how long before engine rebuild?
 

how long will a 911 engine usually go before needing a rebuild? specifically, i am interested in 1980 to 1990 engines. any pointers are appreciated.

No hard number, the 3.2's will easily go into the 100K plus range but it really depends on alot of other stuff, was it tracked hard, was it maintained well (valve adjustments and oil changes), was it over rev'd. A lot of times you can do a top end rebuild only and not crack the block. Try the search button. I am sure you will get some hits.

My 3.0 is running good at 185,000 miles. No sign of any impending service requirements!

I'm at 182,000, strong as ever!

My 83SC is at 192,000 and still going strong.

thanks, guys!

I was at 118,000 when a broken stud made the decision for me.

Few parts were out of spec and the overall comment was that "the engine looked great inside".

I did have to replace all of the exhaust valves.

I think that in the most recent edition of Bruce Anderson's venerable 911 Performance Handbook, he states that neither he nor Jerry Woods has ever rebuilt a 3-liter because it wore out. He had one customer with 450k miles at the last tune-up, and he was not yet recommending a rebuild.

Now, that's extreme. In the real world, head studs break, and valves and rings wear out. When I freshened mine, the rings were at the end of their spec, and so were the valve stems. That was at 182K miles. I put valves, rings and bearings in it nothing else but gaskets, and it's as strong as an ox now. More than 300,000 miles.

good grief... i thought these babies were constantly breaking and needing to be rebuilt. i was considering a new mustang GT, but i think i'll go with a mid 80's 911 instead. any other pointers?

It's just that when they do break, they cost a whole lot more than a mustang to fix. Of course, you'll never get tired of driving a Porsche.

It really comes down to how well they were managed. I bought my 3.0 that the kid had trashed. He tried to fix it himself. I bought it in boxes. It only had 118,000 miles on it. How well they are maintained will determine how well they will last.

i can do the engine building/vehicle repair myself, most of the time. just did the cylinder head on my 944, anyway. i did some research on parts prices and they don't seem that much higher than my 944. i think it is the labor that gets you.

I seem to notice that the 3.2 Carraras seem to need top end rebuilds more often than the 3.0 SC motors.

I'm a fan of the 3.0 Bulletproof SC.

Don't beat the snot out of it and will go forever.

It's all about maintance and prevent maint.

If your a wait till it's broke kind of guy, it just won't last.

Prevent maint. is cheaper than cracking that case.

what years came with the 3.0 ltr motors?

These cars are designed to be driven. Fast and hard works well, just not put away wet. In my opinion, beat the snot out of it and it will go forever given good maintenance.

Best,
Grady

1978-1983 US models

78-83 have cis fuel injections? is this mechanical fuel injection? what is more desirable, motronic, cis, carburreted?

I have 140K on my '85 3.2 with Motronic.

It's interesting, I have heard the 86 - 89 3.2 needing head work at as low as 60K, while many of the 84 and 85's haven't needed much.
Then again, I have two intake valves that are more loose than they should be.
Perhaps it was when Porsche decided to bring in more power on the 86 - 89s they lost durability... hmmmmmm