Best 3.6 for transplant?

[pbs911]

I'm planning the transplant, a 3.6 into my 78SC. Now I'm researching the best 3.6 for the task. The car is a daily driver that will see track events. Here is where I am:


Varioram 993 motors: I can't find a converstion kit. Most stock HP. Most costly, about another 1K for the computer work.

1995 993 motors: attractive b/c I will no longer need to adjust the valves. But the hydrolic lifters are not great for sustained high RPMs. Larger intake valves seems like more potention HP. Is there an increase in HP from the facotry? I can't find any consistent answers. More costly than a 964 motor, but attractive

'89-early 91 964 motors: no head gaskets may cause problems in the future.

late 91- 94 motors: have the head sealing problem resolved. Appear to be in good supply and conversion kits are redily available.

Obviously the most important thing is a compression test, leakdown, and no oil leaks.

Anything I should be aware of in the different years? What kind of HP can I expect. Jack and Bill, I read everything you have posted on your sites and youv'e already been a great help. And an impetus in my decision. But need I little more info. Any imput is appreciated.

[Bill Verburg]

You seem to have a good grasp of the available options. I used a 93 964 for my swap when I did it in 94. Very pleased with the results(My #1 criteria at the time was the newest lowest mile doner possible a 1 yr old 964 fit the bill). Most of the difference in hp from 964 to 993 was in the exhaust. A set of B&B headers solves that problem nicely. The MAF, better flowing heads of the 993 are a plus. As you pointed out the hyd. lifters do have some reliability issues. The 993RS used the 964 crank for its more robust nature. the 93 up plastic manifolds flow best, 96 chips have issues with updates. Most of these issues are not important for street/occasional track use. If I were going to do the swap today I would look for the best low mileage engine I could find. Preference list as follows;

• 95 993
• 93-94 964
• 97-98 993
• all others

If a solid low milage engine from a reliable source cannot be found a really cheap one in need of a rebuild is next best. Check out Tom Fitzpatricks tale of woe over on Rennlist as a cautionary tale.

[Jack Olsen]

The most straightforward is the late 1991 to 1994 964 engine. Mine is like Bill's -- a 1993 engine.

The best, according to Steve Timmins' reference page, is a European 993 engine from 1996-1998. They don't have the OBD-II style motronic.

The Varioram can be retrofitted to the earlier engines. If you decide you want to find a 96-98 Euro-spec engine, I can give you the email address of the guy in Germany I got my engine from.

I don't know if I've given you the plug for Steve Timmins' kit already, but it smooths out a lot of the wrinkles in this swap.

[89911]

.Wow, I just read that page. How about buying a 993 with its engine and ripping out all the interior?

[pbs911]

Thanks fopr the input.

My car is a CA car and I still have to comply with emissions standards. I can do this most easily by obtaining an engine from a CA car. The smog check will probably be done as if the 78 engine was in there. Most of the smog guys would not visiually know the difference between a 3.0 and 3.6. A euro engine would be more difficult since its sans CA emissions equiptment.

I'll keep my eyes open for the lowest, cleanest 3.6 I can find. There is no rush. Steve Timmins' converstion also seems like the conversion kit to go with.

[Bill Verburg]

If emissions are a concern then the 993 with oem manifolds and cat is the only reasonable way to go, just fab som custom mufflers. So here's some additional info

• 95 OBD I are the last Porsches to have their chips in a socket. Its a 28 pin DIP device easily swapped by the owner.
• 96 OBD II The first of the OBD II cars and the first with varioram in the US, These DMEs were a one year only architecture that used 2 proprietary Bosche devices to perform the OBD II duties. Bosche no longer makes or supprts these DMEs. These cars require updates to the later 97-98 ones or "The Program" piggyback unit. The immobiliser codes must be set by a dealer to retain that function or it can be disabled, your choice
• 97-98 993 use a different DME than the 96. They have a single flashable EPROM that can be reprogramed after removal. "The Program" piggy back system can also be used.

[Kahuna]

89911, that would be a 993RS avery nice piece of work!!.. Theres one for sale ~$45000, came thru on Rennlist over the weekend.