Just some random thoughts while I taking a break from breathing Brake Kleen and gasket remover fumes.

1. 4 hours to change the plugs has to be a misunderstanding. I'm not saying you misunderstood what he said mind you. I think something else must have been going through your mechanic's mind at the time.

2. You should be changing your own brake pads and spark plugs. I'm not saying you have to dive right in but you should be able to scare up a friend to show you how. If you get sucked into this track thing you will want to be able to maintain your own brakes. You may even have to do it at the track. Pretty simple stuff. Heck, I can do it and I'm an idiot (ask anyone).

3. I wonder if the guy in the red car went with the $40 pads. ;)
Seriously though, the brakes on your SC will get very hot and the cheapest pads may only last a couple of days at the track. The better pads will tend survive longer and thus they turn out to be a little cheaper in the end.

4. Parts prices from your mechanic. I get mechanic's price from the local parts place and it is usually a little more than what Pelican charges for the same part. Your mechanic (and thus you) are paying for the convenience of having the parts delivered the same day.

Back to the garage...

-Chris

Adam, I believe you have a 1979 SC. What you describe is an issue with the 78-79 cars that have never had the oil circuit upgrade done. What happens is that the oil pump can't pickup oil during high corning G situations and it basically fills the engine sump with oil, thus pumping the oil tank dry.

Check out the tech articles on Pelican and Rennlist for more info. I think the SC FAQ on rennlist covers it. Let me know if you can't find it and I can send a link.

Check your receipts to see if your cars has this upgrade. If not, I would suggest getting it done before you go back to the track.

BTW, the oil circuits on the 1980+ models were upgraded at the factory.

Noel

Here is the quote from the SC FAQ, which can be found at:

http://tech.rennlist.com/

"There were several upgrades made to the 1979 and 1980 oil circuits to prevent oil
cavitation and the sump filling up with oil, which caused a sudden loss of engine
power under hot driving conditions. The first fix, a new pressure relief valve, was
incorporated after engine number 628 2539 (non-CA) and 658 1060 (CA) in 1979.
In 1980, there was a new sump screen design which helped the pump in picking up
crankcase oil. It's recommended that both these be fitted to pre-1980 SC's,
however, they are not needed on earlier 2.7 engines. While not critical to idling and
going to the corner store, these two upgrades should be made if you intend to drive
your early 911SC with vigor. There was one additional oil-related change made in
1983, and that was a change to a new screened oil pickup and sump plate without
an oil drain plug. At the same time, Porsche made this the replacement for 1977-
1982 engines, where a new oil pump or sump plate is required. There is a good
discussion of this, including references to PCNA dealer bulletins, in "911 Lubrication
System Upgrades" by Allan Caldwell in Porsche Panorama, p. 12, December 1999."

By George, I think he's got it!!! Wow, Noel, I'm impressed. That quote you've posted describes EXACTLY what happened to me on the track! I told so many people about this and got baffled looks I was beginning to doubt myself. Thank you, thank you, thank you....

I love this Pelican site!!!

Adam