Newbie bringing a US 911 to Australia

[Hezath]

Hi guys, only just signed up here. Not new to cars but very new to Porsches.

I'm in the process of buying this 911S from California


I found the car on eBay advertised by this seller:
eBay Feedback Profile for allclassicspartsc
His name is Nickolas Micheli and he has good positive feedback. I've spoken to him on the phone a couple of times and he seems helpful and positive

The car is at a workshop in Campbell, CA called "C.T. Automotive". The feedback of this business on the internet seems quite positive and they have been good to deal with. I have had them do a pre-purchase inspection, with some e-mailed photos and so on, no hidden surprises so far.

It's a '75 911S with an '81 3.0L engine installed, SSIs and a standard twin inlet muffler, no cat, no smog pump, no air con. Early gearbox/transaxle ratio, fairly freshly done brakes, bigger swaybars, strut brace etc.

All sounds really good. The guys at the workshop and the seller Nickolas have given me no reason to doubt them, but while I'm 12,000km away you can understand I'm a little scared. If there's anything I should know about these guys, good or bad, please PM me.

If everything goes smoothly, the car will be on its way to Stanton, CA before mid next week and it will be stored there for a while before it gets loaded onto a boat. I'm going to be able to pick up some bits and pieces and have them chucked in the car to save on international postage, so I'm trying to quickly figure out what I should buy in the next few days.

I don't want to spend big dollars but if there are some worthwhile upgrades I can do cheaply, I'd love to hear about them. The car is apparently known for running hot in traffic/hot weather and it has been suggested to get a thermo fan for the oil cooler. I think it already has a later model oil cooler fitted ('the radiator type'/Carrera one in the fender). Are there kits to fit fans to these oil coolers? Something with a thermostatic switch so that it doesn't run all the time.

The SSIs will stay but I've had a quote on a locally made stainless "Monty" muffler, I've heard good things about these, and the price is competitive when I don't have to pay for international shipping because they're only half an hour from home.

The car has a red MSD box fitted and supposedly has a bit of a clumsy misfire which can be a pain, one person has suggested a black MSD box to remedy the problem, another has suggested reverting to the standard ignition system, not sure what the best thing to do there is, the MSD box might not even be creating the problem and I may just need to replace the leads or similar.

I've seen ads for Porsches mentioning those plastic airboxes with the big panel filters in them, however many blade fan upgrades, that kinda thing. Are these changes worth doing? I'm not sure what's good value for money but I will have a bit of change left over to invest in upgrades.

I'm trying to figure out whether the car has had the 'Carrera' chain tensioners retrofitted or not. If not, I've seen the figure of $1200 mentioned, and a figure of $400 mentioned, what should I expect to pay for the 'kit' and where should I look to find the bits for sale? I would probably install them myself as I'm fairly handy with mechanicals.

I will also need to change the headlights for lights that dip the other way (to suit our Right Hand Drive roads). I can't see myself being lucky enough to find someone wanting to swap the other way haha. Should I be looking for original lights? 3rd party reproductions? OEM lights? What is the best value for money? And perhaps even place to go? Although I guess this is primarily an American forum so you guys may not know any suppliers of RHD headlights.

Any feedback would be much appreciated. I've got a tonne of questions to ask but I thought I'd start somewhere. Sorry if a lot of this stuff gets asked every day. I haven't looked through the whole forum yet and it's a bit faster flowing than what I'm used to!

Cheers,
Heath

[Hezath]

I enquired about whether the car had the upgraded chain tensioners while they were doing the pre-purchase inspection. The only response I got was that the "Chain tensioners have the backup safety locks on them". I've never seen either the early or later setup for the tensioners (all just things I've read breifly on forums), so I don't even know what that means.

[faverymi]

Good looking car, good luck with the purchase and trip,

About the tensioner I think they mean the normal mechanical tensioner with the safety collar or ring(whatever you want to call it) around the shaft to prevent complete collapse at failure.

So... I'm guessing no carrera tensioners.

[faverymi]

OK.

MSD box. probably get a new one in wire it correctly. Add matching coil, and new wires. Not too expensive. Going back to original box( Bosch 6 pin I guess) more money.

If you have an aftermarket exhaust go for it, and if is half an hour away, even better.

If you are going to be sitting on traffic any help with cooling is welcome. I think an auxiliary fan of any kind is short money.

[mfyoung1086]

I'll answer some of your questions if you answer some of mine! haha

ok first off you mention the oil cooler. A lot of people bag on the trumpet style oil coolers for the earlier 911's, but as long as they are keep free of road junk they work just fine. Also if the previous owner switch out to the finned design from the later Carrera's (like my car) You could take that thing all the way to Darwin on the hottest day and summer and be fine (I run my 85 Carrera in summer here in AZ and she barely ever spikes about the 1/4 mark we're talking 50+ some days) I don't have the thermostat control fan either, its just never been an issue for me

I've driven a red boxed CIS SC before, ran great, so sounds like something besides the box to me

ok if it has a 81 3.0L motor, than it already has the 11 blade fan, don't worry bout that. As far as oil fed Carrera tensioner and switching to them, if you already have the safety locks on them (which prevents complete mech failure) than I don't see a reason to go to oil fed's

You know the only suggestion I could make in terms of upgrades is fabspeed makes a pretty slick carbon fiber intake house for those badboys, like 400 bucks I think. Other than that it seems like its been updated fairly well. I'm a big fan of invest in the guy behind the wheel first, that 911 will be more than a handful on the track to begin with

In terms of headlights I'm not sure what you are referring too? why would you need rhd headlights?

ok now my question for you, I might have a job lined up in OZ soon, and I want to bring my Carrera over... whats the process like? Would I have to convert to RHD? Have you priced out what shipping and the conversion would cost?

