Help me decide on a direction

[cleal]

OK guys, she is ready for paint and I will be taking her to the shop in a few weeks. So far my intentions have been to restore the car to her original condition as much as possible. I have read many threads on rebuilding stock 2.2 engines and it appears the consensus is to place it on a shelf and run a newer engine (2.7, 3.0, etc) . I have been debating this for a while. The car will not be a daily driver buy will not be babyed by any means. Having purchased this project in a non running state, i am concerned that I will be disappointed with the stock 2.2T and it looks like I can get more power (fun) out of a 2.7 for less $$$. That being said, if I am electing not to run the original engine, should I put a subtle amount of pearl in the paint.

What are your opinions on keeping the original 2.2T Numbers matching engine?

What are your opinions on keeping the original paint color vs. a little pearl.

He is a pic of the car when I picked her up.

[Mitch Leland]

I think you can justify anything if you work at it... but just because you bump the horse power in my mind doesn't justify the "pearl". Some how the pearl looses the sincerity of what a Porsche is for me. Just my 2 cents...

[Canada Kev]

Just my opinion, but store (properly) the engine and keep the paint. I don't think the pearl would suit the car. Besides, that is a wonderful colour as it is.

[haycait911]

paint it the stock color. go nuts on any BOLT-ON mods you wish. if $$$ permit, put the stock engine on a shelf and pick up a decent 3.0 or similar. you WON'T be dissappointed. when this economy gets going again longnoses will be worth $$$. paint is a pricey item to re-do. FWIW.

[David]

I'll second the comments above. Stock color without pearl. 2.2 on a shelf preferably in the house. And replace with 3.0 or 3.2 engine.

[JeremyD]

Good God Man! Do not put pearl in the paint. One of the true iconic colors of the 70's.

As far as the engine goes - go out and find a nice 2.7 crank = call LN Engineering (Charles) and get some nice nickies go the 2.8/2.9 route with some PMO's and dual plug.

Otherwise find a decent 3.0 and go to town.

[PropellerHead]

Please don't alter the color, that will cost you more than the repaint itself in terms of value. Personally I love the color as-is. A fresh re-paint in the original color will be very rewarding without adding any pearl!

Don't underestimate the 2.2T motor. I bought a '71 911T in a non-running state (much like you it seems) and was also worried about how little power it might have. After getting it running nicely again I'm quite pleased with the power it has. Remember, these are lighter cars than the later ones which were equipped with higher output engines. If you decide to swap motors, go as big as you can afford. It gets expensive in a hurry though.

Some day I'd like more power, perhaps just a cam upgrade with some Weber carbs. until then I'm enjoying driving the little 2.2L T motor with Zeniths. My last car was 2800lbs and made something north of 250Hp with a short gear set, etc. It was quite fast on the track. I'll miss some of the power but this little 2.2L is still a lot of fun.

Keep the car as stock as you can. Get it back up and running with the stock engine. Should you decide to upgrade the engine when you're otherwise finished with the car you then have a history with the car and the engine. If your experience goes anything like mine, the costs of bringing the car back to street worthy status will exceed your initial estimates sufficiently that the bigger motor may no longer be in your initial budget.

[83nineelevensc]

I've had two stock 911T's over the years and a 71T with a 3.0 for a short period of time. The 2.2 has plenty of power and there is nothing like the feel and sound of an early carbureted 911. The overall value of the car will decrease if you put in a 2.7 or 3.0...so I would leave it stock.

[mrm930]

I am more of a Porsche "Hot Rod" way of thinking. Mods as you want, but the color needs to be a stock color. No pearl - too WTF in most people's minds.

Just my thoughts - it is your car and you will have to live with it. So what every you do that you are happy with is the best way.

Good luck

[fbarrett]

What is it with the current quest for way more (usually too much for the rest of the car) power in old Porsches? If you want power (and torque), drop in a small-block Chevy--cheaper, too! Back in the Old Daze, we thought a 2.2 was hot stuff, with great bottom-end, and I dearly loved my 2.2 E. Heck, keep those funky 14-inch alloys, too...

Frank

[cleal]

Thanks for the input guys, it helps to hear opinions from Porsche people. I start listening to hot rodders and custom paint guys and they get my gears turning. I will leave the paint alone . The car looks great as is and I really love the color.

As for the engine I am still stuck on the fence. I guess I will tear into the 2.2 to see what kind of shape she is in before I make any rash decisions. This just seems like one of those situations where more power cost less. I never thought I would say that

[kidrock]

just restore it, don't change a thing...the color is iconic, and a fully-aspirated 2.2 is a thing of beauty. I wouldn't be disappointed with either. You have a very nice car and an excellent base with which to start.

[lindemans]

Pearl an a 911 is "yuck" , sorry...

Im my view, nothing beats how it left the factory

[bezza911]

Should the horrible day happen that you need to sell it, an original car is of much higher value than any hotrod to a classic car enthusiast. "Keep it Real" as they say!