1973 3.6 conversion update

Well, I had a 1993 C2 engine flown in (sight unseen) from Germany, and for the last two months my mechanic has been carefully going through the steps of swapping it into my 1973 911T. Dr. Steve Timmins in Delaware provided the conversion kit and the instructions for the swap.

And today was the day when the last oil lines were connected, all the new electrical components were double checked -- and for the first time, the key was ready to be turned.

Crank, crank. Vroom. It started right up.

It idles great. Runs great. 1973 components and 1993 components living happily, side by side. A lightweight flywheel and a custom Cyntex chip working happily together.

Absolutely no surprises.

As you can imagine, I was prepared -- on a project like this -- for a lot of unforseen hurdles, especially at the moment where the engine had to actually turn over and run. But aside form the time the whole process took, and some parts-delivery glitches, it's all come together extremely smoothly. My hat goes off to my mechanic, Bob Brumley at L.A. Meister in Los Angeles, and 3.6 engine swap guru Steve Timmins.

Did I mention that the engine runs?

Now the last hurdle is the muffler. We're going to have to fabricate one, or modify a C2's. With the exhaust chain (currently) ending at the a test pipe, it sounds like a real monster -- a much bigger sound than a V8.

The new suspension (stiffer torsion bars and new swaybars) are also in place, as is the limited slip and the 7:31 ring and pinion 915 transaxle. With low gearing and 270-odd horses, this 2500-pound 911 should be a kick in the pants to drive. I can hardly wait.

But as of today, it runs. Loud as all get-out, but it runs. What a great day.



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Jack Olsen
1973 911 T sunroof coupe

[This message has been edited by JackOlsen (edited 10-07-2000).]

That is really great news, Jack! Makes it almost worth the wait, doesn't it?

About the muffler(s) ... www.summitracing.com used to carry Flowmasters, as well as SuperTrapp's -- adjustable for restriction and noise level!

Oh yeah, even my 'little' 2.4 thunders with open headers or megaphones ... sets off burgler alarms for half a mile radius around it!

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa

congrads Jack,

I seems you will be very happy for a long time to come.

The supertrapps are okay but stay with the stainless (I think you can even get the polished now) Unless you really cut back on the disc's, then the muffler is less then effective. Duals with 2.0-2.25" inlets with 4" o.d. would be plenty. Bigger will only be loud with no real (probably less)gain.

please post some pics when you get a chance.

s

Thanks. The sound of the thing did make me aware of the perils of a lot of power in a small package. Here's a link to what happens at an autocross when you combine too much horsepower with too little experience.

Not my future, I hope.

http://www.ilovebacon.com/vehicles/080400b.shtml

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Jack Olsen
1973 911 T sunroof coupe

I'm really getting jealous. Holding the revs down for break-in will be almost unbearable!

Btw, what is that link, the faces of death website? The one of the guy getting sucked into a jet engine is disgusting!

Joe

Great news Jack,
That's a wicked machine you'll be piloting in the future, wish I had it!

This might not be on the cards just yet, but do you think you will be modifying the motor for more power in the future?


Please post pictures of the motor in the car!
The 3.6 engine sound on your site, is that actually from a 3.6 powered car?

Cheers,

Congratulations, Jack! I am soooo jealous! Hopefully you'll decide to get/fabricate a muffler that will make even the rice kids jealous!

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Jeff
1976 911S

Thanks.

Joe: Is your engine rebuild complete? That was fast! (At least, fast compared to the engine swap I started in... July!) And with regard to that website, they do have a pretty twisted sense of humor. Not all of it's to my taste, of course, but the Autocross footage is both grim and cautionary.

Beetos: There may be a day, down the line, when I dig into headers, new cams, piston heads or Webers, I guess. But the custom chip and the exhaust seem to be the best bang-for-the-buck work, and neither involves cracking the engine apart. Also, since I'd only be able to race it in modified classes -- where someone will always be able to outspend me -- it seems best to just relax and enjoy the doubling of horsepower, while keeping the engine as reliable as possible. It's a 90-95% street-use car, after all, and I want it to be a reasonable choice for weekend trips (the girlfriend has to have heat and ac) as well as for track outings. Its chief virtue is simply that it's a 28-year-old Porsche kitten with the heart of a much bigger cat.

