I need some advice please....

[Billy Boy]

... i am considering rebuilding my stock 912 engine (apart from Webers with K&N's), i have priced up all the juicy bits (290° Norris cam, full flow oil filter, new bearings, Shasta pistons & cylinders (86mm), new exhaust, all parts balanced and lightened) and i think i can do it for around £2500, this would give me around 120 bhp and torque (i hope!). Now my dilemma is do i sell my 912 (which is in v. good condition) and put the money i would spend on the engine towards buying a 911 for around £9000 or build the engine and get the car running sweet bearing in mind the car needs no bodywork or interior work and has an excellent paint job. What kind of 911 could i get for that money and would it be much more powerful (quicker) than my 912 with street-race engine (im thinking 911T)? I think that it is better the devil you know than don't, and buying a 911 for that money could be a lot more costly in the long run. Advice please!

Cheers,
Bill

[terry@bigbadtoy]

Stick with the 912! I faced the same type of problem about 34 years ago and picked a newly engined 912 over a tired 911s. The value of the 911s may be more now but the $ I would have put into it probably would have cancelled any gain ( as if I would sell either!). I still have the 912.

Terry

[chickybok]

Hi Bill

I thought of the same thing at one time. In the end I went for the 912 option and built a engine like your spec. It's the best thing I've done. The car runs great and the most important thing is that I know the car inside out... rather than selling the car and getting into the same problem with a 911 and twice the price!

I've got to get the car set up on a rolling road soon and I hope to get a reading of 120 plus.

Where are you based in England? There's a few of us in the UK that use this Forum.
We should meet up sometime....hey Alan? sometime soon

keep us informed Bill.

David
1966 192

[Billy Boy]

Hey David,

did you use AJP Engineering for your engine rebuild? And what kind of 'driving' difference did the rebuild make?

Cheers,
Bill

ps im in Worcester

[C. Clark]

Bill,
Could you post some close ups of your oil filter system? and details and or advice.
Chas.
69/912

[chickybok]

Yes I used Andy Prill (aka AJP Engineering). The difference is totally unreal! for a start and above all, Andy is a perfectionist. It did cost, but boy is it worth it - you get what you pay for.

The car starts on the first turn of the key and the sound is beautiful. As for performance... The car has that great kind of 'on the edge' enjoyment which I was first disappointed with when it was a tired 912.
What I'm trying to say is... I'm beginning to scare myself! after reading Andy's running in instructions - at the end it said 'above all enjoy' and after 1000 miles I seem to have a grin from ear to ear (I quote Alan Drayson!)

I did list what I had done in a post called "stage one complete!"

I wish they didn't salt the roads in this country! otherwise I'd be thinking about the weekend already!

David

[Jeff Trask]

Stick with the 912! It's a better balanced car. Can be made to out handle any 911 up to a 993. 120 HP is fantastic. I've just gone a little less on HP and am perfectly happy with the rebuild. Left the cam out of the equation. Pulls hard to the redline and has lots of torque. I'm going autocrossing in March and I look forward to turning a few heads.

[Alan.UK]

Hi Bill and all,

Well Christmas is over and Santa didn't bring me my 911 R wheels or new pair of sport recaro seats. I guess he couldn't fit them down the chimney.

I don't think 9 k would buy you a really good 911. In comparison if you spent your funds on the 912 motor you would end up with an engine similar to David’s and you would be very confident about it. You would also end up with (in my opinion) with a car, which will ultimately hold it value better than a 911 T/E of that value

Not that I fully agree that 912 match or out perform it's bigger brother. I see them as different cars, the 912 is lighter, better balanced and has a great feel about it, but if it's outright power your after then the 912 will not come close the high end 911's, but then it's (in it's original form) is not supposed to. On the other hand I love my 911 S as it has 180 bhp of brute power and when it hits 5k rpm it makes you smile from ear to ear.

Let us know how you get on

Alan.UK

PS David I think it's a great idea that we all meet up. Bill where are you based.?

[chickybok]

Thanks Alan

I guess you just had to mention that '180' bhp!