911 problems

[Logan175]

Hey there,
I was doing some searching around and I wanted to know what are some of the common problems with the second gen 911s? I was looking for a 911 with the 3.0 sc motor. But what I was really looking to score was one with a wide body.

So basicaly I wanted to know if there was anything I should look out for?

thanks a lot, any other info or links would be much appreciated.
Logan

[livi]

Welcome to the forum!

You will find all and any information and help you need here.

Judging by your post, I assume you are talking about the SC. 78-83.

They are probably regarded as one of the most reliable models in the history of Porsche.

I have the next model, the Carrera 3.2, so there will be a lot of members much better to listen to.

If you have specific questions, please do a search. There are a tremendous amount of info there.

Good luck!

[Joe Bob]

The search function here is really good. But the basic issue on the SC is headstuds. They are a different metal on the bottom and they snap.....find one that has been redone. Raceware or all steel top and bottom is best.

[Rick V]

PPI,
and remember, not all that glitters is gold. don't fall into the "OOOHHHHHHH, shiny Porsche" trap.
You will spen around 18k-20k for A finished SC. A little on the front end means more on the backside. Good luck with the search and welcome.

[Logan175]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Porsche-911-SC-turbo-look-widebody-55K_W0QQitemZ220053187248QQihZ012QQcategoryZ10156Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
This is what i was kinda looking for.
But thanks anyways guys I'll just keep puttering around.

Logan

[Christien]

Well, it's an ebay car, so be careful. Lots of stories around here of people who've had problems with ebay cars, mostly because of the short time frame. With a car this old, you definitely want to have a pre-purchase inspection (PPI) done.

This car is a non-factory turbo-look, which can be good or bad, depending on the quality of work done. If it's good, in some ways it may be better than the factory turbo look, because you don't have the extra brakes, etc. (When I was on the look for a turbo-look I had a few people say that if you're going to bother with the extra cost of turbo brakes, pads, etc. you may as well go all the way and get the turbo engine). However there are plenty of bad jobs. My 72 had SC flares welded on, and they did a really good job.

The seller's got 100% positive feedback, so at least the initial sign is good, though that may not amount to a hill of beans. Remember that prices in the states (esp. ebay) don't necessarily have the same fall-winter low point as Canadian prices do, as lots of that market can drive these cars year-round.

If that car passes a PPI well, I would think his reserve price is pretty fair. Not a bargain, but not ridiculously high, either.

Good luck!

edit: forgot to mention: 1. this car is a private sale (or at least looks like it) - better generally dealing with an individual than a dealer (not always, though). Other places you might look would be Auto Trader and also various PCA region classifieds. Unfortunately you need to be a pca member to view the main classifieds, but many of the regions have boards that are viewable by the public. Definitely shop south of the border, as the price differential more than makes up for the hassle of importing to Canada. It's a bit easier in that you're looking for a car more than 20 years old, so no emissions test and no RIV. Have a look at the import "treatise" I wrote up a while ago:
Importing a Porsche from the US into Canada

[Logan175]

Oh I know all about the lemons and scams on ebay. I have run into them a few times with my low balling for good deals.

One question the wide body on that car is not a facotry option?
I know for sure about lots of the after market bolt on ones and the icky -bad fiberglass ones you can come across.

Logan

[Christien]

Yeah, read the questions the seller was asked, at the bottom of the page (click on "more" on the second question)

"The conversion was done approximately 15 years ago by a previous owner with a welded flare kit (I don't think they are factory). However they did a great job. The brakes and suspension are not turbo but standard 911 SC."

Welded would mean steel, if he's being honest.

[Logan175]

true I missed that, so are I take it your saying there are no factory widebodys thats have the sc motor.

Thats a shame really because I love the sexy styling of the the wide body with the fat rear tires and wide fenders. And i cant aford the 930s and I would be to afraid of the power anyways.

What I was paling to do was get an SC widebody and do some restoration with my dad as a father son thing. And slowly over time we could increase the power and other things to match the performance of the 930 turbos. Minus the tail spining happiness that come with the turbos.

Logan

[Christien]

Oh, sorry, yes there are factory wide bodies (turbo-looks). I'm not sure what years they were made, but I'm pretty sure there were 3.0s. Do a search here for M491 - that was the option code, by which they're usually referred to.

A word of warning - you'll spend far more over time trying to match the power of a 930 with upgrades, including things that will have the car off the road for long periods of time (new pistons and cylinders, I would think, for example). You're better off to buy the real deal, or buy a 3.2 or even 3.6.

Furthermore, tail spinning is an issue with ALL 911s - it's the weight bias of 60/40 rear/front that causes the issue, not the added HP of the turbo charged engines. The 930 got a lot of bad press in the 80s because of its power, but the oversteer isn't just a turbo problem. They're all tail happy. Ask me how I know....

[Logan175]

got cozy with a tree or two? lol
thanks for the code. I understand what you mean I probably would go so far as to match the power now remembering the 930 already have more displacement which is all ways good.

[Christien]

No, a wall at the track...

[Logan175]

ouch sorry to hear that.

[Won]

The "Turbo Look" option was available from the factory starting with 84 Carreras. There were no 3.0 widebody, not counting those one or two special wishes cars.