Advice for a porsche newbie on doing a backdate

mondo74 · 01-03-2009, 03:50 AM

hi guys, i'm looking to get into a backdate project and wanted to know if i could get some advice. Is there any particular year that is best for the backdate? I'm currently looking at an 81 or and 83 SC.
also, can someone tell me whether a car that has had a RHD conversion is worth looking at? (i'm from Australia so, a RHD market) or is it worth spending the extra for an 'Australian delivered' RHD vehicle?

Cheers,
mondo74

saintz · 01-03-2009, 04:18 AM

The snobs will tell you not to touch a conversion car. I did one and drive it daily and no one can tell the difference. I reckon that a huge number of the 911s on Aussie roads would be left to right conversions, so many were done in the late 80s.

That said, be careful some were very "shonky" from what I have heard. If the project was done using factory replacement parts (new and used) rather than "cut and stitch" you should be OK.

If you are interested in knowing what is involved go here:

Australian project. left to right 3.2

mondo74 · 01-03-2009, 04:21 AM

thanks Saintz, I spoke to one guy who reckons there's no difference between 'delivered' or converted RHD's as none of them came off the line RHD in the early 80s but that doesn't seem right.

jwetering · jwetering's Garage

I've never had a close look at a RHD 911, but now that I'm living in the UK it's only a matter of time. I would think there was a real difference between the two because the LHD 911 's that we know and love have the big notch molded into the luggage compartment for the steering linkage, and it's quite obviously on the left side of the car.

mjshira · 01-03-2009, 08:18 AM

I'd recommend a G-50 car (87-89) and don't worry about any snobs that tell you otherwise ;-)

Kevin Stewart · 01-03-2009, 08:22 AM

yep the snobs will blast ya shortly, but i would try and use an 83 up car, the sc is a pretty good car but the fuel injection sucks, mjshira statement is correct a g50 trans car would be great, Kevin

saintz · 01-03-2009, 01:18 PM

Quote:

thanks Saintz, I spoke to one guy who reckons there's no difference between 'delivered' or converted RHD's as none of them came off the line RHD in the early 80s but that doesn't seem right.

After pulling an ROW apart for the conversion I can say that to a degree what you have been told is true. The trunk floor and dash is a different panel and a small area for the pedals is cut out on the right side floor, just to have a panel welded in it's place in the factory. You can see this in my post on the conversion.

Rick V · 01-03-2009, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin Stewart

the sc is a pretty good car but the fuel injection sucks

Pffffft. CIS is a very good system, just gotta take your time when diagnosing it. And know it's limitations.

Kevin Stewart · 01-03-2009, 02:53 PM

my answer to my sc fuel injection was to pull the motor and put a 3.6 in,,,, problemo Gone, Kevin

obrut · 01-03-2009, 03:08 PM

i think the biggest issue with L-R converted cars in australia is poor resale. some buyers just don't consider them at all and some buyers expect a big discount. i would find it hard to justify expensive rebuilds/parts etc when the underlying car has a low value.

also, with the pre 74 cars, some people like LHD as it means they can be sold back to US/Euro markets.

i've seen so many badly done conversions that i would only buy one if it was very very cheap and i was planning a specific/fun project that wasn't going to incur large costs.

i've also seen a few good conversions but they still trade at a serious discount to original RHD cars.

"thanks Saintz, I spoke to one guy who reckons there's no difference between 'delivered' or converted RHD's as none of them came off the line RHD in the early 80s but that doesn't seem right."

nope, completely untrue.

i'm not saying don't buy a converted car, just be aware of how some/many people perceive them.

Rick V · 01-04-2009, 02:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin Stewart

my answer to my sc fuel injection was to pull the motor and put a 3.6 in,,,, problemo Gone, Kevin

Ummmmmmmmm Yeah, that works.

saintz · 01-04-2009, 03:12 AM

"i've also seen a few good conversions but they still trade at a serious discount to original RHD cars."

It's all swings and round abouts then.

good or bad conversions can be bought cheaper (before or after the conversion) and therefore can be sold on cheaper and so the world turns.

