Question for 3.6 conversion owners...

[Drdogface]

Basically, are you happy with it and glad you did it.

Did you keep your original tranny?

What else did you have to upgrade to keep it safe?

How/where to find a good motor?

I'm again considering it on my 78 SC...

[Halm]

I have not done this but like you I have been thinking about it for a long time and reading everything I can find. It looks to me that in addition to the motor and associated electrical parts, the 915 transmission will be ok. But you will want bigger torsion bars and better brakes.

[dad911]

What is your use? Pure steet/track/both?

I did it, in a pure track car, about 8 years ago. Used the 6 speed that came with the engine, but it was a mistake, took alot to make it fit, and the gearing was not great for the track. Sold the car soon after.

Frankly, I wouldn't consider a conversion now. With the price of 964s and 993 so low, you can buy a 964, lighten it, and have a better suspension & brakes also.

[Drdogface]

Thanks for that opinion. My use would be pure street. I got to drive Moses' car a short distance and still can't get away from the excitement of it . I love my SC in all other ways so really don't want to part with it as I've done a lot to it to get it the way I want...paint, duck, turbo tie rods, carrera cooler, etc. I admit, though, that I do kinda lust for a 993...still air cooled and still look like a 911.

[GaryR]

I would say sell your car and just buy a 964. You will spend a LOT less and end up with a better car overall.

[POORSH]

Why not do both, like HALM? A 993 and an SC.

I see what Mark is saying. Will the weight savings from the transplant be worth the trouble?

That is a pretty SC, BTW.

[Bill Verburg]

Gary has a point, but the 3.6 t/p done rght(expensively) is a ball, I don't regret doing mine.

I changed transmissions only because I wanted different gearing, cooling and lsd, any of the stock 8:31s are going to be fine

the one sortta big. mandatory extra is oil cooling

unfortunately the days of finding good low mileage air cooled 3.6's are behind us, I'd factor in the cost of a complete rebuild for most of the available engines, but you may get lucky

[ischmitz]

Sure as 964 and 993 are coming down in price one could buy one and start gutting it. But putting the 3.6 into my 74 was never driven by financial decisions. For me it was the challenge of learning about it and then doing it all by myself. No conversion kit or handing it off to a shop.

After it was all said and done it was probably more than a descent 964. However, I would always do it again. There is simply no comparison to having the raw power of the 3.6 with a 7:31 tranny in a no-power-nothing car earlier car. It's like a go-cart on steriods and demands all my attention when driving it but I like every moment of it.

I had to beef up the transmission (one-piece retainer, side cover), the brakes, the suspension (struts, shocks, T-bars) and the wheels.

Ingo

[ToddM]

Originally Posted by ischmitz

I had to beef up the transmission (one-piece retainer, side cover), the brakes, the suspension (struts, shocks, T-bars) and the wheels.

Ingo

+1. I did the same 915 upgrades... side cover, retainer, turbo bearings, LSD is a MUST. I am also running Carrera front calipers, axles and CV flanges. Point is, it doesn't stop at the engine.

I have had a 993 and its a different beast entirely. After 3 suspensions on the 993, I went back to a T-bar 911 and never looked back. The 993 is great, just different.

Everything about a 993 is more complex and all parts far more expensive (price a windsheild for example). It takes a lot of compromissing to get the same level of feedback as a Tbar 911 and even more to unbloat it to acheieve the same HP/weight ratio as a conversion.

... but even I have to admit sometimes I miss that short stroke response of a 3.0L

[rattlsnak]

ive had '72 with a 3.6 and also a 993 and 964, and i would highly recommend selling your car and buying one of those. The advantages of having ABS, coil overs, better cooling, etc simply out weigh going the other route in my opinion.

[TT Oversteer]

a 3.6 would, indeed, be awesome. But also consider a 3.2 for your SC. It's a much easier/cheaper conversion and with a chip and exhaust will get you close to 230hp at the flywheel.

