1975 911 - Newbie with an odd question...

[GregRRich]

This weekend I bought what will end up being my dream car-- a 1975 911. The car is basically a rolling chassis... the original engine literally came in laundry baskets. That being said, the body is in amazing condition, not a single spot of rust anywhere. The previous owner had disassembled most everything, and basically gave up.

Rather than jump into re-building the engine pieces and there's plenty missing in that department), I would like to install a running engine to move the project along quicker, then build the engine of my dreams at my own pace. Here's my question... I've located two engine options right away. One is a 1983 3.0 and the other is a 1973 911t 2.4.

I'm leaning toward the 1973 option because of what appears to be its simplicity. It looks like it has dual Webbers. Will this option work on a 1975? I'm certain the harness is different, but is it simple enough to adapt easily? Will it work with a 915 tranny?

I've read a lot about the 3.0 conversion, and I'm not sure I want to dive into that electrical nightmare project only to end up with 1983 technology anyway. Besides, I love the look of the earlier RS style engines. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

[LakeCleElum]

Greg: Do the 3.0 for sure...The 2.4 is a Mag case engine. Over the years, the cases warp and oil pressure drops to near zero. A proper fix is very expensive......I recently had a 3.0 (with 3.2 pistons) put into my 73.5 and the electrical is not a big deal. You should add an oil cooler system also.....G'luck.....

[GregRRich]

Thanks for the fast response! If I go with the 3.0, should I look into changing out the fuel injection system to something more modern (or simple), or just deal with the 1983 system and get the brain box, harness, etc...?

[bkreigsr]

if simplicity is what you're after in the short run, some of the 2.4's might be the way to go.. I've got 123,000 miles on mine, and the oil pressure is fine, (thank-you very much).
Bill K

[Evans, Marv]

3.0, otherwise you'll always be wishing you' done it.

[vash]

what you want to find is an early SC motor. 78 79 (maybe 80?) 3.0 liter would swap in with ZERO fanfare.

i think there is a little bit of a thought process with the later SC motor and all that lambda stuff..

i could be wrong.

[IROC]

Originally Posted by GregRRich

I'm leaning toward the 1973 option because of what appears to be its simplicity. It looks like it has dual Webbers. Will this option work on a 1975? I'm certain the harness is different, but is it simple enough to adapt easily? Will it work with a 915 tranny?

In actuality, the 3.0 liter engine probably the simpler swap. The 3.0 shared the same fuel injection, etc., with the 2.7 that came in the car. In the long run it would be an easier swap and a better engine. Win-win.

[GregRRich]

I think I'm going to arrange the 1983 3.0 that I found... I've been reading about the swap on here and it doesn't seem all that easy-- something about the harness connections, tach leads, and the new ECU... but at least I know its do-able!