Happy new SC owner with a question

[magnumpi]

Thanks to this awesome forum I have learned so much about the 3.2 and its Bosch Motronic system....now it's time to learn about the 3.0 and CIS

I've just bought a 1980 SC (Euro) and haven't picked it up yet but during my PPI we noticed that it didn't have the pop off valve installed on the air box. When I questioned this I found out that the base of the airbox was not the oem plastic but rather aluminum or some kind of metal.

Does anyone know of a metal base for the airbox ever being installed on these cars from the factory or aftermarket suppliers? WHy would someone do this - whaty are the benefits? Does having it mean I really dont need the pop off valve?

[Joe Bob]

Yeah, they made a few diff aftermarket air boxes to replace the expensive Porsche ones that blew up from back fires.

Nice looking ride. Knock off or Porsche wheels?

[magnumpi]

Thanks Joe...

I'm thinking this would have been done only after a "blow-up" or some other issue with the stock airbox...otherwise why would they have gone through the expense. Or maybe I was thinking it could be a EURO car anomoly....

I found out this car was "Americanized" by some German company and exported from Germany to Nashville, TN when new. Rear Euro bumperettes were replaced with larger US version, catalytic added, etc. So I thought maybe the steel airbox base was a EURO car anomoly, perhaps.

The wheels are mille miglia's turbo knock offs I believe...no rear spacer required which I'm happy about. There is a small spacer on the fronts. I think they suit the car well but I really love the Rota Foxs in the RSR finish and they would be my ultimate rims for this car.

[James Brown]

looks like US front bumper and fenders, window trim is polished? The Stainless steel air boxes come up for sale now and then but have a built in pop-off valve installed. They go for about 300-400 bucks. Nicely made.

[356graham]

My 911SC (sold) had one of the aftermarket aluminum air boxes - history indicated it might have come from AJ USA. It did have a pop off valve, though it was not the conventional looking plastic one. Wish I had a picture.

>> Does having it mean I really dont need the pop off valve?

If I were you, I'd install a pop-off valve.

Congratulations on your new purchase!

[Joe Bob]

Mine was a grey market import, a pilot brought it over. It had the standard air box and an added pop off valve.

[tcar]

Many (most) people added the metal airbox for aesthetic reasons. They're prettier.

Some had a built-in valve that was different from the standard plastic unit.

US fenders? Not all ROW SC's came with the fender turn signal/parking repeaters.

[James Brown]

yes but the Euro versions do.

[tcar]

Originally Posted by James Brown

yes but the Euro versions do.

Started in 81, even the Euros, I was told.

[magnumpi]

Thanks all for your responses.

So do you believe I have the US version or the Euro version bumpers? I only ask because there seems to be a mount hole on the back bumper where the tail lamp would have been (for some reason removed), which would make me believe they only changed the bumperettes.

Here's another angle of the front area...not sure if you can tell from this shot...

[James Brown]

May or may not, Tcar says the euro side fender lights and side bumper lights went away around 1981. I am not sure. What is the VIN number, that will tell. Also, the trim around the windows should be black, was it polished off? Is that a radio antenna on the left fender? these things mean nothing but good coffee shop talk. The car looks great and I would be very happy with it. Like the sign on the wall behind the car.

[Joe Bob]

My euro 83 has them....

[magnumpi]

Thanks James. VIN number is Euro, 91A0133233...from what I've read that means a 1980 Euro. There is an overlay VIN tag over the factory tag specifying the details of the US retrofit by some company in Germany (who did it I don't know off the top of my head).

The window trim has a satin look to it...not chrome, although it looks chrome in the pics - so I guess it would mean that it is polished and not original. I'll post close ups when I get it.

Another pic I found, this time of the rear bumper...



and, unrelated, one more I'll throw in of the interior...

[James Brown]

It sure does look good and that is the correct VIN. Also, the antenna is on the left fender on a euro model.

[ossiblue]

Just an academic point to add to the discussion: your description of the air box as I read it, does not match an all metal box mentioned by other posters. Yours sounds like a plastic box with a metal piece retro-fitted on the bottom--at least that's how I read your description. If that's the case it is not stock, even in Europe AFIK, and might be a repair. All the after market metal boxes I've seen have a pop-off valve installed, as mentioned by others. It will be interesting to see a picture of the air box when you get your car to see what has been done, especially if it is truly as I interpreted your description--never seen that done. Regardless, you should fit a pop off valve as one of the first upgrades when your car arrives. And yes, it is a very nice looking car, IMO, as I am partial to the polished window frames. Looks to have been well cared for.

[magnumpi]

thanks LJ. You are correct, the metal part is base only, the airbox itself is still the black plastic, so I'm suspecting a repair at some part of its history.

[kiwiokie]

The lack of consistency with Euro conversions is interesting. Euro side repeaters removed in favor of USA marker lights in front bumper - not cheap to do this. Still has Euro H4's (thank goodness). Euro bumperettes replaced with USA larger versions. Euro fog light removed from rear bumper. Euro taillights retained. Front and rear glass trim is black anodized but sides are polished. Wonder if it has Euro crush tubes rather than USA bumpershocks and side intrusion bars in the doors? Sports seats - yum. Nice car!

[James Brown]

And the wheels are growing on me.