Nobody is arguing about the huge numbers of converted cars in Australia. It would be interesting to know the exact ratio.

mondo74 · 01-04-2009, 04:00 AM

does anyone have a list of reputable converters in Australia? That way when i speak to a seller, i can guage immediately whether it's worth sending out a specialist to do a PPI?

obrut · 01-04-2009, 01:20 PM

saintz

what makes you think the number of converted cars is Oz is "huge"? i always assumed it was pretty small (admittedly without any real evidence...)

boba · 01-04-2009, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjshira

I'd recommend a G-50 car (87-89) and don't worry about any snobs that tell you otherwise ;-)

I do not disagree with this but if why not start with a 964.

mondo74 · 01-04-2009, 02:26 PM

probably budget Boba. as an intro into porsches, i was hoping to get something i'd be happy to put miles on, do the odd track day and generally just not have to worry about it. Once i start spending 964 money and start 'bastardising' it, i would probably be less likely to flog it.

Deschodt · 01-05-2009, 08:41 AM

Having just gone through a backdate and its associated budget, my advice to your would be to find an SC or early Carrera with a body color that matches what you want the car to be when finished. A solid (non-metallic) color helps with matching. That way you only have to paint 2 bumpers, fenders and a hood. That's one order of magnitude cheaper than repainting a whole car...

I have no opinion on right hand side conversions.... Other advice: find a set of 15" wheels, not the 16" that generally come with that era of 911s, the fitment will be better in the backdated fenders, and besides they look more correct.

After that it really depends what you want to do, interior, exterior and engine wise, so there is no blanket advice to give (you can ask though)... I also disagree on the above comments on CIS or 915 being inferior, the CIS is a good reliable system that's been great to me for 180K miles without a single breakdown, and shifting my 915 is great fun! It comes down to what car you find as a base, doesn't matter which- pick the one in best shape that matches your needs and does not need a complete rebuild of the gearbox or engine. 78+ are galvanized so that's a better bet, but if you are going to spend $$$ on a 89 it's almost crazy to backdate it. I did it on a $9000 SC, that's a lot less stupid in my book...

My 83 here:

PS: just thought of something.. if you are going for the RS look, good for ya. That way you can avoid that pain in the #$@# bumper trim front and rear. I wanted it, but what a pain that was !

calling911 · 01-05-2009, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deschodt

Having just gone through a backdate and its associated budget, my advice to your would be to find an SC or early Carrera with a body color that matches what you want the car to be when finished. A solid (non-metallic) color helps with matching. That way you only have to paint 2 bumpers, fenders and a hood. That's one order of magnitude cheaper than repainting a whole car...

I have no opinion on right hand side conversions.... Other advice: find a set of 15" wheels, not the 16" that generally come with that era of 911s, the fitment will be better in the backdated fenders, and besides they look more correct.

After that it really depends what you want to do, interior, exterior and engine wise, so there is no blanket advice to give (you can ask though)... I also disagree on the above comments on CIS or 915 being inferior, the CIS is a good reliable system that's been great to me for 180K miles without a single breakdown, and shifting my 915 is great fun! It comes down to what car you find as a base, doesn't matter which- pick the one in best shape that matches your needs and does not need a complete rebuild of the gearbox or engine. 78+ are galvanized so that's a better bet, but if you are going to spend $$$ on a 89 it's almost crazy to backdate it. I did it on a $9000 SC, that's a lot less stupid in my book...

My 83 here:

PS: just thought of something.. if you are going for the RS look, good for ya. That way you can avoid that pain in the #$@# bumper trim front and rear. I wanted it, but what a pain that was !

Are those panasports?

Have you considered dumping the rockers? Would really finish it off in my opinion.. oh and the black door handles to chrome.. and.. nevermind. Looks nice the way it is.

Deschodt · 01-06-2009, 06:46 AM

Actually, those are superlites and they come from Australia !!! So there, a savings opportunity ;-)

The rockers were dumped before, but we did not paint the whole car so there were holes exposed. Some day... Door handles to chrome would mean window trim, windshield trim, $$$, I like the black, I am not doing a 73 repro as much as a combo of the bits that I liked. Anyway, there's a whole thread on this car elesewhere, I don't want to hijack this, just dropping some advice on the fly, that's all ;-)

jwetering · jwetering's Garage

Still a nice project Greg, and good advice on getting the right colour car to start with and painting only the bumpers and fenders. Even if our friend doesn't take that advice, I might some day.