1976 912E conversion to 3.0

[dcourts1984]

As the title says it all, I am curious to hear from some of the much more experienced members on this site with their thoughts on a 912E conversion to a 911 3.0 engine. Have you done it, driven one, thoughts on results etc?

I am in a position to do this work and i know will forgo the possibility of keeping the car original etc.

Any thoughts here would be much appreciated. Thanks

[WFBowen]

I think that by the time you accumulated the necessary parts (engine, trans, gauges, etc.) you'd be better off selling the 912E and getting a nice running SC. With the converted car, you'd be stuck with something losing value, while an original SC or earlier 2.7 would at least hold its value. I don't know where your live, but here in California engine swaps on 1976 and later cars create a never-ending nightmare with the smog test requirements. Just my .02.
Good Luck,
Bill

[Jrboulder]

I almost did one, had about 90% of the parts including an awesome little 2.7, ended up taking the common advice (presented above) and just rebuilt my 912E engine. I should have done it.

If you do the most basic install, a la 74 911, it's basically a weekend project. If you want additional instrumentation and an external oil cooler (you do) it will take a little more work.

[cmpski]

Bill is correct.
You'll also need an oil tank and hoses, a front oil cooler and hoses, etc, etc. A front brake upgrade is advised when you go from 100 hp to 180 hp. You'll need S struts. I built the first 912 with a POLO engine. I'm at 150K so far and seem to find ways to spend another 5k almost yearly fine tuning it. It never ends. It's fun but expensive ($$$$$). Used 3.0 and 3.2's are just a guess as to when they'll need a rebuild. Go buy a nice clean SC or Carrera if you want another 100 pounds behind the rear axle.
Chris Pomares

[Jrboulder]

Originally Posted by cmpski

Bill is correct.
You'll also need an oil tank and hoses, a front oil cooler and hoses, etc, etc. A front brake upgrade is advised when you go from 100 hp to 180 hp. You'll need S struts. I built the first 912 with a POLO engine. I'm at 150K so far and seem to find ways to spend another 5k almost yearly fine tuning it. It never ends. It's fun but expensive ($$$$$). Used 3.0 and 3.2's are just a guess as to when they'll need a rebuild. Go buy a nice clean SC or Carrera if you want another 100 pounds behind the rear axle.
Chris Pomares

A 912E has the same struts as a 76 911S. At least half of the 912Es out there have already been upgraded to SC style brakes, super simple upgrade if it hasn't.

Oil tank is bolt in except removing the ecu cubby. Motor mounts are bolt in.

A 912E body was a 911S body with a few brackets welded on before paint. The wiring a almost identical, not entirely but close.

You buy a 911 and you still have to deal with all the ancient hoses. And you're stuck with an 8:31 ring and pinion.

[dcourts1984]

All great comments. Thanks