[R K T]

Please correct me if I'm wrong.....I seem to remember reading in a thread that Australia was very strict with the importation of left hand hand cars and required them to be converted to right hand drive. Sounds like a pretty complicated process to do!

[Hezath]

Thanks for the input guys. What you say about the tensioners makes sense.

R K T, that may be the case for later model vehicles, but at least for older vehicles - which is all I'm interested in - the rules changed a few years ago and now a 25 year old car can have limited use road registration and a 35 year old car can have limited or full use road rego (may not be exactly those figures but something like that). So there are no dramas there - I only want to get what we call "Club" registration anyway. There's been a huge influx of LHD Mustangs, Camaros etc in the last two or three years.

mfyoung1086, I haven't actually seen one of the trumpet style oil coolers so I'll take your word for it. All I'm going off is reports that this car has been known to run hot. I'll try and put a little thermo fan on it to start with if I find it to be a problem, and go from there. The original photos showed the motor running but now I've got static photos and yes, it has an 11-blade fan on the motor. Going through the other bits of the ignition system should be really easy so I'll plan to do that first.

Found a 'fabspeed' airbox top in the parts section, $175, carbon fibre 'look' kinda thing - I think it's just plastic. Would it change the filter element to a non-standard one? I don't even know what shape air filter fits in the standard 911 airbox. I have seen these for sale as well:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v505/Hezath/828A2756-EFDE-4872-B78F-6FA5D5B8847B_34.jpg

I'm completely expecting to be in awe of the car when it arrives - it just seems silly not to save a few hundred bucks on postage of stuff I'll want later :P

On a LHD car, the high beams should point straight forward and the intermediate main headlight function should point a bit down and to the right. On a RHD car, the intermediate light should project out to the other side. That's what I mean about the headlights.

I'm about to send you a PM regarding shipping etc.

Thanks!

[LakeCleElum]

Originally Posted by R K T

Please correct me if I'm wrong.....I seem to remember reading in a thread that Australia was very strict with the importation of left hand hand cars and required them to be converted to right hand drive. Sounds like a pretty complicated process to do!

I think he can leave it LHD if it's more than 25 years old. Passing on a 2 lane road will be a pain, but it's been done. I'd leave the fan, tensoners and cooler along for now.......Whoever is doing the PPI should be able to figure out what's causing the "miss"?

Heath: I'll be in your area for MotoGP on Philip Island in Oct. We should have a beer mate?

[quozl]

I'm curious why wouldn't you just buy one of the many top quality Australian delivered RHD early 911's from one of the club members in the Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne Porsche clubs?

Each has a website and there are a number of top quality used cars available in each state, I purchased one from a Sydney owner in October.

You may also want to have a good look at the import regulations if you haven't already as I believe they have recently changed with regards to importing cars that has been modified from original specification. You may also want to post in the Australian section to get more specific answers on what is and isnt allowed to be imported and registered.

Porsche Club Queensland Market
Porsche Club NSW Market
Porsche Club VIC Market

Cheers Al

[mfyoung1086]

Haha none of this is helping my separation anxiety about coming to oz!

[Canada Kev]

Originally Posted by mfyoung1086

In terms of headlights I'm not sure what you are referring too? why would you need rhd headlights?

RHD car, drive in the left lane so when lights are on low beam they should be dipped left away from oncoming traffic rather than like here where it's to the right. This is a problem up here in Canada because there are a lot of Japanese market vehicles running around (RHD) and they don't seem to be forced to replace the headlights and at night will blind oncoming drivers.

Regardless of all that, to the OP, you can use replacement lenses as the car has the Euro H4s. Those should be available from parts suppliers locally (Australia) or wherever RHD cars are the norm.

[86 911 Targa]

Originally Posted by quozl

I'm curious why wouldn't you just buy one of the many top quality Australian delivered RHD early 911's from one of the club members in the Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne Porsche clubs?

Each has a website and there are a number of top quality used cars available in each state, I purchased one from a Sydney owner in October.

You may also want to have a good look at the import regulations if you haven't already as I believe they have recently changed with regards to importing cars that has been modified from original specification. You may also want to post in the Australian section to get more specific answers on what is and isnt allowed to be imported and registered.

Porsche Club Queensland Market
Porsche Club NSW Market
Porsche Club VIC Market

Cheers Al

It has been a long time, but when I worked in Alice,
LHD cars need a large rear window sticker "Left Hand Drive Car".

