3.0/3.2/3.6 longhood conversions: worth the time, $$$, and trouble?

[cubby911T]

I have this idea in my head that a longhood targa converted to a 3.0 (or better) power plant with an SC suspension/brakes would be just the ticket for me. I have owned an early 911, an SC, and now a Carrera. There are aspects of each that appeal to me, but none have seemed to address all my wants/needs. I love the simple and classy look (ie: chrome, narrow body) of the early cars as well as their lighter weight. The SC is also relatively light and a blast to autocross. The Carrera, although noticeably heavier, has that great 3.2 power plus the reliable motronic injection and generally dependable nature that we all like in a daily driver.

So.....to you brave souls who have created amalgamations of early chassis and later powertrain/suspension: If you did the work yourself (or at least guided the project) was it worth the time, money, effort? Has the end result met your expectations? Would it be better to buy the fruits of someone else's labor? Do these cars make for fun and reliable daily drivers? Please share your thoughts and feelings!!

Thanks in advance,

[Joe Bob]

Worth it? Sure......will you get your money back if you sell? Probably not....but who cares?

[DonDavis]

It's worth every penny. Seriously. Did the work with the help of board members and would gladly do it again. The car is a 72 in every way save for the engine. It was fun to do the swap. A few challenges along the way but that's part of it. I drove my daughter back to college yesterday ( 4 hour round trip ) and she laughed out loud every car I passed. We were on back roads and it was very a scenic drive. I still have a few things to do but I'm not looking back at all. There are tons of opinions on this and mine is "DO IT".

Bear in mind I started with a stock 72 T and wouldn't use an E or ESS for this project. As Mike said, you may never get your money out of it but I don't plan on selling for a loooong time. If ever. So who cares?

[Joe Bob]

This used to be an SC....I went back, electric windows and a galvanized body.....

[cubby911T]

Mike, nice looking backdate - I'll bet it's a blast......but what I had in mind is what Don has described.

Don, that's awesome. So you didn't need to upgrade the brakes or suspension to compliment the engine upgrade? Any driveability issues to speak of? Is there a Pelican thread tracking your conversion process?

Thanks guys.

[Joe Bob]

Yeah....well the SC was available and it was a progression. I didn't have the backdate in mind when I did the 3.6 conversion.

It just kind of happened when I decided to ditch some weight and didn't like the short hood look.

[Bobboloo]

The car you describe sounds a lot like my car. It's a 73' Targa with an 87' 3.2 Carrera motor. Carrera brakes, 22/28 torsion bars, 22/21 sways, and sport shocks. I think the 3.2 in the early chassis is a nice balance.

I love this car. I've owned several 911s and this is by far my favorite. It's a great compromise between new and old. I originally built the car for a combo street/track car but I may dial it back for street only use. Something like 19/26 torsion bars, and HD shocks. It's really not bad at all for the street though in it's current setup. I'd like to get a Boxster for track use.

[RFR]

Bobby,

Sure is one of my favorite cars!

[Wayne 962]

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that I think the best approach is use a modified 3.2 with carbs and high compression pistons and 'S' cams. Maybe also go with a big bore kit to a 3.4 displacement. The installation of the 3.6 powerplant is a lot more effort than a 3.2, and it only buys you marginally more HP (or even less, if you potentially hotrod the 3.2, but leave the 3.6 stock). I like the 3.6 conversions with stock motors and FI because they are reliable and smooth, but really, the power difference between the stock 3.6 and a hotrodded 3.2 or 3.0 is pretty negligible in my opinion.

So, I basically recommend that people find a 3.2 core, and rebuild it with higher compression pistons, 'S' cams, and put Weber 40s on it (46s if they are going to be racing it all the time).

-Wayne

[bluesky]

+1 Wayne on the negligible power difference.

My '73 has a hot-rodded 3.0L with 40IDA Webers and the SSI/Sport exhaust on the downstream end....it makes respectable power and fits the long hood engine mount points nicely. Even though the 3.6 can be made to fit, it was an effort that I didn't want to do for the power difference.

[silverc4s]

My '73 Targa is only slightly modified - i.e. 16" wheels, S Brakes, T-Bars, and flared rear fenders for wider tires. That and a perfectly stock (cat included) '87 3.2 make for a really really FUN ride, AND I can get 20 mpg city 30+ hiway any time.

