Huge difference in 3.0 and 3.2?

[vintagecarlover]

Posting this for a friend cause he's lookingI drive a 3.0 in a 911 for 5500. but have access to an 87 3.2 engine for 7500.00 so here's my question, is there a huge difference between an early 3.0 and a 3.2 engine? I've never driver a 3.2 so I can't say.

Seat of the pants feel a big difference?

Also longevity issues. What engine would you keep and why??

Also what do u think a good running 3.0 is worth? And also values of same mileage 3.2? 140k

Is it worth the cost to change engines? Thanks in advance. Mark

[wayner]

Ive been told the 3.o is more bulletproof. 3.2s get leaky valve seals but then I've heard of 3.0 head studs so not really sure

A 3.0 is a short stroke motor and loves to rev. A 3.2 has a long stroke crank but it has displacement and better flowing heads going for it.

I'd lee the 3.0 and put the extra money into a future rebuild for the price of that 3.2

[Cevan]

One big difference is the FI. CIS on the 3.0 vs Motronic on the 3.2.

[matt930s]

It isn't worth a swap to me. The 3.2 has a bit more "punch", but not night and day...

MattR

[vintagecarlover]

Thx for all the comments. I know it's asking for the moon but does anyone have both and can compare back to back in performance?

Do the prices seem to be low since the increase in values?

Wayner. Check your post about ss and long stroke. Is it accurate? Think u meant 3.0 is ss? Thx

[Flat6pac]

40 horses helps on the3.2 for seat of the pants feel.
Both are respectable with good longevity.
$7500 for a 3.2 is core value if it's complete
Bruce

[sm70911]

I've had both but not in the same car. I rebuilt both, (valve guides in the 3.2, head studs in the 3.0) the 3.2 to eurospec with 964 cams and the already eurospec 3.0 with 964 cams and SSI / sport muffler.
I prefer the revvier feel of my 3.0, although it was a euro motor so more hp to begin with, plus it has euro gearing which makes a big difference, and the euro 3.0 car feels much lighter.

either way both motors respond to some better cams and SSIs, plus a few bits of suspension jewellery but I'd Stick with the 3.0 and put the spare 2k for the mods I mentioned

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by matt930s

It isn't worth a swap to me. The 3.2 has a bit more "punch", but not night and day...

If you compare an early US 3.0 to a ROW 3.2 you are talking 50HP. 180 VS 231.

Just do some research. It is worth your time.

[jeffbottman]

The 3.2 engine can be upgraded with a Motronic chip replacement from Steve Wong; I don't think the 3.0 is compatible. With the chip and exhaust upgrade, my car makes 241 crank HP which is a fair amount more than the stock 3.0. Chip and exhaust is not much $$ in the scheme of things.

[wayner]

Thanks. Fixed it

Yes 3.0 is ss


Btw you can build an ss 3.2 out of a 3.0

[Tincanguy]

Had a 78 Targa with SSIs that felt real strong. It was totaled, and replaced with a stock 88 Targa. My first reaction was, "Wow, this really feels like a slug compared to my 3.0" - partly due to the increased weight. After removing the cat, and installing a SW chip (It already had a Monty muffler) it was transformed. Dynoed out at 241 RWHP. Revs nicely as I had a light weight pressure plate and a lightened flywheel installed. SCs are nice but I wouldn't trade my Carrera for one.

[panzerfaust]

Originally Posted by sm70911

I've had both but not in the same car. I rebuilt both, (valve guides in the 3.2, head studs in the 3.0) the 3.2 to eurospec with 964 cams and the already eurospec 3.0 with 964 cams and SSI / sport muffler.
I prefer the revvier feel of my 3.0, although it was a euro motor so more hp to begin with, plus it has euro gearing which makes a big difference, and the euro 3.0 car feels much lighter.

either way both motors respond to some better cams and SSIs, plus a few bits of suspension jewellery but I'd Stick with the 3.0 and put the spare 2k for the mods I mentioned

On the 964 cams... Did u lose any noticeable torque on the low end with 3.2? I'm thinking about a cam swap with 964s or a tad hotter but don't want to lose low end torque on a street car

[pmax]

The Motronic system is a more refined and responsive system. The 3.2 runs like the modern engine it is compared to the raw nature of the 3.0 mechanical air fuel control in the CIS. The 3.0 torque seems to max out sooner at a lower rpm than the 3.2 so performance wise, the 3.2 wins IMO.

Longevity , I believe they are comparable.

[sugarwood]

Best seat of the pants upgrade is knowing how to drive. Does your friend shift at 5500 ? A 3.0 shifted at 5500 and properly downshifted to never be below 4000 will blow the doors off a 3.2 that is driven like a commuter car.

[mreid]

There is no replacement for displacement.

Except: better cams, a lighter car, improved exhaust, better driver, better tires, better induction, etc.

[dsfnctn]

motronic modern
CIS OLD

[Matt Monson]

3.2 all day long.

[uwanna]

Many years ago, I got so fed up with the 3.0 and that piece of crap CIS system in my '80SC I had to upgrade. With all the WURs,AARs, and other junk that were required for emission regs, plus blown up air boxes, I had had it!

I found a nice 3.2 and did the swap. Loved the reliability of a no problem motor, but was quite underwhelmed by the incremental power increase. I drove it for about a year with the 3.2, and then a low mileage 3.6 fell in my lap. Eureka, I had found the holy grail! Given that I had already done most all the conversion work to a DME system, the 3.6 replacement was a piece of cake. Turned the car into a rocket!

To sum it up, the 3.2 upgrade makes for a more drivable, trouble free long term experience, but don't expect a dramatic seat of the pants difference.
That takes a 3.6!!

[wayner]

My 3.0 is on carbs with cams

I shift at 7 and above 5
Gobs of power in a light car

My fiend who drives a 72T on carbs was blown away by how much torque my 3.0 had at 2500 rpm

I suppose it is all relative

But, think of it this way:
A 3.2 has betiful large ports. T also has added displacement. There is a lot there to take advantage of from the factory vs what you would pay to massage a 3.0

[NYNick]

My rebuilt 3.0 has bigger pistons, different cam, euro fuel delivery...it's a rock solid, upgraded, 78SC sleeper hot rod.
My son's 88 Carrera 3.2 has been lightened, chipped and rebuilt. It will blow the living doors off my 3.0 all day long. That car is just FAST!