Engine swap

I have a ROW 79 SC with a EPA exemption from visual inspection. I am looking for more HP. Would a swap to a turbo engine be cost effective. What about replacing the pistons with the lower compression turbo pistons and turbo charging my engine?

I loved the K&N discussion. I was just about to order one for my 4Runner. I guess I'll order headers instead!

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I guess the real answer depends on where your threshold for 'too many' dollars lies. For my money, SSI's and a sport mufler would be much more cost effective, and maybe Webers a little later (and maybe 'S' cams, too) if you like the effects the exhaust mods make! If I am not mistaken, a turbo engine will cost you $6-12K, and net you 60-100 hp, depending on the vintage of the turbo engine. A crisp, responsive, normally-aspirated engine with the 'correct' close ratio gearing beats a Turbo any day for getting my adrenaline going, and you can do it for less bucks, EASY! Please notice, I'm not talking about necessarily beating a Turbo in a drag race ... numbers don't mean as much to me as FUN, and going through the gears with an 'S' engine does a lot more for me than a 13 second quarter mile! You can make up your own mind.

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa

There are no premade turbo kits out there (to my knowledge) for a 3.0L SC motor. I've talked with several companies that will make me one for ~ $7000. No thanks. Every mechanic I've talked to told me the 3.0L would not hold up long if stressed this way. A friend of mine put a Paxton supercharger on his '78 SC and then swapped it for a Whipplecharger (both from Supercharging of Knoxville). He blew his motor twice then sold the car. The Paxton cost him $5K and the Whipple $7K. I have no answer to the age old quest for 3.0L horsepower except it is expensive. My car is a '78 SC with SSIs and custom exhaust, it runs absolutely wonderful but at 200HP needs more. I have thought very seriously about a V8 swap. This would hands down end the HP problem, and is nearly free after you sell all the parts you no longer need (Andras is convulsing about now). HOWEVER, a 3.3L tubo motor fell into my hands recently so I'm going to give it a try. If you like I'll let you know how it works out, how much trouble the swap is, how much the swap costs, and if I like it when it's all done.

That would be great.

kessel@mscd.edu