How can I upgrade my 3.0 engine

[aigel]

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

The newer your car is, the worse the exhaust is in terms of performance.

This trend was finally reversed on the 993, BTW.

G

[aigel]

Originally Posted by Scott R

+2 Brakes were my single greatest upgrade.

Not to sidetrack this thread (engine mods), but when you guys speak of brake upgrades, you are talking about getting the stock system up to top shape? That makes sense. What does not make sense is to upgrade to turbo brakes or similar. The stock brake systems on the 911 are very capable and a 200 hp SC with stock brakes will be no problem unless you track the car in a hot climate.

G

[Bob Kontak]

Looking at it from a different angle, making sure you engine is running as well as it can will probably net you a few ponies. CIS can have air leaks, distributors bushings and wires get tired. Warmup regulators can control the fuel in a non-optimal way, etc.

I found the most satisfying improvements were fixing the bugs that made it run less than perfect. It's a pretty cool car as-is.

I am pretty sure you can advance the distributor a wee bit for better response but I have not done this. If you search there is info on it.

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by aigel

Not to sidetrack this thread (engine mods), but when you guys speak of brake upgrades, you are talking about getting the stock system up to top shape? That makes sense. What does not make sense is to upgrade to turbo brakes or similar. The stock brake systems on the 911 are very capable and a 200 hp SC with stock brakes will be no problem unless you track the car in a hot climate.

G

Yes and no. The above advise is fine if you are going to stick with the 3 liter engine in the car forever.

However if you are looking at doing a 3.2 or 3.6 upgrade or other HP mods, now would be the time to look ahead and do it right one time.

[aigel]

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

Yes and no. The above advise is fine if you are going to stick with the 3 liter engine in the car forever.

However if you are looking at doing a 3.2 or 3.6 upgrade or other HP mods, now would be the time to look ahead and do it right one time.

I agree that a 3.6 would warrant a brake upgrade. A 3.2 together with chassis lightning will not need an upgrade. If you like to fiddle with the brakes anyway, then the carrera brakes are a good and cheap upgrade, albeit only thicker rotors with matching thicker calipers.

The turbo brake upgrade is $$$. It was one reason I pulled the plug on my SC - blowing $3k on brakes looked like a good opportunity to sell the SC and put the $3k towards a 993 (which came with big reds )

G

[Scott R]

Originally Posted by aigel

Not to sidetrack this thread (engine mods), but when you guys speak of brake upgrades, you are talking about getting the stock system up to top shape? That makes sense. What does not make sense is to upgrade to turbo brakes or similar. The stock brake systems on the 911 are very capable and a 200 hp SC with stock brakes will be no problem unless you track the car in a hot climate.

G

I have 930 brakes now. Seemed like a good choice to me after the amount of other modifications I did. Safety and such. But yea, I can't see doing it if you're not chasing a lot of power.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Josh D

The stock 3.0 SC HE primaries are too short and of unequal lengths, offering very little, if not 0 scavenging effect. The SSI's and early factory HE have primaries of longer and equal length and merge at a location that optimizes scavenging. That's why they make power throughout the rpm range and not just in the upper end.

That is great info. I always thought that the SC exhaust was "tuned". Maybe some of those advertisements that say "SC exhaust are as good as headers" had me confused. The ads probably are referencing the high RPM output only.

[Dodge Man]

IMO Remember to save all of the SMOG equipment you remove because THE MAN will be sniffing you tailpipe sooner or later. Kalifornia has it 76 up so 74 back is an E-Ticket here. Also Clean stock early SC cars are climbing in value these days. A 78 should have the big valve heads and that is a good thing for you. Static CR(compression ratio) is decent on a 78 too. IMHO start low buck with an SSI, muffler of your choice, & re-degree the stock SC cams. If the SSI & muffler is out of budget or too much hassle look at the by-pass tube & maybe a muffler. Pelican has the AIR Block Off Plugs. Your CIS is not evil and the 964 cams(and reground rockers) are probably the upper limit to avoid low RPM/idle issues backing up thru the intake valves with CIS. My techo junkie neighbor with the WORKS MINI is always asking if I want to sell the old 911 hot rod with a Euro 3.0 & SSI. Clean looking SC. Make yourself happy and enjoy the ride.