1976 911 with 2.7 engine converted to RS specs...opinions welcome

[sadcaper]

Hi all-

Curious the opinion of the drivability, reliability and performance of a 1974 911 where the 2.7 engine has been converted to the 2.7RS MFI specs. A dyno says 225hp so it appears to be in good health. Good for around town? Or not enough torque for that arena? Need to keep it above 4K rpms to be happy? More of a track car?

So, just curious if this is deemed “desirable” in the Porsche community or if it’s better to stick with all stock components. What kind of premium is that worth over a standard ‘76 (or any impact bumper Porsche really)? Would it keep its value (assuming matching numbers, good condition, etc)?

I realize these are very subjective words I’m tossing around, but looking for opinions so dive right in.

[RSTarga]

A factory spec MFI RS 2.7 is a great all-round motor.
Considering that the factory only claimed 210HP , 225 sounds really strong.

[manbridge 74]

Currently using a 73S engine converted to RS spec with correct MFI space cam, and good rebuilt throttle bodies. Very tractable and no issues with lack of torque. I will say 7:31 final drive and a 2250lb weight probably helps a lot.

As far as value? Having the components that came with the car are what is important come sale time. Plenty worth it to me... CIS is good for what it is but it’s done by 5K rpm.

[tobluforu]

You need to drive it. I had a 2.4 t and loved it around town. Then went to 2.7 rs p/cs with modified T cams and loved that even more because how snappy it was down low and the bigger pistons made it a blast. I now have the same motor with Solex cams, and it moved the power band much higher. To be honest here, I liked the car when it had modified T cams in it for driving around town, etc. So once again, you need to drive the car if you are planning on buying one.

[sadcaper]

Thanks for the replies. Agreed I should drive it. It’s just a bit more than I wanted to spend on my first air cooled Porsche, so trying to get a sense if it’s worth it for the engine.

Per the dyno, done 20 years ago, the peak torque band is 4K-5krpm and peak hp is around 6000rpm. Seems a little peaky but not totally sure without driving. The dyno states 191hp at the wheels, so roughly 225hp at the crank. Seems like a strong engine.

[GaryR]

Wait, Dyno done 20 years ago??

[sadcaper]

Originally Posted by GaryR

Wait, Dyno done 20 years ago??

Haha yes. Just noticed that. It was done after the conversion was completed. Guess there’s only been 10k miles or so put on since, but perhaps those numbers should be taken with an asterisk.

[tobluforu]

An rs motor basically has S cams in it. Not sure if you have driven a car with S cams in it, I have and to be honest it wasn't all that fun around town or the mountain I drove it on. Now, that is not to say that once open it up its not music to ones ears as you shift at 7200.

[lvporschepilot]

Originally Posted by sadcaper

What kind of premium is that worth over a standard ‘76 (or any impact bumper Porsche really)? Would it keep its value (assuming matching numbers, good condition, etc)?

That is an extremely pricey conversion. A fresh rebuilt MFI 2.7 engine on its own is worth at least $30k. A decent standard US spec Carrera these days is a mid $50k car, so if this car, which is clearly superior, can be had for about the same as a standard US Carrera I'd be all over that. That is a honey of an engine in an early much lighter chassis. Fantastic cars

[sadcaper]

Well there is a cost premium over the standard car. This car is in the $75k range, so that’s a good bump from standard 70s/80s 911 pricing. Just not sure it’s worth that bump.

Original plan was pick up a standard 70s/80s 911 just to get that air cooled experience. However, is this 2.7 the “ultimate” air cooled experience so it justifies the price? Not sure.

[lvporschepilot]

Originally Posted by sadcaper

Well there is a cost premium over the standard car. This car is in the $75k range, so that’s a good bump from standard 70s/80s 911 pricing. Just not sure it’s worth that bump.

Original plan was pick up a standard 70s/80s 911 just to get that air cooled experience. However, is this 2.7 the “ultimate” air cooled experience so it justifies the price? Not sure.

I haven't seen the car so take this with a grain, but at $75k I would still be all over that. A 'real' 74-76 MFI 2.7 in good shape is a rare and valuable bird at $250k-$300k+ all day and the 73 911RS for which that engine was originally designed is of course double that. The earliest G body cars use lighter gauge metal and are just a lighter more spartan car overall making for the 'ultimate' early air cooled impact bumper 911. The early mag engines are just a more rev happy and outstanding little engine, many consider them the best. As I see it the only way it gets better is if it's a 2.8 RSR twin plug RSR engine, but that is an entirely different conversation.