[ToddM]

Originally Posted by rattlsnak

ive had '72 with a 3.6 and also a 993 and 964, and i would highly recommend selling your car and buying one of those. The advantages of having ABS, coil overs, better cooling, etc simply out weigh going the other route in my opinion.

Yes, the ABS that needs a reset any time you get a wheel off the gound, the dashboard that is constanly warning you about O2 sensor or low wiper fluid, better cooling? You mean AC? There's no better oil cooling vs a 3.6 conversion with dual coolers with fan control.

Depends on your usage; I can see the case for a 993 but when I really drove my 993 to the limits there we a lot of faults I found in the steering and feedback department and flimsy chassis. The 993 was the only one of my seven "911s" that I ever popped spot welds on and I popped more than one; yes it was a coupe.

[ToddM]

Of course the real solution here is to leave it unmolested and buy a 964 or 993 to park along side of the SC.

[Joe Bob]

Originally Posted by Halm

I have not done this but like you I have been thinking about it for a long time and reading everything I can find. It looks to me that in addition to the motor and associated electrical parts, the 915 transmission will be ok. But you will want bigger torsion bars and better brakes.

My opinion is that the 915 will last....a bit, then grenade. It needs a IM plate and other items to keep up to a 3.6.....except for that, I'm happy. A G-50 or 930 trans would be easier but more pricey. The flex in the shafts is what kills the gears.

[ToddM]

On mine the PO never did anything with the 915; it was bone stock. After 20K miles or so the ring & pinion started to eat itself; getting louder and lauder until I have a completely different 915 unit built up to handle the extra torque of the 3.6.

I don't know how much longer I could have drove like this but probably for some time.

[Kevin Stewart]

my wide body sc is a blast. I dont track it so i dont have big brakes and stops just fine an extra 60-70hp doesnt warrant big brakes, and it may be forsale. Kevin

[Kevin Stewart]

3.6 b&b headers wevo etc etc needs finsihed, stew09@aol.com please no stupid offers, the motor was fresh when built has been sitting for several years, dont have to sell, may be interested in other porsche trade NO ENGINES BELOW 3.6, or it better be nice 574-274-2543

[midnight911]

I'm happy with my 84 with 95 non-varioram.
But I do miss that sweet smooth 3.2 sound. 3.6 sounds a lot different. May be because of my exhaust setup, 3.6 is rough, wild, and loud.

My car 's a daily driver and an occasional DE car.

I blew the original 3.2 so it was a choice between "3.2 rebuild" and 3.6. Well, "3.2 rebuild" in my book was 3.4, twin-plug, high-comp, blah...so, 3.6 came out much more economical than 3.2...

I kept the original 915. working well for me.

Added Mocal oil cooler in the driver side fender, with more cooling tricks.

while I adore your SC, as some suggest, switching to 964 or 993 sounds like another great option. I didn't have that option when I did my conversion 2 years ago.

[Kroggers]

This is a timely post! I am half way threw my 3.6 conversion into my 1978 911SC. For me, it is not about the money - I am sure the cash I have drooped into this car would by now have got me a nice 993. As others have said, it is about the experience and the good feeling it gives you.

Some people play golf and spend a lot of money on golfing stuff - I own an old 911 and spend a lot of money on upgrades. I think that is the bottom line here - Is the car your hobby and passion, or a form of transport. If it is for transport, then change it for a 993. If it is your hobby and passion, then do what makes you feel good and don't count the money spent

Sitting where I am now, with all the problems I have had along the way, do I still think the 3.6 transplant was a good option - YES, and I would do it again

[mike5876]

Originally Posted by TT Oversteer

a 3.6 would, indeed, be awesome. But also consider a 3.2 for your SC. It's a much easier/cheaper conversion and with a chip and exhaust will get you close to 230hp at the flywheel.

not to spoil the party but have you ever driven an sc with a 3.2 back to back with a 3.6??? you wont even consider the 3.2 i promise