What engine

Dude76 · Dude76's Garage

If you were rebuilding an 2.7 liter porsche would you upgrade to a larger displacement engine, or rebuild the 2.7 with approximately 50,000 miles on it?

Paul Franssen · Paul Franssen's Garage

Why would you have to rebuild (or replace) a 50,000 mile Porsche engine? Even a 2.7 liter one...?... Did the heat melt it?

Victor · 03-30-2004, 11:16 PM

What does "Go Turno" mean?

GeorgeM · GeorgeM's Garage

How much $ are you budgeting?

IROC · IROC's Garage

Faced with this same dilemma, I swapped in a 3.2. For less than the cost of fully rebuilding the 2.7, you can buy a nice 3.2 (mine had 22k on a full rebuild when I bought it) and gain a reliable 40-50hp and 20-30ft-lbs of torque. This same power output out of the 2.7 would be very expensive.

For me it came down to economics. More power, better running and better gas mileage for the same cost? No brainer.

Mike

bigchillcar · bigchillcar's Garage

hmmm...depends on how you intend to use it.

originality important? keep the 2.7...can you afford to upgrade the cis to rs specs/mfi or carbs for serious fun? keep the 2.7. if well maintained, it's a really fun motor, particularly so if you have the 7:31 ring & pinion. if you've grown accustomed to the power curve of the 2.7, you'll notice a different feel with the other motors...certainly more pull as the car begins to pass 60 mph.

the 3.6 will require a lot of additional mods, including exhaust and possible tranny issues on your 915 depending upon it's condition.

it's probably true that you could pick up a used 3.2 for less than it costs for a good 2.7 rebuild. but personally, i enjoy the feel of my 2.7 over a friend's 3.2. i have driven, even though ultimately i know his car is faster...it just isn't faster to 60 where i spend more of my time.
ryan

jase007 · jase007's Garage

Quote:

it just isn't faster to 60 where i spend more of my time.

Ryan...how do you know? I mean ... what is the "official" stat? I like my '76 2.7L and have a spare '74 with euro P/Cs waiting in the wings

TIA

BTW: shaken or stirred?

Jason

IROC · IROC's Garage

Don't get me wrong - I really enjoyed the 2.7. I had headers and Supertrapps on it and it was a strong, reliable great motor. Just when it came right down to it, the 3.2 made more sense. Having driven both in my car (all other things being equal), the 3.2 is the better engine.

Mike

bigchillcar · bigchillcar's Garage

Quote:

it just isn't faster to 60 where i spend more of my time.

Quote:

Ryan...how do you know? I mean ... what is the "official" stat? I like my '76 2.7L and have a spare '74 with euro P/Cs waiting in the wings

jason...i just know for a fact, officially that i spend more time going to 60...

ok...just thought i was funny...that's just from he and i playing around in our cars...his doesn't pull away any from me until we get past 60, then his has steady more pull. his car has more horsepower, yet weighs more than my '74. my car will still hit 60 in about 6.5 seconds. our observation has been that his weight bias becomes less of a factor once the car gets moving...also, his ring & pinion is the 8:31, so this performance is pretty much expected i think with a stock car. if his car were as light as mine, i think it would be a different story, but weight is a factor...'free' horsepower.
ryan

markwemple · 03-31-2004, 05:41 AM

If you do the work yourself the rebuild is cheaper and a rewarding experience. If a wrench is doing it, it is likely a close call but it has been a while since I saw a 3.2 for under $4200 and how about them rod bolts? Anyway, once you rebuilt yours you would know exactly what you had.

porschenut · 03-31-2004, 05:52 AM

I would go turno.

wcballance · wcballance's Garage

Faced with a similar dilemma, I opted to have a 3.2 put in my SC. My oil was starting to leak beyond a small drip or two. The oil was ending up on my passenger side heat exchanger and would smoke. I was told that the car was safe to drive, but I did not feel that the smoke was very becoming of a Porsche so I wanted it fixed. To fix it right would require a full engine reseal which was going to run about the same as what I could pay to have a 3.2 put in (factoring a trade of my 3.0). If I felt comfortable doing the work myself (requires time, tools, etc.) then I probably would have kept the 3.0, but since I was going to pay to have the work done one way or the other I opted for more power. I originally thought the deal would actually save me money, but I wasn't taking into account that the upgrade needs a better oil cooler. Now it looks like I'm probably going to end up paying more, but hopefully not too much. Another snag was the A/C. So if you decide on upgrading, don't think it will end with the engine alone.

I was lucky enough to have Jim Smolka (another Pelican member) live within about an hour's drive. He had the 3.2 and was willing to take my 3.0 in trade. I drove my car up to him on the 20th. He's been working on it and ordering parts for it since then. It should all be ready this weekend and I can't wait! I plan to show off his handy work at the Food Lion Auto Fair this coming Sunday.

1982911sc · 03-31-2004, 06:04 AM

What does Go Turno mean? Is that supposed to be Turbo....I would say rebuild it as hot and fast as possible!

FenderGuy · 03-31-2004, 06:10 AM

Go Turno that was my Vote

sammyg2 · 03-31-2004, 06:26 AM

Nothing better than a turnocharged porsche

Sorry, couldn't help myself. besides I'm the king of typos so it feels good to know I'm not alone.

If I were you I'd look for a nice, relatively cheep 3 liter to drop in there.
Then think about the turbo later.

slope-nz · 03-31-2004, 06:43 AM

IMHO.rebuild the 2.7 yourself. Put all the right parts in it and as a reward for doing it your self and saving money add one of tbitz EFI systems. What a sweet heart engine you would have then. Randy

Doug Zielke · 03-31-2004, 06:56 AM

Everybody knows a turno is the way to go.

markwemple · 03-31-2004, 07:06 AM

Either everyone is having the same typo issue or we are picking on this guy WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY too much!

jmz · jmz's Garage

euro 3.2 with carbs and a 7:31 ring and pinion would be a really cool set up.

I know there are alot of 2.7 fans who swear they are faster than a 3.2. ...I myself like the shorter stroke engines. But a 3.2 w/ carbs particularly a euro 3.2 w/ a a 7:31 will walk any stock 2.7 without a problem at all.

This would prove to be a very fun car that flat out hauls ass!

Dude76 · Dude76's Garage

Thanks for the support Mark, and thank you everyone else for your input. It is all greatly appreciated. I will get back to you on your questions this afternoon.