3.6 upgrade cost

[DARISC]

Just ball park - if I were to turn my 82 SC over to my mechanic (current shop rate $90/hr) and pick it up with a 3.6 installed w/all the necessary mods (the engine would be sourced by the mechanic), what might I expect to be spending (including cost of the 3.6)?

Will the 915 handle the hp/torque? I understand that a G50 conversion is possible but expensive (I personally prefer the 915 anyway). My car is a daily driver and I'd want to keep it as such, don't track it. Also, must be able to pass CA smog.

I have too much in the car now to sell it and go for a later model, plus I like the visceral SC qualities and the fact that it's only 2500 lbs.

Again, I'm only asking for ballpark estimates to see if it's even something I want to consider having done. I love the car as is and don't plan to ever get rid of it. But I keep seeing you guys that have the 3.6 installed and can't stop thinking about it what a rush all that torque and power would be.

Thanks for any input.

[DW SD]

$16k is my guess w/ engine and all ancillary items including upgrading cooling and all labor

I did the conversion myself and would be glad to discuss.

I'm in Encinitas off of La Costa Ave - should be very close to you.

Send me an email through the board and I can show you my car and give you a ride.

Doug

[Moses]

I'm embarrassed to tell you what I've spent on my car. If you are not doing the work yourself, I would recommend taking your car to TRE Motorsports in LA. Also, your 25 year old suspension will feel pretty spongy with all that power. Plan on some suspension upgrades.

[Venetian]

DW

That is a beautiful car.

[mede8er]

Originally posted by Moses
I'm embarrassed to tell you what I've spent on my car. If you are not doing the work yourself, I would recommend taking your car to TRE Motorsports in LA. Also, your 25 year old suspension will feel pretty spongy with all that power. Plan on some suspension upgrades.

+1

The biggest mistake people make is thinking their car engineered for 200HP will handle 300HP...you will not fully benefit from the 3.6 upgrade without a major suspension upgrade.....

Ruby has a full on suspension upgrade to go with her 3.6 Varioram and its a marriage made in heaven....

Figure $20k for the whole enchillada....do it right....also, the torque band with the 915 is awesome.......

[techweenie]

The shop local to my new office had a pristine stock-looking green '70 coupe in the shop the owner started it to shock me... it had a hotrodded 3.6 in it. I asked what it had cost and the shop owner said with all the mods and Varioram engine, it had been about $25K.

There are a couple of resources out there that will sell you all the stuff you need to do it yourself, but it's nearly 2 grand worth of parts, as I recall, so even if you do it yourself, $12K is probably the very least it could cost. And I agree with mede8er about upgrading the chassis/suspension.

[Rouxzy]

What Mede8er said is so true. I had a 3.6 transplant done and the suspension was the weak link. I'm in the process this winter of finishing the suspension upgrades. The 915 does handle the power fine but remember you are not at a drag strip. I am going to have to upgrade the clutch because the stock clutch does not have the clamping force to handle the power of the 3.6. When all is said and done I will have about $18k into it, and that is with alot of help and free work from good friends.
Tom

[DARISC]

Thanks all -

I've got new Bilstein Sports all around, strut bar, 26 mm torsion bars at the rear and turbo tie rods, 16" Fuchs 7's & 8s, 205 55 & 245 45 tires. Izzat good enough for starters?

[techweenie]

Originally posted by DARISC
Thanks all -

I've got new Bilstein Sports all around, strut bar, 26 mm torsion bars at the rear and turbo tie rods, 16" Fuchs 7's & 8s, 205 55 & 245 45 tires. Izzat good enough for starters?

Think braking power...

[DARISC]

Think braking power...

Even if I don't drive it hard?

[Facey]

I call MYTH.

your car brakes have enough power to lock up the tires.

for the street that is more then enough.
If you were going to run some serious DE events then yes...bigger brakes would be a plus...


You do not need bigger brakes on a street or auto-x car....overheating is not an issue

-i'd guess a little more then 20....and thats assuming no unwanted surprises.

