To molest, or not to molest....help me out.

[R22tech]

As most of you know, I'm a Concours guy, 85 Carrera Targa, 44,xxx miles, perfect. I was thinking of selling for a 968 blah,blah,blah and changed my mind. I have since "chilled out" about the car-keeping it perfect obsessively. My first and only mod. to this point is a 930s steering wheel. Yeah, I'm a technician so I can turn a wrench, but I only have knowledge of HVAC/Electrical/appliance applications. I'm ignorant to the workings of an internal combustion engine and so forth. I would like to maybe improve performance and looks. I don't really know where to start. Should I sell my car and buy a different, more improvable model? Or should I improve on what I have? The money is not an issue, but I don't want anything past 1986. I like the "old school" drive better than the 87-present.

I would like to add, I may have the opportunity to purchase a 74 carrera-mint cond.-BUT ORANGE! If I bought this car, I would HAVE to change the color. Would this be a better car to modify and have a "sleeping giant", which is what my goal is?

[This message has been edited by R22tech (edited 10-16-2001).]

[pbs911]

It soundsthat you could get a premium for your present car. Sell it and buy one that is not so original. You should be able to pick one up for less and use the extra money for improvements. (Even though money is not an issue, it always helps.)

If nothing else, let someone else enjoy your once beloved obsession of an unmolested garage queen.

Just my .02.


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Paul
78SC Targa
Pelican Parts Members Gallery

[Jim T]

I would drive and enjoy the 85, but I personally would not alter it too much.

Performance? Its tough to get extra easy hp from the Carrera. Some will say a chip, I've used chips in a number of Motronics cars, and the noticeable difference is small, if at all.

Exhaust would help, but not transform a Carrera. Not worth the $$, IMO.

Intake? Kid's stuff.

you could do a chip, exhaust and intake. But that would be a lot of $. And, I don't think would make that big of a difference, and would also likely devalue the car. To me, would not make sense.

Looks? The car looks pretty good as it is! IMO, just about anything you do to it would make it look WORSE. But, that's up to you. Again just about anything you do in the "looks" dept that is not easily reversed will lower the value of the car, IMO.

[CamB]

Originally posted by R22tech:
I would like to add, I may have the opportunity to purchase a 74 carrera-mint cond.-BUT ORANGE! If I bought this car, I would HAVE to change the color.

"To each his own" - and to me, orange. I fully dig the 70's cars in orange - if it is orange from new, find one in a colour you like and let someone like me have the orange one

Besides, repainting is expensive (done right).

Watch for rust on pre 76 cars too.

You should try driving it - see if 10 years further development is important to you.

Cam

[lukeh]

If you want to get a car that you can make performance mods to, get a 930. There is a ton of stuff that can be done to these cars. Headers, turbos, intercoolers,cams just for starters. Before you know it your at 400 horsepower easy. I know because I've done most of these mods. The car will put a smile on your face everytime you hit the gas.

Lukeh
88 turbo cab

[Rich911E]

Glad to hear somebody else changes their minds about their projects besides me! Here's my $0.02

If you want to build a sleeping giant, start with a different car. There is no sense paying top dollar for an original Carrera and then changing everything. You can pick up modified 911SCs with 3.2-3.6 engines for less than you could change everything on the 1974. Or just get a 930 turbo, modify the wastegate and have tons of power. Plus, the turbo comes with all the good brakes, suspension, tires, wheels, etc. Not a sleeper though.

Orange is a cool color! At least it isn't red, black, white or silver like 90% of 911s. Leave it orange!

Rich

[emcon5]

If you want a sleeping giant, do what Juan did.

www.protomotive.com

Tom

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82 911SC Coupe

[joehahn]

...what color orange? I would like to get it, paint appropriate stripes down center and drive it to Browns games (i am actually kinda serious). Also, I have an HVAC question that I will ask privately through email...

Joe 68L

[R22tech]

What if I leave it alone asthetically and send it to SoK for a Paxton? Will it still look "stock"? Will it dramatically shorten the life of the engine? How 'bout getting it fixed-will my Porsche wrench touch it with a supercharger on there? And value-decrease or increase?

[pbs911]

The PAxton SC requires a Turbo tail. So no it will no longer "look stock". Engine life will be decreased. As for a wrench, you may have to call around to find someone, but there will not be any difference to the other components of the car so your current wrench could take care of that. The good thing about it is the Paxton is reversable. There will be more engine wear and you can always get aonther deck lid for the whale tail to slap the original back on if you want to remove the Paxton. You could go with a Whipple charger and not have to change the deck lid. Dounbles the cost, however.
I've been planning on a Paxton mod myself for my SC. But CA is changing gas and with the CIS system, the new gas may cause problems. So I'm leaning towards a 3.6 transplant.

