which route would you choose? swb 911 w/newer engine or sc?

[mnmike]

I cant decide if I should keep the 66 and swap in a newer motor, utilize how light the car is to make it fast, or get a newer sc. I mean how much would it cost if I did the work to swap a 3.0 or 3.2 in? And would the car be pretty fast?

[ttweed]

Is the picture in your signature the '66?



If so, it looks like it has already been modified to a later, impact-bumper look? If it hasn't been modified extensively, I would say sell the '66 and buy an SC or Carrera. Let someone restore the '66 to original specs. There are precious few of the early cars around, and fewer every year. If it has already been "updated", then swapping in a 3.0 or 3.2 would make more sense, as taking it back to original will be difficult and expensive.

Yes, it will be very fast, especially if you lighten it as much as possible. You will be tire-and-brake limited, though, and tempted to proceed on the slippery slope of never-ending upgrades. Watch out!

TT

[Christien]

I'm considering the same choices, although for me it's a 3.2 or 3.6 into a 92 T vs. an 84-89 Carrera. So far it looks like it would be cheaper, faster and easier to sell the 72 and buy a Carrera. Probably a $5-10K difference between what I could get for my 72 and a Carrera. A new engine would be at least $5K, probably closer to 10 (esp for a 3.6) plus installation (if I didn't DIY). Plus, with that kind of an upgrade, I (and you) would DEFINITELY need to upgrade to SC or Carrera brakes, so there's another thousand. But depending on how you want to use the car the weight savings might make it worth it. Do remember, though, that with a transplant you'll never get out of it what you put into it if/when you sell.

[mnmike]

Firstly the car is technically a 912 with a 69 911 motor/trans and sc bumpers, so its not even close to original. It is rust-free and very solid. I understand ill never get out of it what I put in, but this is something id hold onto.

Im just thinking swapping any of the 3.0, 3.2, or even 3.6 would just be so cool because the car weighs next to nothing. a 993 does 0-60 in about 5.5 seconds, imagine that car with 900 lbs shed. It seems a complete 3.6 motor/trans setup alone (with ecu etc) could be close to 10k. I could probably sell my car and buy a carrera for that, and thatd be a nice car, but the current car would be a lot quicker (aright so it wouldnt have the same stopping power, and handling is a bit limted to a 215 tire..). But what does a 3.0 or 3.2 setup go for? If it was more like 5k than itd be worth it. 200 bhp in the 66 would move.

One other question: Can any of the 3.0+ motors/trans be practically a bolt in, or would a lot of custom fabrication be needed?? (i realize wiring is another story)

[Az911]

Sell the car to car to someone who will treat it the way it deserves to be treated.

[mnmike]

oh, the poor thing... haha No, id rather make something more enjoyable out of it. If it was an RS or turbo then i can see how keeping it original would be ideal, but the fact that its already a pretty unoriginal car (and a 912 at that) i think makes it a good candidate for modification. I mean to make it original, id need the right engine/trans, seats, wheels, bumpers and a handful of other things.. And then it wouldnt even be worth that much, I mean what do original 912's go for? 8-9 grand?

[304065]

Original 912's go for 30K+ if they are done properly. The problem is, a restoration that will allow you to fetch that kind of a price costs $100k.

You do NOT want to drive on the street in a 200 HP SWB. The car is tricky enough to drive at the limit with 130 HP and minimal torque. Adding SC power will require you to spend $$,$$$ on updating the rest of the car to SC specs. Front suspension, rear suspension, chassis stiffening, modification of the body for the later gearbox, front and rear brakes (66's have a SINGLE-circuit master cylinder!!), not to mention all the things you should do if you are going to be going fast using 40+ year old components, e.g. magnaflux everything. . . If it all worked properly, it would be an expensive death trap. There is a VERY good reason Porsche went to coilover suspension and toe-correcting rear control arms on the 964, when they upped the torque and horsepower. The reason is, the early suspensions are prone to all kinds of strange handling effects at the limit, which to a veteran racer ON THE RACETRACK are highly predictable, but on the street are a recipe for lillies and formaldehyde.

I am with the crowd that says if you want an SC, buy an SC. With an old 911, you have to spend a lot of money either moving back to originality or moving away from it. The difference is, only when moving toward originality do you have a hope of ever recovering that investment.

Not trying to rain on the parade but I've spent plenty of time talking to the experts and thinking over my own '66.

[mnmike]

^thats the kind of answer I was looking for. I think i'll try to just make the best out of what it has now. I dont really want to go back to the 4 cyl engine. Thanks!