Kevin,

Sent you a PM. Glad to see there's another 'Nucks fan on this message board!!!

Ralph

3.5L, a few points. You sound like you know your stuff, more so then me, but I think your underestimating the cost of your upgrades compared to 3.6 transplanting. From one that just went through a 3.4 twinplugging, I feel at least a bit educated on the subject. Take for instance twin plugging: $700 machining, $800 dual distributer, $600 coil splitter, $500 custom harness. Suddenly that was $2000 grand with no labor. I'm not talking you out of it, just that a 3.6 swap would be cheaper. I kept the Motronic and intakes only because I could see this thing going over the $15K level in a heartbeat. Heck, the P/C's alone were $3500K. Parts is what add up. I still encourage you to build it, just be forwarned. As far as the wheels, those would make great track wheels! Put them on Ebay and in Panorama. Many track guys are looking for a set of this size. Most paint the centers black and then don't worry about the dust collecting problems.

Craig,

Thanks for the input and looking out for me. Fortunately for me, the numbers that I have quoted are absolutely true. I used to work at Andial, have friends all over the Porsche world and still co-manage a company in the sport compact performance aftermarket. Sometimes its not what you know its who you know.

After calling in favors, using my contacts, and spending a little money, I already have the Mahle 100mm P&C's, ARP head studs and rod bolts, Web 20/21 cams, 993 distributor, Andial Signal Splitter and the rest of the parts needed for the twin-plug conversion. I won't tell you my exact cost for all of the above but it is under 3K as of right now. I will easily be under 7K when all is said and done as the P&C's are obviously the greatest individual expense.

I agree, if I had to pay full retail like many of you do than this motor project would easily be 15K and the 3.6L transplant would be a no-brainer. I am only going this route because of the extremely low cost and using premium parts to build a strong, smog legal motor that will live on pathetic 91 octane here in California.

I can't say that everyone can go this route, but I think looking at the prices that you paid you could have easily cut some cost by looking around, being patient and pouncing when a deal comes your way. There is no way that you should have had to pay $800 for a distributor, excellent used versions are on ebay all the time for $250-$400 and even replacing the belt and putting new caps/rotors on for peace of mind adds about $150 to the cost. I hope what you paid for is a new, rebuilt unit from Bosch. Also, I got my 100mm P&C's for an absolute steal but I have also seen them on "sale" to the retail consumer for much less than what you paid for your 98's.

How does your motor run? My buddy has a 3.4L twin-plug w/ 964 cams and extrude honed intakes in his 85 targa and it runs great. Once I get mine going and on the dyno, we'll compare and see what the differences are between the 3.4L and 3.5L, probably about 10 horsepower I will guess.

I certainly am no expert when it comes to Porsche's, I know just enough to be dangerous.

Ralph