Also, the "health checks" for the imported cars were a bit intense.

Good luck,

Gerry

[SLR]

I'm going through this thing my self, But my 1985 Sport very rear ( this one is one of four that Porsche ). so it will come with me I will find it worth it in the end. My'n is RHD so that gives me a good head start, I have all the paper work with me here , there is a lot to do and good old Aus you are going to pay tax on the tax you have payed . spend a lot of time getting it verrrry clean ( they will clean it again and charge you for it. ) there are many other things to take cear of, but get the info and go word for word on it. I'm taking all my house stuff as well that helps offset the price . I think you miss out the luxury car tax? I do. But taking your own car at least you know it. Have fun and enjoy the AUSY roads,

Steve Richards.

[Hezath]

Some of my posts are still needing 'moderator approval' and I've had a problem with some of them coming through at all, so I have been trying to answer this stuff but it hasn't been appearing. Really frustrating and when/if it appears it'll make everything out of order I guess.

Anyway, come on guys. I'm a little bit offended that everyone's telling me what the rules are as if I'm buying a car without researching stuff first. Any requirement of drive conversion, the 'LEFT HAND DRIVE VEHICLE' sticker, "Luxury car tax" etc - none of that applies to me. I probably won't even need a roadworthy certificate. They have lots of rules to stop people buying new exotics so they buy locally made HSVs instead. I've never owned anything built post-1980 so I'm not too concerned!

Are the lenses in the lights actually the only difference? And the reflectors are the same? (And they can be separated?)

Why didn't I buy an Australian RHD car? Value for money. I'm only 21 and I can't justify spending $35k on a car. Purchase price for this baby was about 13k AUD! I checked out local cars in the 20k+ region and everything was pretty much stock and needed work - like broken head studs, rust in the sills and cracking paint. I can weld up rust, paint cars, fix up interiors and rebuild mechanicals like any decent weekend mechanic but I wasn't looking for a project, especially not one without financial merit. This car isn't fully rebuilt - not at all, but it's got a lot of appealing things going for it and if stuff needs doing I'll have change to do it with.

They have their value in Australia if they have good local history and they're RHD. Each to their own but I'd rather save my >$10,000 and go without those things with exactly the same driving experience.

LakeCleElum, yes the overtaking on a highway thing is the only significant disadvantage really, but that's okay if you have a passenger. It's better around blind right handers and worse around blind left handers. Let me know when you're in Melbourne for that beer!

[SLR]

As I sead ealeyer to day it's not that hard, be prepaid to stand on your head and rub your tummy at the sane time, sounds silly, it is doable just stick with it. You may be right about LHD, My porsche is RHD and I drive in France a lot with no problems. You will end up doing a lot of running about. I have red tail lights USA ones that came with the car, no wary s there. Head lights yep you will have to change them. A good time to upgrade to H4's get the paper work from AUS. I,m abut to spend some £££ on mine but the only thing that may corse a problem is bigger wheels. 9" and 7", x16's or 17's.

Steve Richards.

[quozl]

Ahhh ok 21 and already know everything about importing cars to Australia from OS, we'll stop trying to help with our 30 years of previous experience then.

Best of luck with your project.

Cheers Al

[Hezath]

Well importing cars from the states is the 'going thing' at the moment with my group of friends haha. From an FR car background so yeah Porsches are new but that doesn't change the import process too much. Should have known better than to mention my age on a Porsche forum - maybe I will develop better foresight in the next 23 years.

Steve, the car does already have the H4 upgrade, not the generic round lenses with the funny adapters like the US cars came with originally. Just a shame they dip the wrong way.

[JEM911]

Having bought USA based cars, while in Australia, I can tell you it's not a bad decision. I wouldn't listen to everyone's RHD V LHD V LHD converted to RHD. I decided that many local (Australian) RHD cars which were converted from LHD were terrible and would cost too much to rectify. An original factory RHD is a different story, to that note if you wanted RHD - buy a UK car. They are still cheaper too...
If you have any issues with the engine conversion I would just ship the car ex engine / transmission, then its a rolling shell for restoration. It's pre-89 so shouldn't be an issue.

[JEM911]

Having bought USA based cars, while in Australia, I can tell you it's not a bad decision. I wouldn't listen to everyone's RHD V LHD V LHD converted to RHD. I decided that many local (Australian) RHD cars which were converted from LHD were terrible and would cost too much to rectify. An original factory RHD is a different story, to that note if you wanted RHD - buy a UK car. They are still cheaper too...
If you have any issues with the engine conversion I would just ship the car ex engine / transmission, then its a rolling shell for restoration. It's pre-89 so shouldn't be an issue.

[billjam]

Heath,
As JEM911 and others have mentioned, it isn't hard importing and living with a LHD car AND it is the best way to get into a P car without having lot's of money tied up in it.
Go for it. I've done it four times into WA without any problems.
I know that rules are different between states as far as LHD is concerned, but in WA there are no restrictions.

I tried to document the "LHD" rules across all states in this thread but rules may have changed since.

As far as headlight lenses are concerned, I've bought them from a UK parts site in the past.