3.0L/3.2L engine building help
 

Disclosure: I'm new to 911s, I'm lost, I apologize in advance for being the poster child for amateur hour SmileWavy

I'm purchasing a '79 911 "widebody" coupe in the near future for next to nothing and it's now becoming more real that I have a shot to get started on my dream of building a 911. I've rebuilt a few engines in the past, including more than one 944 and I'm ready to move into the big leagues.
Now, before I ask questions, I would like to make it clear as to what type of person I am when it comes to cars. I'm a number-crunching horsepower freak. I have this brutal subconscious that tells me HP is EVERYTHING. I seem to think that if I'm not in the 400hp + range then I'm not going fast which means I'm not having fun. I know this isn't true but i cant help it. Especially being an enlisted man, everything becomes a pissing contest. Anyways back on track; I want to build either a 3.0L or 3.2L carrera engine to power the 911, and I've come to terms with the fact that it takes nowhere near 400hp to make these cars quick and fun.

My dilemma(s) :
this will be my first 911 build
I would love to make close to 300hp without breaking the bank (which I've heard is next to impossible)
These engines are strange creatures to me
I don't know where or how to start
I don't even know where to buy performance internals
I'm not familiar with tolerances/ specifications of these engines
I don't know what's more reliable/ powerful as far as fuel system goes
As mentioned above I'm an enlisted man and will have to make carefully spaced purchases as the build progresses

Questions:
What kind of numbers can I get out of 3.0/3.2 liter engines?
How much would it cost?
Where can I buy oem+ parts (cams, rods, pistons, gaskets, etc)
Should I go for larger displacement?

ANY opinions, pointers, things to watch out for, links to articles or websites, and open discussion is appreciated.

I'm purchasing the book called How To Rebuild & Modify Porsche 911 Engines 1965-1989 by Wayne R. Dempsy in hopes to get some much needed technical guidance.
However, nothing beats experience, which is why I'm asking you guys!!

cheers,
Drew

Not trying to be cute but the basics is horse power equals CCs not necessarily volume but cubic cash.
For a reasonable change, at reasonable price you might do Mahle 9.3 pistons and C2 cams, free flow exhaust.
Above that, Carrera cylinders opened to 98mm and 9.5 JE s, custom ground cams for CIS. Reline your fuel dist for more volume.
Move up to Carrera 3.2.
Above these suggestions, the sky's the limit.

Bruce

I've heard those pistons are a good choice, but can't find where to buy them from!

Porsche 911 (1974-1989) - Pistons and Cylinders - Page 2

Why not go with a mild 3.0 with EFI and turbo kit?? That will get you somewhere in the 350rwhp range from what I understand. I have a 3.0 with 97mm high compression pistons, and 97mm turbo cylinders, with 3.2 heads, carrera intake, and megasquirt EFI, and the car screams beyond 4k RPMs(no dyno #s unfortunately)I plan to add a turbo kit in the next year or so.

Here is the build sheet for my 3.0

Not sure how much horsepower but in a light weight car it keeps up to the GT3s on the straights :)
I'm guessing that is is in the mid 200 range.

Lots o porting and the case has been flowed so while it has decent mid range, it absolutely screams between 5-7k rpm!


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/626050-saving-73-crusher-2.html

How much would a setup like that cost? And how reliable would it be?

i bet you could do a turbo conversion for a whole lot less than a higher displacement, high compression engine build.