[sadcaper]

Here’s a pic of the engine in case anyone can see anything obvious that’s missing or extra in regards to the MFI conversion. I’ll obviously get a PPI done but it seems to be a nice car. No rust. 2 owners. Nice interior. Matching numbers.

[manbridge 74]

If the car still has the original transmission you will not think this a peaky car. Mine is tuned properly and has no flat spots nor does it have to be run excessively rich.

Hopefully the engine has been run some over the years and not sat dormant for too long. Looks pretty good, not original plug wires or CDI box but not a big deal as those are quality parts pictured.

[lvporschepilot]

Is it a coupe? Otherwise that engine looks the business. I like the MSD add-on

[sadcaper]

Originally Posted by lvporschepilot

Is it a coupe? Otherwise that engine looks the business. I like the MSD add-on

Yep. It’s a coupe. 56k miles. The seller believes the transmission was beefed up, but not totally sure. Maybe something a PPI could help determine. Pic included.

[lvporschepilot]

Love it!

[jmz]

You will love this car. Being that it is a '74 if I read your post correctly it is still a very light car. That coupled with the awesome 2.7 MFI power and most likely a 7:31 ring and pinion in the gearbox will be damn near perfect.

As for price, I'm not sure what is should sell for or be worth...

[manbridge 74]

Nice car, I believe the spoiler was a later add on. For sure the mirrors and tail.

[Tremelune]

That's a lovely car, but $75k might get you into a driver 930. If you're willing to wait or modify, it'll also get you into a car with a G50 and a 3.6. Everyone has a different definition of what the "quintessential" air-cooled 911 is, but I'd rather be driving a G50 with a juiced motor.

I will say this: If you buy a car at market price that doesn't need much, enjoy it for what it is without changing much, it's hard to go wrong if you decide it's not for you. You're basically looking at sales tax and hassle over the churn. Education is expensive, but I'd probably be looking at a stockish G50 coupe in your position. The price difference between a middie and a G50 isn't enormous, but getting a car to be better than a G50 driving experience might be.

That said, a "cheap" SC targa will tell you a lot about these cars, and the education would be a blast.

I just contradicted myself three times in one post, so...you can see why this question is always tricky...And once you relinquish purism for the (arguably) better experience of a car modified to taste, well...

[darrin]

Originally Posted by Tremelune

That's a lovely car, but $75k might get you into a driver 930. If you're willing to wait or modify, it'll also get you into a car with a G50 and a 3.6. Everyone has a different definition of what the "quintessential" air-cooled 911 is, but I'd rather be driving a G50 with a juiced motor.

I will say this: If you buy a car at market price that doesn't need much, enjoy it for what it is without changing much, it's hard to go wrong if you decide it's not for you. You're basically looking at sales tax and hassle over the churn. Education is expensive, but I'd probably be looking at a stockish G50 coupe in your position. The price difference between a middie and a G50 isn't enormous, but getting a car to be better than a G50 driving experience might be.

That said, a "cheap" SC targa will tell you a lot about these cars, and the education would be a blast.

I just contradicted myself three times in one post, so...you can see why this question is always tricky...And once you relinquish purism for the (arguably) better experience of a car modified to taste, well...

REALLY good points -- seems the key here is what the OP's long(ish) term goals are. All things equal, it's going to be a lot easier to sell a stock car from a desirable year than it is to sell a modified car from a less desirable year. As indicated above, there are a lot of variables surrounding what an "rs-spec 2.7 MFI engine" actually consists of -- along with a variety of questions about how the conversion was done (how well mapped/repaired is the MFI pump, what's the "synergy" of the build, does the high horsepower come on smoothly or is it peaky, what are the gears like, etc.) -- these are good questions for the OP to fully understand and good questions that the OP will need to answer if/when it comes time to sell. Conversely, a well-sorted (but stock) 3.2 carrera or turbo would have none of these issues and would be both a fun car for the OP and a relatively easy car for the OP to sell if/when he decides to do so. SO, if the OP is in for the long haul and is up for solving some potential puzzles/challenges, a light car with a upgraded engine could make a great starting point. OTOH, if the OP is looking for a turnkey car that will be easy to unload if/when he's done with it, a later stock car for comparable $$$ might be a better answer.