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Paul
78SC Targa
Pelican Parts Members Gallery

[R22tech]

I thought it was the other way around: Paxton=carrera tail, whipple=turbo tail. I'll have to check B.A.s 911 handbook when I get home. Also, I think I want to go 7s and 8s or 9s for the fuchs. I have 6s and 7s obviously.

[R22tech]

I almost forgot: My last compression test at 39,xxx miles= 195psi195psi195psi195psi195psi195psi so if I keep this car, it's like I'm starting with a new engine. This fact is one that is telling me to stick with what I got and work from there.

[RarlyL8]

@ 44K miles you don't drive the car enough to worry about engine longevity. Bolt on a supercharger or turbo and have some fun! When you lift the decklid at the concours the engine will appear all that much more remarkable. No more "ho-hum stock Carrera, seen that a thousand times, next".

[Periokid]

Originally posted by R22tech:
I thought it was the other way around: Paxton=carrera tail, whipple=turbo tail. I'll have to check B.A.s 911 handbook when I get home. Also, I think I want to go 7s and 8s or 9s for the fuchs. I have 6s and 7s obviously.

Without a doubt this is a must do. You will retain the classic look while making it more aggressive looking and performing. I did it and do not regret it for a second.

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David

1988 911 Carrera Coupe
Leonoff Net

[juan ruiz]

R22,I will like to share my opinion so here goes.
I think the first step is to find out what you rally want example,you mention no older than 87 ok,i notice that you want her to have 9s not a problem,reability is a big question modifications are always a risk but what the heck,how much HP do we want? do we want to go in circles or drag? do we want a street sleeper with a nice pep,wellll joint the club,so it dependes on what you want draw a plan and stick to it,as you mention if you are not familiar with engines i have good news you have ALL OF US,so first, do as much research as you can it will help you and save you money,with regards to the tail it took me a long time to decide to change to a turbo tail and i did and it looks good at least to me,on the street unless you really know porsches the tail will pass unoticed,but if you really want to have it you can install a turbo tail re drill it and install your carrera rubber thats fully undercover! Well thats good for know,hope we go the turbo way.
Regards Juan
http://MY88911.homestead.com/newwebpage.html

[jabb]

If you want to go older and lighter this
car looks like a good starting point.

http://members.rennlist.com/sansho/911SC4SALE.html



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• Joe A.
• 84 911 Targa
• 75 914/6 3.0

[Jack Olsen]

Let your state's smog legislation be your guide. Also consider local club or scca classifications, if you think you might eventually want to autocross or race it.

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Jack Olsen
My Rennlist page • My Pelican Gallery page • My Porsche Owners Gallery page

[Reg]

Keep your gem, and buy a rough car . Rebuild it and you will be proud of your accomplishment.

Buy smart, do all the work (or most)yourself and you should most always be able to get most of your money back, if not your time.

[This message has been edited by Reg (edited 10-16-2001).]

[rattlsnak]

hmmmmmmmm, the same Orange car owned by Bob C.?? (also on the cover of the Presse this month?) Damn nice car..... and much better than the Yellow one he had.!

[Mike Feinstein]

Doug,

I'd say to keep your current ride. By making a few tasteful mods I would argue that the value would not suffer. 85 Carerras will never be worth $50K, maybe half of that if you're lucky. If you add some H&R springs (or upgrade torsion bars) to lower and stiffen the suspension, add the 7's and 9's it will handle like a slot car and look even better with its lower and more aggressive stance (Euro/intended ride height)providing an inexpensive and major improvement. A good set of rubber will also make a big difference. I did these on my 94 and it transformed the car.

You could add a performance exhaust so that it sounds better and maybe even gain a few ponies. An MAF will make music in the cabin above 4000rpm like you can't imagine and increase the seat-of-the-pants fun quotient. I recommend these mods only because I've done them and have not regretted it...just the opposite. All of these are reverseable if you like but I doubt you ever will. Not much downside. You know the car. Your money will be spent on planned improvements rather than on unplanned repairs which don't improve performance or looks.

Seems like a no-brainer to me. Heck, just give me the car. I'll have some fun tweaking it and if you ask reeeeal nice, I may let you drive it.

Take care,



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Mike
94 C2 cab