/2 Cage
Seats
Harnesses
Spare rims and R rubber
Torsion bars
Brakes (Lines, ducts, pads and fluid only)

That would see me nicely through the 2004 club season.

[farleyd]

Hi Victor, nice to read you again. Youll be happy to know that i bought a set of 8 x 16 Fuchs AND a set of 7x8x16 Phone Dials....That way, were both happy....

Seriously, i am not racing and/or DE’ing. Just want more oooophm.

later!

[Victor]

Good to hear about the wheels! I'm not sure that you will get the ohhmph you are looking for $4,000. But it will buy a lot of *BLING*.

[TMR]

Now that's the kind of situation you want to be in! Did you have anything on your "wish list" before you ran into the $4K? Use the money to take some leave without pay from work and drive that sweet ride on a week long adventure. ...or do what I did and put on SSIs (I love mine).

[farleyd]

Victor, what can i get if i sell the 3.0L (lets say $3K complete) added to my $4K, which gives $7K. What can i get for $7K as far as engines are concerned?

Thanks!

[Victor]

Not sure about what that buys in your neck of the woods, but in Australian dollars ~$10K would not even buy a used stock 3.2. (Hardly a worthwhile improvement for the trouble).

[Jim Smolka]

Farleyd,

Are you looking to race your car in a PCA class? If so, then might be good to leave it as stock. If not, then go for some HP.

For 7K, you can get a 3.6 motor with all the FI goodies. However, other stuff will cost a few extra $$$. (FWIW... I have a 3.6 from a 90 C4 for about $5600 with FI)

If your 3.0 is in good shape, might want to consider an aftermarket FI system to replace the CIS system. Then add a good set of cams and exhaust.

[1fastredsc]

Some possibilities:
About 5k is the high side to go full EFI with throttles stacks.
10k and a few little mods if it's rebuilt and tweeked.
Bolt on a turbo kit like rfng's, which i believe runs about 3.5k and is totally external (this sounds like your neck of the woods if you don't mind turbo lag).

[techweenie]

You want more oomph?

Buy a 915 gearbox with 7:31 ring & pinion, swap em, sell the old gearbox and save the money.

If you don't drive a lot on the highway, this is a great decision. It's like adding 40 HP.

The 3.0 > 3.2 changeover is a big disappointment, in my experience. They make power in different ways, but the power doesn't seem much different, especially because you have the earlier big-port SC engine.

If highway driving economy is important to you, sell the 3.0 and go for a 3.6. But $3.5K + $4K will still leave you about $2K short on a 3.6 upgrade.

[Tim Walsh]

Unless you the money is burning a hole in your pocket I'd bank it, It'll come in handy later when things come up, they always do. Otherwise suspension would probably be a better choice than anything. That car is a good 25 years old, who knows what the underside is like at this point. My order of priority is RUST, RUST, suspension, motor, comfort, paint but yours may differ.

[epbrown]

If you're looking to add serious pep and spend the whole wad, I'd say spend half to upgrade your exhaust system with SSIs and dual-out muffler and the other half to:

-> do the 7.31 ring & pinion swap (speed)
-> Go to a top driving school (skill)
-> tune the suspension (handling)

But the sensible thing to do is bank it; there's no better peace of mind than a nest egg for when trouble strikes.

Emanuel

[Early_S_Man]

Sabin,

For now, I would suggest SSIs, twin in/out Dansk polished stainless muffler, and Web-Cam 20/21 grind cams and sport spring and retainer set.

Later ... go for a new or rebuilt 915 with 7:31 ring & pinion, or short gears, including a factory ZF limited-slip.

Have fun, and don't worry about the engine!

[rsr808]

I would get the complete Big Red Brake upgrade and a set of Turbo fuchs.