For all of you early 911 hot rods, what is the best motor-chassis combo?

[POORSH]

I currently have a 3.0 in a 72, but couldn't help thinking about a 3.2 or a 3.6. With the bigger engines weighing more, what do you all think about the best engine for the early 911s? I know jumping to a 3.6 will make a HUGE difference, but will a 3.2 make a very noticeable difference over a 3.0? Is the 3.2 worth the extra dough? will the extra weight of the 3.6 take away some of the go-cart feeling of the early cars?

[Jack Olsen]

The numbers you usually see on the later engines are misleading. With a 3.6, for example, you immediately ditch about 100 pounds when you get rid of the dual mass flywheel, stock exhaust, heater blower and power steering pump for a swap into an earlier car.

Bill Verburg listed some weights that were more apples-to-apples than the ones you usually see for 'fully dressed' engines.

My Carrera 3.0 weighed ~#405 with cis/ssi no muffler and sachs clutch & p/p.

The M64 3.6 that replaced it weighed ~425 with motronic/ssi no muffler, centerforce clutch & p/p sans ac.

A 2.7 with cis/ssi no nmuffler, sachs clutch & p/p was ~390#

A 3.2 with Motronic/oem exhaust with muffler,ac, stock clutch & p/p weighed ~440#

All were weighed with electronic corner balance scales.

I'm not sure, but I would guess that the SC 3.0 is slightly heavier than the Carrera 3 version Bill weighed.

It's probably safe to say that the 3.0, 3.2 and 3.6 are all within 40 pounds or so of each other when used in the same car.

[Dantilla]

I've only driven mine, with a 3.2, so I can't give you a detailed comparison. What makes my car such a hoot to drive is the 7:31 ring & pinion, and shaving the weight down to 2200 pounds.

How do you use your car? My combo is a blast on the autocross course, but wouldn't make a comfy daily driver.

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by POORSH

I currently have a 3.0 in a 72, but couldn't help thinking about a 3.2 or a 3.6. With the bigger engines weighing more, what do you all think about the best engine for the early 911s? I know jumping to a 3.6 will make a HUGE difference, but will a 3.2 make a very noticeable difference over a 3.0? Is the 3.2 worth the extra dough? will the extra weight of the 3.6 take away some of the go-cart feeling of the early cars?

the weights from lightest to heaviest are 2.7, 3.0, 3.2, 3.6 but the range from lighteset to heaviest when similarlay equipped isn't that much @ ~ 40# and no it won't take away for the go cart feel irt will enhance it.

ancillary equipment makes a big difference too, exhaust, pressure plate, intakes etc all vary widely in weight

The aluminum blocks are going to be much more stable than the mg at the cost of a few #s, the torque of the bigger engines is a wonderful thing especially on a street or dual purpose car.

[mjshira]

I agree with Bill which is why I have an 8:31 euro gear box. I have had a 3.2 early car and now a 993 early car. The later is a whole different level of car. In fact more car than my driving skills but that doesn't stop me from having fun ;-)

[RWebb]

I also went with an Al motor, despite already having a good condition Mg case 2.7L. IIRC Al adds 25-40 lbs - would have to look that up. But your SC motor is already Al.

And, yes, it all depends on the induction and exhaust system.

Also - the 3.6 motors already have twin-plugging, so you save $$ there, tho yo u pay more upfront.

If you have stock CIS on your motor then a DME 3.2L will give a bump up. If you have carbs now then you are pretty close already to what you can do with a 3.2L on carbs.

What are emissions regs where you are??

[Facey]

i've had the 2.7L mg case with cis as well as a 3.5L based on a Al 930 case w/ webers, i likely changed to much to just talk about the weight difference, but it feels similar when off-throttle..

[POORSH]

no smog since it is a 72. I forgot to mention I have a 7:31 915 with stock CIS and stock body. I have been keeping my eyes out for a 3.2 or 3.6. There are two 3.2s available locally at present, don't know if it is worth my while or if I should hold out for a 3.6.

[dial 911]

Originally Posted by POORSH

no smog since it is a 72. I forgot to mention I have a 7:31 915 with stock CIS and stock body. I have been keeping my eyes out for a 3.2 or 3.6. There are two 3.2s available locally at present, don't know if it is worth my while or if I should hold out for a 3.6.

hold out and get a 3.6!

[RWebb]

if you now have a1 carb'd 3L with the right cams, then I'd wa1it for 1 3.6L motor to become available.

3 to 3.2 with same intake/cams/exhaust is just not that big of a step...

[GaryR]

Considering you can easily get 275HP out of a vario 3.6 why in the world would you be concerned about a few pounds? My car weighs 2500, runs a stock 3.0 (180HP), and is a blast on the track. Sheesh...

[JohnJL]

I've got a hot 3.0 putting out ~240hp in a 1971 targa and I can tell you its everything you could possibly want on the street. Its also a handful on the track and in tarmac rallies and thats with coil-overs, SSIs and webers.

Whats the output put of the motor now? You may find it most cost-effective to squeeze some more performance out/lightness into the car as-is rather than major surgery.