How can I upgrade my 3.0 engine

[Juggino]

What can I do to gain some HP on this non computerized engine. I already did an exhaust but I do not know what else I can do that is relatively easy without doing a rebuild with a cam, etc. Any suggestions?

[SCOTITUDE]

carbs

[tshebib]

This one's easy. Follow the link and don't look back
Finally registered with Pelican- Introduction

[timmy2]

EFI, Bitz kit or TBI's for more horse power with fuel efficiency and tuning ability.
Add EDIS as well. I'm headed that way this fall.

[SWoolley]

I just went through all of this. CIS sucks and is too temperamental. Go with aN EFI setup or carbs. Drove a buddies car with webers and a secret cam grind....very nice and responsive.

[timmy2]

HP to weight ratio... Put it on a diet. Multiple threads here for getting your car slim and trim.

[aigel]

Throwing carbs on it isn't really an "easy" modification.

Porsche already did the easy stuff, unfortunately. These cars aren't like some american iron, where hp may be found a little easier.

On my SC I had put 964 grind cams, SSI + dansk sport muffler, and increased the advance a little over spec. I also took some weight out of it - not too crazy. You can follow the link in my sig describing the car. Eventually it was too slow and uncomfortable, so I bought a 993.

G

[timmy2]

You really need to define what you are looking for. That new screwbaru will give you a run for your money...

SSI's and a good exhaust are good for what, 15 HP increase, EFI is touted at 25 HP increase, same with carbs, so with both you may gain 35 to 40 hp.
That takes you from 185 to 215 HP in a fairly heavy vehicle.
Do both and lighten it up and you'll be rockin....
Or, stick a 3.6 in it and go....

[stlrj]

Do cars get smogged in NY, or is that only done in California?

[kodioneill]

No smog here for now but you never know.

[Joeaksa]

SSI's and a free flowing muffler will really help.

[Vin-barrett]

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

SSI's and a free flowing muffler will really help.

^this

my 83 has carbs, 964 cams and euro compression... none of that gave me a seat of the pants improvement as significant as simply doing the SSI's...

Im a brooklyn native , hope you dont park that beauty on the street

[Reiver]

another perspective.
I have other cars with huge HP, they are fun but I can't really 'drive' them without breaking multiple laws unless on a track.
My '83 sc makes about 200 hp and I I've lightened it up considerably. It is nimble and I can flog the hell out of it and enjoy it. I can use the cars rpm range and it is much more street fun than some of my other cars with more than twice the HP.
Get a few more HP, lighten it up and drive the hell out of it.

[911dean]

Originally Posted by Reiver

another perspective.
I have other cars with huge HP, they are fun but I can't really 'drive' them without breaking multiple laws unless on a track.
My '83 sc makes about 200 hp and I I've lightened it up considerably. It is nimble and I can flog the hell out of it and enjoy it. I can use the cars rpm range and it is much more street fun than some of my other cars with more than twice the HP.
Get a few more HP, lighten it up and drive the hell out of it.

Excellent point and one of many reasons I chose a torsion bar 911 as a fun car.
Now I'm just plain addicted.

Dean

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by Vin-barrett

^this

my 83 has carbs, 964 cams and euro compression... none of that gave me a seat of the pants improvement as significant as simply doing the SSI's...

Im a brooklyn native , hope you dont park that beauty on the street

Thanks, and one of the many things that a lot of people do not understand about engines is, until you can get the exhaust out in an effecient fashion, it does not matter what you do with carbs, ignition and so on, the inability to get the exhaust out will always hold you back.

Second thing is that until the suspension and brakes can handle every last horse power you have on tap, then you are going to have a substandard car.

Upgrade your brakes first, they are the main safety item on the car. Then do the suspension, re-doing the bushings, torsion bars, sway bars and so on to make the car really handle with what power you have now, and expect to have in the future. Then and only then focus on the engine and the first thing to do with the engine is upgrade the exhaust!

Joe A

[911dean]

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

Thanks, and one of the many things that a lot of people do not understand about engines is, until you can get the exhaust out in an effecient fashion, it does not matter what you do with carbs, ignition and so on, the inability to get the exhaust out will always hold you back.

Second thing is that until the suspension and brakes can handle every last horse power you have on tap, then you are going to have a substandard car.

Upgrade your brakes first, they are the main safety item on the car. Then do the suspension, re-doing the bushings, torsion bars, sway bars and so on to make the car really handle with what power you have now, and expect to have in the future. Then and only then focus on the engine and the first thing to do with the engine is upgrade the exhaust!

Joe A

Great Advice.

This is how I'm personaly going about my car. No sense in engine improvement untill suspension and brakes are up to snuff. And yes exhaust is key to realize full potentional of engine mods.

Dean

[Scott R]

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

Thanks, and one of the many things that a lot of people do not understand about engines is, until you can get the exhaust out in an effecient fashion, it does not matter what you do with carbs, ignition and so on, the inability to get the exhaust out will always hold you back.

Second thing is that until the suspension and brakes can handle every last horse power you have on tap, then you are going to have a substandard car.

Upgrade your brakes first, they are the main safety item on the car. Then do the suspension, re-doing the bushings, torsion bars, sway bars and so on to make the car really handle with what power you have now, and expect to have in the future. Then and only then focus on the engine and the first thing to do with the engine is upgrade the exhaust!

Joe A

+2 Brakes were my single greatest upgrade.

[Vin-barrett]

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

Thanks, and one of the many things that a lot of people do not understand about engines is, until you can get the exhaust out in an effecient fashion, it does not matter what you do with carbs, ignition and so on, the inability to get the exhaust out will always hold you back.

Agreed, I have always been in the camp where the thoughts of "cat back" exhaust upgrades were kinda voodoo in that they may add a little hp at the top and little to none and maybe even a loss at the bottom.
Obviously this stuff varies from car to car but in the case of the 3.0 I believe the stock system is less than ideal. I've "upgraded" exhausts on lots of different cars and never had such a drastic change as in my 911.

[Joeaksa]

Vinny,

The newer your car is, the worse the exhaust is in terms of performance. Thats why the SSI's systems are a direct copy of the early Porsche factory exhaust system. It did ONE thing, get the exhaust out of the engine.

Later model exhausts had to deal with smog, noise and last forever, so Porsche changed things and it was not always for the good.

[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.