Cheers
Nick

[PatrickB]

Originally posted by DARISC
Even if I don't drive it hard?

[Chocaholic]

Your stock brakes are fine if you're not doing serious track work. It's easy to go overboard. Your suspension will get you started just fine. Your cost will vary depending on the engine you buy (964 or 993 with or without V-ram). If you need to pass emissions you're looking at some $$$ for exhaust with cat(s). One option is to weld tips onto a stock cat and use it for the smog test only. . .but it will be LOUD.

By having all the work done by a shop, including details you find while you're in there, I'd say you should expect a final tab between $17 and $23k (again, depending on engine type). You'll definitely need a front valance cooler, so that means some fiberglass is in your future.

Now, you'll have some old parts to sell off. If your engine is good, it should be worth $3 - $4K. All told, plan on putting $20k into your $14k car.

I probably have north of $50k in my 3.6 Vram conversion. The car might be worth $30k on a good day. But, I can't think of another car, at almost any price that I'd rather have. I guess that makes it a good deal.

Good luck.

[DARISC]

All told, plan on putting $20k into your $14k car.

Oh, I know! Already have twice what I paid for it (13.5k) into it bringing it up to daily driver reliability. But it's a keeper - gives me satisfaction I can't get out of a heavier, quieter, posher car.

Got rid of my Corvette out of boredom - for me it takes more than muscle to make a sports car engaging.

Sounds like I'm ok w/my brakes as long as I don't intend to track it.

Thanks for all the responses to this cross threading newby!

[911teo]

I do nt think you'll need to upgrade the brakes either if you do not plan on tracking the car.

I agree with what was said before abt the cost... It will be somewhere aorund $18k.
I'd go a little stiffer in the rear and use a 30-31 trosion bar.
The next thing I'd do is fit some 9s in the rears....
But with Bilstein sports and stiffer t-bars you are ready to go!

[DW SD]

David,
Smog is another issue with which you would contend, unless you transplant the 3.6 and all of its various stock components into your chassis. That issue in California is not nominal. I realize your wrench should do that, but it is no small endeavor and will cost more $ in the form of time in getting it all right. Then the car has to be reviewed by the BAR (bureau of automotive repair), unless it is so stock looking that a mechanic thinks the conversion was there from the onset.

Using stock catalytic converters is probably not possible, so you'll have to go to a custom solution.

I might recommend just buying a converted 911, if possible. Timing will make it possible one day. If you find a pre 1976 chassis (in California), you do not have to deal with smog checks.

Doug

[Porsche Doc]

Yea! figure about $20K.
We have done a bunch of these conversions.
From 964 engines to 993 Variorams.
We just finished a 71 that we installed the 993 Varioram in.
If you need any help we would be more than happy to help.

[Joeaksa]

Originally posted by DARISC
Even if I don't drive it hard?

Silly boy. Its like a drug, pushing on the loud pedal. Aint no stopping someone when it feels as good as a 3.6 does.

Put some good brakes on the puppy then go out and play.

[JeremyD]

Nice write yup in excellence Don - bet your phone has been ringing.

[axvel]

Originally posted by DARISC
Just ball park - if I were to turn my 82 SC over to my mechanic (current shop rate $90/hr) and pick it up with a 3.6 installed w/all the necessary mods (the engine would be sourced by the mechanic), what might I expect to be spending (including cost of the 3.6)?

Will the 915 handle the hp/torque? I understand that a G50 conversion is possible but expensive (I personally prefer the 915 anyway). My car is a daily driver and I'd want to keep it as such, don't track it. Also, must be able to pass CA smog.

I have too much in the car now to sell it and go for a later model, plus I like the visceral SC qualities and the fact that it's only 2500 lbs.

Again, I'm only asking for ballpark estimates to see if it's even something I want to consider having done. I love the car as is and don't plan to ever get rid of it. But I keep seeing you guys that have the 3.6 installed and can't stop thinking about it what a rush all that torque and power would be.

Thanks for any input.

I was thinking the same, check out the instant-g's website it has the calculator too !!!!

http://www.instant-g.com/Products/36Conversion/index.html