What’s the difference?

malzed · 01-21-2009, 11:32 PM

Hello everybody, I have been cruising this forum for the past couple of months and I have found it to be the most informative, so I hope you can help me.
I am ready to purchase my first 911 and throughout my research I have not been able to find the following information. The model I have set my heart on is the 1977 to 1979 model, being that I would prefer a left hand drive and due to Australian registration laws requiring LHD cars to be 30 years or older, I also believe LHD 911’s are better balanced with weight distribution and the pedal placement.

The European 76/77 models are rated as follow
2.7 – 165hp @ 176 lb ft US 160hp @ ?
3.0 – 200hp @ 188 lb ft US 180hp @ ?
And 77/80 models
3.0 – 188hp @ 188 lb ft ? @ ?

I know the 3.0 was strangled with emission equipment over the years but are the basic internal the same i.e. compression ratios etc, I am not too worried about the exhaust system as this will be backdated and modified, and I intend to remove the CIS and all the plumbing as I intend to eventually install throttle bodies and aftermarket EFI.
The most common LHD imports in Australia are from the USA or Japan, are the Japanese cars tuned to ROW or US specs?
Are Australian delivered 911’s ROW or US specs?
Apart from the emission what other if any restrictions were placed on US spec cars? I read somewhere that the head ports are smaller in the US cars?
Is there any way to identify US cars that may have already been converted (Sido numbers etc)
What are you views on the 2.7?
Will these older cars run on 95 or 98 octane unleaded fuel, or would I have to modify the heads?

The intended use for the car will be for weekend use, occasional track days and other grass roots motorsport.

Can anyone help me with any of these questions? Your help will be appreciated.

9elf · 01-21-2009, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by malzed

I also believe LHD 911’s are better balanced with weight distribution and the pedal placement.

How does this work?

malzed · 01-22-2009, 12:01 AM

I could be wrong here as I have not seen any left to right weight figures but the oil tank is on the rear right hand side, and if the driver is on the left the weight would be offset to a cretain extent...... Right??
As for the driving position for RHD the feet are pointed to the middle as on the LHD, but it seems more comfortable in the left hooker. Though admittably I have not driven a left hooker yet, only visual observation.
Please rember I am not a 911 expert I am still doing my homework and asking for advise.
P.S. my purchase would depend more on price and condition, rather then what side the steering wheel is positioned.

gulf908 · 01-22-2009, 01:23 AM

Buy a RHD Aus delivered SC.
There should be plenty of good ones around.
The weight issues are nothing compared to eg a full fuel tank (60kg) or the downforce created by both front and rear spoilers .
Where are you ?

Cheers,
Dennis.

malzed · 01-22-2009, 02:00 AM

G'day Dennis,
I'm in Melbourne, there have been quite a few good buys recently and I just missed out on one on the weekend, but I am not in any sort of hurry.
What I am looking for is a good body and engine, I intend to strip the interior and fit a duck tail and lighten the car so paint and interior are not really an issue I don't want to pay for things I'll be changing anyway if you know what I mean.
If you hear of something I'd be interested.
Mal

peter_soj · 01-22-2009, 02:34 AM

http://books.google.com.au/books?id=mlb9q-BrgdMC&pg=PT70&lpg=PT70&dq=1974+911+targa&source=web&ots=D5Avty0VFA&sig=abfO5n3gjfzlbaVWkizq8pimhSQ&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result#PPT69,M1

Scroll down a page and it has some figures there, it helped me a fair bit. I was wondering how much you were looking to spend on the car? I picked up a REALLY rough 74 targa about a month ago for $6k, engine doesn't run (yet) and needs new interior a paintjob and a bit of body work. It'd be interesting to see what price range you were looking for.

Good luck!

Jack Olsen · 01-22-2009, 07:26 AM

The oil tank has very little oil in it when you're moving at any kind of speed.

Bill Verburg · Bill Verburg's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by malzed

Hello everybody, I have been cruising this forum for the past couple of months and I have found it to be the most informative, so I hope you can help me.
I am ready to purchase my first 911 and throughout my research I have not been able to find the following information. The model I have set my heart on is the 1977 to 1979 model, being that I would prefer a left hand drive and due to Australian registration laws requiring LHD cars to be 30 years or older, I also believe LHD 911’s are better balanced with weight distribution and the pedal placement.

The European 76/77 models are rated as follow
2.7 – 165hp @ 176 lb ft US 160hp @ ?
3.0 – 200hp @ 188 lb ft US 180hp @ ?
And 77/80 models
3.0 – 188hp @ 188 lb ft ? @ ?

I know the 3.0 was strangled with emission equipment over the years but are the basic internal the same i.e. compression ratios etc, I am not too worried about the exhaust system as this will be backdated and modified, and I intend to remove the CIS and all the plumbing as I intend to eventually install throttle bodies and aftermarket EFI.
The most common LHD imports in Australia are from the USA or Japan, are the Japanese cars tuned to ROW or US specs?
Are Australian delivered 911’s ROW or US specs?
Apart from the emission what other if any restrictions were placed on US spec cars? I read somewhere that the head ports are smaller in the US cars?
Is there any way to identify US cars that may have already been converted (Sido numbers etc)
What are you views on the 2.7?
Will these older cars run on 95 or 98 octane unleaded fuel, or would I have to modify the heads?

The intended use for the car will be for weekend use, occasional track days and other grass roots motorsport.

Can anyone help me with any of these questions? Your help will be appreciated.

The difference between the '76-77 3.0s and the '78-79 3.0s was mostly a matter of tuning. No one is surprised when a modern car gets more power from a chip which alters ign. and fuel, the same thing happened in the old days it just wasn't done electronically.

9elf · 01-22-2009, 08:04 AM

Welcome to the board malzed.

If you need any local help you can also post in the Australian Pelican Parts Forum here.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/new-zealand-australia/?daysprune=30

As everyone enjoys looking at Porsches, regardless of whether they are buying or not, you will be sure to have many volunteer scouts to help you with your search.

Good luck with your Mid Year / SC find.

malzed · 01-22-2009, 10:05 PM

Now I'm getting somewhere, thank you for your information so far.
Peter that book looks to be very informative and already answered some of my questions, I've put it on my have to get list.
I did not realise that the oil tank is fairly empty while on the move, see this is why I am here getting information directly from the people who own and love these cars.
I did not know there was an Aussie section I'll check it out.
Thanks Guys I really appreciate it.
What fuel do you run in your cars? I also have an old muscle car that I run on unleaded so I suppose a high grade unleaded would be OK ????

malzed · 01-22-2009, 10:17 PM

"I was wondering how much you were looking to spend on the car? I picked up a REALLY rough 74 targa about a month ago for $6k, engine doesn't run (yet) and needs new interior a paint job and a bit of body work. It'd be interesting to see what price range you were looking for."

Wow Peter I think you found the bargain of the century there, I am budgeting around in the mid to high teens, like I said it will not be a show pony, what you have sounds great it would make an awesome project. However it would absolutely kill me to have a car I've lusted after for so long and not be able to drive it straight away, I'm looking for a drivable project and do work while enjoying it.