Opinions please on re-powering a 73E

[Toxyman]

Hello - here's a chance for averyone to have their say...I have a 73 E Targa which I bought 4 years ago here in NZ - I think it must be one of the first RHD ones. Anyway - history was that it was origonally delivered to Hong Kong, and sometime in the 70s "updated" with a 2.7 L and CIS.

When I bought it, the engine had recently been re-built (using a replacement 2.4 S case) but it wasn't done well, and so there followed various trips to the shop to fix various oil leaks.

Most recently It was in the shop for a fair time, after which I drove it for 900 M - and all the leaks returned - a crankcase, tensioner cover, and now I suspect a flywheel and oil cooler seal have gone - result - she smokes.

So - I'm looking at

1 - finding a 2.4 E engine and getting her back to original as much as I can, as the body itself is good and clean - we don't get much rust over here. Thing is, how likely am I to find one which will not leak as the Magnesium cases seem to do?? - and I'm likely to lose power over my 2.7 "upgrade" Will also have to lower fuel pressure input from tank. don't think it likely to find a 2.4 E engine that's not been tweaked to S Spec...

2 - put in a 3.0 SC - supposedly the better engine, which should slot right in, and enjoy a more evolved engine with more hp on tap...I know I'll lose reale value, but she's not a matching numbers car anyway

Either way I'm going to part out the 2.7

I drive the car fairly regularly, live in a rural area, which get's pretty hot in the summer, sometimes on metalled road, so it's no "Garage Queen" - here's a pic


So - what to do - opinions please!

Cheers

Chris - NZ

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads4/targa+2004+21104897991.jpg[/img]

[Walko]

Stick a 3.6 in it for the additional cost you will get a motor which will last you for the next thirty years.


Michael

[Toxyman]

I didn't think any Porsche engine would last 30 years!

Chris

[Dantilla]

My '73 has a 3.2. Awesome car, no regrets. Hot rod performance with factory reliability. Great combo.

[pjv911]

A 2.0/2.2 will last 30 years 9 times out of ten . I would go with a 3.0 for installation ease and the added torque. Putting a 2.4 mfi in at this point would be a bad idea and carbs are a pain the the ... You will need a 9 bolt 915 flywheel . Everything will be a plug and play if you get the right 3.0 . Being in NZ you will most likely find a ROW 3.0 which has a little more hp than our USA version . 3.0 engines happen to be way overpriced these days but its the best answer to your problem .

Kurt Williams

[pwd72s]

Originally posted by Toxyman
I didn't think any Porsche engine would last 30 years!

Chris

Mine has!

[Jack Olsen]

I'd look for the best motor you can find, either a 3.0 or a 3.2.

[Jim Richards]

It might be challenging to find an excellent 2.4E/MFI engine to use in re-powering your 73E. The power drop off from your 2.7/CIS engine to a 2.4E may be 0 to inconsequential HP; however, the 2.7 would probably provide more torque. I think your budget will have a strong influence on what's the best option. Also, how long do you want the new powerplant to last? Used engines might bring with them early, unexpected repair bills. If you can find a rebuilt anything, from 2.4L on up, that would be your best scenario. Of course it'll take some patience and thorough research to make sure there's no downside.

[Fishcop]

Hi Chris

Having just completely rebuilt a 2.7 RS spec engine for my 69 I would encourage to consider rebuilding it for yourself as you have the basis for a great engine if you wish. Had I done things again, I can tell you for sure I would have started with a 3.0/3.2 as the aluminium engines tend to be less problematic and shouldn't have the warping problems of a mag case, however the 2.7 core was cheap and available

RHD E's are quite desirable, and restoring the car to factory spec (even with a non-matching engine number could be good move (particularly in our RHD market). A well tuned MFI 'E' engine wouldn't have a lot less HP than a 2.7 on CIS.

I think it comes down to $ and time... $6000 + your time, should rebuild your current 2.7 with some RS (more HP) mods and you'll know exactly what you have (and on webers it will look period correct). Otherwise $6-8k should get you a nice 3.2 with harness and brain, but you won't really know it's origins.

FYI I paid $2,500 AUD for my no-history 2.7 CIS non-runner core... this might help you work out what yours is worth to sell.

Good luck

[Toxyman]

Dear John - many thanks for the input - it all gives me food for thought. I had considered that when pulling down the 2.7 I would look to see what is actually giving me all the problems, if only to solve the mystery -I suspect it's a host of little things in the bad rebuild.

Chris

[Fishcop]

Yep, an engine is the sum of it's parts and it only takes a couple of thousanths at the machine shop to wreck a rebuild. This whole website is dedicated to these cars and there is an huge collective knowledge available... combine this with the engine rebuild book Wayne wrote, a digital camera and some enthusiasm (plus some coin ) and you will definitely be able to rebuild one of these engines. I did mine over the last year using local (read country "this isn't a V8!" ) machine shops and the internet for advice/specs and I am really pleased with the successful result.

Having said that, I just got off the phone to a club member who is parting a car and he just sold a 40,000 km old SC 3.0 for $6000 AUD, so it could be a real flip of the coin for you... I just wanted to have a go at building my own engine