I Think I've lost the plot

[hcariss]

I have basically lost the plot and become obsessed with the quest for another Porsche, I searched for 3 years to buy a 912, found one enjoyed it immensely it was very satisfying at first, it looks fantastic, its very reliable and perfect for the city I live in, it starts every time and it handles super well in traffic, its in great shape, good gaps, very low miles (53k in 32 years), all original, sunroof, everything works, its even got year correct 15x6 Fuchs now, but the truth is, it's just not quick enough ... I find myself having to work hard to keep up with modern mini vans on the highway in the 95 bhp 'brown bomber'
I know the 911SC is a well put together car, the problem is that I don't like the way it looks, black instead of chrome details and its just too chubby looking for my taste... I can't afford a my dream 1970 2.2 early car, so suddenly for some (unknown) reason I have become fixated with finding a brown 1977 911S ... I have read many of the posts about mid year cars and I know that there are many many potential pitfalls and many upgrades to be done but its something I can not shake.
Is it really truthfully such a bad car, once the tensioners, fan and engine studs, are upgraded and the thermal reactors are removed ? and roughly how much should I expect to pay for a mechanically sound, with documented upgrades, rust free, coupe ?

Here is a gratuitous pic of the 912 ...

[billybek]

Lots of early SCs have chrome trim. My neighbors 78 has polished paddle fuchs and chrome trim. Looks fantastic on a silver car.
How about a power transplant for the 912?

[deathpunk dan]

Jake Raby type IV engine plus tangerine header/heater box combo = 140-200+ hp...

[Matt Monson]

I think deathpunk dan has a good idea. The other thing about the 912e is that it already has 911 engine mounts in it. If you buy and build a 911 engine with some carbs it's a pretty easy install. The nice thing there is if you care about originality it's reverseable and you just keep your type IV in a corner under a tarp.

I've actually been grappling with the same question on my 912e. I'd love to do an upright fan conversion and big bore kit on the type IV. I also purchased a 2.4l 911engine with 7R case from a member a few months back that would make a nice 2.5l build. I have yet to find a solution to my own problem. It may be a while yet. I'm more fickle than my wife who daily changes shirts three times before she leaves for work.

[Paulporsche]

I think a sorted 77S is a pretty good option. OTOH I think an SC engine in your 912 sounds good too. Don't know about costs there.

[hcariss]

Dan you are right, the thing is though by the time I get the JR engine I will have a 25k 912 ... its mental for that I can almost buy the 1973.5 thats for sale at 28k ...

Its nuts what this is doing to me, I used to be rational now an extra 3 grand is as nothing when it comes to Porsches even with the worst economic downturn in 100 years

Any pics of your your (brown) car Dan i need a fix ?

[GaryR]

I agree with the 911 swap. You will still have the base 912 complete and a 911 "sleeper" to have fun with. Worst case scenario if it's time to sell and the 912 is worth more stock, sell the 911 engine separately..

[RWebb]

A knowledgable buyer with a GOOD PPI can do very very well with the 2.7L cars...

If it were me, I'd keep the 912, and do what the above posts say.

[fbarrett]

hcarris:

The cheapest, easiest, and most simply reversible method to improve acceleration is to reduce the tires' rolling diameter by using lower-profile tires. That made a huge difference for my '65 912, and if I like, I can easily go back to 165x15s or 185/70s.

The downside, of course, is higher engine rpm (and higher fuel consumption) at a given speed, but if you drive mostly in town and don't get carried away with very low-profile tires, that's not a big problem.

Effectively shortening the final gearing this way makes a huge difference when autocrossing, too!

Frank