1980 SC projects

[averyhabbott]

I am looking at two things with my beautiful beautiful car right now that will be expensive beyond spare change, so I want to make sure I get them done right.

First off, I'm looking for someone I can (reliably) send my motor/tranny off to to have them rebuilt, and overbore the motor, which is stock right now. The engine is in halfway decent shape right now, but I fear it won't last forever, and I'm trying to coax a little more power out of it. It would seem that a 3mm overbore with new lightweight pistons, a dual plug setup (maybe overkill?), upped compression ratio, and reground cams would give me what I need, and possibly later on I could swap my CIS for some carbs. Any pointers? I'm trying to keep my pricing within about $5k-6k on the engine, while bringing it RELIABLY up to ~250hp. I need this thing to last, too.

Second, I'm looking at upgrading the brakes. Considering the exorbitant pricing on a Brembo set, I was looking at other Porsche replacement parts. Most notably, I was considering the 97-04 Boxer calipers with matching cross-drilled rotors. What would I need in terms of a mount for the calipers? Would this even be feasible? And what would I need to change about my parking brake system? Also, what size wheels would I need to fit this?

Thirdly, I'm completely customizing the interior (sorry to all you purists!) I've torn out most of the old, rotten carpeting, save for the small flaps that come from the door sills, and simply used a flat black spray-in rhino lining in their place. After driving it around like this for a few days, though, I realized that the regular floor mats are the way to go, and put them back in. The next two steps are in no particular order. I am going to remove the door panels, flatten them out, strip the vinyl cover, and replace it with a hard fiberglass cover with the same flat black rhino lining. Also, I am going to remove the jump seats in the back and put a custom mount for two 6x9 speakers.

Being a person who doesn't mind the heat (especially in a car with a Targa top), I have also completely stripped out the A/C system. The compressor's clutch (and maybe the rest of it, too) was shot and the front-mounted radiator had a nasty leak, but other than that, the rest of the components are fine and in storage at my wife's apartment. After freeing up the compartment forwards of the passenger's feet, I am going to custom fabricate a mount for an 8" subwoofer to fill it. This will also involve cutting away some of the metal material surrounding the A/C's electrical hookup.

Steps to be taken in the immediate future are:

1. Purchase/install aluminum trackmats, floorboards, and pedals.
2. Finish rhino-lining the interior floor.
3. Replace dash lights. Actually, I have fabricated my own wiring harness, I just need the light bulb receptacles and the bulbs themselves, but I can't seem to find them for sale anywhere! HELP! It's hard to drive legally at night.
4. Find someone to re-upholster the two front seats.


Many thanks to anyone who comments with suggestions! And many apologies to those who wept upon reading about the acts of terror I have performed on my car thus far. I'm sorry if I seem a bit scatterbrained, but it's 4:15 in the morning, my ADD is killing me, and I have to be awake in 2 hours and 45 minutes. Thanks, all!

-Avery Abbott
SPC, US Army

[euro911sc]

On the engine side, you have to replace your CIS if you want to make any kind of changes you are considering. You can do a 3.0->3.2 bump and keep the CIS. But you must be careful about the compression/piston pockets and the cams as CIS does not like overlap. Cruise the engine building forum for a ton of info on making the most of your CIS...

250 at the wheel might be a big stretch, but a 3.2 with SSI/Headers and the right muffler might get close enough for you. If no CIS then $2500+ will be in PMOs/Webbers alone and the gear to make them work. EFI also a possibility...

You might consider buying a long block core and doing your build while you drive you current 3.0... then sell it off later.

Rhino lining hunh? hehehee... If its covered by carpet no one will know But look out for purists

Best regards,

Michael

[tcar]

You should check on emissions... Removing the CIS and replacing with carbs might be a big problem.