Opinions

[maui44]

First of all, I am new to posting on this site. What I have found out so far is, there are a lot of very cool people on it. Additionally, I am a novice at working on cars and the site has been a real good place for learning how to fix minor things that I think I can handle. It also has been a good place for buying things for my 1977 911S. Bottom-line, I am happy to be a small part of a very large Team of folks who enjoy their cars.

I am now at a point where I would like a some additional power. I do not plan on racing or anything like that I just want more getup and go.

Background:
I am the 3rd owner of the car and I have had it for about 25 years. I had the Engine and Transmission both totally rebuilt some years back and only put about 2,000 miles a year on it. The only thing that has been upgraded was addition of the proper parts to keeping things from pulling i.e., case savers and Turbo valve covers. This was done when the long block was performed. Also, I removed the thermal reactors and have "candle sticks" in there place.

I am weighting which would be the best route to go, adding SSI and new muffler etc. to my car or buying a stock 3.2 with DME.

As I see it, I know what I have in my car and like it however, if I buy a 3.2 it's kind of a crap shoot on what I am getting. The last thing I would want to have to do is turn around and have to have a long-block done on the 3.2 soon.

I reside in San Diego and Black Forest is my wrench. They have always done great work for me.

So for those of you who are knowledgeable of what you can do to a 2.7 and still have it pass smog (just had it done) to increase H.P. and torque I like your opinions looking at the stock 3.2 side of things also.

Again, my goal is to get more power and see how things look $ for $ both ways.

Thank you in advance for you time and feedback.

[Winter]

I'm no expert but first why dont you look at ways to lighten your car? This may be a cost effective start. Do a search here on the forums to pick up on some strategies.

Good luck!

[timmy2]

Before you get a few hundred opinions on what to do to your car, you should try and meet up with a few pelicans, PCA members or other enthusiasts at a cars N coffee or a DE or other track event and take a ride with those that have made the usual and the radical mods to their cars.
Then you can make an educated decision as to what you want to do to your car.

[Rot 911]

What winter and dennis said.

[Tippy]

Low boost turbo brings a lot of power for minimal money. Easier on the motor too versus winding it to the sky naturally aspirated.

Just a thought.

[Dublinoh]

Seems like the two options are pretty far apart in scope. If you just want a smaller investment go with lighter and exhaust modifications. If you are serious about spending some money and transforming the car go light and 3.2. At least thats my view for what it's worth.

[Cairo94507]

Sounds like your motor is probably still in great shape after no doubt spending some money on it. Personally I would try to go with a header/muffler and some other minor upgrades and see if that does it for you. If not, then I would consider a bolt-in stock 3.2 for their proven reliability.

[Flat Six]

As most others have pointed out, 1) lighter might be the better option; and 2) meet up w/other enthusiasts.

Will leave out thoughts on helping to improve longevity of your 911S and focus as you asked on performance. Couple of other observations:

Since yours is a '77 it's not exempt from California smog laws and must pass both visual (all emissions components attached and working) and operative (tail pipe sniffer) inspections.

Assuming your car is registered in San Diego county (vehicles registered in some very rural California counties are held to lower/looser emissions standards), the absence of thermal reactors or air pump (if required for your 77) should cause you to fail the visual inspection. Once this happens, in order to get emissions certification you'd have to reinstall all missing emissions equipment (can be big $$) and re-test. And as you know, w/o emissions cert you can't register your vehicle.

With this in mind it seems to me you have several alternatives:
1) Find a 'friendly' emissions testing station and ask/hope they overlook the more obvious violations of the visual inspection -- then many options open until you are caught and/or want to sell/transfer vehicle;
2) Install a later (3.2/3.6) powerplant w/full engine management system and emissions system (cats, etc.) and have CARB re-certify the vehicle -- I've never done this but have heard is a bureaucratic challenge and the likelihood of certification is very dependent on the discretion of the individual inspector;
3) Go stealth, replacing 2.7 with warmed over 3.0 or 3.2SS but retain CIS and otherwise stock outward appearance;
4) Focus on easily reversible modifications (e.g., exhaust, disty recurve, optimum tune) that you revert back to stock every two years to pass emissions inspection;
5) Upgrade driving dynamics (suspension, reduce weight, wheels/tires, seats & steering wheel) to improve the car's performance;
6) Invest in track time/DE to improve the driver's performance.

Of course #5 and #6 are not mutually exclusive of any other options and, IMHO, should be considered regardless of whatever other power options you consider.

And how you choose to proceed will likely be influenced greatly by how often you drive your 911S, what kind of roads/conditions you like to drive, etc.

Not really any answers here, but hope this helps guide your decision-making process.

Good luck,

Dale