My view - The 911s built from the mid 60's to the mid 90's are a veritable LEGO set of really neat car pieces. You can select the ones you like best in each area and almost always succeed in putiing together a very servicable, classy, safe, and enjoyable personal car.
Caveat: This will not generally be a profitable experience...

[teenerted1]

i bought the fruits of someone else's labor. and loving ever bit of it
1970t
1978 3.0 sc motor
1972 915 trans
SC brakes and suspension
little stiff and low 22/29 t-bars i think

[cubby911T]

Wayne: thanks for the advice. Seems to make sense if I decide to get really serious about HP. Otherwise, just a stock (ish) 3.0 or 3.2 may work very well for me (like in Bill's '73).

Ted: FYI - "Skippy" used to belong to me back here in Indiana (see my signature line).....I traded her to Doug&Julie for Doug's Boxster. Then Doug sold her to Scooter and of course Scott sold her to you. Small world, huh? Anyway, the conversion process that Scott took that car though is partly what got me to thinking about this idea in the first place.

[RWebb]

I went out on Wayne's limb - and will not go back...

Yes, it is very much worth it!

some have put in a 3.8L RS motor - that gives a lot more hp and torque...

you have to decide how much you really want

[teenerted1]

Matt

Skippy is being well cared for. was amazed how good of shape a Midwest car actually could be.

Scott did all the right things except for the ride hight. little too low for my original tastes, but getting used to it. will probably go with a larger series tire when these wear down. running 205/50/15 now and will at least go to 55series , that is the plan if i spend some time at the track. the spare is a 60series and if it doesn't rub, that would be the ideal hight for me to get around town on.

i was originally looking for an SC, but always liked the early car look. so when Scott said he was looking to find something that would actually get up his driveway, i just could not pass up the chance to take Millie home.

got the best of both worlds, "Early body with SC GUTS"

Teener sale is pending this week so will be down to only one P-car. that will be all i need for a while, since i now have what i needed all along.

[mjshira]

Originally Posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that I think the best approach is use a modified 3.2 with carbs and high compression pistons and 'S' cams. Maybe also go with a big bore kit to a 3.4 displacement. The installation of the 3.6 powerplant is a lot more effort than a 3.2, and it only buys you marginally more HP (or even less, if you potentially hotrod the 3.2, but leave the 3.6 stock). I like the 3.6 conversions with stock motors and FI because they are reliable and smooth, but really, the power difference between the stock 3.6 and a hotrodded 3.2 or 3.0 is pretty negligible in my opinion.

So, I basically recommend that people find a 3.2 core, and rebuild it with higher compression pistons, 'S' cams, and put Weber 40s on it (46s if they are going to be racing it all the time).

-Wayne

I had a 3.2 early car and also now have a 3.6 one. My 3.6 is far from stock and built by one of the best out there, but my 3.2 is a damn good engine, being raced all the time still, and I think the 3.6 is much better and makes more out of the car.

there are tons of different ways to go, I am surprised this topic is being covered again, having been gone over so many times before.

[Scooter]

My feeling is that a 3.6 overpowers an early car. I know some will disagree, but that is why I went with a 3.0 in Millie. I have always liked the 3.0 powerplant because it is not too big and not too small; I just feel that it gives a more well-balanced early car. A hot 3.0 with carbs and a 7:31 transmission was a great choice for Millie...I mean Skippy.

[Shuie]

Im going to go way against the grain. I swapped from a 2.4T motor to a 3.2 with a lot of nice upgrades in my '72 and other than experiencing the joy of instant start up with zero fuel injection related problems, I really hated what it did to the car for street driving. YMMV

[cubby911T]

Originally Posted by Shuie

I really hated what it did to the car for street driving. YMMV

Shuie: Please elaborate......what did you hate about it exactly?

[Shuie]

I just liked the 2.4 better in traffic. I felt like I used almost all of the 2.4 and almost none of the 3.2 on the street. The 3.2 was way faster, but obviously, there are very short limits to what you do on a public road in traffic. I know its pointless to own one of these cars without tracking it, so maybe that was my problem. Like I said, YMMV, but I didn't like my car any more after my 3.2 swap. The instant turn the key and drive Motronic start feature was nice, tho