911 SC Search

Powderfinger · 07-05-2011, 12:28 PM

Hi All,
I just joined and am looking for help in my so far elusive search for a nice '78-'83 911 SC. I'm not sure if this is the right forum but I just got back from seeing an 81 euro version. Body/interior are mint, electronics/sunroof work well, engine (204 hp) has 58k with a $5K rebuild in 2007 that included replacement of all head studs. No chain tenisoner or pop off valve updgrades and the clutch is still rubber center version. Had short shift kit installed which I found difficult to find the right gear. Maybe I just need practice though. He's asking $25K and won't budge. I think it's too high but I'm wondering if the chain tensioner upgrade is needed and also why would 15 cylinder heads be damamged at only 52K.

Thanks,

Steve

crustychief · crustychief's Garage

That sounds like way to much for an 81. 5K is pretty low ( rattle can rebuild ) for a rebuild especially without Carrera tensioner upgrade and an updated clutch, unless it is a 100% A+ factory show car, In that case it has pretty high mileage. I am not an expert, these are just my thoughts.
P.S. I hope he gets his money for it as it helps the value of my car a little tiny bit.

plumb4u2 · plumb4u2's Garage

you should be able to find a well sorted SC in the 15k range, i agree that price seems high. From what i understand the head studs in the SCs 3.0 where know for that problem....most all SCs have had the ten. and pop off valve done already, and yes should be done if not

Welcome and good luck with your search
my opinion keep looking

schumicat · 07-05-2011, 12:51 PM

welcome. $25k is a massive amount for an SC. Be skeptical of milage; it takes 30 seconds to change speedometer (odometer) in these cars. the rubber center clutch is not good. replacing head studs (even ones that appear fine) is prudent with any rebuild. personally, for $25k you can find much newer 911 models that have more power, better suspension, better a/c, better transmission, etc. and I would pass.

mholbrook38 · mholbrook38's Garage

You should ask yourself why would you take the engine out of the car and rebuild it and NOT do the clutch and tensioners as well as the pop off valve which is only about $50 bux. He is asking top, top dollar. Just keep looking.

euro911sc · euro911sc's Garage

$25k is not right for a stock SC, though the mileage is very low. You could add 25k miles to that car and get it for $15. Wait and look more. If it had a documented rebuild and lots of susp. goodies then it might be a $25k car, but for $25k there is a lot of good competition, Porsche or otherwise.

Did the owner mention why it needed a rebuild? Docs on the rebuild? The late euro cars have a 9.8:1 compression and that sometimes will lead to detonation and blowing off the ring landings. That is a big rebuild and $5k is cheap for that.

If he had a top end done just to fix some studs that is small rebuild. So it is possible that happened and $5k would be on the low side, but with the low miles on the car, no tensioner update, and no new clutch that price is in line with what I would expect. People get carried away here with a lot of "while you are in there" work that will bloat a rebuild cost. Also, they are usually working on engines with more than 100k miles so there are more items that need replacing.

I'd recommend a pass purely on the price issue.

-Michael

brads911sc · brads911sc's Garage

Low 18, Avg 20, High 27. This is today off Nada for classics. I consider them to be much higher on these cars than the real life sales data ive seen and those are the "dealer" retail prices which means they may be 30% higher than what we would be expecting.. This car sounds Avg at best. So even if you used the Nada numbers, shouldnt be a penny more than 20k.

RUN Away!

Powderfinger · 07-05-2011, 03:39 PM

Thanks for the great feedback everyone. I appreciate all the input. The owner (third one) didn't give any information on the 2007 rebuild and head stud replacement other than what I could read on the invoice. He wasn't aware of the chain tensioner and pop off valve problems with the SC's and I didn't see anything in his records indicated the work has been done. He didn't seem to knowledgeable about 911's. The only other major work I could find in the records was a heat exchanger replacement in early 2000. I'm willing to pay $20K for the right car but this sounds like it's not the one.

Thanks,

Steve