Want to learn more about the 912

[ward111]

I am a newbie, just starting to examining variety of Porsche info out there. I've reviewed quite a few sites and postings here but pehaps I missed what I am looking for: to learn more about the 912 (given I am interested in buying one).

Is there a good place to start "discovering" these cars including their mechanical variations (Solex vs Webbers), pros/cons of buying different vintage, what to look for, etc. I understand I have a long ways to go but got to get started somewhere, sometime, right?

For the particular one I am looking at (but will be sold by the time I learn enough, I think): 69 912 with engine rebuilt about 30K miles ago, tranny about 50K ago. Has under 200K miles total. Engine and tranny rebuilds seem fairly typical: every 75-100K miles or so?

Thanks for any pointers. And please let me know if there is a better forum for such questions.

[dimps8]

ward,

try us over at www.912bbs.org

[jpamental]

Ward,

If the engine/transmission were rebuilt well (always a question - ask about receipts for the work done!), the other major issue is rust. There is always rust somewhere - the key is to find out how much and if/how well it was repaired. Patching vs new panels, rivets instead of welding, bondo hiding rot in the door skins or rocker panels. Longitudinals (where rear suspension attaches), shock towers and the front pan (in front of the gas tank and where part of the front suspension attaches) are car killers if not protected and repaired well (if there is a problem to begin with, and unless it's one of those well-preserved 'California' cars, it's likely that one of those areas has had problems at one point or another).

Where are you located? You may be able to find someone on the board mentioned above who can look at the car with you and help you assess it. It's also good to learn about the differences between the model years to know what you like and want.

Good luck, and keep us posted!

Jason

(I learned the hard way what not to buy, but have had a lot of fun working on mine and driving it, no matter how far it is from 'great' condition)

[deathpunk dan]

Hey Jason,
I live in wakefield now, but used to live up in the city and saw your car around a few times...once I was behind you on the braga bridge heading out towards the cape.

I am looking at 912's myself, and was wondering if you had any opinions on big bore kits. I am looking at a car that already has a 1750cc kit, dual webers, and hotter cams. I have already gotten my speed-demon fix out of my system via previous cars like a modified Corrado and multiple motorcycles. However, I would like performance comparable to an early 911T. Would the big bore equipped 5 spd 912 be able to hang with a 2.2T?

Were I to buy a non-big bore 912, would I be better off building a 1700+cc engine or just dropping in a 2 liter type IV with dual webers, header, and hot cam? I think 125~ hp would be plenty for my needs, if that helps.

[jpamental]

Dan,

You can certainly build/buy a hotter higher performance engine, but there are always tradeoffs in longevity when you do that. Normal long life and great driving can be had with a 1720/1750 P/C set, a good exhaust setup (ceramic-coated Bursch or something like that) and pretty stock everything else. You can certainly do stuff like a hotter cam and higher compression ratios, but then you're looking at a much shorter life (typical 'more stock' rebuilds can last you 100k miles). Add to that maybe doing some short velocity stacks and polishing the intake manifold and you can easily get 110-115HP and a good long life for the engine.

That being said, though - if you want the horsepower, why not just buy a T? The cost isn't too much different and there are probably more of them around to find. Nothing wrong with buying what you really want - and in the end it will probably cost less than doing a good higher-hp rebuild on a 912 engine.

But have you driven a 912? While I haven't driven an early 911, I went from a 99 Saab 93 (turbo-charged 2 liter rocket) to my 912, and other than slower acceleration, I have no desire to look for more HP. I can cruise easily at 75 and have gotten well into 3 digits just seeing where it would go. Plenty of fun for me, anyway, and a much simpler engine for me to learn and work on.

So have you seen the white Targa down in your area? Really nice looking car - I think someone posted about it being a 71.

Anyway - good to hear from you (and Ward - sorry about the thread hijack, although I guess it's all sort of related!)

Jason

[jpamental]

Oh - and Dan - there are a lot of folks who have done the Type IV conversion in a 912. Certainly an option - don't know if it's cheaper and/or better than just rebuilding a solid stock engine though, with all the work you need to do with sheet metal, mounts, etc.

Jason

[deathpunk dan]

You are spot on with all of your points. I have driven a 67 912 that felt nimbler than the 86 Carrera targa I have had good deal of seat time in. If I find an appropriate early 911T, it would certainly be an option, but it seems like all of the ones I find locally are ridiculously priced or rust buckets.

I am in no hurry. The truth is I will probably end up with a 911SC sooner or later, but I really really like the simpler lines of the pre 74 cars.

[jpamental]

hey Dan-

Saw this on the NER PCA site -

http://www.porschenet.com/carAds.html (second listing down)

Don't know a thing about the car, but it might fit the bill or be a good starting point.

Jason