Motor for an '81 911SC

[ritter4242]

So some of you may remember, I have an 81 911SC (totaled) and a 78 911 Carrera (or so it's badge says) and I will be putting the 81 engine into the 78, and then trying to get the 81 fixed. When (I'm being optimistic) its fixed, what is the best, as in most powerful, motor I can put in it? I was going to have an internship this summer but they fell off the face of the planet (wont even return my phone calls) so I have LOTS of free time now. Can I put a modern 911's motor in it? I really want a turbo, and this will be a Franken-Porsche so keep that in mind. I don't mind it not being authentic, I have no intention of ever trying to sell it and really want something original

tl;dr

have an 81's body (hopefully)
want to put a really powerful motor in it
maybe modern if possible
otherwise definitely a turbo

[Aurel]

You can put in a 3.2 or a 3.6l. Depends what you find and how much you want to spend. Many threads on those conversions here.

[ritter4242]

what year is the 3.6? is it turbo

[Schmierung]

Research then research some more. It is all been done before.

[Joe Bob]

A 3.6 liter is normally aspirated. Trust me....you will be happy with that upgrade. Going with a turbo will serious deplete your pocketbook and likely require upgrades to suspension and brakes.

The 3.6 may will also but it is a linear accel curve as opposed to a light switch.

[ritter4242]

So if you ignore the price a 3.6N/A is better than a 3.6 Turbo? I plan on making this a (barely) legal street car but use it in races as well.

Joe your second bit is confusing me a bit. Is a 3.6 = 3.6s = 3.6l ?

Also, any year in particular I should be looking for?

[Joe Bob]

Plural....btw...if you race...check the rules. You will be in the high dollar class ONCE YOU MOD BEYOND STOCK and likely get your ass kicked everyrace unless you are in able to take advantage of every upgrade and can drive like a pro.

[ritter4242]

haha alright, I'm the reason there needs to be idiot proofing on these cars x)

so these are the motors from the 89-93? is the 93 better than the 89? I know a year change can make a huge difference in how reliable or desirable a motor is.

Thank you for the help

[Joe Bob]

Early ones had a head gasket issue and they had a recall, not all have been done. There is a buncha threads on this.....do a search and look at Instant-g.com. Back in the day you could get good low mileage motors. They are fewer and farther between now.

Not cheap to rebuild if you are used to Detroit Iron. Obviously, stay away from from cut rate shops like Motor Meister.

Do some sifting of threads here...most of your questions have already been asked and answered.

[ritter4242]

Ok thanks Joe, I'm gonna pick one up from a scrap yard, and then either rebuild it myself ( I like the challenge) or have Lindsey Racing do some work on it. I'll do some surfing after class! And don't worry I will stay away from motor scheister

[DaddyGlenn]

So perhaps you wish to build something like this?

DZ 935 K3 Tribute For Sale $45k **Fire Sale** 634hp @ 1 bar built for 1.6 bar

or

This: Well here she is -

[ritter4242]

I'm more looking to make a rally 911 with a good motor and something that if it gets messed up I'm not going to just get out and cry... I live on a gravel road. I'll be keeping the body a stock 81 SC but I want the suspension, motor and interior to be "mine" ya know?

[vash]

isnt talking a lambda motor and installing it on a non-lambda car going to be a challenge?

i'm just talking about putting the 81 motor into the 78..what happens to the "extra wires"?

[James Brown]

true turbo motors (air cooled) are 3.3L or the early 3.0L. saw one 3.3 on ebay for $25K used. 3.6 are a lot less ($6-18K) and then go with all the race bits, trans upgrade, oil cooling upgrade, suspension upgrades, brake upgrades and your looking at north of WOW. Can it be done? sure but starting with a 964 or 993 will give you most of the upgrades already, easier to start with IMHO. This is no place to be cheap or inexperienced if true racing is what you want to do (and a little street).

[DaddyGlenn]

Originally Posted by ritter4242

I'm more looking to make a rally 911 with a good motor...{snip}

Then this might be interesting: 911 Carrera RallyCross Project