Jeff: Yeah, the muffler set-up is the last trick, and it's an area where my mechanic is not a fabricating DIY-er. I'm going to have to find an exhaust shop in Los Angeles, I suspect, and have them throw something together. I don't want trumpets shooting out of the backside of the thing, but I'll probably go to a dual-outlet set-up.


Any ideas anyone has on how tp put the exhaust together would be welcomed. The more detailed, the better. I don't weld. I'm wishing now I did.



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Jack Olsen
1973 911 T sunroof coupe

Jack,
I am so pleased to say that I will have my car on the road next Wednesday. Actually, its been apart for a while. The engine is complete and the tranny will be done Tuesday. Timing is great as we just had our first "cool" front here in Clearwater and the projected highs will be in the 70's next week. Top off, new SSI's roaring, life is good!

Joe
'80 SC Targa

Congrats Jack!! You will soon be king of the autocross AND the roadcourse, not an easy feat!
I used a set of supertrapps on a 2.4L w/webers and headers, made things very adjustable but also a little loud. Taking away enough discs to get the noise down also robbed power. What exhaust are you running? How much room do you have for muuflers and where is the room located? Take a close look at the rear mounted mufflers on a C5 'Vette, this may give you some ideas.

Something you might want to look into is twin Flowmasters (the small ones; ~8" long). Install these guys, one to an exhaust header, they quieten the engine, provide just the right amount of backpressure, and give you nice deeeeeep rumble. Of course, at 7K rpm, they WAIL!!!

Jack, can you believe that my server here in the Emirates has that ilovebacon sight blocked? "NO ACCESS." Can you download it and send it to me in an email? Good show on that 3.6 conversion. "Whoopee!"

Dan Smith

I know that rumble. I did the Carrera chain tensioner upgrade this weekend and checked for oil leaks before I put the muffler back on. Did sound sweet right out of the cat.

Thanks Jack. That was hairy, but I am not about to go out and get a C4 or Twin Turbo awd. Around here, I have seen many 930s that spun out and nailed some big curbs doing some very expensive damage. None the less, I bought an 85 for a song and am redoing it. It may be more volatile than that Vette, but it should still hook up a whole lot better. Porsches have always hooked up better than just about anything with 2wd, but the power of the turbo can kick in with sudden vengence. That's another thing going for the 3.6 mods. I remember when you were inquiring about the Feds on that. Did it go pretty much according to what I said? Have fun!

You mean the perils of importing a non-DOT and non-EPA approved engine into the States? Well, the advice I got on this list (and also on Rennlist) led to my importing it legally, and paying, oh, a total of $2.00 in import duties.

Now, in my moral defense, the 1993 engine was built to the same emissions and noise specifications worldwide, so I'm not exactly riding roughshod over the laws of this great land. But it is a tribute to the resources these online boards provide that I was able to get the engine into the United States without any legal surprises or delays.

Come to think of it, I originally located my 911 online, as well as my new engine, wheels, leather for my interior, and virtually all of the parts I've put into it. And what with my seeing it more through my web page than in my actual garage, I think it qualifies as an (almost) Virtual Porsche!

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Jack Olsen
1973 911 T sunroof coupe

Closer and closer...



Here is a page with some pictures (from earlier today) of the almost-completed swap:

http://members.rennlist.com/jackolsen/Swap.html

Jack,

Man that is looking awesome! Love the K&N. You know most people have a really nice car with just a stock motor. You have proably one of the best looking 911s in the world with an awesome motor!

You rock! Hehe, awesome car just try to keep all that power under control and don't hurt yourself!

Better wear a diaper on that first ride!

I'd better wear a diaper when I pick the car up and see the bill.

I bet he'd knock of 10% for a spin around the track.